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Coralville, Iowa: Where Fun Never Gets Old – Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Coralville is a summer and fall town, and the calendar matters more than the map. Coralville Lake carries the warm months, with the swimming, the fishing and the Fossil Gorge sitting below the spillway. The trails and the sculpture walk work from spring through to the first hard frost. Winter moves everything indoors, to the mall, the children’s museum, the ice arena and the arena itself. The food is good all year round.

Planning a trip to Coralville, Iowa and looking for things to do? You are in luck, because this city has more than its size suggests. Historical landmarks and museums through to outdoor sports and art. All of it is covered here.

Coralville: A Brief Overview. Coralville is a small city in Johnson County, Iowa, United States. It sits inside the Iowa City Metropolitan Statistical Area and is home to the University of Iowa. The city is known for its parks, its trails and its unusual attractions, which makes it a strong pick for a relaxed few days.

Historical Landmarks and Museums. Coralville has a long history and several museums and landmarks that cover it. The Johnson County Historical Society Museum and the Antique Car Museum of Iowa are the two popular ones. And the Iowa River Landing Sculpture Walk is worth the stroll for the work by local artists.

Key Takeaways

• Coralville, Iowa is a small city located in Johnson County and is known for its beautiful parks, scenic trails, and unique attractions.
• Historical landmarks and museums like the Johnson County Historical Society Museum and the Antique Car Museum of Iowa are popular attractions to learn about the city’s rich history.
• Outdoor sports, art, entertainment, and shopping are also available in Coralville, making it a perfect vacation destination for families and solo travelers alike.

Coralville: A Brief Overview

Welcome to Coralville, Iowa, a city as fun as it is quirky. Sitting in the heart of Johnson County, Coralville is one of the more interesting stops in the United States. Local or visitor, there is always something new here.

Coralville is known for its history, its parks and its busy downtown area. The city keeps moving, with events and activities running through the year. Outdoor concerts and festivals through to art exhibits and theater performances.

One of the city’s most popular attractions is the Antique Car Museum of Iowa, which holds a serious collection of vintage automobiles and memorabilia. And history buffs should also make the Johnson County Historical Society Museum, which covers the area’s past properly.

For anyone who likes the outdoors, Coralville has plenty. The city runs several parks and trails, the Clear Creek Trail and the Iowa River Landing Sculptor Walk among them. A leisurely stroll or a harder walk, both are covered.

And the food. Coralville holds some of the best restaurants in the region, classic American fare through to international cuisine. Check out the 5th Street Social for a good meal and a good room to eat it in.

Coralville is a city full of surprises. Adventure, relaxation or simply a good time, all three are here. So what are you waiting for? Pack the bags and go.

Historical Landmarks and Museums

History buffs have plenty to work through in Coralville. These are the historical landmarks and museums to start with:

Step Back in Time at Old Town Hall

Built in 1876, Coralville’s Old Town Hall is a charming piece of history and it has been restored properly. Inside there are exhibits on the town’s early history, a replica of an old schoolhouse and a collection of vintage photos among them. The building itself is the exhibit, with beautiful brickwork and a clock tower that still keeps time. Take the guided tour for the rest of the story.

Antique Car Museum of Iowa

Classic car fans should not miss the Antique Car Museum of Iowa. With over 90 vehicles on display, it covers the history of transportation properly. The highlights include a 1913 Ford Model T, a 1932 Packard and a 1950 Studebaker Champion. There is also a large collection of antique toys and pedal cars, plus a gift shop.

Johnson County Historical Society Museum

Located in nearby Iowa City, the Johnson County Historical Society Museum holds a lot of local history. The exhibits run from the history of the University of Iowa through to the lives of early settlers. The highlights include a replica of an 1800s general store, a collection of Civil War artifacts, and an exhibit on the history of Johnson County’s African American community. There are guided tours and educational programs for kids as well.

Historic sites, history museums or antique cars, Coralville covers all three. Do not miss the chance to work through this town’s past.

