I love it here but the wifi NEVER works. So disappointing it’s such a good study spot
Molly Higgins
This is my favorite place to drink tea and study in Iowa City. They have a wide variety of loose-leaf teas to choose from, each served in its own lovely tea set. It provides a calm and pleasant atmosphere and if you're lucky you can grab a window seat overlooking Dubuque Street. Usually the staff are very kind and knowledgable.
Timothy Christians
When I lived in Iowa City as a student at U of Iowa majoring in English, this was my hang out. Thanks for all the memories!!! One of the best book stores you'll ever find!!! A small little charm of IC.
Dani
My favorite place in Iowa City! Great vibe, good book selection, and the combination with the Cafe is fantastic.
sportsquid
Worst book store I've ever been to.
Jessica Blackburn
I love coming here when I visit Iowa City! The atmosphere is so calm and relaxing. They have a great book selection and so much to look at. I haven't gotten to try the café yet, but my coworkers say they have delicious tea! One day I'll get to have a coffee or tea here and I'm sure it'll be wonderful since everything else about the bookstore is!
Tad Pufall
They had local section of books specific to Iowa.
Erin Frith
Excellent bookstore and coffeeshop! They have a wide selection of books and great staff recommendations. The coffee is delicious and they serve baked goods from DeLuxe, another local favorite. Highly recommend!
PalmD WindyC
Love this bookstore! The staff in Children’s always has great recommendations for all my requests! Thankful I got a jump on Christmas shopping. Every time we’re in town, it’s a Must Visit.
Wally Plahutnik
Prairie Lights is a genuine bookstore. We typically go to stores to buy stuff. We walk the aisles until we find the right brand and size of green beans or clothing, checkout and go on our way. If this were an ad for a new book selling concept, some marketing hack would tell you that this is a place where you can "experience" literature. Fortunately, Prairie Lights is not some marketer's get rich quick scheme. (nobody but Bezos ever got rich quick selling books) For 45 years, Jim Harris, and now, Jan Weissmiller and the staff at PL have brought readers, books, writers and the literary community together. They host readings by authors everyone's heard of and those you wish you had. Wonderful staff who will gladly make a recommendation after they find out what you enjoy reading. Books, coffee, wine, beer and pastries. Experience a genuine bookstore. Just browse or engage with people who love literature, Prairie Lights is an Iowa City institution and a nationally renowned literary landmark. If you like books, you're in for a treat.Also, a dedicated children's section on the lower level. See photo.
Great coffee house options, from traditional drip coffee and latte’s to more modern takes like Espresso & Tonics: which where excellent. Then there’s the books… so many books, laid out well and with helpful staff.
Dayna Cermak
This place used to be so beautiful when it first opened. It’s not exactly dumpy but I don’t feel it a very inviting atmosphere anymore. Just seems a little messy.
Shelley M.
How could I love this store more? I loved this store from when it got going when I was in high school and I used to come from a far away small town to marvel at the rows and rows of books and wish I could read them all. When I moved away to become a teacher, I always loved coming back and feeling immediately like I was home again. The quality has always been so high here and the selection so excellent. It is a nice place to roam around and see what you will discover as well as a beautiful store with places to sit and rest if you need to. I love the children's floor. This is one of the most wonderful places in Iowa. Thanks for educating so many Iowa kids to not be afraid of what is different and to learn about the bigger world outside Iowa as well. We need it now more than ever.
Augusto Contreras
There is people (like me) that actually look for a place before taking off from home.I looked at this beautiful book and cafe shop, and it said that is open until 9pm...It was 6:45pm so a couple hours seem like a good idea.... I drove my car, parked, paid parking meter, walk... just to be told that the Cafe closes at 7pm.Fore that mere reason here is my 1 star. Sorry guys!
Anna Hautzinger
Prairie Lights is a very well curated bookstore and cafe, with an excellent selection of midwest authors. It is in the heart of the pedestrian zone in Iowa city, fairly close to campus. There is some branded merchandise and gifts available. The staff is also very helpful. A lovely place to browse and while away the hours.
