Iowa game weekend - Advice for visitors
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!
October 12th, 2016 at 11:27 AM ^
I'll be celebrating the victory on Sunday morning (and curing a hangover) at the Hamburg Inn No. 2
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.
October 13th, 2016 at 9:21 AM ^
They had great pizza. I was going to add that following the Iowa Beer Band was fantastic, but I see they stopped the practice last year.
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 12:37 PM ^
It's very good. Iowa fans are awesome.
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October 12th, 2016 at 11:38 AM ^
1. Corn
2. Pork
3. Pork covered in corn meal and deep fried
4. Repeat
October 12th, 2016 at 4:01 PM ^
3.5 Corn wrapped in pork
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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 :)
October 12th, 2016 at 11:50 AM ^
I'll be stopping at Toppling on the way down from the Twin Cities!
October 12th, 2016 at 12:14 PM ^
Friday night? I'll be heading down from the TCs as well.
October 12th, 2016 at 12:21 PM ^
We are heading down Saturday morning as to avoid two hotel nights.
October 12th, 2016 at 2:03 PM ^
Magnetic beers, ales, and stouts! I can see how they'd be an attraction.
October 12th, 2016 at 3:02 PM ^
Yes, already planning a stop at Toppling Goliath. Hopefully some good beers will be on that weekend.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:39 AM ^
Her Soup Kitchen or Jimmy Jacks (BBQ)
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!).
October 12th, 2016 at 11:44 AM ^
If you are staying in Coralville, I like Monica's, but it's more of a lunch/dinner place than breakfast.
October 12th, 2016 at 1:26 PM ^
Interesting, never eaten there before. Pretty solid Italian food?!
October 12th, 2016 at 1:55 PM ^
Been there a number of times with extended family, not a bad meal ever. Wide variety of food, not just italian. I highly recommend it.
http://www.monicasonthestrip.com/menu.html
October 12th, 2016 at 12:18 PM ^
So, about that 2016 Morning Delight... :)
October 12th, 2016 at 12:40 PM ^
Hahaha what have I done (stupid not-so-humblebragging)
Actually in the midst of trading one now, maybe shouldn't have mentioned that as I'm not sure I want to part with the other one yet...
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
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).
October 12th, 2016 at 12:36 PM ^
I was at the game the last time Michigan played there. It was the coldest game on record for Iowa at home. Holy crap.
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October 12th, 2016 at 12:49 PM ^
Was there as well. Hopefully it is a little warmer this time, because that was pretty miserable. Our tailgating consisted of sitting in the car drinking beer, only getting out to check the grill or go to the bathroom.
October 12th, 2016 at 7:22 PM ^
Still surprises me though because I went to one against Wisconsin in the year Brad Banks was great and that felt wayyyyy colder.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:54 AM ^
Crap, just realized I haven't found a place to stay in Iowa yet. But, good to see some recommendations on bars and restaurants!
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 8:15 PM ^
Cedar Rapids...great movie.
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October 12th, 2016 at 2:00 PM ^
You might have some luck if you look at Little Amana/Williamsburg. Exits 225 and 220. There is a Ramda (the Wasserbahn indoor water park) at 225, and in Williamsburg at 220, there are several hotels. They won't be much, but it's a room to sleep in and only about a 30 minute drive to the stadium.
October 12th, 2016 at 11:56 AM ^
It's not safe.
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 12:10 PM ^
AA hotels probably closer to 3X. Air bnb is an option. Uber instead of taxi. Restaurants charging more is odd.
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October 12th, 2016 at 12:23 PM ^
for next year's game please let me know name and price. A lot of the B1G schools raise their price on football weekends, not just Iowa City.
October 12th, 2016 at 2:03 PM ^
News flash hotels in Ann Arbor are more expensive if you can even find one during a gameday. It usually doubles, gouging or supply and demand, your call.
I agree the separate menu's is a bit excessive but can you blame them? That's good business really.
October 12th, 2016 at 12:18 PM ^
Try the corn.
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
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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October 12th, 2016 at 12:36 PM ^
Wife and I are also making the trip..anyone tailgating before?
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October 12th, 2016 at 12:47 PM ^
There will be a pretty large Michigan tailgate on the golf course. Look for a 40 foot high flag.
October 12th, 2016 at 2:37 PM ^
Does their golf course operate like ours? Do I need to purchase tickets in advance?
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 1:00 PM ^
Amana Colonies, an old school German immigrant settlement a little bit west of CR may be a good spot to get breakfast or lunch. They got a decent little brewery there too - Millstream.
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!
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.
October 12th, 2016 at 2:26 PM ^
If not familiar with the area then I'd think maybe the golf course (Finkbine) may be the best bet; although there are a few more lots you can get into (likely a little rowdier/younger Iowa people in these areas, but still fine)..Lots 3, 4, 14, and Myrtle Ave Lot.
http://www.footballgameday.com/wp-content/themes/gameday/images/parking…
October 12th, 2016 at 2:35 PM ^
I have 6 people who will be tailgating. Feel free to email [email protected] and let us know where you are thinking of setting up.
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?
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.
October 13th, 2016 at 8:36 AM ^
Sounds great. My group is myself, my three brothers, and two friends. Heavy tailgating sounds ideal. I usually start at 7am for home games so early is good.
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.