Coralville, Iowa City Hotel Rooms Nearly Gone For RAGBRAI Weekend

By Mark Carlson, Reporter

RAGBRAI riders head to Manchester on State Highway 939 near Winthrop Friday afternoon, July 30, 2010. The ride will finish tomorrow in Dubuque. (Liz Martin/SourceMedia Group News)

Tools

By Kelli Sutterman

Story Created: Mar 3, 2011 at 8:54 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 24, 2011 at 3:36 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - It has evidently been a long five year wait for RAGBRAI riders and fans in Coralville.

On Thursday Laurie Haman, Vice President of the Iowa City/Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, said many area hotels are already booked for the last weekend in July.

“It’s a good indication of interest of the RAGBRAI riders,” she said. “They want to get their rooms early.”

But RAGBRAI wont be the only thing going on in town. Haman said many students return to the University of Iowa that weekend as part of “Move-In Weekend.” She also noted a local soccer tournament and conference have been planned for that weekend as well.

“It’s going to be a busy weekend,” she said. “So if you’re looking to book a hotel you’d better act really fast.”

Despite the nearly full hotel situation, Haman said riders shouldn’t worry. She is expecting area residents to take in about 3,000 riders.

“Whether it’s an RV parking in your driveway, or a sleeping bag or tent in your backyard, or opening your home so they (riders) can come into your home,” said Haman.

The Iowa City Coralville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau hopes to launch an exclusive Coralville RAGBRAI website within the next few days.

For now, more information can be found at the official RAGBRAI website.