One of the hardest parts of friend trips is finding something to do that most of the group will enjoy. Luckily the Iowa City area, known for its unique community of sports fans, literary masters, and talented artists, is bursting with exciting attractions. 

For the artsy group: If you and your friends are looking for a getaway that will spark your creativity and ignite your appreciation of great art, you will want to add the Stanley Art Museum to your list of places to visit. The free museum is on the University of Iowa campus and has extraordinary works of art from all around the world.

You’ll also want to add a stop at Prairie Lights Books, a well-known bookstore, to your itinerary. This three-story bookstore and coffee house is famous for hosting writers like Langston Hughes and Gloria Steinem in the past. Today, they still host fascinating events with authors. Overall, it’s a fun place to stop while you’re in the area—and of course, post to your Instagram feed. 

If you’re looking for a hands-on art activity, stop by Brush and Barrel for a relaxed group painting experience. A talented instructor will help guide you through creating a masterpiece that will serve as a memento from your trip for years to come. 

For the adventurous group: Some people just want to relax on trips, but others like to explore new experiences. If this sounds like your friends, you won’t be disappointed by all the wonderful winter activities in the area. Try outdoor ice skating, snowshoeing, or ice fishing at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area. Or bundle up and do some winter hiking along the Coralville Reservoir, and you may even spot a couple of bald eagles along the way. 

Sometimes a group trip just needs an activity where everyone can participate no matter their athletic skills. The new hybrid golfing and gaming facility, Pinseekers, is perfect for groups like this. Your friends can take turns hitting on the indoor/outdoor driving range, playing mini duck pin bowling, challenging each other in a round of mini golf, and so much more. 

For the sporty group: It’s almost impossible to Google ‘Iowa City’ without the Iowa Hawkeyes popping up. The University of Iowa is a staple of Iowa City culture and the community has a strong affinity for Hawkeye sports. If you’re coming into town, it’s worth trying to catch a basketball game, wrestling match, gymnastics event, or other winter sports. It’s also a great excuse to experience the Hawkeye cheering section for yourself. 

You can also catch an Iowa Heartlander Hockey game at X-stream Arena in Coralville (about 5 minutes outside of Iowa City). The Heartlanders are a professional minor league ice hockey team in the ECHL and their games are thrilling to watch. They even offer ticket packages for groups and host fun nights like the Teddy Bear Toss Night and Mascot Birthday Night. 

For the easy-going group: Sometimes the focus of a getaway is taking things easy. The Iowa City area is perfect for a low-key retreat with friends. If you want to do some shopping, there are so many options. Browse the Pedestrian Mall, Old Town Capitol Center, Coral Ridge Mall, and Iowa River Landing or the many other cute boutiques nestled throughout the area. 

You could also grab tickets to a Broadway musical or classical concert at Hancher Auditorium. The architecture of the building and the artwork inside are just as impressive to see, even if you don’t catch a show. The Englert Theatre, a renovated vaudeville-era playhouse that now hosts intimate concerts and shows, is another place to enjoy the performing arts.