Visiting Iowa City this fall? Explore local options at your own pace—below are a few ideas and links to help you plan.
Seasonal farms and orchards
Nearby farms offer u-pick, markets, and fall activities. Check current hours and ticketing before you go.
- Wilson’s Orchard & Farm — u-pick apples (in season), farm market, and events.
- Colony Acres Family Farm — pumpkin patch, corn maze, and weekend activities.
Explore the Ped Mall
The Pedestrian Mall in downtown Iowa City is a walk-only district with shops, dining, public art, and year-round events.
- Browse independent boutiques and specialty stores.
- Grab coffee or a quick meal at local spots.
- Check the events calendar for seasonal activities and pop-ups.
- Fall Shop Crawl — Friday, Oct. 24, 4–8 p.m.
Get outside
Iowa City and the surrounding area offer parks, trails, and nature spaces with great fall color.
- Terry Trueblood Recreation Area — lakeside paths, playgrounds, and picnic areas.
- Ryerson’s Woods State Preserve — wooded trails and overlooks.
- Macbride Nature Recreation Area (MNRA) — trail access and native habitats; visit the Iowa Raptor Project to learn about raptor conservation.
- Iowa City parks and trails
Performing and visual arts
Performing and visual arts are easy to catch on and near campus.
- Hancher Auditorium — performances and touring productions.
- Disney’s Moana live-to-film — Sunday, Oct. 26, 6 p.m.
- Minnesota Orchestra — Saturday, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.
- Kinky Boots — Jan. 23–25, 2026
- Stanley Museum of Art — free admission; rotating exhibitions and guided or self-guided tours.
Fall athletic events
Hawkeye home events run throughout the fall across multiple sports. Use the all-sports schedule, or browse by sport for tickets and game times.