Archive for the 'Eastern Iowa' category
Few things are more synonymous with summer than baseball, and Iowans are fortunate to have many opportunities to enjoy professional baseball throughout the season all across the state. The most well-known Minor League team in the state is the Iowa Cubs, the Des Moines-based Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. Nearby Omaha is home to another Triple-A team, the Royals, and lower-level Single-A baseball teams play in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Clinton and Burlington.
Burlington is home to the Burlington Bees, the Single-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Burlington is the smallest town in the state with a professional team, and Community Field, where the Bees play, is the smallest stadium in the entire Minor League Baseball system. Renovated in 2005, there are advantages to the small size: tickets are cheap, seats are close to the action, restroom lines are short, and you won’t break the bank buying food from the concession stand.
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Published June 16th, 2010 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa |
Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the community of Le Claire is home to one of the finest downtown districts in Eastern Iowa. You can easily spend a few hours in the community perusing the gift and antique shops, many of which are located in historic buildings and homes dating to the late 1800s. Families may enjoy exploring the Buffalo Bill Museum, which includes a tour of the Lone Boat Steamer, the only remaining wooden hull steamboat in the United States.
Whether you’re planning on spending an hour in Le Claire or just passing through, one place you won’t want to miss is Kernel Cody’s Popcorn Shop. Open every daily except Monday, this unique locally-owned shop produces over twenty varieties of popcorn. My favorites include Sour Cream and Chives, a combination of flavors usually reserved for chips, and Caramel Apple, which features superb caramel corn mixed with artificially-flavored (but ridiculously tasty) fruity, green apple popcorn.
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Published May 14th, 2010 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa |
Cedar Falls, Iowa, may be home to one of the best Main Streets in the state. Bookended on the north by a city park along the Cedar River, and on the south by a modern public library, this downtown shopping district features a number of charming local businesses, including a children’s gift store, trendy salon, and landmark hotel.
Whether you’re spending a few hours shopping in the downtown district or just looking for the best dinner option in the Cedar Falls area, you’ll want to check out Montage, a hip restaurant with a stellar atmosphere, professional service, and a creative menu.
Our meal started with the waitress-recommended chicken empanadas, one of several unique appetizers that are a several cuts above most standard restaurant fare. Entrees for the evening were also a hit, with Amanda choosing the sun-dried tomato pesto pasta with chicken. I tried the seasonal pasta, tossed in a cool lime cream sauce and topped with blueberries, a dish that ranks among the my all-time favorites from Iowa restaurants.
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Published March 6th, 2010 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa |
There are few more quintessential weekend activities than attending a movie at the local theatre. Unfortunately, at most theatres it’s impossible to take the family to a feature film without spending an arm and a leg. The tickets alone for a family of four will run over $30, not to mention the popcorn, candy and soda for consuming during the movie.
Luckily, if you’re in the Cedar Rapids area, there is a great movie theatre that won’t break the budget. It’s the Collins Road Theatres, a locally-owned venue that shows primarily second-run movies at discounted ticket prices of $4 to $5. Beyond the reasonable admission cost, concessions are cheap, the workers are ultra-friendly, and it’s the only theatre in town to feature real butter for the popcorn.
When we were students at Cornell College in nearby Mt. Vernon, we made regular trips to the Collins Road Theatres after its opening in 2003. Unlike many second-run theatre, Collins Road features a charming lobby, plush seats, great sound, and is all-in-all well-maintained. As an added bonus, many of the weekend shows are preceded by an introduction from the theatre manager Bruce Taylor, including a drawing for free concessions for those in attendance.
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Published February 25th, 2010 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa |
When I first saw All Star Chocolate’s university-branded chocolate bars at our local grocery store, I wrote them off as a gimmick. After all, it was hard to imagine the quality of the candy inside living up to the cutesy packaging design. Fortunately for chocolate fans, my initial assessment was wrong.
