The best card shops in Iowa, ranked
The top 15 of Iowa's card shops by CardsNearby Score — a 0–100 ranking built from rating strength, review depth, specialization, and verified services (no paid placement, ever). This year's list is strongest in Other TCG, Pokémon, Magic: The Gathering. See how we rank.
- 1Critical Hit GamesScore 83
Iowa City, IA · ★ 4.5 (288) · TCG, Pokémon, Magic
Critical Hit Games carries tabletop games and trading cards in Iowa City, IA. Open seven days a week at 115 S Linn St.
Buys collections · All Iowa City shops →
- 2Mayhem Collectibles IncScore 81
Clive, IA · ★ 4.7 (1933) · TCG, Lorcana, Pokémon
Mayhem Collectibles Inc carries cards and collectibles in Clive, IA. Open seven days a week at 7500 University Ave.
- 3First Turn GamesScore 81
Cedar Rapids, IA · ★ 4.8 (313) · TCG, Pokémon, Magic
First Turn Games carries tabletop games and trading cards in Cedar Rapids, IA. Open seven days a week at 3645 1st Ave SE.
- 4
Cedar Falls, IA · ★ 4.5 (87) · Pokémon, Sports, TCG
Coulee Cards and Gaming Cedar Falls carries cards and collectibles in Cedar Falls, IA. Open seven days a week at 6322 University Ave.
Buys collections · Grading drop-off · All Cedar Falls shops →
- 5Rook Room Game Lounge & CafeScore 80
Des Moines, IA · ★ 4.9 (355) · TCG, Lorcana, Sports
Rook Room Game Lounge & Cafe carries tabletop games and trading cards in Des Moines, IA. Open seven days a week at 300 SW 5th St.
- 6Nerd HQScore 80
Davenport, IA · ★ 4.5 (133) · TCG, Pokémon, Magic
Nerd HQ carries cards and collectibles in Davenport, IA. Open 6 days a week at 102 E Kimberly Rd Ste G.
Buys collections · All Davenport shops →
- 7The CORE Comics & GamesScore 76
Cedar Falls, IA · ★ 4.7 (554) · TCG, Pokémon, Magic
The CORE Comics & Games carries comics and trading cards in Cedar Falls, IA. Open seven days a week at 1926 Valley Park Dr.
Grading drop-off · All Cedar Falls shops →
- 8Coulee Cards and GamingScore 76
Cedar Rapids, IA · ★ 4.3 (152) · Pokémon, Sports, Magic
Coulee Cards and Gaming carries cards and collectibles in Cedar Rapids, IA. Open seven days a week at 2660 Wiley Blvd SW.
Buys collections · All Cedar Rapids shops →
- 9RK CollectiblesScore 76
Coralville, IA · ★ 4.7 (110) · TCG, Pokémon, Sports
RK Collectibles carries cards and collectibles in Coralville, IA. Open 6 days a week at 2761 Oakdale Blvd Ste 3.
Grading drop-off · All Coralville shops →
- 10Tempest Games LLCScore 75
Cedar Rapids, IA · ★ 4.7 (257) · TCG, Pokémon, Magic
Tempest Games LLC carries tabletop games and trading cards in Cedar Rapids, IA. Open seven days a week at 212 Edgewood Rd NW Ste k.
- 11Geek City GamesScore 74
North Liberty, IA · ★ 4.7 (373) · TCG, Pokémon, Magic
Geek City Games carries tabletop games and trading cards in North Liberty, IA. Open seven days a week at 365 Beaver Kreek Center Ste b.
- 12Games +1Score 74
Davenport, IA · ★ 4.7 (302) · TCG, Pokémon, Magic
Games +1 carries tabletop games and trading cards in Davenport, IA. Open seven days a week at 4621 Cheyenne Ave.
- 13Atlas GamesScore 73
Ankeny, IA · ★ 4.8 (61) · TCG, Magic, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Atlas Games carries tabletop games and trading cards in Ankeny, IA. Open seven days a week at 502 N Ankeny Blvd Ste 9.
- 14Treasure Chest CollectiblesScore 73
Cedar Rapids, IA · ★ 4.5 (39) · TCG, Pokémon, Yu-Gi-Oh!
Treasure Chest Collectibles carries cards and collectibles in Cedar Rapids, IA. Open 6 days a week at 238 Blairs Ferry Rd NE Ste. 1.
Buys collections · All Cedar Rapids shops →
- 15Hi-5 Cards and MemorabiliaScore 72
Des Moines, IA · ★ 4.7 (85) · Sports, Pokémon, Lorcana
Hi-5 Cards and Memorabilia carries sports cards and memorabilia in Des Moines, IA. Open seven days a week at 1220 NE 66th Ave.
Grading drop-off · All Des Moines shops →
Good to know
FAQ
What is the best card shop in Iowa?
Critical Hit Games in Iowa City holds the top CardsNearby Score in Iowa, with Mayhem Collectibles Inc (Clive) close behind. Rankings weigh rating strength, review depth, specialization, and verified services.
Which of Iowa's best shops buy collections?
5 of the top 15 run verified buylists, including Critical Hit Games, Coulee Cards and Gaming Cedar Falls, Nerd HQ. Call ahead for large collections.
Which top Iowa shops take grading drop-offs?
Coulee Cards and Gaming Cedar Falls, The CORE Comics & Games, RK Collectibles accept grading submissions or drop-offs — confirm current turnaround tiers with the shop.
How are these rankings decided?
The CardsNearby Score (0–100) combines public rating signal, review volume, verified specialization, and confirmed services — no shop can pay for placement. See our methodology page for details.
Browse the full directory: 54 card shops in Iowa →