Waterloo–Cedar Falls
Around Waterloo–Cedar Falls
Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Iowa · 170k people
Waterloo–Cedar Falls
Locals say Cedar Valley · “Cedar Valley”, “The City of the Cedars”
Waterloo · Cedar Falls
Where the Cedar River flows and the Panthers roar
UNI PurpleUNI Gold
Welcome to the Cedar Valley! Whether you're here for the trails, the college spirit, or the sweet corn, you'll find a friendly, down-to-earth community. Enjoy the river views and the local flavor.
Clubs for Waterloo–Cedar Falls
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The room
One room for everyone around Waterloo–Cedar Falls. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
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Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Waterloo–Cedar Falls. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- UNI-Dome Domed stadium on UNI campus, host to Panthers football and wrestling.
- George Wyth State Park Largest state park in the area, along the Cedar River.
- Grout Museum District History and science museums in Waterloo.
- Waterloo Center for the Arts Art museum with a notable collection of Haitian art.
- The falls on the Cedar River Scenic waterfall in downtown Cedar Falls.
- College Hill Historic college-town district near UNI with shops and eateries.
- Outdoors Bike or walk the Cedar Valley Nature Trail
- Outdoors Kayak or canoe on the Cedar River
- With kids Visit the Grout Museum District
- With kids See a UNI Panthers game at the UNI-Dome
- Evenings Bar-hop on College Hill
- Evenings See a show at the Waterloo Center for the Arts
- Locals love Trailside coffee shops
- Locals love College-town bars and pubs
Through the year
- Sturgis Falls Celebration June Community festival in Cedar Falls with parade, carnival, and live music.
- National Cattle Congress September Annual fair in Waterloo featuring livestock shows, carnival rides, and exhibits.
- College Hill Arts Festival June Arts and crafts fair with local vendors and live entertainment in Cedar Falls.
- Iowa High School State Wrestling Tournament February Major wrestling championship hosted at the UNI-Dome.
The climate is continental, with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The best time to be out is during the mild spring and fall months. Best: Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Cedar Valley”
- Local name for the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metro area.
- “The Dome”
- Short for the UNI-Dome.
- “College Hill”
- Historic district in Cedar Falls.
- “Bucks”
- Nickname for the Waterloo Bucks baseball team.
Getaways
- Cedar Rapids Visit the Czech Village and National Czech & Slovak Museum.
- Iowa City Explore the University of Iowa campus and the pedestrian mall.
- Ames Check out Iowa State University and Reiman Gardens.
- Dubuque See the Mississippi River and the National Mississippi River Museum.
Local flavour
Teams
- UNI Panthers NCAA Division I
- Waterloo Bucks Northwoods League
Also rooting for Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers, Iowa Hawkeyes, Iowa State Cyclones
Eat and drink
- Iowa pork tenderloin sandwich Breaded, fried, and served on a bun; a statewide staple
- Sweet corn Summer favourite from local farms
- Loose meat sandwich Maid‑Rite style, crumbled beef on a bun
- Casey's pizza Local convenience‑store chain known for its breakfast pizza
Where people go
- The falls on the Cedar River A natural waterfall in Cedar Falls, the city's namesake
- UNI‑Dome Iconic domed stadium on the University of Northern Iowa campus
- John Deere factory Major manufacturing plant in Waterloo; tours available
- College Hill Historic district in Cedar Falls with shops, bars, and restaurants
- Cedar Valley Nature Trail Paved trail connecting Waterloo and Cedar Falls along the river
Heritage and traditions
The Cedar Valley is proud of its tight-knit community, deep agricultural and manufacturing roots (especially John Deere), and its championship wrestling heritage that has produced legends like Dan Gable.
Say it like a local: “You bet” — A friendly affirmation, meaning 'yes' or 'for sure'.
Festivals
- My Waterloo Days June A summer festival with a parade, live music, and food vendors.
- Cedar Valley Irish Fest August Celebrates Irish heritage with music, dance, and cultural exhibits.
