Iowa City is a charming Midwest college town. It is the original state capital of Iowa (the capital later moved to Des Moines) and is home to the University of Iowa.

There are a wide variety of things to do in Iowa City and the surrounding area, making it a fun destination for a Midwest weekend getaway.

I have lived in eastern Iowa all of my life. I grew up 25 minutes from Iowa City, went to school at the University of Iowa, and now live 15 minutes from Iowa City with my husband and 2 kids.

I’ve personally done all of the things on this list throughout my different stages of life!

This list of things to do in (and around) Iowa City is split up into the following sections (click the link to skip to a specific section):

• Outdoor Activities
• Indoor Activities
• Things to Do with Kids
• Arts & History
• Sports & Athletics
• Dining & Drinks
• Annual Events

This article includes things to do in Iowa City, Coralville, North Liberty, and other nearby communities.

There are activities on this list for everyone! No matter your age or interests! And there are ideas for any weather or season!

Best Outdoor Things to Do in Iowa City

Outdoor Activities

• Downtown Pedestrian Mall (Iowa City) – brick walkways lined with shops, restaurants, and bars; plenty of benches, pretty flowers, fountains, playground
• University of Iowa Walking Tour – get some steps in & take a self-guided tour around the beautiful campus
• Wilson’s Orchard (Iowa City) – You will find U-pick fruit, pumpkin patch, sunflower field, delicious baked goods, and so much more at Wilson’s. You can visit during all seasons. Our kids even saw Santa at Wilson’s this Christmas! Get the apple turnover ala mode.
• Colony Acres (North Liberty) – So many fun farm-themed activities for kids – full-sized basketball hoops made from old farm equipment, hayrides, a corn maze, a zip line, and so much more. They add more activities each season. You can also purchase sunflowers in August, pumpkins in September and October, and Christmas trees in December. Make sure to try the mini donuts!
• Pizza on the Farm (Wellman) – As the name implies, during summer & fall evenings, enjoy woodfired pizza on a farm while listening to live music!

Best Parks & Recreation Areas

• Terry Trueblood Recreation Area (Iowa City) – great paved trails around lake, dirt trails, seasonal concessions and paddle boards, paddle boats, & kayaks available for rent, small natural playground, picnic pavilions
• Coralville Dam Recreation Area (Coralville) – fishing, picnic areas, boat ramps, fishing pier, river & lake fishing, hunting, mountain bike trails, hiking trails, lake swimming, sand volleyball, boating activities
• Lake Macbride State Park (Solon) – hiking, boating, fishing, lake swimming/beach, picnic areas, water sports, camping
• City Park (Iowa City) – playgrounds, picnic pavilions, paved trails, basketball & tennis courts, views of the Iowa River
• Hickory Hill Park (Iowa City) – limestone, woodchip, & dirt hiking trails, picnic pavilions
• Kiwanis Park (Iowa City) – paved trails, community garden, natural playground, sandboxes, creek
• Waterworks Prairie Park (Iowa City) – paved trails, pond, fishing dock, picnic area
• North Ridge Park (Coralville) – paved trails, fishing pond, playground, small picnic area
• Altmaier Family Park (Coralville) – archery, cornhole, 18-hole disc golf course, picnic area
• Centennial Park (North Liberty) – beautiful park with paved trails, playgrounds, stocked pond, open grassy fields, more additions coming soon
• Kent Park (Oxford) – 1,062 acre park, limestone trail around large fishing lake, swimming beach, campground, picnic areas, playground, dirt/grass trails through prairies, forest, and wetlands, popular spot for cross-country skiing

See our full guide to Kent Park here.

Dog Parks

• Thornberry Off-Leash Dog Park (Iowa City)
• Rita’s Ranch Dog Park (Iowa City)
• Red Fern Dog Park (North Liberty)
• Cheyenne Off-Leash Park (Ely)
• Tiffin Dog Park (Tiffin)

See our “things to do in Iowa City with kids” section for more parks & playgrounds

Hiking Trails

• Hickory Hill Loop (Hickory Hill Park, Iowa City) – 2.6 miles, easy, not paved
• Devonian Fossil Gorge (Coralville Reservoir) – easy nature walk through the gorge, check out the short trail near the dam along the river as well – great for bald eagle viewing in the winter
• Terry Trueblood Loop (Terry Trueblood Recreation Area, Iowa City) – 1.9-mile paved trail, easy
• Waterworks Prairie Park (Iowa City) – 3 miles of paved trails, easy
• Squire Point & Woodpecker Trail Systems (Coralville Dam Recreation Area) – multiple routes & off-shoot trails, dirt trail, hilly portions, views of Coralville Lake
• City Park via Iowa River Trail (Iowa City) – 2.1 miles, easy, paved
• Kiwanis Park Loop (Iowa City) – 1.3-mile paved loop, easy
• Ryerson’s Woods Trail (Iowa City) – 1 mile, easy, not paved
• Clear Creek Trail (Tiffin/Coralville) – 9+ miles of paved trail starting on the west side of Tiffin, extending through Coralville to the west side of Iowa City – so many different places to hop on this trail!
• North Liberty Recreational Trail (North Liberty) – a 3.3-mile paved trail that connects to North Ridge Trail
• North Ridge Trail (Coralville) – a 3.5-mile paved trail that links the North Liberty Recreational Trail to Clear Creek Trail
• Kent Park Trails (Oxford) – the easy 1.4-mile limestone lake trail is our favorite – see more Kent Park trails here

Hiking Destinations Within 100 miles

• Palisades-Kepler State Park (Mt. Vernon) – 20 miles
• Wildcat Den State Park (Muscatine) – 45 miles
• Maquoketa Caves State Park (Maquoketa) – 70 miles
• Mines of Spain (Dubuque) – 80 miles

Bike Trails

There are many great paved trails in the area and many mountain biking trails as well. Check out Bike Iowa City to see all of the metro area trails, bike lanes, and bikeways.

