THINGS TO DO IN
CEDAR FALLS

Explore more than 25 barn quilt sites across Black Hawk County on a self-guided or step-on tour.

Attraction

The Big Woods Lake StoryWalk® combines reading, outdoor time, and movement along a short trail near the Big Woods Lake Campground.

Outdoors

Three acres greenspace serving as an off-leash dog park.

Outdoors

Island Park 9-Hole Disc Golf Course in Cedar Falls offers a fun, compact round in a scenic park setting, making it a great casual stop for players of all skill levels.

Outdoors

18 Hole Disc Golf

Outdoors

Escape to George Wyth State Park, where scenic lakes, wooded trails, beaches, paddling, fishing, camping, and year-round outdoor recreation await just minutes from downtown Cedar Falls.

Park

The Hearst Sculpture Garden is an outdoor art space featuring large-scale sculptures, landscaped walkways, and a peaceful setting near the Hearst Center for the Arts.

Park

This authentic 1925 filling station serves as an information center for visitors to the Cedar Falls/Waterloo area. Open May through October

Museum

Black Hawk Park is a large outdoor recreation area near Cedar Falls offering camping, hiking, boating, fishing, and scenic riverfront views along the Cedar River.

Park

Located at East Viking Road and Highway 58 in Cedar Falls, this growing retail area offers a number of restaurants and big box retail.

Attraction

The Cedar Valley Trails system features more than 130 miles of connected paved trails linking Cedar Falls with parks, riverfront areas, downtown districts, and surrounding communities.

Park

College Hill is a lively Cedar Falls area near the University of Northern Iowa known for local restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and campus energy.

Attraction

Walkable area with local shops, restaurants, breweries, entertainment, trails, and riverfront charm.

Attraction

The Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center hosts concerts, Broadway productions, comedy shows, and cultural performances on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls.

Venue

Hartman Reserve Nature Center offers wooded trails, wildlife habitats, educational programs, and year-round outdoor recreation in Cedar Falls.

Park

This circular structure built in 1921 once housed a flourishing ice business and now displays ice harvest equipment and photos on ice farming operations.

Attraction

The Oster Regent Theatre is a historic downtown Cedar Falls venue hosting movies, concerts, live performances, and community events in a restored classic theater setting.

Venue

The Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa focuses on prairie restoration, native plants, environmental education, and Iowa’s natural landscapes.

Attraction

TheatreUNI presents live theater productions, student performances, and cultural events at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls.

Venue

The UNI Botanical Center features gardens, greenhouses, and educational spaces focused on plants, sustainability, and environmental learning in Cedar Falls.

Attraction

The UNI Gallery of Art showcases rotating exhibitions featuring regional, national, and student artists on the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls.

Museum

The UNI School of Music hosts concerts, recitals, ensembles, and educational performances throughout the year in Cedar Falls.

Venue

The University of Northern Iowa is a public university in Cedar Falls known for academics, athletics, performing arts, and a vibrant campus community.

Attraction

Step back into Cedar Falls' past at this beautifully preserved 1863 Victorian home. Explore period rooms filled with antique furnishings, historic artifacts, and the renowned Lenoir O-scale Model Railroad exhibit, all showcasing the people and stories that shaped the community.

Museum

One of Northeast Iowa's strongest cultural assets, the symphony presents outstanding performances with world-class artists.

Venue

The UNI Museum is comprised of the University Museum (a museum of nature and culture) and the Marshall Center School (a restored historic one-room...

Museum

Built in 1909, this charming schoolhouse is equipped with blackboards, books, a pot-bellied stove and turn-of-the century furnishings.

Museum

UNI drama students, visiting artists, and directors present musicals, operas, dramas and comedies throughout the year.

Venue

The Cedar Falls Visitor Center helps visitors explore local attractions, trails, dining, events, and activities throughout Cedar Falls and the Cedar Valley.

Attraction

Pheasant Ridge Golf Course is a scenic Cedar Falls public golf course featuring rolling fairways, practice facilities, leagues, tournaments, and a relaxed atmosphere for golfers of all skill levels.

Attraction

The Falls Aquatic Center is Cedar Falls’ outdoor summer water park featuring pools, slides, splash areas, and family-friendly fun for all ages.

Attraction

Beaver Hills Golf Club is a membership-based scenic golf couse with a classic country club atmosphere

Attraction

Hearst Center for the Arts is a Cedar Falls cultural destination featuring art galleries, performances, events, classes, and sculpture gardens.

Attraction

Cedar Falls Recreation Center offers fitness facilities, indoor recreation, swimming, sports courts, and wellness activities for all ages.

Sports Facility

Disc Golf at Tourist Park offers a scenic 18-hole disc golf course in a natural setting along the Cedar River.

Park

Cedar Falls Equestrian Center offers boarding, equestrian events, and training.

Sports Facility

Viking Plaza is a shopping area featuring retail stores, dining, services, and convenient everyday shopping.

Attraction

Public Art in Cedar Falls includes murals, sculptures, installations, and creative displays found throughout downtown, parks, and community spaces.

Attraction

Cedar Falls Public Library offers books, community programs, technology resources, and welcoming public spaces.

Attraction

Three Pines Farm is a fifth-generation family farm offering workshops, special events, private gatherings, and seasonal glamping in a scenic rural setting.

Attraction

Tondro Pray Bike Park offers trails, jumps, skills features, and outdoor biking experiences.

Sports Facility

Ninja\U offers ninja warrior obstacle training, fitness classes, and active indoor fun for kids and adults.

Sports Facility

Escapology Escape Rooms offer immersive escape room adventures and interactive group entertainment.

Attraction

Joywheel Cycling Studio offers indoor cycling classes, fitness experiences, and wellness-focused workouts in Cedar Falls.

Sports Facility

Place to Play Park is an inclusive playground designed for children of all abilities with accessible recreation features and family-friendly spaces.

Park

Golf Lab offers indoor golf simulation, swing analysis, lessons, and year-round golf experiences.

Sports Facility

Transcend Mind-Body Wellness offers wellness services, recovery experiences, and holistic health-focused treatments.

Attraction

Grid Lounge is a SIM racing lounge

Attraction

Gateway River Park offers river surfing, whitewater recreation, trails, fishing, and outdoor gathering spaces along the Cedar River.

Park

Shatter Space CF offers interactive rage room experiences and stress-relief entertainment.

Attraction

The Mall at College Square offers shopping, dining, entertainment, and everyday essentials in a convenient retail destination in Cedar Falls.

Attraction

Big Woods Lake Campground & Recreation Area offers camping, trails, paddling, fishing, and outdoor recreation in a peaceful natural setting in Cedar Falls.

Park