Step 1
Pick Missions
Choose at least five non-bonus missions, with a mix of partner stops and downtown discoveries.
Scavenger Activation
Spring Downtown Discovery Hunt
A seasonal Iowa City scavenger hunt built to move students and locals through featured partner businesses, downtown stops, and useful local discoveries through finals week.
Dates: March 10, 2026 to May 15, 2026
Submit by: May 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT
Prize: $250 local gift bundle + a feature in Our Iowa City.
Partner stops
7
Required missions
5
out of 7
Prize bundle
$250
How It Works
Step 2
Visit + Document
Complete the missions, gather your codewords or photo links, and keep the responses concise.
Step 3
Submit Once
Send your full entry through the form. Qualified entries are reviewed after the deadline and the winner is announced later.
Featured partner and downtown stops
This round is designed to send people through local businesses and recognizable downtown anchors, not just around the city at random.
Codeword stop
High Ground Cafe
301 E Market St
Stop by High Ground Cafe and ask for the Our Iowa City hunt codeword at the counter.
Discovery stop
Prairie Lights Books
15 S Dubuque St
Browse Prairie Lights and share one shelf, staff pick, or title that made you want to stay longer.
Photo stop
Record Collector
116 S Linn St
Photograph a detail at Record Collector that captures why independent retail feels different.
Question stop
FilmScene at the Chauncey
404 E College St
Check the current FilmScene lineup and tell us which screening you would build a night around.
Photo stop
Englert Theatre
221 E Washington St
Take a photo of the Englert marquee, poster wall, or theater exterior that captures a downtown cultural stop worth revisiting.
Discovery stop
Red Avocado
14 S Clinton St
Review the menu at Red Avocado and tell us which dish you would recommend to a friend visiting downtown.
Photo stop
Pedestrian Mall
Downtown Iowa City
Capture a downtown moment that shows why the Ped Mall is worth walking instead of just passing through.
Rules
- Only locally focused submissions tied to the listed missions are eligible.
- Complete at least five non-bonus missions to qualify.
- Bonus missions can improve your entry but do not count toward qualification.
- Use original responses and accurate details for each mission.
- One submission per person. Late submissions are not considered.
Mission List
Eight missions across featured stops, downtown moments, and useful local discoveries.
High Ground Codeword
CodewordHigh Ground Cafe
301 E Market St
Stop by High Ground Cafe and ask for the Our Iowa City hunt codeword at the counter.
What to submit: Submit the exact codeword you received.
Prairie Lights Shelf Find
DiscoveryPrairie Lights Books
15 S Dubuque St
Browse Prairie Lights and share one shelf, staff pick, or title that made you want to stay longer.
What to submit: Write 2-3 sentences with the book, section, or display that stood out.
Record Collector Detail
PhotoRecord Collector
116 S Linn St
Photograph a detail at Record Collector that captures why independent retail feels different.
What to submit: Paste one photo URL and mention what you photographed.
FilmScene Night Out
QuestionFilmScene at the Chauncey
404 E College St
Check the current FilmScene lineup and tell us which screening you would build a night around.
What to submit: Answer in 2-3 sentences and include the film title.
Englert Marquee Moment
PhotoEnglert Theatre
221 E Washington St
Take a photo of the Englert marquee, poster wall, or theater exterior that captures a downtown cultural stop worth revisiting.
What to submit: Paste one photo URL with a short caption.
Red Avocado Menu Pick
DiscoveryRed Avocado
14 S Clinton St
Review the menu at Red Avocado and tell us which dish you would recommend to a friend visiting downtown.
What to submit: Write 2-3 sentences and name the dish or menu item.
Ped Mall Walkthrough
PhotoPedestrian Mall
Downtown Iowa City
Capture a downtown moment that shows why the Ped Mall is worth walking instead of just passing through.
What to submit: Paste one photo URL and include the time of day.
Bonus: Hidden Favorite
BonusNominate one overlooked local stop that deserves a future Our Iowa City feature or hunt route.
What to submit: Write a concise recommendation and why it deserves more discovery.
Submit Your Entry
You've selected 0/5 required missions.
Public photo links can be Google Drive, Dropbox, or Instagram URLs. Keep written responses direct and specific.
Follow the hunt and nominate future stops
Follow @ouriowacity for reminders, clue updates, and winner announcements. If you own a local business that fits a future hunt route, the business page explains how seasonal features work.