Five Historic Iowa Theatres Worth Visiting

Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, live performances and film screenings required proper showcase venues.

This led to the building of beautiful theaters and opera houses throughout Iowa. While some were demolished years ago, many still exist all around rural and urban Iowa. Fortunately, a number of these theaters have been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, allowing residents and theater enthusiasts to experience these historic theaters for years to come.

Here are five Iowa historic theatres you should visit:

Oster Regent Theatre

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Tucked away in the college town of Cedar Falls, the Oster Regent Theatre is located on the perfect spot of the corner of Main and First streets. This Italian Renaissance-style theatre was built in the early 20th century and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1993. With its brick facade and iconic green marquee, this downtown theatre is surrounded by delicious eateries, making it the perfect place for a weekend getaway.

The Cedar Falls Community Theatre produces five plays per season at Oster Regent Theatre. Additionally, other traveling performances are held in this 500-seat venue. The good news for theatergoers is the tickets will not burn a hole in your pocketbook.

Address: 103 Main St., Cedar Falls

Tickets: Varies

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Warren Cultural Center

Photo courtesy of the Warren Cultural Center

Nestled in the small town of Greenfield, the Warren Cultural Center contains an opera house-turned-auditorium worth a visit in rural Adair County. Built in 1896, this building has a unique copper turret, a circular structure with a green top on the northwest corner of the building. Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and restored in 2012, this building has everything. There is the upstairs auditorium, a third-floor Airbnb rental, and Ed & Eva’s, a ground-floor gift shop. Ed & Eva’s was named after the builders of the opera house; it is a boutique shop with goods created by Iowa artists.

While the auditorium is smaller, you can see national touring acts and local talent perform in a charming intimate setting. For those who want to spend a night, you can rent out the guest balcony suite with the attached turret that overlooks the town square on Airbnb.

Address: 154 Public Square, Greenfield

Tickets: Varies

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Avery Theatre

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For lake lovers and film buffs, take the 15-minute drive to Garner after spending a day at Clear Lake so you can check out the Art Deco architecture of the Avery Theater. Built from 1930-31, the Avery Theater has 193 seats to enjoy the latest films. While it spent some time operating as a pharmacy, the theater was renovated in the early 2010s and reopened in 2013 to its former glory. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008, it provides a perfect nightcap after a day on the water in Clear Lake.

Bonus: Grab some ice cream on your way over to Garner! The best ice cream place in Iowa is The Viking in Ventura.

Tickets: $4 for adults, $3 for children; and add $2 for 3D movies

Address: 495 State St., Garner

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DeWitt Operahouse Theatre

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This 239-seat theatre is the perfect place to go see a film if you are in eastern Iowa. Built in 1878, the DeWitt Operahouse Theatre hosts movies, concerts, speakers, and other entertainment. While first-run movies are shown two to three weeks after their national release date, tickets are no more than $5. According to the theatre’s website, their popcorn is the best movie theater popcorn around. It’s grown and processed in Iowa and popped fresh every day to make every movie-going experience a tasty delight. While you get to watch an interesting movie for a low price, you also get to judge if the popcorn game is truly the best.

Address: 716 Sixth Ave., DeWitt

Tickets: $5 evening shows for all ages; $4 matinees for all ages

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Grand Theatre

Google Maps screenshot

Built in the early 20th century, the Grand Theater in Knoxville has a gorgeous marquee you will not miss in the town square. It spent time under the Fridley Theatres name up until 2011. Since then, it was bought and renovated by a nonprofit group led by local residents who reestablished it as the Grand Theater. With 215 seats in the main auditorium and 84 seats in the upstairs auditorium, this theater provides the perfect movie-going experience. The lobby may be small, but the theater provides a grand—pun intended—experience. While mostly focused on movies, the theater also offers music and comedy performances.

Address: 212 E. Robinson St., Knoxville, IA

Tickets: $5  for all ages

by Sean Dengler
02/25/22

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