Knowing how to make the most out of the cold, snowy months can be a struggle. Luckily, there are many fun winter-themed activities to do around Iowa City.
Ice skating
In the center of the Coral Ridge Mall is a small ice rink known as Bodyarmor Ice Rink. Anyone can sign up and skate to their heart’s content. There are times strictly for hockey teams and classes for those learning to skate for the first time, but many slots are open each day for the public to sign up and glide. Cheap and accessible for people of any skill and ability, ice skating is a fun activity for people looking to try something new.
If the prospect of skating outside in the winter sounds more appealing, the Scheels Ice Rink, at Penn Meadows Park in North Liberty, might be just right. Open in the winter from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the rink is perfect for the wintery aesthetic post on Instagram or an outdoor option for fun.
Holiday market
Throughout downtown Iowa City, holiday pop-up markets, activities, and free trolley rides fill the streets. With the trolley giving free rides each Friday from Nov. 21 to Dec. 19, and the market pop-ups starting from Nov. 28 to Dec. 24, there will be a lot to explore downtown.
Certain activities are specifically for kids, such as photo opportunities with Santa and the Kids’ Market, where Santa’s helpers assist children who bring a wishlist of gifts to find everything they need. The festivities will also include a downtown elf hunt, a retail open house event featuring over 16 businesses, and a small business spotlight day, where the City of Iowa City offered free parking in all downtown parking ramps.
Sledding
So far, the weather predictions for this upcoming winter look promising for snow lovers throughout the Midwest. With hilly terrain and heaps of snow expected to come, sledding is the best way to take advantage of winter delights. Hickory Hill is only a short 10-minute drive from campus, giving students a convenient option to access a perfect park for sledding — though campus itself has decently tall hills with plenty of ideal slopes for shredding some snow.
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Sauna relaxation
For cheap and accessible relaxation this winter, the University of Iowa sauna rooms might be the best way to warm up after a chilly day on campus. With both dry and hot saunas, having some time to sit inside will surely melt winter ice away as the days get progressively colder. Just don’t get too hot, or else you might crave the cold.
Ice fishing
Most fishing spots in the winter are impeded by ice freezing over the water, making it impossible to regularly cast a line. But never fear, ice fishing season is just around the corner. Once the ice becomes completely solid for at least a week and is safely tested, it can be walked across, and someone can fish through the thick ice sheets.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources recommends Iowa City River Landing Pond, East Oakdale Pond, Clear Creek Pond, and several other ponds on its website. Many of these become perfect ice fishing locations in the winter, so keep an eye out.
Skiing
An hour and 32 minutes away from campus is Dubuque, Iowa. Dubuque is home to Sundown Mountain Resort and offers several different slopes, pathways to ski down, and activities for young and old alike. Lessons for beginners are offered as well as spots for those with fewer skills to practice before attempting to go down the hill. To prepare, I recommend looking into which paths are the hardest and easiest to ease yourself into developing skills.