They’re produced by Bochner Chocolates in Iowa City, made with superior ingredients, and competitively priced at under a dollar. Officially licensed and branded for five Midwestern schools, there are two varieties available for purchase – milk chocolate with peanut butter and milk chocolate with caramel. You can’t go wrong with either – the peanut butter is incredibly creamy, while the caramel filling is unbelievably smooth.
These chocolates are not only great for a university sports-watching party, but also make for a tasty snack to keep stocked at the office or around the house. They can be purchased at many Fareway and Hy-Vee grocery stores across the state, or find them at the Bochner Chocolates store in Coralville, Iowa.
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Published February 18th, 2010 |
Brian McMillin |
Central Iowa, Eastern Iowa, Food, Western Iowa |
On Highway 92 just within the city limits of Columbus Junction, Iowa, is an unassuming blue sign labeled “Swinging Bridge” with an arrow pointing north. This fun and quick attraction was originally constructed in 1886 and then rebuilt in 1904 and 1922. Now nearly 90 years old, there’s no doubt many kids, teens, and families have enjoyed the trip across this 262 feet long bridge.
When you visit, park your car on the side of the road, and be sure to read the marker at the east end of the bridge. You’ll learn the bridge was originally constructed from barrel staves and wire, and the collapse of the second bridge in 1920. Finally, grab your camera when you venture across the bridge and snap some photos (or take some video) as you venture across this entertaining, wobbly bridge.
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Published August 10th, 2009 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa |
Much like the Midwestern chain restaurant of similar name, the Jes-Rite Sandwich Shop in Fairfield, Iowa, specializes in loose-meat hamburgers. With a menu that also includes tenderloins, chicken strips, and fries, at first glance it may seem like just another run-of-the-mill greasy spoon.
Yet, there’s a charm at Jes-Rite that’s not always found at local restaurants and is especially devoid at most chains. At the counter, the wait staff is particularly helpful and courteous when taking your order. And, while you’re waiting for the food to be brought to your table, don’t hesitate to strike up a conversation with one of the friendly townspeople.
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Published March 26th, 2009 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Food, Places |
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, there’s no better place to turn for flowers than Stejskal Florists in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They’ll cheerfully answer your questions and provide useful tips and recommendations, whether you’re purchasing a single wrapped rose or a giant bouquet. Their top-notch customer service is complemented by the consistently excellent quality of flower arrangements they sell. As a regular customer when I lived in eastern Iowa, I was never once disappointed with my purchase.
You may pay a little more for your arrangements than you would at a big box store, but the difference in quality outweighs any difference in price. Plus, by shopping at Stejskal’s, you’ll be supporting a family-owned business that has been part of the Cedar Rapids community for over 60 years. Located in a bright pink building near the intersection of Wilson and Bowling Avenues, it’s a hard place to miss – and one you won’t want to miss anytime you’re buying flowers.
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Published February 9th, 2009 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Places |
Most residents of southeast Iowa are familiar with the villages of Van Buren county. The small community of Cantril features the Dutchman’s Store, a block-long store selling dry goods, frozen foods, and more. An old grist mill in Bonaparte is home to a popular restaurant, while a new creamery in Milton specializes in specialty cheese curds.
The largest town in the county is Keosauqua, with just over 1,000 residents. Being the second-smallest county seat in the state, you won’t find a single big box discount or dollar store in the city limits. Instead, you’ll enjoy a refreshingly simple downtown district with a local grocer, pharmacy and other small businesses.
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Published December 25th, 2008 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Food, Places |
A few miles outside of Muscatine, Iowa, is the Pine Creek Grist Mill, a unique attraction that allows visitors to see the inner-workings of a historic flour mill. The beautifully restored mill is over 150 years old and thought to be the oldest working mill between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.
Though it’s open to the public five days a week during the summer, you’ll get the most out of your visit by stopping on a Sunday afternoon. In addition to two scheduled mill demonstrations, the Melpine School – a restored one-room school house – is open for visitors between 1 and 4. The mill’s website has been revamped since we last visited and now features a video plus a bevy of information about the history (and future) of the revamped mill.
Published August 14th, 2008 |
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Sites |
