Benton Hill Park

If you’ve got a toddler who wants to feel like they’re on a real adventure, this hillside spot in Iowa City delivers. The play structure has that storybook quality — tunnels, climbing bits, slides — the kind of setup little kids obsess over and don’t want to leave. What makes it stand out is how it connects to an actual wooded area, with a gravel path that winds through the trees and feels like a proper hike to a three-year-old. Shade trees and covered seating mean parents aren’t baking in the sun while they wait, and there’s a BBQ area if you want to make a full afternoon of it. Parking’s easy, the vibe is low-key, and it’s honestly one of the better spots in Iowa City for the under-five crowd.