1st time Hawkeye

My son is going to the University of Iowa this fall. We would like to visit him on family weekend. Unfortunately all the hotels are sold out. We%26#39;ll know better next year. Is Cedar Rapids a doable alternative to drive to and from campus for the football game and activities.

1st time Hawkeye

Cedar Rapids would work fine. It is probably half an hour up Interstate 380. I would go ahead and reserve a room in CR and just keep checking for rooms in IC.

I would look for rooms near the CR Airport - those would be just a few minutes off of 380 and on the south side of the city. Seems like there is a Country Inn %26amp; Suites and possible a Heartland Inn near the airport that would work.

1st time Hawkeye

As the previous poster mentioned, Cedar Rapids is definitely ';doable.'; However, most of the hotels near the airport are budget hotels and many have seen better days. Depending on your standards for hotels, you may want to look a little further away (like about 10 - 15 mins. further) that are a little bit nicer: The Collins Plaza Hotel and the Marriott on Collins Rd. along with the Crowne Plaza (downtown) are probably your most upscale choices.

You may also want to check for rooms at the Riverside Casino and Resort, which is about a 15 - 20 min. drive south of Iowa City. There are also some hotels near Williamsburg, IA and at Little Amana that would be within 30 mins%26#39;. drive as well. And you could even stay on the northwest side of Davenport and be within a 45 min. or so drive of the U of I.

Enjoy your trip!

Be sure to try the Bed and Breakfast places in iowa City. Very nice and close to campus.

Keep trying the Iowa City hotels in case of cancellations.

Yes, Cedar Rapids is a good alternative. Just know that football traffic on the interstate will be slow, so be sure to get an early start for the game.Plan to be in Iowa City 90 minutes before kick-off because parking will be at a premium.

Consider using the train to the game- the HAWKEYE EXPRESS - provided by the university.

Passengers on the Hawkeye Express ride in luxury train cars from parking areas conveniently located minutes off Interstate 80 near Coral Ridge Mall in nearby Coralville to the southwest corner of historic Kinnick Stadium.

Parking is free and the round-trip train services costs just $10 per person with children 12 and under riding for free.

Service to Kinnick Stadium - a 10-minute ride - begins three hours prior to kickoff pre-game. Service post-game begins at the start of the fourth quarter.

Hope your son has a great experience. As a parent, I can only speak highly of the university and town. GO HAWKS

I would like to second the advice of the previous poster who recommended B%26amp;Bs. My favorite is the Golden Haug on E. Washington Street.

It%26#39;s true that traffic into Iowa City is pretty bad on football Saturdays. So if you do come in from out of town, plan on the drive taking double what it would on a normal day.