The IMU sits on the west bank of the Iowa River and acts as the university's living room: bowling alley and pool tables in the basement, food court at ground level, a couple of ballrooms upstairs that host everything from career fairs to wedding receptions. The terrace overlooking the river is the best place on campus for a late-afternoon coffee.
The 2008 flood put the entire ground floor under four feet of water; the rebuild brought the building's mid-century interior up to date while keeping the original limestone facade. Free Wi-Fi, longer hours than the libraries.