July is National Anti-Boredom Month and last week we took a quick look at the reasons why we find ourselves bored. The obvious main variable is the current health crisis and how we’ve had to adapt to a socially distant way of life, but this uniting factor can play out differently for everyone. No matter your situation, the long hot days of summer need to be filled somehow to keep us active and entertained during this new normal.

In our fourth month of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and with numbers on the rise again, finding ways to enjoy and support your community in a safe manner is important. Many local businesses and annual events have made their way online and a little bit of digging reveals a slew of ways to connect with nature, yourself, and your loved ones. Read on for a brief overview of things we’ve found and we encourage you to leave more suggestions in the comments or our inbox.

By now you’ve probably perfected your grocery shopping strategy and have favorite local eateries programmed into your phone, so we won’t wax poetic about dining options. However, we do suggest expanding your menu to include some of the amazing black-owned eateries in the area. Little Village put a list together last month and Iowa City Moms has a list that includes other services like photography, movers, dog groomers, and more. Use your coffee-buying dollars to pick up some beans from Blk & Bold roasters based in Des Moines and you’ll not only support a black-owned business but help at-risk youth as well. Read the Fortune Magazine article about how Blk & Bold includes social impact into their business model.

If you’re tired of sitting aimlessly at home while the world is struggling to deal with the overwhelming effects of the Coronavirus, lend a hand or your dollars to help out. The city of Iowa City put together a list of ways you can provide help locally, from donating blood to making personal protective equipment. Encourage the rest of the family to put down their devices and join you in finding an organization or cause that you feel passionate about. The community needs your support more than ever right now and volunteering is a great way for kids to learn sacrifice, responsibility, and compassion.

At home streaming services have helped us escape reality at the click of a button but there’s nothing like catching a movie on the big screen. Indoor theaters remain closed but Iowa City’s non-profit cinema, Film Scene, can help you recreate some of that movie magic at home with concession bundles (with $5 from each going to a local cause). If you and your family are also looking to escape the confines of your living room, rent one of their theaters for your own personal movie screening. Otherwise, catch a movie on the big screen under the stars! The Iowa City Free Movie Series has relocated to the Iowa City Municipal Airport for a socially distant drive-in experience. Admission is free but you must register to secure a spot. This weekend’s viewing of Knives Out is full, but take a look at their website for more info and registration links.

Want to add a mini-road trip and a double feature? There are at least three drive-in movie theaters in eastern Iowa to choose from, all of which are playing Empire Strikes Back at some point this weekend. Just about 50 miles away is the Blue Grass Drive-In, a familiar place if you participated in RAGBRAI two years ago. The week of July 10th – 17th they are showing Palm Springs & Black Panther, The Empire Strikes Back & Raiders of the Lost Ark, or Inside Out & Ghostbusters. A little further away near Maquoketa is the 62 Drive-In which will be showing Shrek and The Empire Strikes Back. An hour and fifteen minutes West on I-80 will take you to the Valle Drive-In in Newton, showing The Empire Strikes Back along with Jaws. Follow their social media and website for future movie options.

If a road trip sounds like a nice getaway, there are plenty of fun and interesting places around the state to visit. Seek out one of the many Roadside Attractions listed for Iowa such as Iowa’s Largest Frying Pan, the Volkswagen Beetle Spider, or the American Gothic House. Spend some time at the Grotto of Redemption in West Bend, Iowa, an impressive hidden Gem to get lost in. Just 20 minutes south of Iowa City is the future birthplace of James T. Kirk in Riverside, Iowa. Unfortunately, COVID-19 canceled their 36th annual Trekfest, but you can still see the Captain Kirk monument, his bronze statue, and the Star Trek Voyage Home Museum. If you’re missing sports right now, the movie site for Field of Dreams is an hour and thirty minutes North in Dyersville, Iowa. They are open daily for tours or events and be sure to join them for their First Responders Appreciation Day event. There will be trivia, tours, kids activities, and music, as well as an end of day screening of the Field of Dreams movie.

Hit the road and find one of the many museums in Iowa to learn about art, prairie life, or even some of the houses stationed on the Underground Railroad. Check out the Grant Wood archive at the Figge Art Museum, attend Free First Saturday for Students at the Czech and Slovak Museum, or look to Edouard and Marie-Louise Pailleron as good examples for social distancing at the Des Moines Art Center. If you’re feeling science-y there’s the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium in Waterloo or the Science Center in Des Moines. Soak up nature at the Effigy Mounds in Harpers Ferry or the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque. Travel Iowa has many resources for exploring the state including a build a trip option.

Stop by Press Coffee and stock up on coffee beans for your at home brewing or call a day in advance and we can brew up 96oz of cold brew for your day trip across the state. Cures for boredom are all around us as soon as we understand what the cause is and we take the time to discover something new. We got through some of the family-oriented options Iowa has to offer, but we have more ideas for the great outdoors and supporting local artists, farmers, and businesses. Stay tuned and enjoy summer safely.