Boating/Water Activities

• Terry Trueblood Recreation Area (Iowa City) – kayaks, paddle boards, and paddle boats for rent (or bring your own), fishing
• Coralville Lake: Sandy Beach, Sugar Bottom, West Overlook (Coralville/Solon) – swimming beaches, fishing
• Lake Macbride State Park (Solon) – boat, kayak, and paddleboard rentals (or bring your own), swimming beach, fishing
• F.W. Kent Park (Oxford) – fishing, swimming beach
• Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area (Palo) – swimming area, fishing
• Monticello River Rentals (Monticello) – rent tubes, kayaks, or canoes and float along the Maquoketa river

Outdoor Swimming Pools & Aquatic Centers

• City Park Pool (Iowa City)
• Coralville Aquatic Center (Coralville)
• North LibertyAquatic Center (North Liberty)

Area Campgrounds

• Sugarbottom Campground (Coralville Lake/Solon) – I used to always camp here as a kid & have fond memories of it!
• West Overlook Campground (Coralville Dam Complex)
• Tailwater East/West Campgrounds (Coralville Dam Complex)
• Cottonwood Campground (Coralville Dam Complex)
• Linder Point Campground (Coralville Dam Complex)
• Sandy Beach Campground (Coralville Lake/Solon)
• Lake Macbride State Park Campground (Solon)
• F.W. Kent Park Campground (Oxford)

Farmer’s Markets

Get your fresh produce, baked goods, and homemade items

• Iowa City Farmer’s Market – Wednesdays 5-7 p.m. Saturdays 7:30 a.m. – 12 p.m. Runs from the first weekend in May through the last weekend in October. 405 E Washington St.
• Cedar Rapids Farmer’s Market – Every other Saturday from May to September. Worth the drive to CR!

Wineries

• Walker Homestead Farm & Winery (Iowa City)
• Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery (Swisher)
• Fireside Winery (Marengo)
• Brick Arch Winery (West Branch)

Best Outdoor Dining in Iowa City

• Big Grove Brewery & Taproom (Iowa City)
• St. Burch Tavern ( Downtown Iowa City)
• Vue Rooftop (Downtown Iowa City)
• Iowa River Power Company (Iowa City)
• Los Agaves Mexican Grill (Iowa City)
• Maggie’s Farm Wood-Fired Pizza (Iowa City)
• Rapid Creek Cidery (Iowa City)
• 30 Hop (Coralville)
• Iowa Atheltic Club (Coralville)
• Tin Roost (North Liberty)
• Red’s Alehouse (North Liberty)
• Bobber’s Grill (North Liberty)

Best Indoor Things to Do in Iowa City

Because let’s face it – winters are long and there are a lot of crappy weather days

Games & Activities

• Spare Me (Downtown area Iowa City) – 12 bowling lanes, skee ball, arcade games, 2 bars, restaurant
• Double Tap Beercade (Iowa City Ped Mall) – arcade, bar, pizza
• Colonial Lanes (Iowa City) – inexpensive bowling & mini golf, arcade games
• Cryptiq Escapes (Iowa City) – escape rooms
• Hatchet Jack’s (Iowa City) – ax throwing
• Tavern Blue (Coralville) – nautical-themed mini golf, foosball, golf, table games, craft beer, restaurant
• Ice Skating Rink at Coral Ridge (Coralville) – ice skating
• Wellman Skating Rink (Wellman) – roller-skating
• Riverside Casino & Golf Resort (Riverside)

Movies

• Marcus Theatres (Sycamore Mall in Iowa City)
• Marcus Theatres (Coral Ridge Mall in Coralville)
• Film Scene (Iowa City) – permanent indoor theatre at the Chauncey, outdoor seasonal rooftop cinema at the Ped Mall, seasonal outdoor cinema at Chauncy Swan Park

Relax & Unwind

• Prairie Lights (Downtown Iowa City) – independent bookstore and cafe
• Renee’s Ceramic Cafe (Iowa City) – art-to-go kits, classes, events, open for walk-in painting
• Tura Lura Co Candle Pour (The Greenhouse Iowa City) – I attended one of these & loved it
• Brush & Barrel (Coralville) – a social painting & DIY experience
• Spa Bilanca (Coralville) – day spa offering massages, facials, skin & body treatment, micro-needling, and more
• MYO Massage & Chiropractic (Coralville) – massage spa
• Get a manicure or pedicure – Pretty Nails & Spa (Iowa City) & Elite Nails (Iowa City) are good options

