If you’re looking for a fun summer destination with lots of outdoor activities, Waterloo Iowa should be on your list! From biking the extensive paved trail system to paddling Iowa’s first water trail, Waterloo is full of surprises. The small town charm of the downtown area is the perfect place to rest and recharge between adventures and doing so won’t break the bank!.
Discover all the fun things to do in Waterloo Iowa on your next summer getaway!
Disclaimer: This experience was hosted by Experience Waterloo in partnership with Courtyard Marriott Waterloo-Cedar Falls, MAXX Rentals, SingleSpeed Brewing, and Basal Pizza. My opinions, however, are my own. I am under no obligation to write a positive review.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means that if you purchase through a link, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For more info, visit this page.
Where is Waterloo Iowa?
Waterloo is located in northeast Iowa, just 3-½ hours south of the Twin Cities and 2 hours northeast of Des Moines. The town is located on the Cedar River. Just 8 miles is the town of Cedar Falls, which is home to the University of Northern Iowa, and connected to Waterloo via paved bike trails.
Best Places to Stay in Waterloo Iowa
Waterloo has a very walkable downtown area, so I recommend staying in that area. Downtown is also connected to a large network of paved bike trails as well.
Courtyard Marriott Waterloo-Cedar Falls
Prepare to be wowed at the Courtyard Marriott Waterloo-Cedar Falls! What once was a John Deere factory, is now a beautifully renovated modern hotel. It’s located next to the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum and just two blocks from restaurants and businesses in downtown Waterloo.
The lobby has a number of different seating areas, including private pods with a television, table and seating. The Bistro offers fresh coffee and breakfast in the morning and in the evening it’s a great place to unwind with a drink. There’s also a large outdoor patio if you prefer to relax outdoors. Grab a bite or incredible smoked meat and BBQ at Starbeck’s Smokehouse while you’re there.
This hotel has one of the best fitness rooms I’ve seen in a Courtyard. It’s large with lots of open space and a large selection of equipment. Also, there is an indoor pool on the top floor!
Check availability at the Courtyard Waterloo-Cedar Falls!
Best Western Plus Executive Residency Waterloo & Cedar Falls
Located right in downtown Waterloo, this recently renovated property has a modern and clean design. If you want a little more space, be sure to book one of their rooms with a kitchenette.
Enjoy a meal at the onsite restaurant or grab a drink in the cocktail lounge. Get your workout in at the exercise room or relax in the indoor heated pool. Don’t miss the game room and arcade, which includes skee-ball!
Garage parking is available for $5 per day.
Check availability at the Best Western Plus!
Urban Loft in Downtown Waterloo
Enjoy a comfy stay in this modern 2-bedroom loft in downtown Waterloo. It’s steps away from great restaurants, a brewery and more! There is free onsite parking, in-unit laundry, and full kitchen.
Best Things to do in Waterloo Iowa in Summer
Considering a trip to Waterloo this summer? Here are 13 of the best things to do in Waterloo Iowa in summer!
1 | Start your day at Sidecar Coffee.
Fuel up for the day with coffee and breakfast at Sidecar Coffee! The drink menu features your favorite hot and iced coffee beverages, including their signature lattes like the lavender mocha and optimist (blackberry mocha) . For breakfast, I enjoyed the ham and avocado breakfast sandwich. Other options include quiche, vegetarian breakfast sandwiches, and pastries.
The seating area is filled with natural light, modern seating, artwork and plants.
Pro Tip: If you stay at the Courtyard hotel mentioned above, the Grand Crossing location is across the street. Walk in or drive-through service is available at that location.
2 | Bike along the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail.
Waterloo is an excellent destination for biking! The town offers access to over 125 miles of mostly paved multi-use trails. In fact, you can actually bike all the way to Cedar Rapids which is about 50 miles south of Waterloo!
