Manager Danny Franks of Cedar Rapids adjusts the microphone on the stage at Penguin's Comedy Club in Cedar Rapids, one of the many venues throughtout Iowa to have some fun / Gazette file photo.

There's plenty to do day and night around Iowa

By B.J. Smith

Night life

Night life in Iowa isn't like night life in the big cities of the east or west coasts - except when it is.

Look around and you'll find outstanding symphony orchestras, world-class acting in Broadway road shows, classy local plays and musicals, fine dining and upscale, trendy nightclubs. If your tastes and budget tend to be a bit more modest, neighborhood bars and restaurants are easy to find and are traditionally popular hangouts.

You can also find comedy clubs, touring rock or country music bands and plenty of home-grown bands and entertainers. Coffee houses have become popular in recent years and many of them offer live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights.

Check our iGuide and calendar for ideas.

Day life

If you're more inclined to enjoy quiet evenings at home but like to get out and about during the day, Iowa has plenty to offer you, too. Iowa has beautiful, well-kept state, county and local parks and a growing network of trails for walking, roller-blading, bicycling and running.

What to do outdoors in the winter? Get out and play! Give cross-country skiing or snowshoeing a try on those same trails, visit one of the state's popular downhill ski areas, or put on some ice skates and pretend you're Michelle Kwan or Apolo Ono.

Learn more:

• Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs

• Cultural Corridor.org (southeast)

• Hoopla! (southeast)

• Des Moines nightlife

• Suggest a link. Email content@iowa.com

Other stuff to do

• Child’s Play
• Fairs & Festivals
• Odd Iowa attractions