In these dog days of summer, families
are intent on squeezing in plenty of fun while we can. Here
are a few ideas for a stray day or a free evening.
• New Strand Theatre, downtown West Liberty:
About 20 minutes from Iowa City on Highway 6.
This old vaudeville theater has shown movies since the
late 1920s and offers the charming nostalgia of hardwood
floors and a $3.50 ticket for all ages to see first-run
movies.
You can beat the heat any night of the week at 7:30,
or catch an early evening weekend matinee. Plunk down
a buck or two for a bottomless box of popcorn (free refills)
and half-price soda refills. Then settle into new theater
seats to enjoy the improved sound and projection system.
"We have on-going renovation; every year we try to tackle
something new," owner Todd Leach said. The New Strand's
summer lineup has included "Shrek 2," "The Day After Tomorrow,"
"13 Going on 30" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of
Azkaban."
"We keep the movies about a week, then get something
new to keep people coming in," Leach said.
• Maquoketa: Drive about 90 minutes northeast
to tromp through cool caves, browse antique stores, then
catch a movie like "Harry Potter" or "Garfield" at a local
drive-in theater.
Maquoketa Caves State Park has six miles of hiking
trails that take you through 13 naturally formed caves.
A ranger said the main cave is closed in the winter for
bat hibernation.
Don't let bats spook you, though. Pack a lunch, bring
a change of clothes (you may get dirty while spelunking)
and enjoy an admission-free day. Call 563-652-5833 for
exact directions.
• If you want to take in a drive-in movie, pack
a blanket, lawn chairs and a portable radio in the car.
That way, if the 61 Drive-In Theater is sold out,
you can park outside, walk in and still enjoy the show.
Leave grills and pets at home, the rules state. The box
office opens at 6:30 p.m.; show time is "around 9 p.m."
Admission is $6 for 13 and older; $2 for 5-12; younger
kids get in free. The drive-in is 5 miles south of Maquoketa
on Highway 61, exit 153. Call 563-674-4367.
• Lost Island Water Park, Waterloo: Pack
lunch and sunscreen and make a day of it at this outdoor
water park that boasts eight waterslide towers, wave pool,
lazy river, Starfish Cove for littler kids and Tree Top
Café. Admission is $18.50 a person and is free for kids
3 and younger.
Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., so you could leave
a cooler in the car, picnic on the grass outside the gate,
then go back in for more.
If you're not waterlogged, you could take a spin in a
go-cart or play a round of mini-golf for $5.50 until 10
p.m. (7 p.m. on Sundays). Call 319-233-8414.
Next month: Fall fun
Amy Beck is an Iowa City mother of three. Her column
appears the last Monday of each month. Pass along your
favorite day-trip ideas to her at life@press-citizen.com.
