DOWNTOWN GIFT CARD
About Us
What We Do

Experience Downtown
Locate Here
Get Around

Experience Downtown

All Listings Eat & Drink Shop Services Events Stay Downtown Venues & Meeting Rooms Get Around

Arts & Culture Public Art Live Music Museums Art Galleries All Listings

Experience Downtown
Locate Here
Get Around
What We Do

Experience Downtown
Locate Here
Get Around

CMAApprovedJPEG522_11272023073131_large

Search Our Site

Search for:

Facebook

X

Instagram

This month, hosts Anna and Charlie sit down with T

This month, hosts Anna and Charlie sit down with Tony Branch, Youth Engagement Director at @unitedactionforyouth, for a powerful and inspiring conversation about his work, his passions, and what keeps him rooted in Iowa City.

Originally from Barbados and arriving here by way of Toronto, Tony was recruited to Iowa City without ever having visited before—but it didn’t take long for him to fall in love with the community. In this episode, he shares how UAY supports our youth through a wide range of programs, including a downtown youth center focused on music and the arts, health education partnerships with the school district, and a diversion program that helps young people find a better path forward.

Tony also talks about why having UAY in the downtown area matters—calling it a central hub where young people can access resources, connect with the community, and feel visible and valued. The conversation highlights how collaboration between local partners, nonprofits, and cultural institutions like the Englert and the Iowa City Public Library plays a key role in uplifting youth.

You’ll also hear about Tony’s love for Iowa City’s biking community (he’s on the board of the Iowa City Bike Library), his favorite local spots, and UAY’s Spark Program, which takes kids out for incredible outdoor experiences like hiking, canoeing, and even backpacking trips in the Yellow River Forest.

And don’t worry—Bill is back with another round of “Have You Heard?”

Tune in to hear why Tony thinks Iowa City is a hidden gem and how he’s helping shape the next generation, right in the heart of downtown.

Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music.

Summer’s just getting started, and so is the fun

Summer’s just getting started, and so is the fun! The Summer Shop Crawl is happening this Friday, and it’s your perfect excuse to treat yourself to a night out in Downtown Iowa City.

We’re talking moscato punch, rosé spritzers, iced tea, and spiked flavored lemonades… plus sweet deals like 20% off storewide, discounted jewelry at select shops, and more. It’s retail therapy meets summer happy hour, and we can’t wait!

Every ticket comes with this year’s adorable Shop Crawl glass, locally made lip balm, and access to all the sales and sips at 15+ participating shops.

Gather your friends, grab your tickets before they’re sold out, and let’s make a night of it. 🛍️☀️🍹

This Thursday’s Legacy Happy Hour celebrates Dow

This Thursday’s Legacy Happy Hour celebrates Downtown Iowa City’s iconic establishment: @bojamesbar . As the bar and grill celebrates turning 42, the festivities feature prizes, $4.20 cheeseburger baskets, $4 mimosas, $4 double wells, $4 Big Busch Lights, and of course, birthday cake to top it all off.

When Bo-James opened its doors in 1983, it stood as one of downtown’s only dinner houses. Known for its extensive menu, high-backed booths, and loyal lunch crowd that included business professionals and legendary Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry, Bo James became a fixture in the community.

Step inside, and the space tells the story of its history. Original Tiffany lamps cast a warm glow over booths that have seen decades of stories. The handmade neon sign lights the entrance each evening, and at the heart of the restaurant sits a round wooden table, cracked with age and character—the only piece to survive two fires, and still serving guests today.

In the early 2000s, founder Leah Cohen saw the need to adapt. She partnered with student organizations from the University to reimagine the restaurant as a casual sports bar with an Irish twist. The transformation worked, solidifying Bo James as a go-to for game days, birthdays, and late-night meetups.

Still proudly family-owned and operated, Bo James carries on Leah’s legacy. She helped pioneer the concept of sidewalk cafés downtown, and her son, Morgan, who grew up wiping tables and learning the ropes firsthand, is stepping into a leadership role as she prepares to retire. The tradition is alive in every detail from second-generation employees behind the bar to the children of longtime customers now raising glasses of their own.

Bo James has been the setting for countless memories like engagements, anniversaries, reunions, and those ordinary nights that somehow become unforgettable. Patrons often return years later to toast the place where it all began. It’s where Hancher performers came to unwind, where students became staff, and staff became family.

Join us tomorrow to celebrate 42 years of Bo James—a downtown tradition that continues to serve up community, comfort, and a night out on the town.

