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A Family Weekend in Iowa Falls, Iowa
Family Weekend in Iowa Falls, Iowa
Water fun, nature trails, river views, and classic small-town memories…
Iowa Falls is the kind of place that makes summer weekends with the family feel easy.
Known as the Scenic City, Iowa Falls blends outdoor adventure, riverfront scenery, family-friendly attractions, and small-town charm into a getaway that works well for multiple ages. Whether you’re traveling with elementary-aged kids, tweens, or teens, there’s enough variety to keep everyone active without feeling over planned or overwhelmed.
From swimming and nature trails to boat rides, popcorn stands, and scenic parks, Iowa Falls creates the kind of simple summer memories that families will remember long after the weekend ends.
Family Weekend in Iowa Falls, Iowa | 3-Day Family Getaway Itinerary
Friday Evening
Arrive & Ease into the Weekend
Stay
Choose the lodging style that fits your family best:
- Cabin Cove by the River
A relaxing riverside stay with outdoor space and peaceful views. - Swinging Bridge Cottage
A cozy family-friendly option close to many Iowa Falls attractions. - River View #1 and River View #2 Airbnb
Great for families wanting extra room to spread out. - AmericInn by Wyndham
An easy and convenient hotel option for traveling families, complete with an indoor swimming pool. - Albright’s Bluff Airbnb
River view located downtown. - Super 8 Motel
A convenient hotel option for traveling families. - River Retreat Airbnb
A river retreat home in a park setting. - Studio #4 Airbnb
Located near downtown with access to many local amenities.
Dinner
After checking in, head downtown for a casual family dinner:
- Princess Grill & Pizzeria: known for the largest marble soda fountain bar in the United States, its iconic art-deco architecture, and being the second-oldest restaurant in the state of Iowa, as well as great food including pizza, lunch and dinner specials, and ice cream.
- Pizza Ranch: their buffet offers an efficient option for the entire family, along with a lot of options for pizza, fried chicken, salad, sides, and dessert pizza.
- Chuong Garden: Family owned and operated in Iowa Falls since 1995. Chuong Garden’s casual dining experience brings the taste of Chinese cuisine from the mainland all the way to the heart of Iowa.
Evening
Then spend the evening exploring a few classic Iowa Falls stops:
- Walk across the famous Swinging Bridge.
- Stroll through Assembly Park along the river after you cross the Swinging Bridge. The park is nestled along the Iowa River and offers a playground area, shelter houses, a walking trail, picnic areas with grills, tennis courts, pickleball courts, and a basketball court.
- Check out the view of the Iowa River, the limestone bluffs, and the arched Oak Street bridge from Dougan’s Landing. Did you bring along your fishing poles? Dougan’s Landing is also a popular fishing spot along the Iowa River here in Iowa Falls.
- Stroll through Linear Park on the west side of the Iowa River on Washington Avenue / D20, and view the sculptures all designed by local middle school and high school students and created by design students at the University of Northern Iowa.
- Let kids burn off energy at nearby green spaces and playgrounds.
- Did you bring your family dog with you? Let your dog burn off some energy at our local dogpark.
Explorer Tip: If you are visiting on a Wednesday evening during the summer, don’t miss the Iowa Falls Popcorn Stand in Estes Park. Serving fresh popcorn since 1948, it’s one of those simple small-town traditions that instantly feels nostalgic and fun. Wednesdays in June also hosts Lawn Chair Nights, with music in the park starting at 6:30.
Dessert or Nightcap
End the evening with:
- Ice cream or treats from Dairy Queen.
- Gourmet popcorn and snacks from Poppin’ Good Time.
- Check out the latest local and Iowa craft brews at our local brewery, Timbukbru. Kids welcome, and patrons are welcome to bring in their own food. Food trucks, trivia night, and live music scheduled periodically.
Saturday
Outdoor Adventure & Family Fun
Morning: Nature & Exploring
Start the day with breakfast and coffee at:
- The Coffee Attic & Book Cellar.
- Pastries from The Flour Shop Bakery.
- Shake and energy bar: Seek Nutrition.
Then head out for one of Iowa Falls’ best outdoor family experiences: Calkins Nature Area.
With trails, wooded scenery, wildlife, and open areas to explore, Calkins gives families a chance to slow down and enjoy nature together. It’s especially great for mixed-age groups because younger kids can explore while older kids and teens still enjoy the hiking and scenery. Calkins Nature Area is also home to live animals on exhibit that include deer, reptiles, birds of prey, and foxes. The American Indian artifacts exhibit in the nature center and museum is also more than worth the drive.
