Debbi’s guidebook

Debbi
Debbi’s guidebook

Food scene

Local Italian Cuisine, from casual to dressy. Located in downtown Waterloo in the lobby of an historic hotel, that is now apartments. Inside seating or carry out.
The Brown Bottle
209 W 5th St
Local Italian Cuisine, from casual to dressy. Located in downtown Waterloo in the lobby of an historic hotel, that is now apartments. Inside seating or carry out.
Local craft brewery, located in downtown Waterloo. Unique menu items. Special area where kids can play within sight of the beer hall. Located in the historic Wonderbread Bakery. Inside and patio seating. Carry out available.
14 locals recommend
SingleSpeed Brewing Co.
325 Commercial St
14 locals recommend
Local craft brewery, located in downtown Waterloo. Unique menu items. Special area where kids can play within sight of the beer hall. Located in the historic Wonderbread Bakery. Inside and patio seating. Carry out available.
The original 50's Diner. Outstanding breakfast and lunch with a bottomless cup of coffee. Located in downtown Waterloo across from Lincoln Park. Inside seating or carry out.
Morg's
520 Mulberry St
The original 50's Diner. Outstanding breakfast and lunch with a bottomless cup of coffee. Located in downtown Waterloo across from Lincoln Park. Inside seating or carry out.
Looking for a sweet treat to start your day, or a late day snack? Icon has amazing donuts and pastries. Swing by on your way to UNI or the Soccer Complex.
ICON Donuts & Sweetery
1730 W Ridgeway Ave
Looking for a sweet treat to start your day, or a late day snack? Icon has amazing donuts and pastries. Swing by on your way to UNI or the Soccer Complex.
Local coffee shop located in downtown Waterloo.
Lincoln Perk Coffee House
218 E 4th St
Local coffee shop located in downtown Waterloo.
Local Coffee Shop in the same strip mall as Icon. Another Sidecar location is in downtown Waterloo. They roast their own coffee beans here in Waterloo.
20 locals recommend
Sidecar Coffee Shop
2215 College St
20 locals recommend
Local Coffee Shop in the same strip mall as Icon. Another Sidecar location is in downtown Waterloo. They roast their own coffee beans here in Waterloo.
Try Pie provides amazing mini or full size pies created by local high school girls under the supervision of mentors. They learn the ins and outs of running their own business, while they provide a delectable dessert. Open afternoons only. Located in downtown Waterloo across from Lincoln Park. Treat yourself and support some amazing young women. Carry out only.
Try Pie Bakery
522 Mulberry St
Try Pie provides amazing mini or full size pies created by local high school girls under the supervision of mentors. They learn the ins and outs of running their own business, while they provide a delectable dessert. Open afternoons only. Located in downtown Waterloo across from Lincoln Park. Treat yourself and support some amazing young women. Carry out only.
While Waterloo and Cedar Falls have a host of amazing restaurants, both local and chain, if you're wanting to pick up a few things and use the full size kitchen at Flamingo Cottage to cook a feast or a snack this full service grocery store will fill your needs.
8 locals recommend
Hy-Vee
6301 University Ave
8 locals recommend
While Waterloo and Cedar Falls have a host of amazing restaurants, both local and chain, if you're wanting to pick up a few things and use the full size kitchen at Flamingo Cottage to cook a feast or a snack this full service grocery store will fill your needs.
Need gas or a few basics stop by the Kwik Star only blocks from Flamingo Cottage for that morning cup of coffee, bananas, potatoes, onions, milk, butter, eggs, juice or bread. Their pizza, ready made sandwiches, muffins and soft drinks will take care of that must have urge.
Kwik Star
2019 College St
Need gas or a few basics stop by the Kwik Star only blocks from Flamingo Cottage for that morning cup of coffee, bananas, potatoes, onions, milk, butter, eggs, juice or bread. Their pizza, ready made sandwiches, muffins and soft drinks will take care of that must have urge.
Blue Barn BBQ has amazing smoked meats and sides. Carry out only.
Blue Barn BBQ
623 E 18th St
Blue Barn BBQ has amazing smoked meats and sides. Carry out only.
Authentic French macarons. Buy one or a dozen. Made in small batches, so they are always fresh. Small inside seating area or carry out.
Macarons by Sani
516 Lafayette St
Authentic French macarons. Buy one or a dozen. Made in small batches, so they are always fresh. Small inside seating area or carry out.
Authentic Mexican food. My personal favorite is the chicken enchilada mole. Inside or patio seating or carry out available.
El Patron Mexican Restaurant
301 E 4th St
Authentic Mexican food. My personal favorite is the chicken enchilada mole. Inside or patio seating or carry out available.
Homestyle cooking in a family atmosphere. Lunch and dinner available. Inside seating or carry out. Seating for groups, but you'll never feel out of place as a solo guest.
Highway 63 Diner
3030 Marnie Ave
Homestyle cooking in a family atmosphere. Lunch and dinner available. Inside seating or carry out. Seating for groups, but you'll never feel out of place as a solo guest.

