Archive for the 'Eastern Iowa' category
March 6th, 2010
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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Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa |
February 25th, 2010
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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Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa |
February 18th, 2010
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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Brian McMillin |
Central Iowa, Eastern Iowa, Food, Western Iowa |
August 10th, 2009
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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Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa |
February 9th, 2009
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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Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Places |
December 25th, 2008
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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Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Food, Places |
August 14th, 2008
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.
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Sites |
May 31st, 2008
With temperatures continuing to inch upward and summer drawing near, it’s a great time to take a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator and check out the local shopping district that surrounds it in downtown Dubuque, Iowa.
At the top of the elevator is a nice observation deck, offering great views of downtown Dubuque and the neighboring states of Wisconsin and Illinois. The base of the elevator serves as an anchor to the Cable Car shopping district, which features a number of locally-owned shops, selling antiques, used books, pottery and much more.
The elevator has been labeled the “shortest, steepest scenic elevator in the world” and dates back to the late 1800s — though the current cars and gears were completely rebuilt in 1977. A couple of bucks will buy you a round trip pass (and charming ride) on the railroad, open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily between April and November.
Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Places |
January 28th, 2008
A few months ago, my wife and I went with a friend to see The Final Season, a movie based on the extraordinary success of the high school baseball team in Norway, Iowa. While the movie itself wasn’t memorable, the theatre we saw it in was.
Instead of seeing the movie in one of the cookie-cutter megaplexes in Cedar Rapids or Iowa City, we opted to go to the cozy, single-screen Bijou Movie Theater, located in downtown Mount Vernon.
The lobby is small, featuring a counter where tickets and treats can be purchased all at once. Prices for popcorn and drinks are modest, and half-price refills make the concessions even more appealing. The owners encourage recycling, so you can even bring in your own containers to be filled for a discount.
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Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Entertainment, Places |
December 28th, 2007
Riverside, Iowa, has had its share of national attention. In 1985, it was declared the official future birthplace of William T. Kirk, a fictional character played by William Shatner in the television series Star Trek. Nearly twenty years later, in 2004, the community was home to Invasion Iowa, a reality television series produced by Shatner which aired on the Sci Fi Channel.
While Star Wars and Shatner fans have made the ‘trek’ to Riverside over the years, the town is likely overlooked by many travelers. That said, if you’re looking for some great beef jerky, you’ll want to stop.
Located on the edge of town near the intersection with Highway 218, Bud’s Custom Meats offers top-notch jerky, plus everything else you’d expect at a meat locker and more. Jerky comes in a couple varieties, but you can’t go wrong with the original: the thin pieces are large and tasty, featuring just enough pepper and seasoning.
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Brian McMillin |
Eastern Iowa, Food, Places |
