Why Come to Iowa City?

Iowa City regularly receives very high rankings in national polls. Iowa City was named one of the ten most enlightened towns in the U.S. by Utne Reader. It was selected as the No. 1 place to live in the nation by Editor & Publisher magazine. It was listed in the book The 100 Best Small Art Towns in America. Iowa City was ranked 2nd by Forbes magazine in their recent comparison of 94 smaller U.S. metropolitan areas. Men's Journal ranked Iowa City the sixth most sexy, healthy and safe city. USA Today ranked Iowa City the third most educated American metropolitan area. Iowa City has won various other awards all indicating it is one of the most livable college towns and metro areas in the nation. As a college town it is filled with young people and entertainment.

Iowa City's cultural and sports attractions rival those of much larger cities. There are numerous theater options (and very active theater, dance and music departments), lots of art venues, quaint shops, farmers’ markets and restaurants, the latter complete with sidewalk seating. Hancher Auditorium has a world-class arts program that features an ever changing list of international performers. The Iowa Writers' Workshop, probably the best regarded writing program in the world, is located at the University. Many novelists and non-fiction writers make Iowa City their home, and the number of novels set in Iowa City is quite astounding. In the spring and summer months the city hosts a variety of outdoor music, drama, and arts festivals, including the Iowa City Jazz Festival and others with national reputations.

The University of Iowa is part of the Big Ten—for football and basketball fans Iowa City is a great place to be! Cedar Rapids, the city just to our north, has great minor-league baseball (the Kernels) and ice hockey (the RoughRiders). You can find other sporting activities in abundance. Crew is popular on the river that runs through Iowa City and the university campus. There are excellent kayaking and canoeing opportunities very close by (and outstanding ones in north-east Iowa). Sailing is popular on nearby Lake MacBride, and when the wind is just right (which isn't often, we admit) wind-surfing is possible. In winter, ice-sailing is an option, as are cross-country skiing and even downhill (the latter about an hour from Iowa City).

Finkbine Golf Course is the University of Iowa’s championship golf course (it offers great student rates) and multiple local courses are also nearby. The University Field House, Recreation Center, two University fitness lofts, and pools on campus (plus Olympic-sized and public pools in Iowa City and Coralville) offer daily tennis/fitness/track/basketball/swimming options indoors, and outdoor and community facilities offer additional recreational options both on and off campus.

Frisbee Golf is one of the joys of spring, summer, and fall (plus New Year's Day snow golf!) and the area has plenty to offer. There are at least 4 courses within 30 minutes of Iowa City and you can always find a group of people willing to play. The reservoir, just 10 mins. from campus, has a scenic short course that is the perfect mid-week get away. Ultimate frisbee, soccer, basketball, etc. pick-up games and clubs provide daily opportunities for recreation and fun.

The Turkey Creek course is located next to the Coralville Reservoir dam and beach, approximately 10 minutes north of town. This course has recently been expanded to 18 holes with multiple pin placements. With only a few wide-open holes, this place is fantastic for those who can throw it straight and avoid the trees. Open year round, including for New Year's Day snow golf.

The Iowa City area offers some of the best mountain-biking in the Midwest. The Sugar Bottom Recreational area (20 minutes from downtown) offers countless miles of some of the best single-trac riding the riders in urban planning have ever experienced. There is also an extensive bike trail system through the city and the region. For those who prefer to keep their feet closer to the ground, there are plenty of good hiking trails in the metro area.

Believe it or not you can even find places to rock climb in Iowa! Palisades Kepler State Park (30 minutes north of downtown) is great for rock climbing and bouldering. The University Field House also offers some great opportunities to practice on their indoor wall.

For general information on why the University of Iowa is a great student choice, see http://www.uiowa.edu/admissions/graduate/why-iowa/index.html. For further information on things to do in the Iowa City area, go to http://www.grad.uiowa.edu/students/GradExperience/Index.htm.