Iowa Hot Spots — Cool Places

Ready to plan your next Iowa event, but tired of the same old location options? NYC is expensive, Chicago is been-there-done-that, and LA is just too over-the-top. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a town with all the amenities you need, and none of the headaches of those other “trendy” locales?

You’re in luck! Take a little road trip with us. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you arrive at these hidden gems, hot spots, and cool places!

Just ten minutes from the hustle and bustle of Waterloo lies Cedar Falls, home to the University of Northern Iowa.  But don’t be fooled by the quaint small town atmosphere you see around you. With dozens of B&Bs and hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, breweries, wineries, gorgeous parks, trails, golf courses, arts, culture and shopping, you’ll feel confident you picked the perfect place. Cedar Falls Tourism + Visitors Bureau can help you with a free visitor’s guide, trip planner, and even suggested itineraries for your group.

Let’s turn right and head south, arriving at three of Iowa’s “big small towns” in this part of the state — Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty. All three are overflowing with charm, history, comfortable accommodations, recreational activities, shopping and more. The pros at Iowa City | Coralville Area CVB will make sure your guests feel right at home. Their servicing department is eager to assist planners with welcome bags, visitor guides, media releases, dignitary welcomes, registration assistance, and more.

Hit the road again and this time journey to a vibrant convergence of cities known as the Quad Cities, consisting of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, Rock Island and East Moline in Illinois. The good folks at Visit Quad Cities CVB invite you to explore an area that reflects the very best of the Midwest. Choose from dozens of different lodging properties from B&Bs to four-star hotels: enjoy snacks at a local pub or fine dining at an award-winning restaurant; bike, hike, golf, visit a spa, take in a museum or concert — this place has it all.

Back in the driver’s seat, and in a little under an hour you’ve arrived in Clinton, one of the most scenic towns to hug the banks of the Mississippi, and in the 19th century, regarded as the lumber capital of the nation.  From beautiful B&Bs to comfy hotels, farmers markets, lumber baron George Curtis’s Mansion and many museums brimming with history, the Clinton CVB would love to show you around the town.

The west is considerably less wild, and much more inviting when the Newton CVB welcomes you to town. Located just 80 miles west of Iowa City, it is rich with history, natural wonders, comfortable rooms and so many things to do you’ll have a hard time picking just one.

Continue traveling toward the setting sun until you arrive at Council Bluffs, located on the east banks of the Missouri River.  Whether winter or summer, this gem of a town invites you to stay, eat, shop and play, while taking in a little history and a lot of nature, while the helpful Council Bluffs CVB look forward to welcoming you back again and again.

View our complete directory of Iowa event destinations here.