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All United States Iowa Iowa City

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Iowa City

4 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Iowa City, Iowa

Updated August 25, 2022

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Unusual Attractions in Iowa City

The Black Angel

Iowa City, Iowa

The Black Angel of Oakland Cemetery

A mysteriously dark cemetery monument fuels stories and legends galore.
Taxidermy display

Iowa City, Iowa

University of Iowa Museum of Natural History

The oldest university museum west of the Mississippi retains its 19th century feel.
4,000 pound wooden nickel

Iowa City, Iowa

World’s Largest Wooden Nickel

This 16-foot-diameter wooden coin has been standing in Iowa City since 2006.
Sitting Man

Iowa City, Iowa

'Sitting Man'

How did the 110-foot limestone statue cross the road?
Are we missing something unusual?
Add it!
It's not a gravesite—it's a future birthplace.

Riverside, Iowa

Captain James T. Kirk Future Birthplace

A place of great reverence for Trekkies everywhere, a hero's future birthplace.
12 miles from Iowa City
American Gothic Barn from northwest

Mount Vernon, Iowa

American Gothic Barn

A hidden barn-sized rendition of Grant Wood's most famous, and most parodied, painting.
17 miles from Iowa City
This German version of poutine includes pork tenderloin, gravy, and fries.

Amana, Iowa

Ronneburg Restaurant

What was once a communal kitchen now serves heaping portions of hearty German fare.
20 miles from Iowa City
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