Outdoor Activities and Sports

Looking for fun in the sun? Coralville has it covered. Hiking trails through to disc golf, the outdoor list runs longer than you expect.

Hit the Trails

Put on the hiking boots and get onto the trails in Coralville. The Iowa River Corridor Trail is the popular one, carrying hikers, bikers and runners alike. And the Pond Trail at S.T. Morrison Park is the other, right for a leisurely walk or a jog.

Swim, Fish, and Play at Coralville Lake

Coralville Lake is the spot for swimming, fishing and a family day out. Take a dip in the cool water, cast a line and see what comes up, or eat a picnic at one of the many spots around the shore.

Disc Golf and More at S.T. Morrison Park

S.T. Morrison Park runs a range of outdoor activities, a disc golf course and a playground and a hiking trail among them. The disc golf course works for beginners and pros alike, with 18 holes set through the park. And if disc golf is not your thing, there is hiking, fishing and a picnic instead.

So what are you waiting for? Get outside and use what Coralville has.

Art and Sculpture

Art and sculpture fans have options in Coralville. These are the places to check out:

Iowa River Landing Sculpture Walk

The Iowa River Landing Sculpture Walk is the one for art lovers. This outdoor exhibit runs permanent sculptures by genuinely talented artists. The best part is that it costs nothing. Take a stroll through it and look at the work properly, and snap a few photos for your Instagram feed.

Local Arts and Crafts

For something more hands-on, try the local arts and crafts. Coralville runs classes and workshops where you learn a skill and make something at the end of it. Pottery through to painting, both are taught here. And you take home a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Admiring art from a distance or getting your hands dirty, Coralville covers both. So go ahead and unleash your inner artist.

Nothing in Coralville asks very much of you at all. The city is flat, and the Iowa River Corridor Trail is paved and level for its whole length, which is rather the point of it. Coralville Lake is the only place you genuinely need a car for, and it sits a short drive north of town. Iowa City and the university are about the same distance in the other direction. One strip.

Entertainment and Events

Looking for fun and excitement in Coralville? The entertainment and event scene is where it is.

Live Music and Concerts

Live music fans will be pleased by what is on in Coralville. The Coralville Center for the Performing Arts is where to start, with a packed schedule of performances through the year. But that is not all. There is live music at local bars and restaurants, and at outdoor events like the 4th of July celebration.

Family Fun at the Iowa Children’s Museum

Looking for something fun and educational with the kids? The Iowa Children’s Museum. This interactive museum is packed with STEM-focused exhibits and activities that hold children of all ages. Building your own roller coaster through to a giant sand table, and the fun does not run out.

Sports and More at Xtream Arena

Sports fans should not miss Xtream Arena. This state-of-the-art arena hosts several sports teams, ice hockey and minor pro hockey games among them. But that is not all. There are live performances, parades and fireworks displays here too, which makes it work for a family night as much as a sporting one.

Food and Drink Adventures

Are you a food lover? A beer enthusiast? Or a wine connoisseur? Coralville covers all three. These are the best food and drink stops in the city.

Culinary Delights

Coralville runs a diverse selection of restaurants across a genuine range of cuisines. Italian through to Mexican, it is all here. For a pub-grub menu, head over to Tailgators Sports Bar, which does the best burgers, wings and fries in town. And for Mexican food, El Banditos is hard to beat. The tacos and burritos are the reason to go.

Craft Beers and Local Breweries

Are you a craft beer lover? Then you are in luck. Coralville has some of the best local breweries around. Stop by Backpocket Brewing for a pint, where the selection is wide enough that something will land. Iowa Brewing Company is the other one, with a cozy taproom and handcrafted beers.

Wine and Dine

For a more upscale dinner, Coralville has the fine dining to match. Wine lovers should head to Vesta, where the wine list runs across the world properly. And for steak, the Iowa River Power Company. The steaks there are the best in town and the wine list is nearly as good.

Delicious food, craft beer or fine wine, Coralville covers all three.

