Things to Do
(while social distancing responsibly)
As the community responds to the local and national recommendations to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, we’re offering local suggestions to keep you busy and active while practicing safe social distancing. If you have any suggestions to add to this list, please contact us.
Please check with businesses / organizations directly before visiting to ensure that they are open.
Get Out and/or Be Active
1. Play a round of golf – or disc golf.
Several golf course and disc golf course are open, weather permitting.
2. Take a hike
Or a walk, or a bike ride and enjoy our area’s parks and trails, including Johnson County’s largest – Kent Park.
3. Take a trip to a dog park
4. Get a local food prep kit and have fun making it yourself
Molly’s Cupcakes – Cupcake Decorating Kit
Pink Umbrella Bakery – Sugar Cookie Decorating Kit
Wig & Pen Pizza – Create Your Own Pizza Kit
Hurts Donuts – Donut Decorating Kit
Prairie Kitchen Store – Delicious Diversions Cooking Kits
5. Support local Businesses.
Check out our listing of restaurants and shops currently offering curbside, takeout, delivery, and gift card options. CHOMP is offering FREE delivery with the code THINKIOWACITY.
6. Go on a bird finding walk with:
7. Get a Front Porch Picture Taken
Lindsay McGowan Photography is out taking family photos in neighborhoods.
8. Get a new game delivered
From Geek City Games in North Liberty
9. Get a new Pen Pal
From Oaknoll Retirement Community
10. Complete a Nature Journal Challenge
The University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums have established a daily journal activity. It’s fun, interactive, and a great way to keep curious!
11. Show Your Support
Show your support to our frontline workers by coloring or printing these signs for your window! Share your colored sign photos with #icareahealthcare #icareapublicsafety #icarearefuse #icareadelivery #icareafrontline #icareatogether
12. Explore Herbert Hoover National Historic Site with the official National Park Service App
Discover the places and people that shaped the early life of the 31st President of the United States using the mobile app as you visit the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch.
13. Host a private football watch party in the Graduate Iowa City Hotel Swing Suites
Watch any game, college or pro, on the big screens in the Graduate Iowa City Hotel Topgolf Swing Suites. Be socially distanced away from other groups and enjoy food and beverage service during the game. Contact [email protected] to learn more.
Virtual Activities
1. Challenge yourself in the Iowa City Scavenger Hunt using Google Street View
The Iowa City Public Library has a challenge for you.
2. Join the virtual book club with the Coralville Public Library
Novel Conversations meets on Zoom every Thursday for a book discussion.
3. Catch up on some reading.
The Coralville Public Library, Iowa City Public Library, and North Liberty Public Library all offer digital services! Or use Prairie Lights Bookstore’s curbside pick-up service.
4. Visit the Iowa Children’s Museum…virtually.
And check out more activities you can do at home from their Facebook page.
5. Paint your own creation with a virtual class
From Brush & Barrel in Coralville
6. Missing the local music scene?
You can still listen to your favorite local music with the Local Music Project at the ICPL. Or check out this awesome Spotify playlist from the Englert Theater.
7. Learn some history!
The Coralville Public Library offers a digital history database of the city.
8. Listen to the reading of 100 Days of Decameron
Iowa City UNESCO City of Literature will have virtual readings starting April 1 for 100 days.
9. Catch a flick
FilmScene is offering a virtual screening room
10. Take a virtual cooking class
With Becky’s Mindful Kitchen in Solon
11. Play bar trivia
With Andrew’s Bar Exam
12. Participate in a Wine CSW (Community Supported Wine)
Experience with Brix Cheese Shop & Wine Bar
13. Use a video chat platforms
Have a virtual happy hour or dinner party with friends!
14. Prep for the Free Shakespeare Festival
with Thirty Days of Shakespeare from Riverside Theatre.
15. Enjoy the performances you would have experienced at the Mission Creek Festival.
16. Make your own drive-in movie theater with the help of FilmScene
17. Take a virtual yoga class
Several yoga studios are offering virtual classes.
18. Yoga not your thing?
Here’s a few other virtual fitness classes from local businesses.