The Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center, located at Bill Colwell Ford, is giving away gift cards for each week during their #12WeeksOfSummer Giveaway. To qualify, all you have to do is come in to the Quick Lane and get your vehicle serviced.Take a road trip with the family… enjoy thrilling rides and water slides, outdoor adventures and sports. Discover fun for the whole family in the Cedar Valley.
Day 1
Start your day with a visit to downtown Waterloo’s two children’s museums. The Bluedorn Science Imaginarium is a three-floor interactive science center with over 80 hands-on exhibits that demonstrate how science affects everyday life. The Imaginarium is also home to numerous animals, such as a Burmese python named Athena, bearded dragon, turtle and more. Just a few blocks away is the Phelps Youth Pavilion, a museum filled with creative, hands-on experiences and over 40 interactive exhibits. Learning about art and culture has never been so much fun! groutmuseumdistrict.org | waterloocenterforthearts.org
Enjoy lunch with the kiddos at Newton’s Paradise Café. This café is located in the heart of downtown Waterloo and was once home to a jewelry store. Their menu features fresh, locally-sourced food and a variety of kid-friendly options, including breakfast all day long. Or, grab a seat on their outdoor patio. newtonscafe.com
Eperience
exciting rides and thrills at Iowa’s largest waterpark – Lost Island. Open June through
August, this tropical paradise is one of Trip Advisor’s “Top 15 Water Parks” in
the country. It features a lazy river, water slides and a wave pool. Rides like
Wailua Kupua, one of only a handful of hydro magnetic water coasts in the
world, are a must. Outside the park, families can play a round of mini-golf,
experience a high-flying ride on the Flying Gecko zip line, or take a spin
around one of the longest go-kart tracks in the Midwest. thelostisland.com
Wrap up your day of fun with a trip to Rudy’s Tacos. A local favorite, this eclectic and retro Mexican restaurant offers a unique dining experience. From Mucho Nachos to homemade guacamole, Rudy’s serves up the freshest and finest ingredients. You also can’t miss the more than 100 marionettes on display. rudystacos.com
Day 2
Explore the great outdoors at Hartman Reserve Nature Center in Cedar Falls. This 340-acre wooded isle features forest, wetland and prairie habitats and a variety of opportunities to connect with nature. Visit their Interpretive Center that houses displays and exhibits or step outside onto one of the many connecting paths and trails. hartmanreserve.org
Next, head downtown and hit the Cedar Valley Trails with the family. From biking to cross-country skiing, the trails offer a variety of experiences for the entire family all year long. In addition to over 106 miles of hard-surfaced trails, the Cedar Valley is also home to an extensive network of water trails. cedarvalleytrails.org
Stop for lunch, just off the trail system at Doughy Joey’s Peetza-Joynt. Known for their signature soups and salads, baked subs, pasta dishes and New York and Chicago-style pizzas, Doughy Joey’s is family-owned and operated, and is the perfect place to grab dinner with the family. Plus, there is plenty of patio seating available as well for those beautiful summer nights. doughyjoeys.com.
Chocolaterie Stam sells a variety of fanciful creations, including gourmet bonbons, Italian gelato and coffees. Step inside this cozy shop and experience their melt-in-your-mouth chocolates. Or, visit Scratch Cupcakery for one of their homemade delectable and delicious cupcakes. Offering over 20 different flavors of cupcakes daily, Scratch is sure to make you smile. But, if ice cream is more your flavor, check out 4 Queens Dairy Cream for some of the best frozen treats in the Cedar Valley. stamchocolate.com | scratchcupcakery.com | 4queensdairycream.com
Last, but certainly not least, complete your family getaway to the Cedar Valley with food, fun and a fantastic sports experience. From football to volleyball, to basketball and wrestling, join “TC” and his gang as they cheer on the University of Northern Iowa Panthers. Spend an evening at the ballpark watching the Waterloo Bucks baseball team, or head to Young Arena for some excitement on the ice with the Waterloo Black Hawks hockey team. unipantherscom | waterloobucks.com | waterlooblackhawks.com
Stop by the Quick Lane this summer for your chance to win a gift card to one of these amazing places in the Cedar Valley. And don't forget to LIKE the Cedar Valley Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Facebook page to participate online in the #12WeeksOfSummer Giveaway!
Itineraries created by the Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau