The home of the University of Iowa, Iowa City provides plenty of free things to do. Located in the heart of the Midwest, Iowa City, IA provides the perfect mixture of culture, sports and family-friendly entertainment.
Explore Downtown Iowa City
Free entertainment is plentiful in downtown Iowa City. Consider a stroll through the pedestrian plaza in downtown city. Watch or play a game of chess on the life size outdoor chess board. Children can play in the water play area or burn off energy playing on the large play equipment. Throughout the summer, the Summer of the Arts program offers a variety of free, family fun entertainment. Music lovers can delight in several free concerts held downtown Iowa City. From the Friday Night Concert Series to Saturday Night Movies, Iowa City offers affordable entertainment for all ages.
Another delight to explore near downtown Iowa City is the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk. The Literary Walk features bronze relief panels set in the sidewalk and contain quotations about books and writing from 49 writers with connections to Iowa. To guide you through the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk, booklets are available at Prairie Lights Bookstore or Iowa Book and Supply for a nominal fee.
Discover Iowa City Culture and Museums for Free
With free admission, the Museum of Natural History provides hours of entertainment at no cost. Visitors can stroll through Mammal Hall and discover a variety of animals from every continent. Iowa Hall showcases over 500 years of Iowa’s geology and ecological history. Or explore over 1,000 birds found in Hageboeck Hall of Birds.
Another free thing to do in Iowa City is to visit the Old Capitol Museum. The Old Capitol served as the first Iowa state capitol from 1846 to 1857. Today, the Old Capitol Museum is owned by the University of Iowa and continues to serve the University and houses several offices. The Old Capitol Museum also hosts free piano concerts held on Sundays throughout the year. Exhibits change throughout the year to give visitors something new to discover each time they visit.
Get Some Exercise at Iowa City Parks
Outdoor lovers will find plenty of parks to explore in Iowa City. With over 40 city parks to hike, bike, jog or play, individuals can find a park to stretch out and relax without spending a dime. From Benton Hill Park with unique outdoor play areas, trails and a preschool playground to the hiking and jogging paths along the Iowa River at Ned Ashton Park, Iowa City parks let you take in scenic views or urban scenes.
Recognized by numerous national publications as a great place to visit or live, Iowa City serves as an educational and cultural center in Eastern Iowa. This culturally-rich and diverse city provides plenty for people to explore at no cost.
Sources:
www.iowacitycoralville.org
www.downtowniowacity.com
