National Cancer Centers Conference Iowa City/Coralville – a few things we thought you should know
Dubbed “the Athens of the Midwest”, Iowa City/Coralville is known for its medical care, arts, and athletics. Located in eastern Iowa, the two towns are home to a little more than 60,000 people. But the community almost doubles in size when the 20,000 students who attend The University of Iowa come to town. At various times the community has been ranked as a smart place to live (Kiplinger’s), a best small metropolitan area (Forbes Magazine), and among America’s 10 most enlightened towns (Utne Magazine), and of course our favorite - one of the healthiest, safest and sexiest cities in America (Men’s Journal).
A small town with Big 10 athletics and major University entertainment, Iowa City/Coralville is a charming, easy-going and fun-loving place that offers some rather unusual amenities.
A few things you might want to know:
- The public library has artwork from Berke Breathed (the creator of Bloom County and Opus) on display. He lived here while his wife attended the UI College of Law and donated the drawings to the Children’s section.
- A locally-owned book store, Prairie Lights, is home to a nationally broadcast radio program “Live from Prairie Lights.”
- Grant Wood, the painter of American Gothic, taught at The University of Iowa.
- The Hamburg Inn, a favorite greasy spoon, is home to the coffee bean caucus and is a regular stop for politicians. It is also home to something called “the pie shake” not for those trying to lose weight.
- Iowa City was the original capital of Iowa. Early in the state’s history it moved to Des Moines and Iowa City received the college as a trade. The original capitol buildings now makes up many of the core buildings for The University of Iowa, called the Pentacrest.
- A few miles north of where you are staying is a Corps of Engineer project that includes hiking trails and a fossil gorge.
- Just to the west (about 30 miles) is a German settlement called the Amana Colonies. The #1 tourism tourist attraction in the state, it is a fun day trip, if nothing else for the German food served family style. Yes, it is where Amana/Whirlpool had its start.
- Just to the east (about 15 miles) is the Herbert H. Hoover presidential museum. Despite his struggling presidency, he did a great deal to feed the hungry in the world and you can learn more if you visit.
- You may hear about the Mormon Trek. This refers to a group of 500 Mormon handcart pioneers who left Iowa City in 1858 after arriving by train (the westernmost stop) and headed west with two-wheeled handcarts. They eventually stopped in Salt Lake City, Utah.
- The University of Iowa is the main employer, but there is also an Oral B factory (they may have made your toothbrush), Proctor and Gamble (who knows what they made – detergent, soap, ), and ACT (they may have scored the test that got you into college).
- You flew into Cedar Rapids, a nearby community that is about double the size of Iowa City. Collectively, we call the area “the corridor” and it is home to a little more than 300,000 people.
- The Iowa River is a small river and feeds the Mississippi River.
- For you sports buffs, there are a number of world-class athletes from Iowa City, including NFL stars Tim Dwight and Nate Kaeding, wrestler Dan Gable, and sprinter Joey Woody.
Local Attractions
The Old Capitol Cultural District hosts a plethora of unique shopping and dining options. With locally owned shops and restaurants, there's something exciting for everyone — you, your family and your friends. Our out-of-town visitors comment on how great it is to find so many interesting shopping and dining options within such easy reach. And who doesn't love a college town!
Here are some of the restaurants within the immediate neighborhood of Riverside Theatre, our Saturday night cultural outing.
Devotay
117 North Linn Street
(between Market & Jefferson)
Iowa City
319.354.1001
http://www.devotay.net/
Hamburg Inn 2
214 N. Linn
Iowa City
319.337.5512
http://www.hamburginn.com/
John’s Grocery
401 E Market St
Iowa City, IA 52245
319.337.2183
http://www.johnsgrocery.com/
Linn Street Café
121 North Linn Street
Iowa City
319.337-7370
http://www.linnstreetcafe.com/
Oasis (The Falafel Joint)
206 North Linn Street
Iowa City
319.358-7342
http://www.oasisfalafel.com/
Pagliai’s Pizza
302 E. Bloomington St.
Iowa City, IA 52245
319.351.5073
http://www.paulpagliaispizza.com/menu.html
The Motley Cow
160 North Linn Street
Iowa City, IA 52245
319.688.9177
(no website – sorry!)
Riverside Theatre
213 North Gilbert StreetIowa City
319.338-7672
http://www.riversidetheatre.org/
© 2007 The University of Iowa