Iowa City is Named One of the 'Best Small US Cities to Spend the Weekend'

Out of thousands of US cities with a population of less than 90,000, Iowa City has been named one of the best!

Everybody knows that major cities are fun places to visit, but what about those smaller cities that everyone overlooks? Thrillist recently came up with a list of 25 smaller US cities that are great to spend a weekend in, and Iowa City came in at number 22.

The list was put together based on restaurants, bars, breweries, parks, museums, outdoor activities, and other components that are necessary for a fun 3-day weekend, and anyone that has been to Iowa City can tell you that there's plenty of those things in town! With a population of just over 71,500, Iowa City is technically considered a small city, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do. Thrillist lists breakfast at Hamburg Inn No. 2 as their "must-eat," and suggests visiting Prairie Lights, which they say is "one of America's greatest independent bookstores." The rest of the article reads:

"Iowa's former capital has much more going for it than the opportunity to take in some Hawkeye athletics and then party your face off even harder than legendary sharpshooter Chris Kingsbury (though those options are very much available -- University of Iowa students know how to get it done). For one, as you might know from your studious viewing of HBO's Girls, it's one of America's great literary cities, home to the renowned Iowa Writers' Workshop and owner of a UNESCO City of Literature designation -- the only North American city that can make that claim, in fact.

But, UGH, enough with the nerd stuff, right? Plenty of famous people also visit obligatory Iowa caucus campaign stop and Iowa City institution The Hamburg Inn No. 2 for heaping plates of breakfast foods and pie shakes. Yes, pie shakes. Come lunchtime, you'd be making a mistake if you passed up a house-ground burger from Short's. And if you don't like being told what to do, just amble around the pedestrian mall in the heart of town and pop into any place that looks good to you -- it’s Iowa. Everyone's friendly."

Iowa City is Named One of the ‘Best Small US Cities to Spend the Weekend’