Shopping

• Coral Ridge Mall (Coralville) – the biggest mall in the area
• Iowa River Landing (Coralville) – you can find more high-end shops here like Von Mauer, Lululemon, and Anthropologie, and more
• Sycamore Mall (Iowa City) – smaller mall
• Old Capitol Town Center (Downtown Iowa City) – small selection in the town center, more shops throughout downtown
• Williamsburg Outlets & Marketplace (Williamsburg) – outdoor outlet mall

Indoor Recreation Areas & Pools

• Campus Rec & Wellness Center (Iowa City) – multiple pools, climbing wall, indoor track, courts, 3 levels of fitness equipment, large gymnasium, group classes, Power Cafe (open to the public, not just those affiliated with the University)
• Robert A Lee Recreation Center (Iowa City) – fitness center, gymnasium, indoor pool
• Mercer Park Aquatic Center & Gym (Iowa City) – indoor pool & hot tub, gymnasium, pool table, foosball tables, ping pong
• Coralville Recreation Center (Coralville) – indoor lap pool, exercise room, gymnasium, racquetball, game room with foosball, ping pong, and pool
• North Liberty Community Center (North Liberty) – indoor track, indoor pool, fitness equipment, group classes, gymnasiums, kids’ play area

Best Things to Do in Iowa City with Kids

• Iowa Children’s Museum (Coralville) – Lots of fun & a great variety of activities for all ages!
• 223 Baby Co. (Iowa City) – Ok, this one might be more for the parents. Seriously the cutest baby/toddler store you’ve ever seen.
• Colony Acres (North Liberty) – So many fun rides & activities for kids during the fall season!
• Wilson’s Orchard (Iowa City) – Wilson’s now has a playground, a few ride-on toys, tractors to sit on, yard games, and more family-friendly activities. Admission is $5.
• Defy Trampoline Park (Iowa City)
• Apex Laser Tag (Iowa City)
• Pizza Ranch FunZone Arcade (Iowa City & North Liberty)
• Ice Skating Rink at Coral Ridge (Coralville)
• Wellman Roller Skating Rink (Wellman)
• Colonial Lanes (Iowa City) – great place to enjoy inexpensive bowling & mini golf, arcade games
• Dodge Street Coffee House (Iowa City) – enjoy some coffee & let the kids have fun in the play area
• Sidekick Books & Coffee (Iowa City) – books, coffee, ice cream, train table & fun hexagon cubbies for the kiddos
• Tot Time at Mercer Park Scanlon Gym (Iowa City) – pay $1 & let the kids roam around the bounce house, tumbling mats, basketball hoops, etc.
• Sweet Feet Yoga (Iowa City) – baby & me yoga, yoga for tots, and more!
• Devonian Fossil Gorge (Coralville Lake) – Perfect place to let the kids explore & get some fresh air during any season! There is also a short, scenic trail along the river – you’ll likely see bald eagles if you go in the winter.
• University of Iowa Museum of Natural History – free museum open to the public; walk around and look at the artifacts and animals
• Little Sports Torts Indoor Play Space (Cedar Rapids) – Let the kids run around and be active! A bit of a drive, but worth it!
• Wikiup Hill Learning Center (Toddville) – This one is worth the drive! So many indoor activities and an awesome natural outdoor play area. And it’s all FREE!
• Bloomsbury Farm (Atkins) – I recommend driving over to Bloomsbury at least once during the fall season. It’s the go-to place for fall fun! Baby animal days in the spring is great too.

Best Parks & Playgrounds in the Iowa City Area

• Ped Mall Playground (Downtown Iowa City) – Recently renovated playground in the pedestrian mall outside of the Iowa City Public Library
• Mercer Park (Iowa City) – huge playground, open fields, picnic shelters
• City Park (Iowa City) – nice playground, pavilions, basketball courts, tennis courts, big open fields, paved trails
• Kiwanis Park (Iowa City) – natural play area & wooden playground, picnic pavilion, sandboxes, open fields, paved trails
• Terry Trueblood (Iowa City) – natural play area with slide, climbing wall, and sand pit – let the kiddos bring some toys and play in the sand while you sit back & relax on a bench while enjoying lake views
• Penn Meadows Park (North Liberty) – 2 play structures for different ages, shaded picnic tables, paved trails, baseball fields, splash pad
• Centennial Park (North Liberty) – large playgrounds with structures for big kids & little kids, additional natural play area, paved trails, wide-open grassy fields
• North Ridge Park (Coralville) – playground with 2 play structures for big kids & little kids, paved trails around fishing pong, small picnic shelter
• City Park (Tiffin) – playground, baseball fields, paved trails, splash pad
• Kent Park (Oxford) – large playground in the woods – the play structure is made from recycled materials!

Free Indoor Play Areas

• Kid’s Campsite Play Area (North Liberty Community Center) – padded & enclosed area, great for toddlers and younger kids
• Coral Ridge Mall Play Area (Coralville) – – padded & enclosed area, great for toddlers and younger kids
• Public Libraries (Iowa City, Coralville, & North Liberty) – All of the area public libraries are excellent & have wonderful children’s sections with play areas, storytime sessions, and of course a great selection of books. (North Liberty Library is our favorite!)

