Outdoor Adventures

Gateway River Park at sunset. Photo courtesy of CrawDaddy Outdoors

Ready to mix some urban fun with outdoor thrills? With a population of just over 40,000, Cedar Falls Iowa makes it easy to adventure your way. 
 

Driving Distance to Cedar Falls:

• Des Moines, IA: 2 hours
• Iowa City, IA: 1 hour
• Minneapolis, MN: 3.5 hours
• Omaha, NE: 4 hours
• Chicago, IL: 5 hours
• Madison, WI: 3 hours

How to Spend a Weekend in Cedar Falls

Book an overnight stay in the Downtown District where you can park your car and explore the city on foot or by bike, and start and end your day surrounded by dining, shopping, and entertainment options.  The Black Hawk Hotel, a charming boutique spot with a 170-year-old story and a speakeasy lounge, or the modern Hampton Inn, offering stunning river views and an indoor pool.

Day 1: 

Morning: Start your day at the Gateway River Park, a $6 million park perfect for tubing, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, or try the hottest new activity in the Midwest: River Surfing! If you don’t have your own gear, no problem—rent it from CrawDaddy, UNI Recreation or Cooks Outdoors. Just be sure to arrange rentals in advance.

The Iowa Lovers at The Nook Bookstore
 

Lunch: Relax on the patio with a craft beer at Second State Brewing before heading over to Patton Bar and Diner for lunch. Take some time to explore the historic downtown area, where you'll find several blocks filled with unique boutique shops. You'll find everything from books at the Nook, to records at Vinyl Cup, and clothing shops. For adventure enthusiasts, a stop at The Runners Flat is a must to check out the latest footwear, apparel, and accessories.
 

Patton Bar and Diner 

Afternoon: Take a bike ride along over 130 miles of scenic trails! Cedar Falls is the first Trail Town in Iowa, with a loop system that offers routes for every skill level, from gentle lakeside loops to challenging adventures. The Cedar Valley Trails are also part of the American Discovery Trail and the Great American Rail-Trail, so you're never far from a broader adventure. With 140 wayfinding signs, navigating these hard-surface trails is a breeze, allowing you to focus on enjoying the scenery and discovering new points of interest.

@Georges Local
 

Evening: As the day winds down, enjoy a martini at The Stuffed Olive, then head for dinner by a firepit at George’s Local, or a rooftop patio at Montage.
 

The Stuffed Olive has more than 100 different varieties of martinis to choose from!
 

Entertainment: Extend your fun into the evening with a show at the Cedar Falls Community Theatre, or try something more adventurous like bull riding at Deringers, axe throwing at Hurling Hatchet, or racing at Grid Lounge, Iowa’s only indoor SIM racing lounge. For a really unique experience, book a smash room at Shatter Space.

Day 2: 
 

Morning:
Start your day with a coffee and at Cup of Joe. For a relaxing paddle, head to Big Woods Lake. After that, hit the disc golf course—Cedar Falls is home to Iowa’s first course and now has three to choose from.

Disc Golf at Big Woods Lake

If you're up for a full day of wilderness canoeing, the Cedar Valley Paddlers Trail offers a 10-mile water and portage trail connecting various lakes across George Wyth State Park, Hartman Reserve Nature Center, and the Cedar River, With options for both shorter loops and longer excursions. Convenient access points with nearby parking enhance the paddling experience.

Discover more about water trails here.

@Urban Pie

Lunch:

When it's time for lunch and a drink - stop at one of the Downtown Districts bike-friendly breweries and restaurants, such as Singlespeed. Beer enthusiasts can also visit five local breweries and pubs while while earning perks with the Beer Trail Passport. With plenty of locally owned spots serving up fresh, local ingredients, you can also check out some of the local favorites: Pablo's Mexican Grill, Whiskey Road for a great American menu with a cozy vibe, or Urban Pie or Tony's La Pizzeria for fantastic wood-fired pizza.
 

• Explore all the dining options here.

Gateway River Park in the Downtown District
 

Afternoon:

Spend the afternoon exploring more trails, grab an ice cream at the Cedar City Creamery and walk along the river at Gateway Park, or check out the Ice House Museum, the only museum in the U.S. that tells the history of ice harvesting in its original 1921 building.
 

Yamato: The Drummers of Japan at Gallagher Bluedorn

Evening:
Wrap up your trip with a UNI Panthers game or catch a live show at the Gallagher Bluedorn. Finish your evening with live music or a comedy show at The Octopus on College Hill.

Get more inspiration to plan your getaway
with a FREE Cedar Falls Visitor Guide

Advertising leading to this page paid for in part by the Iowa Tourism Office.