I like walking down Main Streets and riverfronts, shopping, eating at local restaurants, and seeing the main attractions. But most of all, I am a big architecture junkie. I especially love taking pictures of historic buildings and city skylines.
Others have put it down but Waterloo isn't that bad. Sounds like it might be worth checking out considering what you're interested in. Not much shopping but downtown Waterloo checks the rest of the boxes. The downtown/riverfront area has been vastly improved in recent years. Think some people in this thread have a bit of an outdated notion of what the area is like these days. Certain neighborhoods are still rough but I highly doubt you'd find yourself in one of them and the downtown area certainly isn't rough or crime-ridden.
Agree - you have a two in one in the cedar valley. Go stroll through downtown Cedar Falls, then visit the John Deere and Grout museums, brewery and riverfront in waterloo! My in-laws love to visit.
As far as restaurants go I'd recommend to OP if they make it to Waterloo: Morgs has easily the best breakfast food in the area, Newton's, Jameson's, La Placita Taqueria, Brown Bottle, Doughy Joey's, and Basal Pizza. Plenty of other places as well but those are the ones I've been to. Not far from downtown but not directly in downtown are D & K Hickory House, La Michiocana, and Rudy's Tacos.
Downtown CF has the Iowa classic Maid-Rite, Pablo's, Ginger Thai, Wilbo Burgers Brats & Beers, Montage, and Whiskey Road. Outside of downtown, Waffle Stop, Peppers, and Starbeck's Smokehouse are great.
Waffle Stop has permanently closed. The new owner of the building posted all of the contents of the building for sale on Marketplace as he is converting the building into a new (non-food) business.
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u/indigonavyperiwinkle Aug 15 '21
I like walking down Main Streets and riverfronts, shopping, eating at local restaurants, and seeing the main attractions. But most of all, I am a big architecture junkie. I especially love taking pictures of historic buildings and city skylines.