This Day Trip To Waverly Is One Of The Best You Can Take In Iowa
By Ben Jones|Published February 09, 2021
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Ben Jones
Author
Ben Jones is at heart an adventurer who delights in inspiring others. A former reporter and photojournalist, he explored towns large and small as a Wisconsin correspondent for USA Today. He later became a lead photographer and senior copywriter for an award-winning destination marketing agency, before founding Boldland Creative, a company that produces photography, video, and other content for travel destinations. Jones has completed photography and content projects in more than 15 states and when he’s not looking through a camera or at his Macbook you’ll find him exploring the world’s lakes and forests.
Tucked into the northeast corner of Iowa, Waverly is the perfect day trip destination. Located along the scenic Cedar River, Waverly a small but vibrant college town, home to a charming downtown filled with shops and restaurants, beautiful recreation trails, a rich history, and more. It’s easy to spend a day exploring Waverly-if you haven’t visited this town yet, you’re in for a treat. Here’s a sample of what you’ll find.
The Cedar River winds through town and one of the first things you'll notice is the massive dam. The dam has been a fixture here for a long time. In fact, there's been a dam in Waverly since 1853.
The river provides a tranquil backdrop to Waverly and there are many nice places to take in the view. Parks by the water include Pelikan Park, South Riverside Park, and Kohlmann Park.
Waverly is also home to some nice recreation trails. The Waverly Rail Trail follows a former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way. It's a good place for a bike ride or walk.
Wartburg College, a private Lutheran liberal arts college, is located in Waverly. The college was founded in 1852 but has been in Waverly since 1935. The campus is a beautiful place for a stroll.
The Bremer County Historical Society Museum is worth a stop. It's located in a former hotel built in 1862 and it has exhibits detailing what life was like in rural Iowa years ago.
Waverly is home to just 10,000 people but it has a dining scene that rivals much larger cities. One popular restaurant is the Wild Carrot. The pie is amazing!