Area Pools, Aquatic Centers, Splash Pads

• Campus Rec & Wellness Center (Iowa City) – more expensive than other options, but the indoor pool at the CRWC is perfect for kids with a lazy river, hot tub, rock wall, and fun water play features
• Robert A Lee Recreation Center (Iowa City) – indoor pool
• Mercer Park Aquatic Center & Gym (Iowa City) – indoor pool & hot tub
• City Park Pool (Iowa City) – unheated outdoor pool & separate children’s wading pool
• North Liberty Community Center (North Liberty) – indoor pool & outdoor aquatic center with slides
• Coralville Rec Center (Coralville) – indoor pool, separate shallow pool for young kids, hot tub
• Coralville Aquatic Center (Coralville) – zero entry pool, splash pad, slides

Splash Pads

• Wetherby Park Splash Pad (Iowa City) – 2400 Taylor Drive
• Fairmeadows Park Splash Pad (Iowa City) – 2500 Miami Drive
• Tower Court Park Spray Pad (Iowa City) – 1124 Tower Court
• Ped Mall Weatherdance Fountain (Downtown Iowa City) – 210 S. Dubuque St.
• Penn Meadows Splash Pad (North Liberty) – 170 N Dubuque St.
• Tiffin Splash Pad (Tiffin) – 809 E. Marengo Road

Things to Do in Iowa City: Arts & History

Museums

• Museum of Natural History (Iowa City) – free to visit!
• Old Capitol Museum (Iowa City) – free to visit!
• Stanley Museum of Art (Iowa City) – free to visit!
• Antique Car Museum of Iowa (Coralville)

Theatres & Shows

• Englert Theatre (Iowa City)
• Riverside Theatre (Iowa City)
• Hancher Auditorium (Iowa City)

History

• 1876 School House (Coralville)
• Plum Grove Historic Home (Iowa City)
• Johnson County Historical Society Museum (Coralville)
• Johnson County Historic Poor Farm (Iowa City)
• Black Angel at Oakland Cemetary (Iowa City)
• Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum (West Branch)
• Visit the Amana Colonies (Amana)

Literary

Iowa City is a Unesco City of Literature (one of only 42 cities in the world!)

• Iowa Avenue Literary Walk (Iowa City)
• Iowa Writer’s House (Iowa City)
• John Martin Rare Book Room (Iowa City)

Memorials

• Veterans Trail (Coralville Lake)
• Iowa Firefighters Memorial (Coralville)

Record Breakers

• World’s Largest Wooden Nickel (Iowa City)
• World’s Largest Truck Stop (Walcott)

Best Things to Do in Iowa City for Sports Lovers

University of Iowa Hawkeye Sports

• Historic Kinnick Stadium (Iowa City) – wave to the kids at the Children’s Hospital while watching football
• Carver-Hawkeye Arena (Iowa City) – home of Iowa men’s & women’s basketball and wrestling
• Xtreme Arena (Coralville) – women’s volleyball, women’s gymnastics
• More Hawkeye sports to watch: baseball, softball, men’s & women’s golf, track & field, cross country, women’s field hockey, women’s rowing, women’s soccer, women’s swimming & diving, & women’s tennis
• University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame (Iowa City) – 2425 Prairie Meadow Drive (free admission!)

Hockey

• Iowa Heartlanders (Coralville Xtreme Area) – minor league NHL
• Cedar Rapids Roughriders (Cedar Rapids) – junior team in the USHL
• Iowa Club Hockey (Coralville) – University of Iowa club team

Baseball

• Cedar Rapids Kernels (Cedar Rapids) – Minor League Baseball

Best Golf Courses in the Iowa City Area

• Finkbine Golf Course (Iowa City) – 18-hole course
• Brown Deer Golf Club (Coralville) – 18-hole course
• Blue Top Ridge (Riverside Casino & Golf Resort) – 18-hole course
• Stone Creek Golf Course (Williamsburg) – 9-hole course
• Amana Colonies Golf Club (Amana) – 18-hole course

Golf Simulators

• The Leaderboard (North Liberty)
• Golfletics (Coralville)
• Top Tracer (Tiffin) – coming soon

Disc Golf

• Peninsula Park (Iowa City) – 18-hole course, some wooded holes, some open near the river, well-maintained
• Altmaier Park (Coralville) – 18-hole course, one of our favorites, well-maintained, good variety
• Sugar Bottom Recreation Area (Solon) – 18-hole course, another one of our favorites, some holes are wide open, others provide a challenge by cutting through the woods
• Weatherby (Iowa City) – 9-hole course, short, simple, wide open
• Turkey Creek (Iowa City) – 9-hole course, lots of trees
• Tiffin Timbers (Tiffin) – 9-hole, can be overgrown at times, crosses over walking trail, grass/woods/creek

Best Dining in the Iowa City Area

Breakfast

• Bluebird Diner (Iowa City or North Liberty)
• Hamburg Inn (Iowa City)
• Encounter Cafe (Iowa City)
• Pullman Bar & Diner (Iowa City)
• Tin Roost weekend brunch (North Liberty)

