You know, sometimes I really miss IC and Coralville! I lived in the area for grad school 1996-2001 and there are some incredible places in Iowa City.

THE very best place to go, IMHO, is a truly unique slow-food restaurant called Devotay . Excellent menu, and unbelievable food. Sometimes SO and I talk about flying back to IC just to have dinner at Devotay. That's how much we loved it. Honestly? If you are looking for one place to have a special, delicious dinner, please, please go to Devotay. I can't believe no one else has mentioned it!!!

Let's see, what else?
I recommend the Ped Mall for some pleasant afternoon shopping. Java House is nice for a relaxing cup of coffee, and if the New Agey store is still next door, it's nice to wander through. Masala is a delicious vegetarian Indian restaurant if you're into such things. Prairie Lights bookstore is a great place for hanging out and reading.

The Univ. of Iowa campus is comfortably nested around the downtown area, so it's a very nice spot, especially this time of year when student population is down and parking is available.

A visit to the New Pioneer Co-Op is in order if you need any healthy snacks, groceries, or soup, salad, sandwiches, smoothies, vegetarian or vegan fare.

The Coral Ridge Mall is okay but it's a mall. Still, it's worth visiting if you have some extra time to kill, especially if you are trying to beat the heat and want to try some ice skating.

Linn Street Cafe was always just OKAY to me. My office was just down the street at Seashore Hall, so very close by, but it just never WOWed me. Three Samari is a nice teppenyaki place, Village Inn is a great IHOP type of place to get breakfast or dinner at 3 AM, and we also liked Sanctuary and The Vine, as far as dinner restaurants go.

Generally, Cedar Rapids is just kind of blah unless you actually live in Iowa City and there's nothing else to do but drive a half hour to get to the "big city."

I absolutely agree with other posters that a trip to Amana is well worth the drive. If you go, have dinner at the Ox Yoke Inn, the most popular and famous of the Amanas. Taste some of the wine- you probably won't be too impressed, but it's still kind of fun. The Amanas are just a really pleasant place to visit, IMHO.

Wow, I really miss Iowa, and I'm amazed that I'm saying that. I couldn't wait to leave, but apparently, some of the warmer, friendlier qualities just grew on me a little. I have a really soft spot in my heart for Iowa City and the Amanas.

Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions. And thanks for taking me down memory lane a bit.

: )
GG