Summer break officially begins following the final bell on Friday, June 5. Despite its celebrated arrival, many students may find it difficult to stay entertained. However, the Iowa City area provides many diverse solutions for those looking to prevent summer boredom.
Visit Lake MacBride
Located just west of Solon, Lake MacBride is a popular attraction during the warmer months. It is the largest state park in Iowa, and hosts a plethora of activities for friends, families or individuals. Among its recreation options are boating, camping, fishing, swimming and hiking. Simple entry into the park is free, with boat, kayak and canoe rentals along with paid camping reservations available.
Attend a Farmers Market
In May, Iowa City kicked off its farmers’ market season. Every Saturday from 7:30 a.m. until noon, the city hosts a Farmers Market located in the Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp area. These events will continue to occur weekly until Oct. 31. There are many different options of vendors, ranging from food, clothing, jewelry and other handmade local goods. Visitors can browse the rows of vendors and enjoy Market Music performers from 9 a.m. until noon.
Volunteer at the North Liberty Community Pantry
The North Liberty Community Pantry (NLCP) serves North Liberty and nearby towns through goodwill donations of food and clothing. Citizens can get involved through Open Volunteer Time on the second and fourth Monday of each month, where anyone is welcome to attend without prior experience required. Similarly, Open Garden Time is offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays with no prerequisite or registration needed. Additionally, one can become a recurring volunteer by attending a required, scheduled orientation and completing a shadow shift. Following these events, volunteers can sign up for shifts of their choosing. For more information, visit the NCLP website.
Visit Terry Trueblood Recreation Area
Located in Iowa City, the Terry Trueblood Recreation Area offers many different activities. Among its amenities are a lake with opportunities for kayaking, paddleboarding and pedal boats, bird watching and fishing. Additionally, there is a hiking path that spans around the lake in addition to a connected path to the Iowa River Trail.
FilmScene Movie Nights
Throughout the summer, the Iowa City area hosts movie nights that are free to attend. These nights occur roughly every other Saturday and offer a different movie showing each night. FilmScene has two primary locations, The Chauncey and the Ped Mall, with a seasonal, outdoor location available at Chauncey Swan Park. For more information on specific dates, showings and locations, visit the FilmScene Iowa City website.
