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Iowa City vacation rentals

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Top-rated vacation rentals in Iowa City

Guests agree: these vacation rentals are highly rated for location, cleanliness, and more.

Superhost
Home in Iowa City
Entire lower level! Modern and renovated /King Bed
Fully renovated, modern lower level in a quiet and safe neighborhood. Close to parks, U of I Hospitals & Clinics, Kinnick and Carver. Guests have their own private lower level with private entrance and check in. 1100 square feet of space. The bedroom features a king size bed with all new linens. Two living areas include: queen bed, large flatscreen tv and fireplace. The kitchenette features a refrigerator, microwave, hot plate, toaster oven, washer/dryer, coffee bar and sink. EV charging.
$100 per night
Superhost
Guesthouse in Iowa City
River Street Suite
Enjoy the beautiful Iowa River and Pennisula Park Views, in this private and peaceful guest suite apartment with private outdoor entrance and driveway. Walk to the Carver-Hawkeye Arena, Kinnick Stadium, UI Medical Campus & Veterans Hospital. Located in a highly sought-after walkable location off the Iowa River Corridor Trail. Less than a mile away from Hancher Auditorium & UI Campus. A 5 min drive to downtown Iowa City, Iowa River Landing Coralville and I-80.
$104 per night
Superhost
Apartment in Iowa City
DOWNTOWN*HOSPITAL*CARVER ARENA*WIFI*PARK FREE
0.1 Miles to Carver Hawkeye Arena Located in the heart of Iowa City, Iowa!! • 2 minute drive to: -University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics -University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital -Kinnick Stadium Football -Carver Hawkeye Arena (walk 1 min) 1 bedroom Apartment. Full kitchen. Laundry. ONE FREE PARKING SPACE (reserved spot in a heated, underground parking garage) HOSPITAL DISCOUNTS!!- Send MESSAGE!
$69 per night

Stay near Iowa City's top sights

Kinnick Stadium27 locals recommend
Coral Ridge Mall34 locals recommend
Carver-Hawkeye Arena14 locals recommend
Trader Joe's12 locals recommend
Walmart Supercenter8 locals recommend
Texas Roadhouse4 locals recommend

Other great vacation rentals in Iowa City

Superhost
Home in Iowa City
Adorable Iowa City Cottage
$86 per night
Superhost
Home in Iowa City
Spacious and cozy entire lower level suite
$76 per night
Superhost
Apartment in Iowa City
Historic Rocklyn Apts - Brick Ballad
$98 per night
Superhost
Guest suite in Iowa City
Ideal location; U of I Hospital, Hancher, sports,
$76 per night
Superhost
Home in Iowa City
Harmony’s Hideout—Private Lower Level Suite
$69 per night
Superhost
Townhouse in Iowa City
Spacious Condo 10 minutes to UI Hospitals/Campus
$99 per night
Superhost
Loft in Iowa City
*This Must Be The Place - Downtown Iowa City*
$127 per night
Superhost
Guesthouse in Iowa City
Carriage House Guest Home, Peninsula Neighborhood
$85 per night
Superhost
Condo in Iowa City
Luxury Condo in Downtown IC's Dynamic Northside
$132 per night
Superhost
Guest suite in Iowa City
Cozy studio near Kinnick Stadium
$75 per night
Superhost
Apartment in Iowa City
Perfectly Located Iowa City Condo
$70 per night
Superhost
Apartment in Iowa City
Sun-filled, historic charm at Summit Suite #2
$125 per night

Quick stats about vacation rentals in Iowa City

Total rentals

260 properties

Wifi availability

260 properties include access to wifi

Rentals with dedicated workspaces

120 properties have a dedicated workspace

Pet-friendly rentals

50 properties allow pets

Family-friendly rentals

150 properties are a good fit for families

Total number of reviews

8.9K reviews

Your guide to Iowa City

All About Iowa City

A picturesque university town with a meandering river that cuts through the center of town, Iowa City is characterized by red-brick buildings, historic remnants of its past as the state capital, and a renowned love of literature.

Among its literary and cultural attractions are the magnificent three-story Prairie Lights Books & Cafe and the 1915 Englert Theatre, one of Iowa City’s last historic theatres, where you not only go to see a show but also to step back in time to the 1920s. There is even a diner here that dates back to 1935, and its walls are lined with newspaper clippings of all the dignitaries that have visited this bustling university town. Iowa City’s pedestrian-friendly downtown streets are lined with boutiques, mom-and-pop restaurants, and college bars. Just across the Iowa River, you’ll find the Old Capitol Building located on the beautiful University of Iowa campus.

There are plenty of options for outdoor activities around town, including kayaking or paddleboarding on Sand Lake or hiking in the 180-acre Hickory Hill Park, which you reach by crossing through a 19th-century cemetery. If you want to go a bit further afield, the Maquoketa Caves State Park, a 90-minute drive northwest, features the 1,000-foot-tall Dancehall Cave along with several other caverns open to the public.


The best time to stay in a vacation rental in Iowa City

As a busy college town, Iowa City is full of activities all year round, making any season a great time for an Iowa City vacation rental. The summer days are hot and sunny, yet the humidity is far from oppressive, making the prospect of spending the day on the water at the Coralville Reservoir or exploring one of the nearby hiking trails especially appealing. The city also hosts its Jazz Fest and Taste of Iowa City festivals in the summer. During the fall, the city is buzzing with life as students begin their new academic year, and the beautiful University of Iowa campus is framed in fall foliage. Students rush home for the winter holidays, making this a quiet time to wander the city streets. When the snow falls, head to Sugar Bottom State Park, where you can go cross-country skiing.


Top things to do in Iowa City

The Devonian Fossil Gorge

If you have ever wanted to see the 375 million-year-old fossilized remains of the ocean floor, this is the place to do it. The gorge, located just off the banks of the Iowa River of today, was found almost by accident after a devastating 1993 flood washed away the surrounding earth and limestone. Now, you can find a diverse array of fossils showcasing all the little critters that lived there even before the dinosaurs.

University of Iowa Campus

The picturesque campus of the University of Iowa, founded in 1847, stretches across more than 1,700 acres. Visitors are welcome to wander around the expansive grounds and along the adjacent Iowa River Trail. Within the campus, you will find the Iowa Museum of Art and the Museum of Natural History, as well as the Old Capitol Building, which served as the home of Iowa’s first government in the mid-19th century. It is now a museum where you can tour an old Supreme Court chamber.

Coralville Reservoir

Located just a 15-minute drive from Iowa City, this enormous reservoir was originally built for flood control and is now a popular recreation spot. When the weather is nice, you can go swimming, fishing, or boating along this tranquil lake or head into the nearby parkland to go hiking or mountain biking.

Destinations to explore

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