Pizza

• Wig & Pen Pizza Pub (Coralville & North Liberty) – get the wings too
• Pagliai’s Pizza (Iowa City)

Mexican

• Los Agaves Mexican Grill (Iowa City) – great food, drinks, & patio!
• La Regia Taqueria (Iowa City) – authentic food
• Carlos O’Kellys (Iowa City) – some people might cringe at this one because it’s inspired mex, but I’m obsessed with the queso & enchiladas de poblano

Sushi

• Sushiya (North Liberty)
• Oyama Sushi (Iowa City)
• Formosa (Iowa City)

BBQ

• Jimmy Jack’s Rib Shack (Iowa City)
• Pop’s BBQ (Iowa City)
• Mosley’s BBQ (Iowa City or North Liberty)
• Jethros (Coralville)

Sports Bars/Restaurants

• The Vine (Iowa City or Coralville) – one of the best places to go for game days
• Iowa Athletic Club (Coralville)
• Coach’s Corner (Iowa City)
• 2 Dogs Pub (Iowa City)

Dessert

• Molly’s Cupcakes (Iowa City or Coralville)
• Heyn’s Ice Cream (Iowa City or North Liberty)
• Yotopia Frozen Yogurt (Iowa City)
• Cookies & Dreams (Coralville)

Bars & Breweries

This really depends on the vibe you are going for.

Click here for a description of all of the area bars!

Our favorite bars in college: Brother’s, Sports Column, DC’s, Joe’s Place

Our favorite bars now: 30Hop, Big Grove, Tin Roost

Annual Special Events in the Iowa City Area

• Downtown Block Party (Iowa City) – June
• Chocolate Stroll (Mt. Vernon) – June
• Iowa Arts Festival (Iowa City) – June
• Jazz Fest (Iowa City) – July
• Blues & BBQ (North Liberty) – July
• Beef Days (Solon) – July
• Johnson County Fair (Iowa City) – August
• FRYfest (Coralville/Iowa City) – August
• Taste of Iowa City – August
• Northside Oktoberfest (Iowa City) – September
• Oktoberfest (Amana Colonies) – September/October
• Prelude to Christmas (Amana Colonies) – December

Click here for more upcoming events in the Iowa City Area

Come stay at Iowa Nice Escape!

Best Things to Do In & Around Red Lodge

Best Things to Do in Red Lodge

Red Lodge Mountain Summer Activities

Yellowstone National Park Itinerary

Red Lodge Skiing & Winter Trails

Red Lodge Mountain

Red Lodge Mountain Facebook Page

Groomed Winter Trails

Nordic Center Winter Trails

West Fork Winter Trails

Area Hiking & Mountain Biking

Red Lodge Trails & Recreation

Beartooth Summer Hiking Trails

Restaurants & Shopping

Red Lodge Dining & Nightlife

Come stay at Black Diamond Lodge!

Hikes & Things to Do in Kanab

Our Personal Favorites: Squaw Trail, ATV/off-road adventures (we used Endless Adventures to visit the Great Chamber & Peekaboo Slot Canyon -highly recommend! Also recommend Kanab Tour Co.), K Hill Trail (steps from the house!), walking/playground at Jackson Flat Reservoir, pool & playground at Jacob Hamblin Park, climb up to the Sand Caves off Hwy 89, Coral Pink Sand Dunes, Belly of the Dragon, enjoying local coffee & food

Red Hollow Slot Canyon in nearby Orderville is another cool, short/easy hike that is not difficult to get to.

On Our Bucket List (let us know if you do any of these!): The Wave Trail, Wire Pass to Buckskin Gulch/Paria Canyon, Willis Creek Slot Canyon, Coyote Buttes, White Pocket, and more off-road adventures!

Restaurants in Kanab

Our Personal Favorites: Wild Thyme (delicious food), Iron Horse (for the ambiance), Brown Box (cookie skillets & Jalapeno grilled cheese), Soda Fountain (ice cream), Taro Coffee Bar or Willow Canyon Outdoor (for coffee), Big Al’s (for diner food)

Zion National Park

Distance from the house: 31 miles (35-40 min) to the east ranger station, 43 miles (60-75 min) to Zion Canyon scenic drive

Our personal favorites: Canyon Overlook Trail, Lower Pine Creek Falls, Watchman Trail, Angel’s Landing (even if you only go to Scout’s Lookout), Pa’rus Trail (with strollers), hiking off-trail on the east side of the park, scenic drive from the east entrance to Springdale, Observation Point via East Mesa Trail (best views in the whole park!)

We enjoy many Springdale restaurants, including Porter’s, Oscar’s, and Meme’s Cafe. If you have kids with you, check out the little farm behind Bumbleberry Inn in Springdale!

