Food scene
Fantastic kombucha. Great food and kombucha cocktails. The owner Alex is usually on site and a super cool guy. Patio is awesome, especially at night.
Verve Kombucha Kitchen & Bar
327 West 3rd StreetFantastic kombucha. Great food and kombucha cocktails. The owner Alex is usually on site and a super cool guy. Patio is awesome, especially at night.
Great selection of local craft beer and good food set in historic former wonder bread building.
14 locals recommend
SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
325 Commercial StGreat selection of local craft beer and good food set in historic former wonder bread building.
Great patio. Huge tenderloins. Breakfast all day. Set in retrofitted jewelry store (Newton’s Jewelers) with the old vault now being used as pantry.
12 locals recommend
Newton's Paradise Cafe
128 E 4th StGreat patio. Huge tenderloins. Breakfast all day. Set in retrofitted jewelry store (Newton’s Jewelers) with the old vault now being used as pantry.
Highly recommend the screaming fat boy sandwich if you like it a little spicy. Very cool building and great traditional American food.
8 locals recommend
Screaming Eagle
228 E 4th StHighly recommend the screaming fat boy sandwich if you like it a little spicy. Very cool building and great traditional American food.
Basal Pizza
225 West 4th StreetGreat wood fired pizza. Fresh and local ingredients. Patio seating.
Walking distance to house (2 blocks). Good pizza and wings. Great place to watch a game and have some beer and pizza.
The Other Place
821 W Bremer AveWalking distance to house (2 blocks). Good pizza and wings. Great place to watch a game and have some beer and pizza.
Walking distance to house (4 blocks). Nice and quick but still tasty food. I usually get the turkey pesto panini. Also serves local craft beer and gelato.
Your Pie
126 East Ridgeway AvenueWalking distance to house (4 blocks). Nice and quick but still tasty food. I usually get the turkey pesto panini. Also serves local craft beer and gelato.
Walking distance to house (5 blocks) for local Ice Cream and milk and eggs. Pretty much everything in the store is from the families local dairy farm.
Hansen's Dairy Waterloo (Moo Roo)
3015 Kimball AveWalking distance to house (5 blocks) for local Ice Cream and milk and eggs. Pretty much everything in the store is from the families local dairy farm.
Sightseeing
Nice view of the river. Splash pad at the top of the Riverloop is open in the summer and is a great (free) place to take the kiddos.
RiverLoop Amphitheatre & Expo Plaza
225 Commercial StNice view of the river. Splash pad at the top of the Riverloop is open in the summer and is a great (free) place to take the kiddos.
Several small lakes with plenty of fishing options. Has a swimming beach and a place where you can rent kayaks and other paddle sports in the summer. Lots of picnic tables and shelters in the park.
12 locals recommend
George Wyth State Park
3659 Wyth RdSeveral small lakes with plenty of fishing options. Has a swimming beach and a place where you can rent kayaks and other paddle sports in the summer. Lots of picnic tables and shelters in the park.
Family Activities
Consistently voted #1 or #2 water park in the country by whoever votes in these “best ____ in the county” lists. My kids love it. It’s a legit water park with some huge rides and a wave pool. Also has go carts, mini golf, and zip lining.
14 locals recommend
Lost Island Water Park
2225 E Shaulis RdConsistently voted #1 or #2 water park in the country by whoever votes in these “best ____ in the county” lists. My kids love it. It’s a legit water park with some huge rides and a wave pool. Also has go carts, mini golf, and zip lining.
Go carts are super fun. Has two person carts in case your kid is too small to drive but wants to ride with you. Also has small slower go carts for little kids. Jumping pillow is only $5 for all day. Also has driving range, batting cages, mini golf, and bow and arrow tag.
Palmer's Family Fun
1666 W Airline HwyGo carts are super fun. Has two person carts in case your kid is too small to drive but wants to ride with you. Also has small slower go carts for little kids. Jumping pillow is only $5 for all day. Also has driving range, batting cages, mini golf, and bow and arrow tag.
Take a tour of the John Deere Tractor Works facility and see how the HUGE farming tractors are built.
John Deere Tractor Plant, Waterloo
3500 E Donald StTake a tour of the John Deere Tractor Works facility and see how the HUGE farming tractors are built.
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Cedar Valley Nature TrailPhelps Youth Pavilion
225 Commercial StJohn Deere Tractor & Engine Museum
500 Westfield AveSullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum & Grout Museum of History & Science
503 South StWaterloo Center for the Arts
225 Commercial St