Athletic facility

Located close to downtown Waterloo. Great place to get a workout in. Walking path, pool, exercise equipment. Beautiful facility and great hours, with reasonable guest pass prices. Check out their website for details.
Cedar Valley SportsPlex
300 Jefferson St
Located close to downtown Waterloo. Great place to get a workout in. Walking path, pool, exercise equipment. Beautiful facility and great hours, with reasonable guest pass prices. Check out their website for details.
Over 80 miles of interconnected hard surfaced paths for bicycling, running or walking the dog. The path can be accessed 6 blocks from the house.
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Cedar Valley Nature Trail
Over 80 miles of interconnected hard surfaced paths for bicycling, running or walking the dog. The path can be accessed 6 blocks from the house.
UNI athletics
UNI-Dome
2501 Hudson Rd
UNI athletics
UNI athletics or a multitude of other events. Located just 7 miles from Flamingo Cottage.
McLeod Center
2501 Hudson Rd
UNI athletics or a multitude of other events. Located just 7 miles from Flamingo Cottage.
Party Town is home to the local Blackhawks hockey team. Great fun. Located in downtown Waterloo, just a block away from the Cedar Valley Sportsplex or Singlespeed.
Young Arena
125 Commercial St
Party Town is home to the local Blackhawks hockey team. Great fun. Located in downtown Waterloo, just a block away from the Cedar Valley Sportsplex or Singlespeed.

Sightseeing

Boating, fishing, picnicing, hard surfaced walking and bike paths. Great place to enjoy nature.
12 locals recommend
George Wyth State Park
3659 Wyth Rd
12 locals recommend
Boating, fishing, picnicing, hard surfaced walking and bike paths. Great place to enjoy nature.
Free children's zoo. Open from Memorial Day through Cattle Congress (mid September). The zoo has a variety of local farm animals, many of which can be petted. Feed can be purchased for the animals. The zoo is sponsored by the Sunrise Exchange Club and supported by donations from visitors.
Sunrise Children's Zoo
250 Ansborough Ave
Free children's zoo. Open from Memorial Day through Cattle Congress (mid September). The zoo has a variety of local farm animals, many of which can be petted. Feed can be purchased for the animals. The zoo is sponsored by the Sunrise Exchange Club and supported by donations from visitors.

Neighborhoods

Walkable areas with local shops, restaurants and bars.
Waterloo downtown East 4th Street is filled with local restaurants, bars and a few unique shops. You can find breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Many nights one or more of the local bars will have live music.
East 4th Street
East 4th Street
Waterloo downtown East 4th Street is filled with local restaurants, bars and a few unique shops. You can find breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Many nights one or more of the local bars will have live music.
Downtown Cedar Falls Parkade has several blocks of unique local, restaurants, bars and shops.
Main Street
Main Street
Downtown Cedar Falls Parkade has several blocks of unique local, restaurants, bars and shops.