Iowa's college towns are walkable, food-friendly, and busy well beyond their size. You do not need to be a student to enjoy them. Here are the best, from the big public campuses to the small liberal arts towns.
Iowa City: Home of the Writers' Workshop
Iowa City is home to the University of Iowa and the Iowa Writers' Workshop, the oldest graduate creative writing program in the country. In 2008 it became a UNESCO City of Literature, one of only a handful in the world. Spend an afternoon at Prairie Lights bookstore, walk the downtown pedestrian mall, and catch a show at the restored Englert Theatre. On a Hawkeye football Saturday, the town turns black and gold.
Ames: Iowa State and Campustown
Ames sits about 30 minutes north of Des Moines and is home to Iowa State University, known for agriculture, science, and engineering. Campustown runs right up against campus, and Cyclone game days fill the city with cardinal and gold. Ames regularly appears on national lists of the best small cities to live in.
Cedar Falls: The Cedar Valley Pick
Cedar Falls is home to the University of Northern Iowa and an often-overlooked stop. Its historic Main Street is one of the most appealing downtown strips in the state, lined with local shops, restaurants, and breweries. Pair it with neighboring Waterloo and you get a full weekend in the Cedar Valley.
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Des Moines: A Campus Inside the Capital
Des Moines is home to Drake University, whose leafy campus and surrounding neighborhood give a college-town feel inside a growing metro. The Drake Relays, held each April since 1910, is one of the premier track and field meets in the country and draws elite athletes to the city every spring.
Small but Mighty: Grinnell, Decorah, and Pella
Iowa's smaller college towns are worth a detour. Grinnell pairs a respected liberal arts college with a downtown that includes the Merchants' National Bank, a 1914 "jewel box" designed by architect Louis Sullivan. Decorah, home to Luther College, is a gateway to the scenic Driftless region in northeast Iowa. Pella, home to Central College, layers its Dutch heritage and annual Tulip Time festival on top of campus life.
Go Explore
Whether you are touring colleges, visiting a student, or just after a lively weekend, Iowa's college towns deliver character, culture, and good food in a compact package.
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