Lunch: Easy Family Stop
Grab lunch at:
All three options offer relaxed atmospheres and family-friendly menus perfect for refueling midday.
Afternoon: Water Fun at Meyer Municipal Aquatic Center
No summer family weekend in Iowa Falls feels complete without time at the Meyer Municipal Aquatic Center.
With pools, slides, splash areas, and space for multiple ages to enjoy, it’s the kind of stop where families can easily spend several hours cooling off and relaxing. Younger kids love the play features while older kids and teens appreciate having room to swim and hang out. Miniature golf is also offered at the aquatic center.
After swimming:
- Stop by Spoken Wheel Cyclery if your family enjoys biking. Tyler Duit at The Spoken Wheel Cyclery is here for you and all of your cycling needs, from apparel, tune-ups, accessories, and both new and used bicycles.
- Check out bicycles at the Robert Barlow Library. Yes, that is right! You can check out a BICYCLE with your library card right here at our local library. Don’t forget to wear a helmet!
- And then, check out our local trail system here in Iowa Falls, that goes past the aquatic center, along Rock Run Creek, through North Park and Cadet Field, and along Georgetown Road past our rugby fields.
- Explore more of downtown Iowa Falls shops and parks.
- Pick up snacks and Iowa-made goodies from Nimrod Meats and local shops.
Evening:Scenic City Empress & River Views
Slow the pace down in the evening with one of Iowa Falls’ most unique experiences
- A Scenic City Empress riverboat ride. Cruising along the Iowa River gives families a completely different perspective of the Scenic City and creates a relaxing end to an active day. The slower pace, river scenery, and evening atmosphere make this one of the most memorable parts of the weekend.
And/Or
- Enjoy a movie at the historic Metropolitan Opera House. Home of two theaters, showcasing two different movies at a time, enjoy a movie with the family at the renovated Met, listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
After the cruise and/or movie, grab dinner at:
- Top Flight Grille, which features a variety of arcade games sure to keep the kiddos entertained while you wait for your meal, as well as an assortment of television screens to keep the adults tuned in to their favorite teams.
- Red’s Smokehouse for a dinner dining experience, and make sure you check out the upstairs bar.
- The River Tap for a casual family meal, with seating in the bar area as well as a separate dining area.
Sunday
Slow morning & One Last Adventure
Morning: Parks & Scenic Stops
Breakfast to Get Your Day Started
Start the day with breakfast and coffee at the Red Rooster: Weekend breakfast and lunch specials or order off the menu, which features the award-winning pancake, named “Best Pancake in Iowa” at The Grove cafe in Ames.
Ease into the morning with a few final Iowa Falls favorites:
- Visit Jones Park and the famous “99 Steps” NOTE: The count is now 101, after a refurbishment. Again, if you brought you fishing poles with you, the area at the bottom of the 101 Steps, below the dam, is another popular fishing spot.
- Explore the many ash tree carvings throughout town.
· Spend time at Estes Park, Foster Park, or Assembly Park, home of the landmark Bill Riley Bandshell. - Take one final walk along the riverfront.
Check Out a Local Church
- Bethany Lutheran Church – ELCA
- Church of the Open Bible
- Bethel Baptist Church
- Christ Alive Ministries
- Cornerstone Christian Church
- First Congregational Church UCC
- First United Methodist Church
- Church of God
- Immanuel Lutheran Church
- Iowa Falls Evangelical Free Church
- Saint Matthew’s Episcopal Church
- Saint Mark’s Catholic Church
- The River’s Edge Church
Lunch Before Heading Home
Before wrapping up the weekend:
- Grab a casual lunch at HyVee Grille in Iowa Falls, offering breakfast and lunch options.
Why Families Love Iowa Falls
- Outdoor fun for multiple age groups.
- Walkable trails, parks, and scenic river areas.
- Affordable family activities.
- A relaxed pace that doesn’t feel overwhelming.
- Water fun, trails, playgrounds, and nature all in one community.
- Classic Iowa summer experiences that feel nostalgic and memorable.
Whether your family wants adventure, relaxation, or simply a slower weekend together, Iowa Falls makes it easy to create meaningful summer memories in the heart of rural Iowa.