I love it here but the wifi NEVER works. So disappointing it’s such a good study spot
This is my favorite place to drink tea and study in Iowa City. They have a wide variety of loose-leaf teas to choose from, each served in its own lovely tea set. It provides a calm and pleasant atmosphere and if you're lucky you can grab a window seat overlooking Dubuque Street. Usually the staff are very kind and knowledgable.
When I lived in Iowa City as a student at U of Iowa majoring in English, this was my hang out. Thanks for all the memories!!! One of the best book stores you'll ever find!!! A small little charm of IC.
My favorite place in Iowa City! Great vibe, good book selection, and the combination with the Cafe is fantastic.
Worst book store I've ever been to.
I love coming here when I visit Iowa City! The atmosphere is so calm and relaxing. They have a great book selection and so much to look at. I haven't gotten to try the café yet, but my coworkers say they have delicious tea! One day I'll get to have a coffee or tea here and I'm sure it'll be wonderful since everything else about the bookstore is!
They had local section of books specific to Iowa.
Excellent bookstore and coffeeshop! They have a wide selection of books and great staff recommendations. The coffee is delicious and they serve baked goods from DeLuxe, another local favorite. Highly recommend!
Love this bookstore! The staff in Children’s always has great recommendations for all my requests! Thankful I got a jump on Christmas shopping. Every time we’re in town, it’s a Must Visit.
Prairie Lights is a genuine bookstore. We typically go to stores to buy stuff. We walk the aisles until we find the right brand and size of green beans or clothing, checkout and go on our way. If this were an ad for a new book selling concept, some marketing hack would tell you that this is a place where you can "experience" literature. Fortunately, Prairie Lights is not some marketer's get rich quick scheme. (nobody but Bezos ever got rich quick selling books) For 45 years, Jim Harris, and now, Jan Weissmiller and the staff at PL have brought readers, books, writers and the literary community together. They host readings by authors everyone's heard of and those you wish you had. Wonderful staff who will gladly make a recommendation after they find out what you enjoy reading. Books, coffee, wine, beer and pastries. Experience a genuine bookstore. Just browse or engage with people who love literature, Prairie Lights is an Iowa City institution and a nationally renowned literary landmark. If you like books, you're in for a treat.Also, a dedicated children's section on the lower level. See photo.
Restaurantji Recommends
Great coffee house options, from traditional drip coffee and latte’s to more modern takes like Espresso & Tonics: which where excellent. Then there’s the books… so many books, laid out well and with helpful staff.
This place used to be so beautiful when it first opened. It’s not exactly dumpy but I don’t feel it a very inviting atmosphere anymore. Just seems a little messy.
How could I love this store more? I loved this store from when it got going when I was in high school and I used to come from a far away small town to marvel at the rows and rows of books and wish I could read them all. When I moved away to become a teacher, I always loved coming back and feeling immediately like I was home again. The quality has always been so high here and the selection so excellent. It is a nice place to roam around and see what you will discover as well as a beautiful store with places to sit and rest if you need to. I love the children's floor. This is one of the most wonderful places in Iowa. Thanks for educating so many Iowa kids to not be afraid of what is different and to learn about the bigger world outside Iowa as well. We need it now more than ever.
There is people (like me) that actually look for a place before taking off from home.I looked at this beautiful book and cafe shop, and it said that is open until 9pm...It was 6:45pm so a couple hours seem like a good idea.... I drove my car, parked, paid parking meter, walk... just to be told that the Cafe closes at 7pm.Fore that mere reason here is my 1 star. Sorry guys!
Prairie Lights is a very well curated bookstore and cafe, with an excellent selection of midwest authors. It is in the heart of the pedestrian zone in Iowa city, fairly close to campus. There is some branded merchandise and gifts available. The staff is also very helpful. A lovely place to browse and while away the hours.