From Snowshoeing to Festivals and Indoor Fun: Your Guide To Winter in Cedar Falls
posted
on Thursday, January 11, 2024
During the winter, Cedar Falls transforms into a winter wonderland, with plenty of options for outdoor activities like snowshoeing, fat biking, and ice fishing. It is also home to cozy coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries, museums, boutique shops, and other indoor attractions that offer a warm escape from the cold weather.
Whether planning a family adventure, a cozy getaway for two, or a trip to relax and rejuvenate, you'll find plenty of ideas below to help you plan your stay.
Photo Credit: Elliot Tensen @elliottensen
In this article
Outdoor Fun
Photo Credit: Matthew Skeens @mattonthedirt
Snowshoeing, Fat Biking, Skiing, Ice Fishing & Hiking
Enjoy cross-country skiing, hiking, or snowshoeing on the Cedar Valley Trails when the trails are covered in snow.
Ice Fishing
Nestled within the George Wyth State Park, a frozen lake offers a unique experience for fishing enthusiasts. Drill a hole in the ice, drop your line, and anticipate the thrill of the day’s catch. Beside the Visitor Center is Prairie Lakes Park, where you can choose from two lakes in a central location close to shopping and food in the Industrial Park area.
Disc Golf
Choose from 3 courses in Cedar Falls parks, designed to be fun and challenging. Whether a beginner or an advanced player, you can enjoy 9-hole and 18-hole courses year-round.
Beer Trail Passport
A must-have for any beer lover looking to explore the local craft beer scene. Visit 6 participating breweries along the trails while earning perks. It's a great way to discover new breweries, taste different beers, and earn rewards for your love of beer. Get the passport
Photo Credit: Matthew Skeens @mattonthedirt
Cedar Falls Run Club
Join the local run crew for a Saturday morning Breakfast Run and tap into the heartbeat of the outdoor recreation community. Here, you’ll find friendly faces, all levels of runners, and a lot of laughs. It’s a great way to learn about Cedar Falls hidden outdoor gems from locals while spending time with an unforgettable group.
Trail Conditions
Within our 130+ miles of trails, 12.5 miles are regularly shoveled after a snowfall, providing extra winter recreation options for walking, running and cycling.
Festivals and Events
Photo Credit: Matthew Skeens @mattonthedirt
Cedar Valley Winterfest
Celebrate all things winter on February 16 and 17th. The fun begins on a Friday night with a guided snowshoe hike through the dark trails, with post-run snacks, drinks, and great company. You can participate in the Iowa Games Snowshoe 5K/10K or Fat Bike Championships on Saturday. If you're a fan of chili, you won't want to miss the chili cookoff, where local and amateur chefs compete for the title of the best chili in town.
Maple Syrup Festival @Hartman Reserve Nature Center
Maple Syrup Festival
Mark your calendars for the second weekend in March when the Annual Maple Syrup Festival takes place at Hartman Reserve. Here, you'll learn how conservation staff make maple syrup and enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage, and other tasty treats from local businesses.
Photo Credit: Matthew Skeens @mattonthedirt
Equipment Rentals
Bring your fat bikes. Other equipment is available to rent locally.
@Hurling Hatchet | Photo Credit: Elliot Tensen @elliottensen
Indoor Fun
For indoor competition with your group, check out Hurling Hatchet in downtown Cedar Falls and Grid Lounge, Iowa's only SIM racing destination. Golf Lab is the perfect spot for enthusiasts to enjoy swinging a club in a warm environment. Ninja U is a popular place for kids, featuring an indoor park with warped walls and other obstacles.
Museums and Art Galleries
The Victorian House Museum is where you can step back in time to experience what life was like in 1863 in an Italianate-style home. Plus, they have the William J. Lenoir Model Railroad Collection, the only exhibition of Lenoir's existence. You can see miniature replicas of brass steam locomotives, gas-electric cars, passenger cars, freight cars, and railroad structures that circle through an intricate village scene. (Closed in January)
"Whisk" by Marc Moulton @HearstCenter Photo Credit: David Grant
The UNI Gallery of Art has rotating exhibitions that showcase a wide range of artwork by contemporary artists, as well as selections from the UNI Permanent Art Collection. The Hearst Center for The Arts is in the same neighborhood, where you can pre-register for a creative workshop, walk through galleries, or stroll through the outdoor sculpture garden.
Music and Live Theatre
The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony is a cultural gem of the Cedar Valley, with their impressive range of performances, including classical and contemporary music, as well as pop and family concerts. If you're in the downtown district, check out The Cedar Falls Community Theatre at the Historic Oster Regent. With productions year-round, this theater is a fantastic place to catch a show and experience Cedar Valley's thriving arts scene. For those looking for a genuinely state-of-the-art venue, look no further than the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus. This venue is home to a wide range of performances throughout the year.
NWCA/USMC Wrestling 2024 at the UNI-Dome
Photo Credit: Elliot Tensen @elliottensen
Collegiate Sports
Experience the thrill of a game or sporting event. The UNI-Dome is home to 17 Division 1 Athletics Teams, with year-round competitions.
Dining
Exceptional food and drinks can be found in every neighborhood in Cedar Falls. Here, you'll find businesses working hard to treat you like their own with outstanding personal attention to detail, from classic comfort food to quaint cafes offering fresh and unique dishes by award-winning chefs.
Shopping
Visitors can wander through more than 40 locally owned shops in the Downtown and College Hill Districts to find everything from books, records, clothing, ornaments, jewelry, and sweets to arts and crafts.
Where to stay
In Cedar Falls, hospitality meets comfort with 11 hotels catering to every traveler's needs. Whether you seek a cozy boutique experience, a family-friendly stay, or a convenient business hub, with welcoming accommodations nestled amid the city's picturesque surroundings, visitors can relax and recharge, ready to explore all Cedar Falls offers.