Spring 2018

26 / 28

26
Plan a family-focused visit to Eastern Iowa this year when you
attend the 2018 Homeschool Iowa Conference.
Close to Conference
Dive into history at University of Iowa (UOI) Hospitals and Clin-
ics Medical Museum, UOI Museum of Natural History, Old Capi-
tol Museum and State Historical Library. Just a short distance to
the east is The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.
The Iowa Children’s Museum offers hours of play. Inside Coral
Ridge Mall, you’ll also find ice skating, a movie theatre and over
100 stores. Looking for a bargain? Iowa City is notorious for great
thrift stores.
Challenge yourself on the University of Iowa Recreation Cen-
ter’s 50-foot rock climbing wall. Stroll along the Iowa Avenue Lit-
erary Walk and be inspired.
Cruise to Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, located 30 minutes north of Iowa City, offers op-
portunities for art and culture including Cedar Rapids Museum
of Art, Grant Wood Studio and Visitor Center, National Czech and
Slovak Museum and Library. Experience Brucemore, a historic
26-acre nineteenth-century estate mansion.
Explore Outdoors
In Iowa City, you’ll find hiking at Hickory Hill Park, paddleboard
rental at Terry Trueblood Recreation Area or the Iowa River Land-
ing Wetland Park for nature journaling.
Indian Creek Nature Center in Cedar Rapids offers unique out-
door learning opportunities.
Between Iowa City and Cedar Rapids is Coralville Lake, Devo-
nian Fossil Gorge, Sugar Bottom Recreation Area, and Macbride
Nature Recreation Area. Camp, fish, hike, and more at these
wonderful natural resources.
Check out the Iowa City Mom’s Blog: Mom’s Guide to Iowa City
for family restaurant deals and where kids eat free.
Download the Iowa Culture App. An interactive map high-
lights the arts, history, science and nature all across the state.
Planning is a snap with the favorites tool.
As you join NICHE for the 2018 Homeschool Iowa Conference,
plan a couple extra days to connect as a family and make some
memories.
Jennifer Ciha is a NICHE homeschool graduate and helps coordinate the
social media for She and her husband, Tom, cur-
rently homeschool their two children in Ankeny, Iowa. Jennifer blogs
about her family’s field trips and adventures at
where you can find practical information and inspirational photographs.
Explore Eastern Iowa
BY JENNIFER CIHA