Formerly the capital city of Iowa until the mid-1800s, Iowa City is now the sixth largest city in the state and a major university city. As an arts centre, the city is the most prominent in the state and the home of many famous American authors, past and present. Given its university status, there is also a lively night scene in Iowa City that make weekends here among the most entertaining in the Mid-West.
Although no longer the state capital, Iowa City still retains much of its pomp courtesy of the Old Capitol Building, a popular landmark and center for visitors. Today, the focal point of the city is undoubtedly the University of Iowa, which accounts for one in three people in the city during term time. The result is a lively atmosphere dominated by the arts. Tourists can visit the University of Iowa’s Museum of Art, which specializes in African pieces, along with Museum of Natural History, also owned by the university, featuring Native American exhibits and a detailed look at the local geology.
Iowa City enjoys lively weekends of live music with open-air concerts every Friday night between May and September. Thanks to the abundance of students, the bar and club scene is both varied and inexpensive and always a good night out.
Highlights
University of Iowa Museum of Art: a wealth of African and European art along with temporary exhibitions at this free-to-enter art museum at the university.
University of Iowa Museum of Natural History: a look at Native American culture in Iowa and the geographical features that dominate the state.
Old Capitol Building: a grand, pillared testament to Iowa City’s past as state capital within the university campus.