Hopefully you all enjoyed the breakdown of this year’s top restaurant, doctors and hair stylists! This week I will be breaking down the top voted parks, pools and splash pads as well as fun seasonal activities in the area
 
Best Parks

North Ridge Park 2250 Holiday Rd, Coralville, IA
This park is one of my favorites for all ages! It has a toddler size play structure as well as a full size one. It also has swings, a sandbox, and a bathroom. The park is surrounded by grassy areas and a pond and isn’t close to any busy roads which is nice
 
City Park 200 E. Park Road, Iowa City, IA
Another great park that is secluded and away from busy roads. The structure at this one is large and great for all ages. There are small carnival style rides available from 1pm-7pm during the summer and on weekends only from 1-6pm after the school year starts. Cost is $1 per ride or $8 for a 10-punch card.
 
S.T. Morrison 1513 7th St, Coralville, IA 
A great park right in central Coralville. It is next to the library and community pool and has multiple structures and play areas
 
Mercer Park 2701 Bradford Dr, Iowa City, IA
A large park with lots of fun for the kids! It also has an indoor tot time so if you’re headed to the park and rain is a possibility (because…Iowa) then this is a great one to go to with a back up option!
 
Quail Ridge 921 W Zeller St, North Liberty, IA
A fun North Liberty option with a great spider web climbing activity, a shield swing and lots of slides!
 
Penn Meadows Park 170 North Dubuque St, North Liberty, IA 
This playground is 3 stories tall with lots of slides, monkey bars and climbing areas. They also put in a new tot playground recently with a fun spinning toy my kids really enjoy. This park is attached to the Penn Splash park so you have that option as well if it’s extremely hot
 
Best Pools

Coralville Recreation Center 1513 7th St, Coralville, IA
Open Mon-Fri 11am-8pm and Sat/Sun 12pm-6pm
Cost: $4.50 per person (under 2 is free)
 
North Liberty Recreation Center 520 W. Cherry Street, North Liberty, IA
Open Mon-Fri 12pm-9pm and Sat/Sun 12pm-6pm
Cost: $4 per adult and $3 per child 3+ (under 3 is free)
 
City Park Pool 200 Park Rd, Iowa City, IA
Open: Daily 1pm-5pm and Twilight Swim from 5pm-8pm
Cost: $4 for ages 3+ or $3 during twilight swim (under 2 is free)
 
Mercer Aquatic Center 2701 Bradford Dr, Iowa City, IA
Open: Mon-Fri 1pm-5pm (shallow end open till 8pm) and Sat/Sun 1pm-8pm
Cost: $4 for ages 3+ (under 2 is free)
 
Best Splash Pads

Tiffin Splash Pad 809 E. Marengo Rd, Tiffin, IA
A great fenced in splash pad. It also has a fun park next to it for once the kids get bored playing in the water. A covered picnic area is next to the splash area as well
 
Penn Meadows 170 North Dubuque St, North Liberty, IA 
Medium sized splash pad with a few water activities. My kids like to bring cups/buckets etc to play with at this one. There is a lot of nearby shade in the mornings for parents to sit in as well as a picnic table right next to the water area
 
Wetherby 2400 Taylor Dr, Iowa City, IA
The largest splash pad in the area with 15 water spray options. Also adjacent to a playground and has a small amount of shade
 
 
*Best of Spring/Summer*
Below are a few of the events members noted as being their favorites for the warmer months. Facebook is a great place to find events going on near you and you can also google any of these to get exact dates. I know that most have already passed for the year but the Kids Day at Kinnick is still coming up in August!
-Kalona Days
-Summer Movie Series at Mall ($3)
-Blues and BBQ in NL
 -Downtown Concert Series
-Art and Jazz Festivals
-Johnson County Fair
-4th of July Parade & Fireworks in Coralville
-Farmers Markets
-Hawkeye Spring Game & Kids Day

*Best of Fall/Winter*
The Fall in the Iowa City area is a fun and beautiful time! Once the humidity lets up a little we have some wonderful warm months before the extreme cold/ice hits. Make sure you check out the wonderful local orchards and pumpkin patches during that time! There are also lots of little farms around with fun activities for the whole family
-Wilson’s Apple Orchard
-Colony Pumpkin Patch
-Bloomsbury Farm
-Horse Drawn Carriage rides at Ped Mall
-Santa at Von Maur (FREE!!)
–BrrFest
-Scanlon Gym Tot Time
-Open Gym at Gym Nest or Synergy -Kid’s Winter Movie Series ($3)
 
*Other Places to Check Out*
-Terry Trueblood: Great walking path, paddle board and canoe rentals
-Lake McBride: hiking, biking, running trails, Raptor Center and Sugarbottom Beach
-Fossil Gorge
-NewBo Market in Cedar Rapids
-Maquoketa Caves
 
 Alright members...Any other seasonal favorites?? Or other fun parks/area activities that were missed?