- Sauerkraut Days June Oelwein's German heritage festival featuring sauerkraut, brats, and crafts.
- Heritage Days June Waverly's community celebration with a parade, carnival, and historical displays.
- Cedar Valley Art & Soul July An arts and music festival showcasing local talent.
Landmarks with a story
- Sullivan Brothers Memorial A memorial in Waterloo honoring the five brothers who died in WWII.
- Cedar Falls Historical Society's Victorian Home A preserved 19th-century house offering a glimpse into pioneer life.
- Bremer County Courthouse A historic courthouse in Waverly, an architectural landmark.
- Wapsipinicon Mill A restored grist mill in Independence, now a museum.
- Oelwein Railroad Depot A historic depot reflecting the town's railroad heritage.
Food traditions
- Pork chop on a stick A must-have at the National Cattle Congress, grilled and served on a stick.
- Church basement suppers Community potlucks with casseroles, salads, and homemade pie, a Midwest staple.
- Fresh cheese curds From local dairies, often sold at farmers markets and roadside stands.
- Bratwurst and sauerkraut Especially enjoyed at Sauerkraut Days in Oelwein, reflecting German roots.
- Sweet corn roasts Summer gatherings where locally grown sweet corn is boiled or grilled.
Music and arts
- Haitian art collection at the Waterloo Center for the Arts One of the largest collections of Haitian art in the U.S., a point of local pride.
- Community theater tradition The Waterloo Community Playhouse has been staging productions for decades.
- College Hill Arts Festival An annual showcase of local painters, sculptors, and crafters.
- Folk music scene Small venues and open mics on College Hill feature local singer-songwriters.
A little history
- 1942 The five Sullivan brothers from Waterloo are killed in action on the USS Juneau.
- 1918 John Deere opens its Waterloo tractor works, transforming the city into a manufacturing hub.
- 1976 The UNI-Dome opens at the University of Northern Iowa, a landmark domed stadium.
- 1850s Settlers establish Waterloo and Cedar Falls along the Cedar River.
- 1860s The railroad arrives, boosting growth and connecting the region.
Rivalries
- UNI Panthers vs Iowa State Cyclones Friendly in-state college rivalry.
- UNI Panthers vs Iowa Hawkeyes Another in-state college matchup.
- Waterloo vs Cedar Falls Friendly rivalry between the twin cities.
- Waterloo East vs West High Local high school football rivalry.
- Game day High school wrestling
- Game day UNI Panthers tailgating
- Outdoors Tubing on the Cedar River
- Outdoors Birdwatching at George Wyth State Park
- With kids Visiting the Sullivan Brothers Memorial
- With kids Watching a wrestling meet
People here speak with a neutral Midwestern accent, often saying 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group. You'll hear 'ope' as a common exclamation, and the region is proudly called 'The Cedar Valley'.
Only here
- The Sullivan Brothers Memorial, honoring five brothers who died together in WWII.
- The National Cattle Congress, one of the oldest agricultural expositions in the country.
- The UNI-Dome, a distinctive domed stadium that hosts events year-round.
- The John Deere factory, a major employer and historic manufacturing site.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers; dress in layers.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich at a local restaurant—it's a regional icon.
- Visit the Sullivan Brothers Memorial to understand a key piece of local history.
- On UNI game days, expect extra traffic near the UNI-Dome; plan accordingly.
- The Cedar Valley is friendly—don't hesitate to strike up a conversation at a coffee shop.
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Nearby
Every areaIndependenceIowaSmall towns, big skies, and the sweetest corn in Iowa.MarshalltownIowaWhere the heart of Iowa beats with small-town warmth.Charles CityIowaWhere the fields meet the sky and everyone knows your name.Iowa FallsIowaWhere the Iowa River runs through the heartlandCedar RapidsIowaWhere the river meets the prairie, and the kolaches are warm.GrinnellIowaRolling fields, open skies, and neighborly hearts.Mason CityIowaWhere the Music Man meets the lakeIowa CityIowaWhere the river meets the page.
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.