Hop on the trail in downtown Waterloo or any of the access points on the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail. There is a great 14 mile loop that goes along the Cedar River, through George Wyth State Park, through Cedar Falls and back along the other side of the river on the South Riverside Trail. This loop is relatively flat so it’s a great option for all skill levels. The trail is well-marked with signage and maps. Watch for wildlife along the trail! We spotted a fox, beaver, geese, and more.
Need a bike? Not a problem! Pick up a rental at Bike Tech in nearby Cedar Falls. They helped me load the bikes into the back of my vehicle, but you can also hop on the trail from their shop if you prefer.
Pro Tip: Rentals from Bike Tech are only available during their open hours. Currently they are closed on Sunday, so check their hours online and plan accordingly. I rented for the day on Saturday so I could return the rental before they closed.
3 | Grab a bite of the best pizza in Waterloo.
Who knew that Waterloo has incredibly good pizza? Find delicious wood-fired pizza at Basal Pizza in downtown Waterloo. Choose from the individually sized Neapolitan style or shareable size Detroit style pizza with a pan crust.
The Angelo Detroit style pizza is so good. A friend and I expected to eat just 1-2 pieces each but we looked down and realized the entire pizza was gone!
Pro Tip: Basal Pizza is not open every day. Check their website for the most up-to-date hours.
4 | Kayak the Cedar Valley Paddler’s Trail.
What better way to spend a hot summer day than kayaking? Find great kayaking in Waterloo on the Cedar Valley Paddler’s Trail! This 10-mile water trail will take you through a chain of lakes in George Wyth State Park and then out onto the Cedar River. Along the way, be sure to watch for turtles, frogs, herons and other birds!
Find kayak rentals at Maxx Rentals, which is located at the George Wyth beach parking lot close to downtown Waterloo. The folks at Maxx Rentals were super helpful in getting me set up with the necessary gear for a day on the water!
From there you can start the Cedar Valley Paddler’s Trail loop going south via George Wyth Lake or going north via Fisher Lake. Both are easily accessible from Maxx Rentals office. Unless you are a strong paddler, I recommend going north via Fisher Lake so that your journey on the Cedar River will be with the flow of water.
Pro Tip: The Cedar Valley Paddler’s Trail includes several short portages where you will need to get out of the kayak and transport it over land to the next body of water. For this reason, wear comfortable water shoes or sandals. The longest portage is 0.8 miles. The portages are well-marked with signage.
5 | Enjoy live music at the Friday Loo.
If you’re in Waterloo on a Friday in the summer, don’t miss the Friday Loo! This free concert takes place every Friday in Lincoln Park from 5:30-9:30pm. In addition to the music, there are food trucks, family and kid’s activities, community organizations and more. The whole community was out enjoying the evening!
Bring a camp chair or blanket if you have one, but if not there are plenty of picnic tables and benches throughout the park. Sip on an ice cold beverage of your choice, including local beers.
Pro Tip: If you plan to purchase alcoholic beverages, purchase Beer Bucks from the red Experience Waterloo stand in the park and then go to the beverage station.
6 | Sip beer at a German beer garden.
As I left the Friday Loo and walked downtown in Waterloo, I happened upon Anton’s Garden! This adorable German beer garden was a wonderful surprise so of course I had to stop and check it out.
After you order the beverage of your choice, you can grab a stool at the bar or find a spot at one of the many picnic tables on the lawn. The atmosphere was friendly and fun!
Pro Tip: Anton’s Garden is dog-friendly for well-behaved dogs.
7 | Stroll through the shops in downtown Waterloo.
Waterloo has a cute downtown area, perfect for strolling through shops and small businesses. Wander down E 4th Street for some great shopping in Waterloo. Some of my favorites are:
- The Soul Book Nook
- Pretty Good Co
- The Ivy Trellis
Just off of E 4th Street, near Lincoln Park, is Try Pie Bakery. This place is more than a bakery, it’s a teen employment program for girls to learn about leadership, financial stewardship, and more. So, when you buy a slice (or whole pie) from Try Pie you’re supporting the work they do support young women in their development.
Like in many small towns, not all businesses will be open every day. I recommend checking their hours online before visiting.