One of the hardest parts of moving to a new city is leaving all your favorites behind. You no longer know where to go if you want amazing street style tacos or that breakfast that will rock your world. Before we moved here last year I started researching everything from doctors to places to eat to favorite parks the day my husband matched here. Anyone who knows me well knows that I love to be super prepared and know “all the things”. So, when I arrived at my first Welcome Brunch last summer the Best of list that they gave us became my life line! A lot of the places and people recommended on there were ones I had found in my research which confirmed they were a must for us to try.
 
So, this year we made another Best Of list so we could keep it up to date and relevant for you all! I polled last year’s IMP members and had them vote on their favorites as well as leave any extra recommendations they had for new Iowa City residents. Here is a little break down of what won out as well as some tips/tricks that I have learned or heard.
 
So…lets start it off with which Restaurants came out on top this year!
 
The Best of the Best
These 5 were the ones that members voted as the best in the area and their absolute favorites. My husband and I have tried all of these and I have to agree…they’re SO good!
 
1. Red’s Ale House (North Liberty)
Great date night spot but also extremely family friendly. Their patio is our favorite when the weather is just right. Red’s is usually extremely busy most days of the week and they do not take reservations. They do however do call ahead an hour before you plan to go which I highly suggest- especially if you want the patio!
2. Basta (Iowa City)
A great Italian restaurant in the heart of downtown Iowa City. They hand make a lot of their own pastas and everything is extremely fresh and flavorful. Another one I would recommend reservations for unless you’re ok with sitting at the bar or the bistro style tables
3. Stella (Iowa City)
A great burger spot extremely close to the hospital. They also offer black bean burgers if you’re not a red meat person and superb personal pizzas if you’re not in the burger mood. Monday nights are also half price burger nights!
4. Iowa Chop House (Iowa City)
Great date night location and my husband’s absolute favorite place to go. Their burgers are amazing and the beer selection is huge with lots of local options
5. Blackstone (Iowa City)
Another great date night location and you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed their shoestring onion rings and their crème brulee duo (dark chocolate and vanilla bean) made this pregnant lady very, very happy!
 
Best Mexican Food
1. La Regia Taqueria (Iowa City)- great street style tacos, offer online ordering for pick up
2. El Sol (Solon)- worth the drive for some good Mexican food! Very authentic with daily specials
3. Casa Azul (North Libery)- Quick service and amazing queso
Runners Up: El Banditos (IC), El Cactus (NL), and Casa Azul (Coralville)
 
Best Pizza
1. Wig & Pen (Iowa City)- the flying tomato is a must try!
2. Geyer’s Outdoor Oven (Oxford)- Only open the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from June to September. It is a little farm about a half hour outside of town and an essential Iowa experience. Cost is $12 per adult for all you can eat pizza. Bring your own drinks, blanket and chair!
3. Paglia’s (Iowa City)- I haven’t personally tried this one but lots of members gave it rave reviews
Runners Up: Monica’s (Coralville), Airliner (IC), and The Wedge (IC)
 
Best Burgers
1. Stella (Iowa City)- Monday Night is the time to go if you want a burger! They’re $6.99 and they offer beef as well as black bean burgers
2. Iowa Chop House (Iowa City)- great burgers and lots of local ingredients
3. Red’s Alehouse (North Liberty)- on a cooler day a burger on their patio is absolutely amazing
Runners Up: Big Grove Brewery (IC and Solon), 30 Hop (Coralville), Airliner (IC)
 
Best Breakfast/Brunch
1. Bluebird Café (North Liberty and Iowa City)- I seriously can’t recommend Bluebird enough. We usually choose going out for breakfast over dinner just because we LOVE this place. Their pancakes are super fluffy and tasty and their omelets fresh and flavorful
2. Hamburg Inn (Iowa City)- Great for breakfast and milkshakes!
Tied for 3rd:
Iowa Power House (Coralville)- Great brunch on the weekends but it is usually very busy
Pullman Diner (Iowa City)- Voted one of the best diners in all of Iowa!
 
