Between catching up on the hometown gossip (who knew so much could change in a year?!) and hitting up your favorite go-to places, chances are you and your hometown friends have talked about your experiences at college. Whether they were at a big, state school or a small, private school, you all have a little bit in common. However, you’re the only one that has the bragging rights for Iowa City, so here’s a list of 10 things that are certainly worth bragging about.
1. Tailgates
It’s hard not to brag about our tailgates when our football team did so well this past season. What beats getting up at 7 a.m. on a Saturday morning to cheer on your fellow Hawkeyes? Whether you’re playing cornhole with family members, day drinking with your friends, or simply walking down Melrose, you get that unexplainable feeling that’s worth sharing with everyone.
2. Downtown
Downtown Iowa City is such a little gem. From cute coffee shops to one-of-a-kind bookstores, one can spend hours exploring downtown. Surprisingly enough, especially being a relatively small town, Iowa City offers so much art and culture that it’s almost impossible to get bored.
3. Coffee Shops
As much as we’re enjoying this break from studying, it’s hard not to brag about the coffee shops scattered throughout Iowa City. On any given day, places like Java House, Prairie Lights Café and High Ground are bustling with activity. There are so many places to go to study, grab a quick drink, or sit and chat with friends.
4. Patios & Good Food
Don’t you miss walking down the streets downtown and seeing everyone eating on patios? Or beating the summer heat by sitting outside and having a quick drink?
5. The Pentacrest
Our entire campus is so beautiful, but the Old Capitol and the four other buildings in the pentacrest are the icing on the cake. Walking/driving/biking is not the same when your view isn’t the iconic golden dome.
6. School Friends
With everyone scattered in different places for the summer, whether it be studying abroad, internships, or just going back home, you start to miss your friends in Iowa City. Whether you’re back home spending time with your high school friends or off on a different summer adventure, chances are you’ve bragged once or twice about your friends back in good ol’ Iowa City.
7. Iowa Nice
When I heard about “Iowa nice,” I genuinely laughed. But the more I got to know the people in Iowa City, the more I realized that this is actually true. Drivers are considerate. People smile at you. Strangers talk to each other. What a wonderful place to be.
8. The “Campus Feel”
Being in Iowa City, even if you’re off campus, it seems as though your life always revolves around the university. From Hawkeye flags hanging in local businesses to students working just about everywhere, you definitely feel like you’re in a college town.
9. Going Out
Hometown parties have nothing on Iowa City. Chances are, you’ve bragged once or twice about all those nights you spent at Union last year. Although it’s nice to take a much needed break for both your sanity and your liver, it’s hard to not wish you were spending your summer nights in the ped mall instead of someone’s basement.
10. Academics
At one of the top universities in the country, it would be silly to forget about academics. Even though summer is a nice break, you can’t help but brag a little about the interesting classes you took last semester or the cute boy that sat two rows in front of you in your bio lecture. At the end of the day, we’re all here for one thing: to get a great education. So why not brag about that?
It’s hard not to brag when your college town is so perfect. It’s okay, go ahead and brag about Iowa City. It won’t be long until you’re back.