Pro Tip: While you’re downtown, stop by the Waterloo Urban Farmer’s Market. It’s open every Saturday in May through October from 8am-12pm. It is a small farmer’s market but a great way to support local makers and farmers.
8 | Sip craft beer and cocktails at SingleSpeed Brewing.
One of the best breweries in Waterloo has to be SingleSpeed Brewing! The Waterloo taproom is located right downtown and has a great mix of indoor and outdoor seating options. The large covered outdoor patio is ideal for a nice day and watching sports on the giant televisions. Inside there is table seating, a beer hall with open seating and kid’s play area, and even a spot for indoor lawn games. I enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the beer hall!
For drinks, choose from their extensive and creative beer list, beer cocktails, regular cocktails, cider, wine and non-alcoholic options. The food here is not to be overshadowed by the beer! The menu will have you drooling with options for all kinds of dietary needs. I tried the Amish pretzel with pimento beer cheese and house mustard – it was delicious! Other standouts on the menu are the bahn mi fries, Tokyo tacos, and Cubano flatbread. Be sure to come hungry!
9 | Catch the light show from the 4th street bridge.
The Waterloo River Light Experience is a public art installation visible from the 4th Street bridge in downtown Waterloo. Every night there is a series of 30-minute light shows that are cast onto the cascading section of the Cedar River.
The light shows begin a half hour before dark and continue until midnight!
10 | Grab a drink at a unique bar or cocktail lounge.
If you are looking for a fun place to sip cocktails, there are several bars and cocktail lounges in Waterloo. Lava Lounge is a beer hall that is said to have the best margarita in the Cedar Valley. It’s vintage interior makes for a unique and fun atmosphere. Another option is Broken Record, which is a 70’s and 80’s retro bar.
11 | Treat yourself to unique donuts at Icon Donuts & Sweetery.
Grab a donut that’s out of this world at Icon Donuts & Sweetery. This locally owned donut shop creates donuts inspired by iconic people, places and moments in history. Find donuts like The Breakfast Club, Raspberry Beret and The Godfather which is their take on a cannoli donut!
12 | Grab a bite to go at New Garden Market.
New Garden Market is an ethnic foods grocery store in Waterloo and inside there is a restaurant featuring flavors from around the world. There is a menu on the wall with self serve items in the refrigerator and heated station. Once you place your order, take your time to wander around the grocery store! There are items from all around the world.
I had the egg roll and Chinese style pork, both were delicious. Keep in mind there is no seating area inside New Garden Market so I recommend taking your food to go for a picnic or back at your hotel.
Pro Tip: The restaurant hours are different from the grocery store hours. Be sure to check the website for the restaurant hours.
13 | Visit the John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum.
Learn about the history of John Deere at the site of the very first Deere tractor factory in Waterloo. Get a glimpse at the evolution of farming equipment and have fun at the interactive exhibits throughout the museum.
The John Deere Tractor & Engine Museum is one of the best free things to do in Waterloo!
Pro Tip: Download the free interactive John Deere Mobile Guide app for audio tours, virtual reality experiences and more.
Enjoy These Summer Fun Things to do in Waterloo Iowa
If Waterloo wasn’t on your radar already, I hope it is now! I was pleasantly surprised by how many outdoorsy and fun things to do in Waterloo there are.
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How to Spend 3 Days in Des Moines in Summer
Perfect Minnesota Road Trips for a Weekend Getaway
Check out my Minnesota travel page for even more outdoorsy travel itineraries in the upper Midwest!
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A lavender mocha sounds like a lovely choice at Sidecar Coffee! Hope you get to enjoy a summer getaway in Waterloo next summer.
Waterloo sounds like a fantastic summer getaway! I love the idea of biking along the Cedar Valley Lakes Trail, especially with such beautiful scenery. Sidecar Coffee’s breakfast options also sound tempting—I’ll definitely stop by for a lavender mocha. Thanks for sharing these great recommendations for outdoor activities!