Hello readers! I dearly hope everyone is enjoying their holidays and the time off that comes with it; I know I am! I mentioned that I was in Arizona in my last blog, and while it was a great trip, I am so relieved to be home with my pets, in my own house, and able to catch up with old friends.
For my last blog of the year (what??), I want to give you all a glimpse into Iowa City itself. It’s a beautiful place; walkable, friendly, always bustling, full of charismatic shops right beside intimidating university buildings. It’s been a pleasure to live there, truly.
My birthday facilitated most of these excursions; it was the weekend before finals week, so instead of studying or doing homework, I went out with my friends. I finally went to the Kitty Corner Social Club after spending four months looking through the window every time I walked past, and checked out two restaurants: Formosa and Nodo. I hadn’t made a point of frequenting Iowa City’s small businesses throughout the semester, so it was lovely to experience a handful so quickly!
Firstly, the Kitty Corner Social Club is a cat café that also serves as an adoption center. There were about a dozen cats when I visited, and I got lots of photos of them. It was a very calm environment, and the cats were friendly for the most part, though some were more reserved. For cat lovers, hopeful cat parents, or those who cannot adopt their own cats for whatever reason, the Kitty Corner Social Club is a great place to visit to scratch that itch—or some cats, behind their little ears. University students also get a discount, which makes it really affordable, as well! I paid about $10 for a half an hour with the cats. It was a fun way to spend some time on my birthday, especially because I have two cats of my own back in Wisconsin and miss them a lot when I leave for school. I definitely recommend it for anyone who needs to de-stress or simply wants to pet some cats!
That weekend, I also visited Formosa, a sushi restaurant, and let me tell you, it was scrumptious. I got a spicy crab poké bowl, and my friends and I shared the Plaza Tower sushi roll—both were simply divine. It was also the day before my birthday, and so when my friends alerted our waitress to that fact, she brought out a hefty slice of some of the best chocolate cake I’ve ever tasted, adorned with a full-blown sparkler! It was a great experience, and also very affordable! I’ve found Iowa City to be price-friendly toward students, so if you enjoy eating out, going to cafés, or getting involved in the nightlife, Iowa City is a great match for you!
This third restaurant is more of a café called Nodo. It’s a skinny and tall building—I almost walked past it when trying to find it for the first time! —with two floors of seating, and a shabby chic vibe. The atmosphere was cozy, and I can imagine reading or doing homework there would be quite peaceful. There are lots of nooks and crannies in Iowa City to tuck yourself into and work for a while, but Nodo would be a particularly good place to do so.
That is the extent of my extremely occupied weekend, but I have some bonus recommendations from little trips I made during the semester. The Bep Teahouse will meet all of your milk tea needs, with delicious mochi donuts to boot. I also enjoy Prairie Lights for the vibes and the coffee; get your books for the semester there and then pop upstairs to grab a drink and work by the window. Midnight Coffee is another good study spot, just get there early in the day if you want to find a seat, there aren’t many, and it’s popular (for good reason)! I’ve also had dinner at Pullman’s and Red Ginger, and both were great! Whatever you’re looking for in Iowa City, there is a restaurant for you, and it more likely than not will be super cute and well-priced. That has been my overall experience, at least. If anyone has any other recommendations, drop them in the comments below, and please let me know if you try out any of the places I’ve mentioned here! I will keep you all updated when I discover new little gems around Iowa City!
As always, thank you for reading. Happy holidays, and get some rest over break!
Kiah<3