Best Dessert Spot
1. Heyn’s Ice Cream (North Liberty and Iowa City)- Hands down best ice cream. Their coffee oreo and monster mash are two favorites in our family. We live walking/biking distance from Heyn’s so it has become a staple for our summer (and spring and fall) nights!
2. Scratch Cupcakery (Coralville)- If you attended our Welcome Brunch this year we were lucky enough to have a huge assortment of Scratch Cupcakes so hopefully you were able to try one (or two)
3. Hurts Donuts (Coralville)- this one didn't actually make the "Best of" this year but after talking to a few members we decided adding it was a must! They have some insane donuts that are worth the trip! We're talking oreo cheesecake, Reese's, and so much more. And if you want just a straight up old school donut their glazed donuts are SO good
Runner’s Up: Ghurties FroYo (Coralville), Dane’s Dairy (IC), and Molly’s Cupcakes (IC and NL)
 
Best Local Coffee Shop
1. Java House (7 locations in Iowa City including the hospital)- This one is my personal favorite as their white mochas are by far the best I have ever had. And since it is in the hospital it makes it nice and convenient to grab a coffee when I take the kids to visit my husband
2. Capanna Coffee (Coralville and North Liberty)- Lots of different flavor options and if you go regularly make sure to sign up for their loyalty card to earn free drinks. Their gelato is also homemade and super good
Runner’s Up: La Crema (Coralville) and Cortado Coffee & Café (IC)
 
Now that you are craving a ton of different restaurants and starting a checklist of where you want to try first…lets move on to the important stuff. The stuff you usually don’t think about until you need it like doctors, dentists, hair dressers etc. I won’t give any extra tips/tricks on many of these because I haven’t used or been to most of them!
 
OBGYN Recommendations
1. Dr. Kelly Ward- this is my OB and I highly recommend her! She is extremely busy though and can be very hard to get in with
2. Dr. Abbey Hardy-Fairbanks
3. Dr. Sarah Shaffer- another OB I have seen before and I really liked her. Young, friendly and a great energy
4. Michelle Root, Nurse Practioner- I have seen her for non pregnancy related appointments and loved her
5. UIHC Midwives
 
Pediatrian Recommendations
1. Dr. Shivgami Aurora (NL)- this is who my kids go to and we adore her!
2. Dr. Lori Christiansen (IRL)
3. Dr. Boutros (IRL)
 
Internal Medicine Recommendations
1. Dr. Rachel Dirksen (IC)
2. Dr. Denise Martinez (IC)
3. Dr. Angela Farrrell (NL)
 
Adult Dentist Recommendations
1. Design Dental (NL)
2. North Liberty Dental (NL)
3. Melrose Dental (IC)
4. Ridgeway Dental (Coralville)
5. Towncrest Dental (IC)
 
Pediatric Dentist Recommendations
1. Corridor Kids Dentistry (NL)
2. North Liberty Dental (NL)
3. Dr. Polly Iben (Coralville)
 
Hair Salon Recommendations
1. La Reve (Sarah Davis)
2. Studio 5 (Jodie Scheiber)
3. HABA Salon (Katelyn Sexton)
4. Thompson & Co
5. Tru Salon
 
 
I will post the remainder of the “Best Ofs” including parks, pools, splash pads and fun seasonal activities week after next! Have other recommendations for new Iowa City residents or other tips/tricks for the ones above?? Post them in the comments below!! 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ah- the beginning of another medical year.   Whether you are just starting out your medical journey or if you are nearing the end, it’s a wonderful time to plan for the year ahead.  Time to puzzle together how to pay for those upcoming board exams, licensing fees and even that much needed vacation! Our family has been at it for 4 years now, about to enter our 5th year (of 6) with a training salary supporting us.  It’s not always fun, but we are lucky to be in an area like Iowa City where it is possible to survive and even thrive on a budget. 

Private Facebook groups are very popular, especially in this area.  Whether its buy/sell groups, or even groups to give away things for free, joining these has been a way to save money and get rid of some things we no longer need.  A simple search on Facebook of the city you live in and “garage sales” will uncover many options.  Here are a few other popular local groups:

Buy Nothing Iowa City (or Coralville/North Liberty; you must be a resident of the city group you join)- The Buy Nothing movement is intended to give away your goods locally to create a greater sense of community.

