Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Seiryudo Cave – named after Seiryu, the Azure Dragon, this cave features deep vertical columns surrounded by dense vegetation.
Genbudo Park
Hunter House Hamburgers
Jesus Backpacker
One of the chamber’s rooms.
Dr. Wolf’s Wunderkammer
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è Pasta... E Pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Our producer Manolo Morales would spend his final days perusing the shelves at Book Off.
Where Would You Go to Wait for the Apocalypse?
32 minutes ago
This event showcasing the bounty of the Traverse City region’s amazing agriculture, craft, and creativity culminates with a Grand Tasting on August 23.
The Atlas Obscura Guide to Traverse City’s Event Season
about 22 hours ago
She’ll get you and your little dog too.
Dear Atlas: Where Can I Explore Witch History Without the Kitsch?
about 22 hours ago
How to Turn Your Road Trip Into a Nature Scavenger Hunt
about 23 hours ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All the United States Iowa Iowa City

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Iowa City

4 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Iowa City, Iowa

Updated August 25, 2022

Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Iowa City

The Black Angel

Iowa City, Iowa

The Black Angel of Oakland Cemetery

A mysteriously dark cemetery monument fuels stories and legends galore.
Taxidermy display

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa Museum of Natural History

The oldest university museum west of the Mississippi retains its 19th century feel.
4,000 pound wooden nickel

Iowa City, Iowa

World’s Largest Wooden Nickel

This 16-foot-diameter wooden coin has been standing in Iowa City since 2006.
Sitting Man

Iowa City, Iowa

'Sitting Man'

How did the 110-ton limestone statue cross the road?
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!
It’s not a gravesite—it’s a future birthplace.

Riverside, Iowa

Captain James T. Kirk Future Birthplace

A place of great reverence for Trekkies everywhere, a hero's future birthplace.
12 miles from Iowa City
American Gothic Barn from northwest

Mount Vernon, Iowa

American Gothic Barn

A hidden barn-sized rendition of Grant Wood's most famous, and most parodied, painting.
17 miles from Iowa City
Hähnchen, or chicken, schnitzel, comes with a creamy gravy.

Amana, Iowa

Ronneburg Restaurant

What was once a communal kitchen now serves heaping portions of hearty German fare.
20 miles from Iowa City
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Iowa City, Iowa

A

Iowa City Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. kittycatbandit
    1
  2. Maizy
    1
  3. hintofaspark
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Iowa City.

Places Edited

  1. SemiruralYeti
    3
  2. Ragnar of Ballard
    3
  3. ajsue
    2
  4. gpwitt
    1
  5. bvyoung61
    1
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. Methylation65
    4
  2. masahu2000
    4
  3. bunny4jm2
    4
  4. IowaCityAlison
    4
  5. Maxelope
    4
Join the Ranks!
Visit a place in Iowa City.

Recent Iowa City Activity

  • bluehornet14

    has been to 'Sitting Man'

    5 days ago
  • melissajohnson0528

    wants to go to The Black Angel of Oakland Cemetery

    4 days ago
  • growthandgrace

    wants to go to World’s Largest Wooden Nickel

    4 days ago
  • tinyg94

    wants to go to World’s Largest Wooden Nickel

    4 days ago
  • bitemeloser145

    has been to The Black Angel of Oakland Cemetery

    4 days ago

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.