Today’s your last chance to grab a Legacy Retail

Today’s your last chance to grab a Legacy Retail Bounceback voucher! Spend $200 or more at participating legacy businesses and get $40 back while supporting the downtown staples that have helped shape Iowa City’s charm. To mark the occasion, we’re spotlighting a cherished and curious corner of downtown: The Haunted Bookshop.

Established in 1978, the @hauntedbookshopiowacity has become a cornerstone of Iowa City’s literary life. After locations on South Johnson, East Washington, and North Linn Streets, the store found its forever home in 2013 at 219 N. Gilbert Street, nestled inside the historic 1847 Wentz House. Once home to Caroline Wentz and later Iowa City’s first female mayor, Emma Harvat, the Greek Revival residence is on the National Historic Register—a fitting place for a store brimming with stories.

With ten curated rooms and over 45,000 titles across 80+ genres, The Haunted Bookshop feels more like a literary living room than a retail space. From its cozy reading nooks to cat-sized windowsills, every inch of the shop is designed to invite exploration and quiet connection.

Owner Nialle Sylvan took over the store in 2004 at age 26, captivated by its welcoming energy and history. Since then, she’s lovingly expanded its legacy by merging with other local bookstores—Northside Book Market, The Bookery, and Murphy-Brookfield Books—creating a living archive of Iowa City’s literary past and present.

The shop takes its name from The Haunted Bookshop by Christopher Morley, a novel about booksellers, romance, and mystery. Fittingly, the store is “haunted” not by ghosts, but by stories—and maybe the occasional white cat. Resident felines Esk and Sophie charm visitors with their sleepy companionship, while the elusive Écaille Echo—spotted only by customers—adds a magical touch of mystery.

What sets The Haunted Bookshop apart is its role as a community anchor. “People come to find, bring, or swap out books,” Nialle says. “And because of that, the store has become a channel in which the character of Iowa City passes.”

Friday’s forecast is showing sunny skies and a h

Friday’s forecast is showing sunny skies and a high of 83 degrees - what a perfect evening for Summer Shop Crawl! Make an evening of it by grabbing your friends, significant other, or family and enjoying the start of summertime in laid-back Iowa City. Take a break from shopping for a bite to eat on a nearby patio, then continue the crawl until your totes are full. This is a ‘choose-your-own-adventure” shopping experience where you can pick your own route and visit as many stores as your heart desires.

Join us this Friday, May 30th from 4:00 - 8:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased through the link in our bio.

$15 Tickets Include:
☀️A customized shop crawl glass
☀️A surprise gift
☀️A branded downtown tote
☀️Access to sales and drinks at each participating store (alcoholic and NA options will be available)

Join us for Legacy Happy Hour tonight at George’

Join us for Legacy Happy Hour tonight at George’s—no frills, just great burgers, hot nuts, and some of the best drink deals in town.

George’s Buffet has been a Northside institution since 1939—despite never actually having a buffet—and George-less since Clarence Ruppert bought it from original owner George Kanak in 1948. Since then, the torch has passed through a few local hands, eventually landing with Mike Karr, who’s been behind the bar since the late ’70s and running the show since 1989.

This Iowa City staple is best known for its cheeseburgers—cooked on vintage 1950s Clark electric broilers—and its unbeatable happy hour. Esquire once named it one of the best late-night food joints in the country, and they weren’t wrong.

Add in the classic wooden booths, vintage Hamm’s signs, ice cold beer, 1960s flocked wallpaper (a hand-me-down and neighborhood collab with Pagliai’s Pizza), and a cast of regulars from all walks of life, and you’ve got the kind of place where stories start and good nights end.

Come soak in the unbeatable charm and timeless vibe that only George’s can deliver.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this year’s State of the Downtown Annual Meeting. Your energy, support, and commitment to downtown continue to drive us forward.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to build on this momentum and shape the future of Downtown Iowa City—guided by our renewed Strategic Plan and the progress ahead with our SSMID renewal and expansion. Downtown is the creative and innovative heart of the region, and together, we’re championing a thriving local economy, fostering a vibrant community, and creating welcoming experiences for all.

This work is only possible through strong partnerships and meaningful collaboration. Thank you for dreaming big, thinking locally, and helping us keep downtown original, authentic, and full of life.

At the Downtown Block Party we take pride in trans

At the Downtown Block Party we take pride in transforming the city blocks with experiences and sights you won’t typically find in an urban setting. It’s not every day you get to skate down a street that’s usually bustling with traffic. Come to Block Party on June 28th and roll with @icparksandrec. This is the perfect summertime activity for all ages. Ready, set, let’s roll! Skates and socks will be provided.

Follow on Instagram

Downtown Gift Card
About Us

Job Board
Leasing
Add Your Event
Business Resources
Contact Us

© Copyright Iowa City Downtown District | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Sitemap