On Our Bucket List: The Narrows top-down & The Subway

Bryce Canyon National Park

Distance from the house: 78 miles (~1 hour, 25 min)

Our personal favorites: Drive the scenic road and stop at various viewpoints (Sunrise/Sunset Points, Inspiration Point, Natural Bridge), Queens Garden/Navajo Loop/Rim Trail Combo Hike, Bristlecone Loop Hike

Grand Canyon National Park

Distance from the house: 80 miles (~1 hour, 30 min)

Our Personal Favorites: Drinking coffee in the rocking chairs at the lodge overlooking the Grand Canyon, Cape Royal Scenic Drive, see Point Imperial, see Angels Window, Cliff Spring Trail, Cape Final Trail, hike to Bright Angel Point

On our Bucket List: Hike North Rim to South Rim! We have done the rim-to-rim hike once but went up and down the south rim. We would love to arrange transportation and do the true rim-to-rim someday!

The Grand Canyon North Rim is open seasonally, typically from May 15 to October 15.

Day Trip to Page, AZ

Distance from the house: 73 Miles (~1 hour, 10 min)

Our personal favorites: Beach day, jet ski, or kayak at Lake Powell, visit horseshoe bend, Antelope Canyon tour, Lone Rock Beach, and don’t miss the Toadstool Hoodoos hike just off the highway that leads to Page!

Eat at the Barnyard in Page! Awesome environment, super kid-friendly, and good food & service.

On Our Bucket List: rent a boat on Lake Powell, see Rainbow Bridge National Monument

Let us know if you have any questions! We absolutely love Kanab and have so many great memories here – we hope you will feel the same way. Happy adventures!

-Regan & Travis

Come stay at Utah Adventure Retreat

This guide was created for our guests at Colorado Adventure Retreat, but will hopefully be useful to anyone visiting the Florissant area!

Please share your adventures with us by tagging us on Instagram @perrydisevacationrentals – we love to see them!

This post will cover a few different areas that are all within an hour of Colorado Adventure Retreat:

• Teller County – Florissant, Divide, Woodland Park, Cripple Creek (0-25 min away)
• Manitou Springs (40-45 min away)
• Colorado Springs (45 min-1 hour away)
• Royal Gorge (1 hour away)

Things to Do in Teller County

Restaurants/Drinks

• Wild Horses Cafe/Cap’s Pizza (Florissant) – we love this place for coffee, pizza, and sandwiches – located in the lower level of Dawn’s Hope Ranch, this cafe has a cute & cozy vibe with nice views of Pike’s Peak
• Iron Tree Restaurant/Funky Town Brewery (Florissant) – has a nice outdoor patio
• Thunderbird Inn (Florissant) – local bar/restaurant
• Costello Coffee House (Florissant) – serves coffee, breakfast, & lunch in a historic Victorian house, has a small patio, we enjoy getting coffee and breakfast here!
• Paradox Beer Company (Divide) – local brewery, unique beers, good food, great patio with views
• Fat Shack BBQ – Texas-style BBQ & live music; 13 min NW in Lake George near Eleven Mile Canyon
• Gold Camp Cafe – cute coffee shop in Cripple Creek
• McGinty’s Wood Oven Pub (Divide) – decent food, the pizza is the best thing we’ve had here
• Russ’ Place (Divide) – haven’t been here yet, let us know if it’s good!
• The Creek (Cripple Creek) – very cool historic restaurant, but our meals weren’t great

We haven’t eaten at many places in Woodland Park, but these are some of the top-rated options:

• Roy’s Crew BBQ
• Sam/s Gyros & Kabobs
• Red Diamond Gastro Pub
• Cafe Leo

Groceries/Shopping

• Florissant Mercantile – good selection of groceries, supplies, beer/liquor/wine

Divide (10 min away) has another market/grocery store called The Market. Woodland Park has a Walmart. Colorado Springs probably has any other stores you’d want to shop at.

Teller County Hiking

There are so many great hiking trails in the area. Here are a few of the top recommended trails/our favorites:

• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument – hiking trails, fossils & petrified wood, awesome for stargazing ($10/person, can use America the Beautiful Pass)
  • Hornbek Homestead – 3.9-mile trail that leads here, or you can pull off the highway to view it
  • Ponderosa Loop – 0.4 mile wheelchair accessible/stroller friendly trail
  • Petrified Forest Loop – 1.1 miles, easy, passes numerous petrified stumps, including “Big Stump”
• Paradise Cove/Guffy Gorge Trail – family-friendly 1-mile hike with beautiful views; swimming hole in the summer, solitude in the winter, check out our YouTube video of this hike.
• Horsethief Falls – 2.6-mile moderate trail near Cripple Creek
• Crags Trail – 4.8 miles, moderate trail, stunning views
• Mueller State Park -admission is $10-$12 per vehicle
  • Raven Ridge, Red Tail and Lone Eagle Overlook Loop (4.3 miles, moderate)
  • Elk Meadow Loop – (2.2 miles, easy) – great sledding hill right off the trail
  • Overlook Ridge Trail (1.8 miles, easy) – excellent views, great Aspen viewing
  • Grouse Mountain Overlook (2.2 miles, easy) – great views, awesome “bang for your buck”

Click here for an extensive list of hiking trails in the area. Let us know if you hike any awesome trails we should add to our bucket list!

Fishing/Water Activities

• Fishing – click here for a list of fishing spots in Teller Country
• Hike a mile to Paradise Cove – popular swimming hole in the summer
• Woodland Park Indoor Aquatic Center – see hours and prices here
• You can swim at the lake in Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument – we’ve never tried it, and I’ve read parts of the lake are often slimy – let us know if you try it out!

