Iowa game weekend - Advice for visitors

Submitted by eth2 on

As part of an annual Michigan football road trip with friends, we are traveling to Iowa City for the game weekend in November. Have a hotel already, but am looking for recommendations from the MGoBlog community on things to do and places worth checking out, e.g., good breakfast spots, other restaurants, good beer bars / breweries, sports bars, pre-game related events, etc.

Many thanks in advance. Go Blue!

 

 

maizenblue92

October 12th, 2016 at 11:37 AM ^

We are going to this game as well. Our research says a place called, The Airliner (Bar), is really worth checking out. They did a piece on it during that BTN food show that's new.

MH20

October 12th, 2016 at 11:38 AM ^

Going with my brother and two buddies for our first Iowa road trip (first road game ever for my two buddies).  Excited to see what the gameday atmosphere is like in Iowa City.

the real hail_yes

October 12th, 2016 at 11:39 AM ^

Not sure how far you want to travel, but Cedar Rapids has a couple breweries that just picked up metals at the GABF - Lion Bridge and Iowa Brewing Company - I've never been to either, but I might start there.

And you know, Toppling is only a cool 2.5 hours away :)

B-Nut-GoBlue

October 12th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^

I've grown pretty partial to a place out in Coralville (possibly where your hotel is?) called 30 Hop. They so a good breakfast/brunch but mainly they have a pretty good and large tap list at all times. Looking at it now it isn't very sexy but again it can be pretty damn good at times. http://30hop.com/beer-menu/

Sanctuary in the downtown area is also a pretty good beer spot as well as Blackstone out on the far-East side of the city.

Red's Alehouse, 10 min North of town in North Liberty is a great spot along with Big Grove Brewery up in Solon, another 10 minutes past North Liberty. If you come across some Big Grove or Lion Bridge (from up here in Cedar Rapids) taps check them out, they're small time places but make some fun and more importantly good brews.

Let me know if unable to get to Toppling Goliath and would maybe want to meet up for a trade (have some other things as well such as New Glarus R&D, Central Waters BA stouts, and hell depending on what you have a newly acquired 2016 Mornin' Delight!).

samsoccer7

October 12th, 2016 at 11:41 AM ^

Also going to this game.  If anyone has a line on 6 tickets (close to 50 would be awesome) please let me know.  Otherwise going on stubhub soon.

samsoccer7 at yahoo . com

 

LSAClassOf2000

October 12th, 2016 at 11:43 AM ^

WIth any luck, the atmosphere isn't like it was around the same time in November a year ago when they had to work all night to get the snow off the field at Kinnick. Hopefully, the reasonably mild weather sticks around a bit in Big Ten land (OK, so there were numerous frost advisories this morning in the Midwest). 

MH20

October 12th, 2016 at 12:28 PM ^

At this point Cedar Rapids or the Quad Cities area are probably your best bets unless you're coming from the west.  I first looked in late August and everything in Iowa City was booked save for a few rooms in the $200s.  Ended up getting a cheap (but well-rated) hotel in the QC area.

Mercury Hayes

October 12th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^

Went to Iowa for a game a few years ago. Ped mall is awesome. The place to go for food and drinks at any point during the weekend. It is not as good as Wisconsin, but still solid. However, the business owners suck. Hotels are 2x the normal cost, which is to be expected, but even cabs have a 2x surge. Restaurants even have a different menu with higher cost items. I guess that is to be expected, but those things don't happen in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Madison, Bloomington or West Lafayette.

Also, there is a Hawkeye train you can take to the game. Sounds weird. But it is awesome.

MGomaha

October 12th, 2016 at 12:32 PM ^

I can't wait for this game. Really only able to make it to B1G West away games nowadays, so I'll be in IC for this one. Can't wait to get hammered

SteelBrad

October 12th, 2016 at 12:35 PM ^

The Iowa fans are the best I've ever encountered. I went the last time Michigan played there (we blew it) and they are awesome people. They will give you a hard time and then welcome you and offer you food.

I'll be there with a very large group of Iowa fans and I plan on having a blast win or lose.




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L'Carpetron Do…

October 12th, 2016 at 12:57 PM ^

I've never been to a game at Kinnick but I really dig Iowa City.  I think you'll realize it's a lot like Ann Arbor.

The Ped Mall right off the campus is great - you can find a bunch of places to eat and drink there.

I've spent more time in Cedar Rapids, which isn't so great but Czech town is pretty cool and the bars there are outrageously cheap.

GoBlue in IA

October 12th, 2016 at 1:05 PM ^

I live near Iowa City (sigh), but my favorite burger joint is downtown Iowa City called Shorts.  Gourmet burgers, locally raised beef, too many options to choose from.  Good selection of local brews as well.

Can't wait for our boys to crush the Hawks.  Nothing better than putting all the dumb hawk fans in their place...last year was miserable listening to them talk about their "championship level" team.

 

MP exiled in IA

Go Blue!

ewrestling4c

October 12th, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions on tailgate locations for us invading.  We have gone to a few away games (1 each year) at different locations and we love to tailgate.  We will have a nice set-up if anyone wants to bunk up next to each other.  Thanks for the help. I rarely write on here but love reading the information.

ewrestling4c

October 12th, 2016 at 3:26 PM ^

It will be my brother, brother in-law, father and myself.  We plan on doing some heavy tailgating.  We started around 10:30 for the Indiana game last year.  Also, at Indiana they let you leave at half and go back to your car.  That was pretty cool.   Not sure what time we will set up for the night game but I doubt it will be too much later than 11:30-noon.  Is the golf course like Michigan where you are on the course itself or just the parking lot?  Do I need to get tickets or anything?

B-Nut-GoBlue

October 12th, 2016 at 5:51 PM ^

Yep you are on the actual golf course.  That link I posted has some info on the parking situation.  I think the golf course is $20 per vehicle if I'm not mistaken, and obviously then not a ticketed lot.  There are plenty of ticketed lots and that link above will show which ones are and which are not.

ewrestling4c

October 12th, 2016 at 1:10 PM ^

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions on tailgate locations for us invading.  We have gone to a few away games (1 each year) at different locations and we love to tailgate.  We will have a nice set-up if anyone wants to bunk up next to each other.  Thanks for the help. I rarely write on here but love reading the information.