Islands: The Midwest’s One and Only ‘UNESCO-Designated City of Literature’

A drone view of the skyline over downtown during summer of 2023 at sunset in Iowa City, Iowa. Think Iowa City

Take a stroll along literature’s living legacy in Iowa City

Islands featured Iowa City in an article on the long literary history of the town.

“Stroll its streets to admire art museums, bookstores, and book-themed sculptures, or learn about the city’s creative roots on the Literary Walk.” Islands Magazine’s Carrie Back writes. “The city’s ties to the written word date back to 1897, when the University of Iowa offered its first creative writing class. Fast forward to 1936, when the university established the first creative writing program in the country, known today as the distinguished Iowa Writers’ Workshop.”

The magazine wrote that Iowa City is a, “unique, art-centric gem,” in the Midwest.

“One of the best ways to get acquainted with the city is to explore the Literary Walk. Located downtown, you can see a series of bronze plaques embedded in the sidewalks along both sides of Iowa Avenue and North Linn Street. Similar to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, this literary promenade recognizes more than 89 authors.”

Read the full article from Islands Magazine by clicking here.

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Find Your game day headquarters

Visiting to support your team when they play the Hawks or looking for a staycation to make the most of a Hawkeye victory? Here’s the best hotels to kickoff your stay.

Courtyard by Marriott Iowa City University Heights
Hotels, University Heights

Courtyard by Marriott Iowa City University Heights

901 Melrose Ave. Iowa City, Iowa 52246 USA
Historic Phillips House Bed & Breakfast
Bed and Breakfasts, Downtown Iowa City

Historic Phillips House Bed & Breakfast

721 North Linn Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 USA
Hotels

The Highlander Hotel Iowa City

2525 Highlander Place Iowa City, Iowa 52245 USA
SureStay Plus by Best Western Coralville Iowa City
Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

SureStay Plus by Best Western Coralville Iowa City

200 6th Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
The Heights Rooftop Event Center
Alternate Meeting Space, Hotels, Off-Site Venue

The Heights Rooftop Event Center

901 Melrose Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52246 USA
Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center
Hotels, Iowa River Landing, Wedding Venue

Hyatt Regency Coralville Hotel & Conference Center

300 E 9th St Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA
Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown
Downtown Iowa City, Hotels

Hyatt Place Iowa City Downtown

255 E Court Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 USA
Hotel Millwright
Hotels, Surrounding

Hotel Millwright

800 48th Avenue Amana, Iowa 52203 USA
Graduate by Hilton Iowa City
Downtown Iowa City, Hotels

Graduate by Hilton Iowa City

210 South Dubuque St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 USA

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attractions

Discover the perfect mix of culture and adventure across Iowa City, Coralville, and North Liberty.

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Midwest Living: Best College Town Getaways in the Midwest

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Downtown Iowa City

Wander through historic Downtown Iowa City with its charming pedestrian mall and eclectic mix of independent shops and eateries.
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Getting Here

Here, creativity lives on every stage, gallery wall, and page. With a pulse on the past and a passion for what’s next, our cultural scene will leave you inspired long after the final act.
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Rankings

Our area consistently ranks as a top community in which to live, work, play, and raise a family. The recognitions listed below are just a few of the accolades our destination has received in the last few years.
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Restaurants

In Iowa City you may feast upon milk shakes made from whole slices of pie, slurp corn chowder produced from the freshest and best corn on the planet, and order a jar of bacon as an appetizer.
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