Family-Friendly Attractions

Looking for a family day out in Coralville? These are the family-friendly attractions that keep everyone entertained:

Family Fun at the Children’s Museum

The Iowa Children’s Museum is the stop for families with kids. With over 28,000 square feet of interactive exhibits, there is enough here to fill a day. A giant Lite-Brite through to a life-sized Operation game, and the kids learn while they play. New exhibits and events turn up regularly, so check the website first.

Outdoor Adventures for the Whole Family

For fresh air and the outdoors, Coralville has options. Coralville Lake is the popular one for fishing, boating and swimming, and there are several parks and walking trails around the area. Auburn Hills Park is the family option, with a playground, picnic tables and a walking trail through beautiful woodland.

For indoor fun, head to the Coral Ridge Ice Arena for ice skating and hockey. And for history, the Fossil Gorge at Coralville Lake. This geological formation holds fossils dating back millions of years, and it works for kids and adults alike.

Whatever the family is into, Coralville has family-friendly activities to cover it. So pack a picnic, grab the sunscreen, and take the day.

Let’s Go Shopping

In the mood for retail therapy? Coralville has it covered. The latest fashion trends or home decor, both are here. So put on comfy shoes and go shopping.

Retail Therapy at Coral Ridge Mall

The Coral Ridge Mall is where the retail therapy happens. With over 120 stores, you will find what you came for and a good deal more. Big-name brands like Best Buy and HomeGoods through to specialty stores like Ulta Beauty.

For entertainment, the Coral Ridge Mall has that covered too. Catch a movie at the 10-screen Marcus Cinema, or challenge your friends to laser tag at Planet X.

Iowa River Landing: A Shopper’s Paradise

The Iowa River Landing is the other shopping district. It runs a mix of local boutiques and national retailers, which is a better balance than the mall.

For something unique, check out the Iowa Artisans Gallery. They carry handmade work from over 300 artists, jewelry and pottery and paintings among it.

For the fashion-forward shopper, Von Maur is the stop. This upscale department store runs a wide selection of designer clothing and accessories.

And for something sweet, stop by Scratch Cupcakery. They do cupcakes in flavors like red velvet and salted caramel.

Serious shopping or an afternoon of browsing, Coralville covers both. Happy shopping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the best antique cars in Iowa?

You are in luck, because Coralville is home to the Antique Car Museum of Iowa. Take a trip back in time through a collection of over 90 antique vehicles, cars and trucks and motorcycles among them. Classic Ford Model Ts through to rare Stutz Bearcats. The museum also runs events through the year, car shows and swap meets included.

What’s the most romantic spot in Coralville for a date?

Looking to impress someone? Take them to the Brown Deer Golf Club. It is a well-maintained course and the views over the Iowa River and the countryside do the rest. After a round, the clubhouse handles dinner with the same view. If golf is not your thing, walk the Iowa River Landing Sculpture Walk or catch a show at the Coralville Center for the Performing Arts. And end the night with something from Scratch Cupcakery.

Frequently asked questions about Coralville, Iowa

What is the Fossil Gorge at Coralville Lake?

It is bedrock that the 1993 flood stripped bare when the reservoir went over its spillway. What the water uncovered was an ancient sea floor, and the fossils sitting in it are hundreds of millions of years old. You walk straight out onto the rock and look down at them, and it costs nothing at all to do.

Is the Antique Car Museum of Iowa worth a stop in Coralville?

If you like old cars then yes, it is worth the stop. There are over 90 vehicles in it, a 1913 Ford Model T and a 1932 Packard and a 1950 Studebaker Champion among them. There is also a room of antique toys and pedal cars. Car shows and swap meets run through the year. Check first.

Which Coralville trail should you walk first?

The Iowa River Corridor Trail, which carries the hikers, the bikers and the runners and connects most of what you actually want to see. The Pond Trail is the shorter option, right for a leisurely walk or a jog around the water. Both of them are flat and neither one needs boots.

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