Top 10 Things to do in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Written and Photographed by Carrie Hanrahan
In east central Iowa, along the state’s cultural corridor, sits a historic river town that has survived multiple floods and has come back stronger each time. The second largest city in Iowa is a vibrant community nestled among the quiet cornfields and under the brilliant blue skies of the Midwest. Home to the famous artist Grant Ward, an incredible Czech & Slovak Museum, beautiful parks, and an outdoor art trail, Cedar Rapids, Iowa is a town not to be missed. Located just 25 minutes from the Amana Colonies, Cedar Rapids is a perfect destination on its own or a great trip to add to a visit to the Amana Colonies. Are you ready to explore Cedar Rapids?
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10. Go back in time at Ushers Ferry Historic Village – Take a summer or fall tour at this recreated historic village that was built to depict life in a small Iowa town during the 1890s to 1910. Historic buildings have been relocated here, near the Cedar River, to represent an early Iowa community. There are different events held throughout the year that are great fun and educational experiences for the whole family.
9. Go to a Kernels baseball game –Gotta love the name of this Iowa baseball team and its mascot, Mr. Shucks, an ear of corn with a baseball head. Grab some tickets to see this Minnesota Twins, class A Midwest League team at the Veterans Memorial Stadium and enjoy a night of exciting play. They have a large variety of theme nights and giveaways and fireworks on Saturdays.
8. Get outdoors at one of the many parks – Cedar Rapids has more than 106 parks, trails and several educational nature centers. The Indian Creek Nature Center is great for families that want to hike, be in nature and take educational self-guided tours. For the golfer, there are three golf courses to choose from. Or head over to Old MacDonald’s Farm to enjoy the free petting zoo at the big red barn. Located near Ellis Park, be sure to check out Ellis Boat Harbor to see the unique homes of people who spend their summer living on the Cedar River. With so many choices, you can find a variety of ways to be outdoors.
7. Tour the Grant Wood Studio – To gain more insight into the artist Grant Wood, stop and visit his studio located in downtown Cedar Rapids. You will get to view the building that Wood remodeled extensively to provide more living space and where he painted a majority of his works, including American Gothic. There are free, docent-guided tours available on the weekends.
6. Walk and See the Public Art – With a wonderful array of public art in Cedar Rapids, you will want to carve out time to walk around and enjoy it all. There are sculptures and murals scattered throughout town, on the sides of buildings and in the parks. By downloading a self-guided tour from the Cedar Rapids Mural Trail, you will walk about a mile and view twenty-one sculptures and murals. Be sure to continue exploring the area and you will find even more pieces of public art.
5. Visit the Veterans Memorial Building – In the middle of the Cedar River sits Mays Island and the Veterans Memorial Building. It is a massive, stunning piece of architecture that houses one of Grant Wood’s largest pieces of art. The Veterans Memorial Window is an incredible 24-foot-high by 20-foot-wide stained-glass window that is a tribute to US veterans. Inside the building, there is also a display of model airplanes that were crafted by Major Robert M. Horsky, a veteran who was born and raised in Cedar Rapids.
4. Hike Mt. Trashmore – The city has capitalized on an area that housed a former landfill and has created a wonderful hiking and biking destination in the city. What most would consider an eyesore has been transformed into a gem of a park with the most stunning views over the city and the Cedar River. Join the more than 75,000 people who have visited the trails since the park’s opening in 2018 and head to the overlook for the scenic view.
3. Visit The District – The District comprises two areas on the south end of the city: Czech Village & New Bohemia. Located across the river from each other, these communities were the first settlements of the Bohemian immigrants and were at the time called “Little Bohemia.” Following the flood of 2008, this area has been revitalized. At only 3 blocks long, the Czech Village is home to the National Czech & Slovak Museum, the Czech Cottage, where you can buy many items from the Czech and Slovak Republics, and several other shops and restaurants. Across the river, New Bohemia is larger and has a great variety of shops, restaurants, The African American Museum of Iowa and a wonderful destination called the NewBo City Market. This is a community hub where you can shop local, support new businesses and grab great food. The District is popular with the locals and visitors alike.
2. Cedar Rapids Museum of Art – The world’s largest collection of art from the famed artist Grant Wood resides at this museum. Made famous with his painting entitled American Gothic, he rose in the art community and created many beautiful pieces that can be viewed here. The museum also has a collection of over 7,800 works of art with a strong emphasis on American art, including Grant’s good friend Marvin Cone. With eight permanent collections, rotating exhibits, and a beautiful museum store, plan on spending several hours viewing incredible art.
1. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library – This grand museum along the Cedar River explores everything about Czech and Slovak heritage. Having been relocated to higher ground following the flood of 2008, this Smithsonian-affiliated museum includes an actual immigrant home and exhibits that tell the stories of a people trying to find freedom, tolerance, and a better way of life. The exhibition, Faces of Freedom: The Czech and Slovak Journey, is a wonderful exploration of choices that the immigrants had to make. There is an extensive research library for those who want to learn more about their genealogy and a beautiful store to buy traditional items to take home.
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