More Things to Do in Teller County

• Tour the Colorado Wolf & Wildlife Center ($) – a wolf sanctuary in Divide dedicated to protecting and educating about wolves, coyotes, and foxes.
• Visit the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center ($) – a dinosaur museum in Woodland Park
• All Aboard the Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad ($) – scenic open-air train tour featuring picturesque views and education about area history
• Historic Cripple Creek – walk Main Street, visit the restaurants, shops, and casinos, learn about the haunted history
• Drive the Gold Belt Tour Scenic Byway – a scenic 131-mile circuit that starts/ends in Florissant
• Check out the Ice Castle in Cripple Creek ($) – hoping it will be back for the 2025/2026 winter season!
• Visit the North Pole($) – Santa’s Workshop amusement park at the base of Pike’s Peak (open May-Dec)
• Tour an area gold mine ($)
• Book a UTV or Jeep Tour with Great Outdoor Adventures ($) – located in Woodland Park
• Visit Rita the Rock Planter – address here, details on the giant troll here
• Florissant Public Library & Playground – great place to entertain the kids or have a picnic

Pike’s Peak Area

• Pike’s Peak – drive, hike, bike, or take the Cog Railway to the summit of iconic Pike’s Peak
• Enjoy the summit – take in the views, check out the visitor center, get a donut or light meal
• Pike’s Peak Highway ($) – enjoy attractions and views on your way up (or down) the mountain

Things to Do in Manitou Springs, Colorado

• Climb the Manitou Incline – 2,768 steps up with rewarding views & a well-deserved sense of accomplishment at the end
• Cave of the Winds Mountain Park ($) – cave tours, thrilling attractions
• Manitou Cliff Dwellings ($) – ancient cliff dwellings + museum you can freely explore
• Historic Downtown – browse the shops and restaurants in downtown Manitou Springs
• Penny Arcade ($) – while you’re downtown, check out the hundreds of nostalgic arcade games ranging in price from a penny (yes, a select few still cost a penny!) to $1.50 to play

Things to Do in Colorado Springs, Colorado

• Garden of the Gods – you’ve got to stop here if you’ve never been; stunning rock formations, well-maintained, stroller-friendly trails, and it’s free!
• Red Rock Canyon Open Space – beautiful area to hike and explore near Garden of the Gods
• Broadmoor Seven Falls Waterfall Park ($) – easy paved walk through a beautiful canyon to an impressive waterfall with multiple viewing platforms. Please note that you must park at the shuttle lot and take a bus to visit the falls.
• Helen Hunt Falls – waterfall in North Cheyenne Cañon Park
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo ($): We haven’t been yet, but have heard it’s one of the best zoos in the U.S.
• Tour the Olympic Training Center ($)
• Visit the National Museum of World War II Aviation ($)

Click here for more things to do.

Things to Do in Royal Gorge, Colorado

• Royal Gorge Railway ($) – enjoy a meal & incredible views; different packages available
• Royal Gorge Bridge & Park ($) – numerous adventures to choose from – cross one of the world’s highest suspension bridges, via ferrata, sky coaster, gondola, zip line
• White Water Rafting ($) – tackle the Class IV rapids of the Arkansas River & enjoy the scenery of the gorge
• Biking – more than 15 miles of singletrack trail traverses the north rim of the Royal Gorge; The Maze and Dreamweaver are popular mountain bike trails
• Hiking – Canyon Rim Trail is an easy hike with incredible views

Hope you enjoyed this list of things to do in the Florissant area! Share your adventures with us on Instagram @perrydisevacationrentals.

Quick Links

• Best Things to Do in Alexandria MN
• Restaurants & Shopping
• Boating/Water Sports
• Fishing & Swimming
• Winter Activities

