Our Services
About Ronald McDonald House Iowa City
The Ronald McDonald House® of Iowa City sits at 730 Hawkins Drive, on the University of Iowa campus, a short walk from the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. It provides thirty-one guest rooms, and a family can stay for as long as their child is in treatment.
What’s inside
Your room
A private room with your own bathroom. Linens and towels are provided, and there’s a mini fridge in the room for anything you want to keep to yourself.
The kitchen
Open 24/7, stocked with pots, pans, dishes, utensils and glassware. There’s a pantry of non-perishables and a shared fridge with milk and eggs. Bring your own groceries if you’d prefer.
Dinner at 5:30
A prepared meal every evening. Leftovers get put away for whoever comes in late.
Laundry
Open 24/7, all free. Detergent and dryer sheets are provided.
Relax and Recharge
Lounges with TVs and comfortable seating, playrooms and a playground, peaceful, nature filled deck with couches to take a deep breath.
Getting here, and getting around
Address
730 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52246
The shuttle
A free van runs between the House and University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital six times a day — 7:45am, 9:45am, 11:45am, 1:45pm, 5:45pm and 8:45pm. It’s there for families without a car and for anyone who’d rather not drive.
Parking
When you check in, staff will discuss parking options.
How to request a room
There are no advance reservations. Because families keep their room until treatment ends, we work from a waitlist.
Call 319-500-7642 to be added to it or fill out the form at the link. If a room opens that day, staff will call you back. If you haven’t heard from us, it means nothing has opened yet — and you’re welcome to call again any time that day, or to ask about a discounted hotel room while you wait.
Questions families ask
Yes — a free van runs six times a day, and there’s no charge.
Yes, every room has a mini fridge. Rooms without a kitchenette are assigned a cabinet space and shelf in a shared refrigerator. Label anything in the shared fridge with your name and room number. There is extra storage for breast milk; just ask the staff for assistance.
Families look after their own rooms, bathroom included, and wash their own towels and linens during a stay. Cleaning supplies are stocked so there’s nothing to buy — ask staff if you need something they haven’t put out. The kitchen, the playroom and the other shared spaces get tidied by whoever used them. Staff do a quick room check on Sundays to ensure your room is in working order. Staff will provide ample notice should any repairs or routine maintenance need to be done in your room during your stay.
Yes. The building and common areas are wheelchair accessible, and several of our guest rooms are set up for wheelchairs and mobility devices. Tell us what you’ll need when you call.
Our other locations
Ronald McDonald House Family Room University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital
For families with a child in the PICU or Pediatric Cardiac ICU
Ronald McDonald House Family Room — UnityPoint Health – St. Luke's Hospital
In Cedar Rapids, for families from the NICU, the Pediatric Unit, or the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Unit.
Thinking about staying with us? Start the process by requesting a room here.