For the first time, Coralville will host the Iowa high school volleyball tournament beginning Oct. 31 at the Xtream Arena.
Previously held in Cedar Rapids since 1991, the tournament will bring more than a dozen teams hoping for a victory.
With the influx of people coming to the area through Nov. 3, the Iowa City Press-Citizen has put together a visitor’s guide so that folks can spend less time on Google and Yelp and more time trying out local favorites.
Here is where to eat, drink, shop and have some fun in the Iowa City area.
11 places to eat in Johnson County, including wood-fired pizza, ramen and BBQ
Marquee Pizzeria Serves up pizza from a wood-fired oven topped with staples like pepperoni, mushrooms or whatever else you may like.
Formosa is a sushi bar with a seemingly endless number of options for sushi rolls, from spicy tuna and shrimp. Or try the Iowa City roll that has beef and cream cheese.
Baroncini Ristorante Italiano is an upscale dining experience serving pasta that is made in-house, daily. Try the linguini con gamberi for a slightly spicy, seafood-filled pasta dish.
Taqueria Regia is a popular spot for Mexican food where folks can find al pastor tacos, birria tacos, enchiladas and fajitas at affordable prices.
The Webster is an upscale restaurant offering an elevated dining experience with a menu folks won’t find elsewhere nearby, in part because the menu often changes to reflect seasonal foods and ingredients. Expect price menu items.
The Hamburg Inn No. 2 is an Iowa City staple offering diner classics from a robust breakfast menu, sandwiches and their notable pie shakes, which blends up a whole slice of pie or cake into a rich shake.
Oasis Falafel is another longtime Iowa City staple that serves falafels as well as chicken shawarma, beef kafta, baklava and all the humus you’ll likely crave again. It’s a great to-go option as well.
La Mexicana Grocery Store and Taqueria is another spot for authentic Mexican food in the Iowa City area with dozens of positive reviews hailing it for its excellent tacos, burritos and margaritas.
Ramen Belly is tucked away in the Peninsula Neighborhood in Iowa City with hot bowls of pork broth ramen, poke bowls and more. If you stop in, leave a signature or a doodle on the restaurant’s large chalkboard.
Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Venue sits inside a reconstructed, century-old barn with a menu that features ingredients from local and sustainable farms and vendors. Between a thoughtful dinner menu and brunch, Wilson’s Ciderhouse & Venue is another sit-down option located on a 90-acre apple orchard and farm.
Pop’s BBQ is one of those spots that, if you’re nearby, you’ll catch a whiff of what’s cooking. The BBQ joint serves brisket, pulled pork, smoked chicken and all the classic sides you’d expect to accompany your BBQ.
Four places to satisfy your sweet tooth and have some dessert
Cookies & Dreams offers giant, fresh-baked cookies with various flavors certain to satisfy everyone, from snickerdoodle cheesecake to sugar cookies covered in rainbow sprinkles.
DeLuxe Cake and Pastries has plenty of baked treats, from French macarons, cookies, croissants, baguettes and more, making it not only a dessert spot, but a great café for a light breakfast or lunch as well.
The Eat Shop is the place to check out when you’re looking for kolaches, ooey-gooey cinnamon rolls or classic cookies. If you visit on the weekend, check out the bakery’s bagel bombs.
Heyn’s Ice Cream has gluten free, vegan and dairy free options among their dozens of ice cream flavors, including the popular Monster Mash or the rich indulgence Chocoholic Delight.
More:Heading to Kinnick Stadium for an Iowa football game? Here’s where to eat in Iowa City
Seven bars in Johnson County to catch a drink or a mocktail
The Green House is a newly-opened bar in Iowa City, decorated with more than 100 plants for a uniquely green-themed drinking experience.
George’s Buffet is a local watering hole where you don’t have to spend time pouring over a fancy menu of cocktails or worrying if two drinks will break the bank. Plus, they have some incredible cheeseburgers if you get hungry.
30hop is a restaurant with a rooftop bar, and that’s where you’ll want to head for a drink with a view of the Iowa River Landing. Just be sure to call ahead to see when the rooftop bar opens.
Re Union Brewery recently opened up a new location in downtown Iowa City, meaning there’s two locations to grab a beer. Sours, IPAs, stouts — ReUnion Brewery has it.
Backpocket Brewing is located right in the Iowa River Landing, and just a hop and a skip from 30hop if you’re looking to do some bar hopping.
Big Grove Brewery has a location in Iowa City and Solon, serving the beers Iowans have come to know well over the years.
The Unimpaired Dry Bar is a dry bar offering folks a place to grab a mocktail to indulge in without the added alcohol.
Five places to shop, from books to vintage finds
Iowa River Landing is home to restaurants, bars and plenty of places to do some shopping, including Lululemon, Anthropologie and locally-owned stores such as CIELO, which sells clothes, crystals, accessories and more.
Coral Ridge Mall is less than five miles from the Iowa River Landing, where folks can find retailers such as Target, Barnes and Noble, HomeGoods and dozens more.
The Iowa Artisans Gallery was founded in 1984 and specializes in selling art made by Midwestern artists. Paintings, jewelry, home décor and more are just some of what can be found in this long-running downtown Iowa City shop.
Artifacts is a vintage resale shop selling just about every item you can think of, including salt and pepper shakers, belt buckles, furniture, books and dozens more. It’s easy to loose track of time at Artifacts with all the inventory to browse.
Prairie Lights is an independent bookstore beloved by the Iowa City community and visitors alike for its selection of books and intimate atmosphere. It also hosts readings and author discussions and has a café to top it all off.
More:Before you leave Iowa City, here are 7 gems not to miss, from Hamburg Inn to Lake Macbride
11 spots for some fun in the Iowa City area, including the Stanley Museum of Art and Wilson’s Orchard and Farm
MovieScene is Iowa City’s independent, nonprofit cinema with two locations in downtown Iowa City, showing current films playing in theaters and flicks you’ll have a hard time catching anywhere else.
Iowa Raptor Projectsponsored by the University of Iowa College of Education and Kirkwood Community College, displays birds of prey that cannot be released and is open to the public for an educational experience.
The Englert Theater is Iowa City’s historic theater that presents musicians, stand-up comics, dance and more all year.
The University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums include the Old Capitol Museum and Museum of Natural History, featuring special exhibits, information on Iowa’s history and a gift shop.
The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art is a visual arts institution free to the public with an array of contemporary art, African art and more. One of the museum’s most well-known pieces is Jackson Pollock’s “Mural.”
Double Tap is a bar in Iowa City with dozens of arcade games including Mario Kart, “The Simpsons,” Guitar Hero and many more.
Riverside Theater is a professional theater company in Iowa City that, on top of presenting its seasonal works, also presents free Shakespeare in the park during the summer.
SpareMe is a bowling alley and arcade located inside the Chauncey, featuring a dozen bowling lanes and a bar.
Lake MacBride State Park is Iowa’s largest state park and offers scenic trails for hiking and daytrips, two campgrounds and a lake.
Hiper Auditorium is the performing arts presenter at the University of Iowa, often showing renowned musicians, theater, lectures and more.
Wilson’s Orchard & Farm is a 90-acre farm where folks can pick seasonal produce such as apples, raspberries or pumpkins. Visit their farm market or smokehouse for BBQ.
Where: 4823 Dingleberry Road NE #1, Iowa City
Website: https://www.wilsonsorchard.com/
Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Reach her at PBarraza@press-citizen.com or (319) 519-9731. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
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