Johnson County Baby/Toddler/Kids Swap Board- kids (and maternity) clothing, accessories, toys, and supplies.

Iowa City Buy, Sell and Trade
​
North Liberty & Surrounding Area Buy Sell and Trade

Secondhand/Consignment Stores are all around too.  These are great options for buying affordable, used items.  Several Medical Partners also consign at these stores to earn a little extra cash.  Goodwill (Iowa City and Coralville) and The Salvation Army (Iowa City) will sell your donated items.  Play It Again Sports has a location in Iowa City too.  Here are some additional local options:

Stuff Etc.- Coralville and Iowa City; Consign your clothing, toys, housewares, etc and enjoy shopping in this quality Iowa consignment chain.  They really do have it all!  

Kidworks- Iowa City; Baby-teen clothing, shoes, accessories, toys, books, baby equipment and maternity.  This is a very popular place to sell or buy the much-needed items for children at fantastic prices.

Houseworks- Iowa City; Buy/sell most things home related such as furniture, lamps, kitchen goods, artwork and interior decorations. 

ReStore- Iowa City; Donate and shop for items you need for your home.  They accept/sell furniture, appliances, left over building materials, etc all while helping support local Habitat for Humanity efforts.  Free donation pickups can be requested as well. 

Flat out- Iowa City’s grocery store offerings are ridiculous.  Everywhere you look, there is a place to buy food.  And it’s high quality and affordable too.  Hy-Vee and Fareway are the main stores in the area and are both native to Iowa.  If you haven’t experienced the “Iowa Nice” yet, just go into one of these stores.  You’ll get it.  Wal-Mart and Target, although not "Super" stores or centers, each have their affordable take on a market as well.  And yes, Costco.  I couldn’t write a blog post for the Iowa Medical Partners on saving money without mentioning the beloved Costco.  I am not a member (I know- GASP!) but I have been a guest in the store, like it, and know that several members could not survive without it.  There are a few other stores that might not be familiar to everyone but each is worth checking out.

Aldi- Coralville and Iowa City; A popular national chain.  Bring a quarter for a cart and your own shopping bag and save a ton!

Lucky’s Market- Iowa City; The feel of a local market with huge produce sales weekly.   Bring your own bags and receive money off your bill, or choose to donate it to a local charity. 

Natural Grocers- Iowa City; A company based out of Colorado with a brand new store in town.  Organic and healthy food options at affordable prices!

And if that’s not enough, there are farmer’s markets, farm stands and crop share opportunities all over and oh yes, Trader Joe’s is opening soon!

There are ways to save on gym memberships, eating out and entertainment as well, but those will be for another day.  In the meantime, we are all in this together.  Share your favorite way to save money or stay on budget in the comments below and be entered in our giveaway drawing for a $10 GIFT CARD to ALDIi!  I'll announce the winner Monday, so please post your comment before then.  Happy exploring, happy saving and to all, a VERY Happy Medical New Year! 

My favorite days include exploring some of the local walking/hiking/running trails around Iowa City. Iowa may be known for flat corn fields but you don't have to go too far to find some remarkable landscapes. If you're new to town or just looking for a new adventure, check out some of these gems (and give me a call because I'm also up for a walk/hike/run!). 

1. Field Campus Trail - This is my favorite place to hike/run locally. The Field Campus Trail is part of Lake Macbride State Park which contains over 16 miles of trails. About half way through this trail you'll hit asphalt and think you've made it to the end. If you're up for it, cross the road and keep following the trail on the other side. 

2. Squire Point - The trailhead is off Dubuque St as you transition from North Liberty to Coralville. It winds along Coralville Lake and you'll find body-weight workout stations to test your strength. Squire Point connects with Woodpecker Trail if you want to extend your hike. 

3. Hickory Hill Park -  The trails at this park are much flatter than what you'll find at Field Campus or Squire Point but it's known locally for great bird watching and will introduce you to a variety of natural habitats in Iowa. 

4. North Shore Trail - This trail is also part of Lake Macbride State Park. The best place to start is near Solon High School (during baseball season make sure you park far away from the fields!). Most of the trail is crushed stone and it stays close to the lake for the majority of the 4.9 miles which makes for some breathtaking views. 

5.. Palisades-Kepler State Park - Located in Mt. Vernon, about 30 minutes North of Iowa City, this park makes a great weekend getaway. You can spend the night or just pack a picnic and spend the afternoon hiking and playing on the beach. 

Do you have any of your own favorites??