The Cedar River Bridge in downtown Waverly is the starting point of the Waverly Rail Trail and a clear landmark for nature and recreation options. Other attractions include riverside nature, public art and seasonal events. When planning a trip, you can distinguish between outdoor activities, cultural attractions and events held at set times of the year.
Nature and recreation around the Cedar River
The Waverly Rail Trail begins at the Cedar River Bridge in downtown. It is suitable for biking, hiking, cross-country skiing and nature watching. The first three activities focus on getting around; nature watching turns your attention to the surroundings. This makes it easy to choose how to use the trail based on your preferred activity, without treating its different uses as interchangeable.
Kohlmann Park offers another landmark. It is located in the heart of Waverly on the banks of the Cedar River and connects the bike trail to the north with the downtown loop. This connection is a useful point of reference for understanding the routes: the park is notable not only for its riverside location, but also for linking two bike trail routes.
The wildlife along the Cedar River is another distinct aspect of the natural surroundings. Ducks, geese and bald eagles live near the river in Waverly year-round. This makes it different from the four uses of the Rail Trail: this is about wildlife near the river, while the trail is about activities on the route.
Art, music and seasonal events
The Butterfly Garden at the Waverly Public Library focuses on butterflies and moths. The garden includes sculptures depicting the life cycle of butterflies; the garden paths also illustrate life cycles, specifically those of moths and butterflies. The sculptures and paths thus explore related themes but emphasize different things.
The Shades of Rhythm Amphitheater serves as a music venue and a public work of art in Waverly. Another art event is the Waverly Art Walk, an annual juried art and craft show held on the first Saturday in May at Kohlmann Park. Concerts In Kohlmann is Waverly’s summer concert series, with events on Thursdays in June and July. The formats also differ in timing: the Art Walk is an annual event, while the concert series takes place on Thursdays over two summer months. Event dates may change, so check the current calendar if you’re planning your trip around one of these offerings.
The Waverly Farmers Market takes place on Tuesdays and Saturdays from spring through fall and offers fresh produce and baked goods. It complements the individual art and music events with recurring market days over a longer seasonal period. The market schedule may also change; check the current days if you plan to include it in your trip.
More things to do in Waverly
Other specifically named offerings include the municipal Waverly Golf Course. The Ohle Wartburg-Waverly Sports & Wellness Center has an indoor swimming pool. This adds golf and an indoor pool as distinct interests to the themes of the river, trails and events.
For a broader travel overview: Bremer County.