Best Things to Do In Alexandria, MN

1. Check out the Big Ole Viking Statue (downtown Alexandria)
2. Go fishing! (More details below about where to fish, gear rental, etc.)
3. Bike or walk the Central Lakes Trail – there are multiple bike rental shops in town
4. Browse the shops in downtown Alexandria
5. Check out Carlos Creek Winery– a beautiful local winery + brewery (22 Northmen Brewing) with live music, games, and Stoke wood-fired pizza (family-friendly, but not much for kids to do, so bring activities/entertainment)
6. Visit the Legacy of the Lakes Museum – classic boats, Minnesota lakes history, fishing memorabilia, outdoor gardens
7. Go swimming – (more details below about area beaches & places to swim)
8. Have fun at Casey’s Amusement Park (mini golf, go-karts, bumper boats)
9. Get creative with Art Bar 39 – book a private party or check out one of the occasional public events
10. Venture out to Lake Carlos State Park – hike the Hidden Lake Trail (15-minute drive; hiking, birdwatching, camping, water recreation, winter activities)
11. Have a blast at Big Splash Minnesota – a huge indoor waterpark located at Arrowwood Resort (day passes available year-round)
12. Learn about local history (and mystery) at the Runestone Museum
13. Enjoy drinks + board games at Copper Trail Brewing Company
14. Take on a challenge at Escape Room Alexandria
15. Enjoy an afternoon at Country Blossom Farm – bakery, cider house, local goods, fall kids’ activities, u-pick
16. Hang out at Alexandria City Park – lakeside park with a public swimming beach, playgrounds, picnic areas, fishing piers, a bandstand, and pickleball/tennis courts
17. Take a stroll or ice skate at Noonan Park – another lakeside park in the middle of town with walking paths, picnic tables, a walking bridge, a basketball court, and flowers/wildlife, a popular place for hockey and ice skating in the winter.
18. Take the kids to Shenanigans Indoor Playground
19. Check out Lake Brophy Wayside Park – lake access, picnic tables, playground, hiking trail, good for winter sledding
20. Play tennis or pickleball – Discovery Middle School has 8 courts, 4 of which are marked for pickleball, Alexandria High School has 12 tennis courts – all are open to the public when not being used by the schools
21. Browse the local shops along Broadway Street
22. Watch a show at the quaint Theatre L’Homme Dieu
23. Play a round at one of the area golf courses
24. Learn about more local history at the Douglas County Historical Society
25. Enjoy a variety of activities at Garden Center Lanes – bowling, arcade, axe throwing, pool, darts, golf simulator
26. Enjoy the views at Inspiration Peak
27. Check out the Alexandria Farmer’s Market – Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays in the summer and fall at Big Ole Park; Art Market is also in the park on summer Saturdays
28. Play at a local outdoor playground – City Park, Brophy Wayside Park, Tabberts Park, or Fillmore Park
29. Eat at a local restaurant (see below, our favorites are Pike & Pint and Northwoods Cafe)

Restaurants & Shopping

Top Restaurants, Coffee & Dessert

Coffee + Breakfast

• Roers Family Bakery – family-owned bakery since 1886
• Northwoods Cafe – cozy, small-town breakfast diner
• Deja Bleu – boutique with coffee, smoothies, and light breakfast
• The Edge Co – boutique with clothing, home decor, and kitchen supplies; also serves coffee & alcohol

Lunch/Dinner

• Longtrees Woodfire Grill – classic midwestern supper club
• Pike & Pint Grill – American food and drinks, has a covered outdoor patio
• DJ’s Tap House & Grill – burgers and wide beer selection
• The Garden Bar on 6th – known for its charcuterie and drinks
• Depot Smokehouse and Tavern – eatery and saloon in a former train depot
• Lure LakeBar – lakeside bar and restaurant with seafood, pasta, and more
• Zorbas – Mexican, pizza, and drinks on the lake

Ice Cream + Dessert

• The Sugar Shack – candy, cookies, fudge, and ice cream
• Up North Ice Cream Co – local, homemade ice cream
• Nice Juicery – juices, smoothies, smoothie bowls, & toasts

Groceries & Shopping

Groceries

• Elden’s Fresh Foods
• Lake Country Meats
• Cub Alexandria
• ALDI
• Walmart
• Target

Shopping

• Boutiques and Antique shops downtown along Broadway St.
• Viking Plaza Mall
• Ron’s Warehouse

Boating & Water Sports

With 19 lakes throughout Alexandria, there are plenty of opportunities for water activities and fun!

Click here for an Area Lakes and Recreation Map

Click here for watercraft rental options, lessons, and guided tours.

Lake Latoka

Lake Latoka is one of the top ten clearest lakes in Minnesota! There are two public docks and a public swimming beach on the north side of the lake.

Motorized watercraft, including boats and jet skis, are permitted on the lake, but pay attention to no-wake zones, restricted areas, and speed limits.

Lake Latoka Boat/Jet Ski Rentals:

• Barefoot Aqua Sports
• Alexandria Jet Ski Rentals (they have pontoons too)
• Captain Jack’s Rentals
• Fun Rental Express
• Garfield Marine
• Toon Tastic Pontoon

Other rental companies offer services on other area lakes, but do not drop off at Lake Latoka.

Fishing is also popular on Lake Latoka. Fish species include northern pike, walleye, bluegill, crappie, rock bass, perch, and others.

Fishing & Swimming

Fishing

Click here for everything you need to know about public fishing piers, getting a fishing license, guided tours, and area fishing reports.

Swimming

Public Beaches:

• Alexandria City Park Beach
• Chippewa Park Beach
• Lake Brophy County Park
• Lake Carlos State Park
• Lake Latoka Public Beach
• Lake Le Homme Dieu Beach
• Pilgrim Point County Park
• Rotary Beach at Lake Le Homme Dieu

The community is working hard to raise money for an outdoor splash pad at Fillmore Park.

Indoor Swimming:

• Arrowwood Indoor Waterpark
• Alexandria Area YMCA

Winter Activities

• Downhill skiing at Andres Tower Hills
• 368 miles of groomed snowmobile trails
• Cross-country skiing trails
• Snowshoe trails
• Winter fat biking trails
• Ice fishing
• Outdoor ice skating and hockey at Noonan Park
• Sledding – popular public sledding areas include: Brophy Park, Kensington Runestone Park, Osakis Golf Course, Miltona Elementary School, Rolling Forks Vineyards (during business hours)

Click here for more winter activities and equipment rentals.

Come stay at Outlaw’s Lodge!

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