Top Reasons Why Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Is Worth Visiting

We spent a full week in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on a lark. We were looking for a Midwestern town that we hadn’t been to yet, and I hadn’t been to Iowa since my college days.

Despite the persistent cricket that kept us up the first night, we had a great time.

No, seriously. Cedar Rapids is full of intrigue, whether you know where to look or not. This guide gets into all our favorite things to do in Cedar Rapids and why it’s worth your time if you’re traveling in the region.

What is Cedar Rapids known for?

Cedar Rapids is known for its connection to Grand Wood, the American artist behind the iconic American Gothic. More locally, the city is well-known for its role in cultural preservation as the region’s hub for Czech immigrants.

You’ll have a well-rounded experience if you nab yourself a pork tenderloin sandwich and a meal at one of the city’s Czech restaurants.

You may also know the town by its nickname, the “Five Seasons” thanks to a promotional campaign in the 1970s. The campaign described a fifth season as extra time to enjoy life.

It was meant to encourage residents and visitors to appreciate Cedar Rapids as a year-round destination. 

How to Spend a Day in Cedar Rapids

You can spend a day in Cedar Rapids like this:

• Visit the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library and the Czech Village.
• Grab a pastry at Sykora Bakery.
• Tour the Grant Wood Studio and Visitor Center.
• Grab lunch and treats at the NewBo City Market.
• Visit the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art.
• Take a walk around the Brucemore.
• Grab a pint at Lion Bridge Brewing Company.
• Finish with dinner at Cobble Hill.

Is Cedar Rapids worth visiting?

Cedar Rapids is worth visiting for its vibrant arts and cultural scene, diverse dining options, and unique connection to a sustained Czech immigrant population. 

It’s also worth visiting to spread the word about this town. Cedar Rapids has earned its due as a very fun town to visit for food, culture, and Czech heritage.

Cedar Rapids is pretty walkable.

Explore the natural beauty in town along the scenic Cedar River Trail. There’s a good bike trail here that we didn’t make use of as we don’t nomad around with bikes, but the walking paths were lovely. 

Strolls along this trail are a great way to introduce yourself to the vibes of downtown Cedar Rapids. This isn’t the busiest downtown you’ll come across in your travels, and that’s perfectly fine with me.

It has a rich immigrant history.

Czechs began settling in Cedar Rapids by 1850. They were intrigued by cheap farmland in the city and greater Iowa.

One thing led to another, one family led to another, and the Czech population in town rose rapidly based on word-of-mouth alone.

Visit the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library to learn more about the history of immigrants in the city. As the product of immigrants in Chicago, I love learning about populations of people who came to the United States for opportunity.

From there, explore the Czech Village and New Bohemia.

The Czech Village/New Bohemia District was once a bustling hub of Czech stores, eateries, and bakeries. You’ll know you’re in the district when you see the large banners on either end. 

A few mainstays remain, but it’s undergone some changes over the years in the form of pop-up shops that don’t quite fit in with the overall theme. 

Note: I’m all about diversity in products and offerings as long as they’re quality and a positive addition to the neighborhood. It’s been a bit of a mixed bag here!

One of the mainstays in the neighborhood is Sykora Bakery. It’s been under new ownership since our visit, but I hope you can still get yourself some apple kolaches when you’re there. They were delicious.

Cross the 16th Avenue SW Bridge into New Bohemia for Little Bohemia, the oldest tavern in Cedar Rapids. If you’re here to eat rather than drink, the pork tenderloin is what brings most people in the door.

Grant Wood had a deep connection to Cedar Rapids.

Grant Wood was born in nearby Iowa City, but he spent quite a few of his formative years in Cedar Rapids. His family moved here after his father died.

Wood stuck with Cedar Rapids when he became an art teacher at the public schools here. The work allowed him to save some money to do what he really loved: paint.

You can take a free tour of the Grant Wood Studio and Visitor Center where Wood painted his most famous painting, American Gothic. 

I didn’t need to make an appointment on the day I visited, but this place is run by volunteers. If you’re here in the summer, it may be best to give them a call to make sure someone is there to walk you through. 

I was also the only one on my tour. We climbed the steep steps up to his studio together in what felt like a harrowing mission. I loved the information about his creative process and facts about how he shared the small space with his mother and sister.

Note: The studio is next to The History Center, the local historical society and home of the city archives.

The city has a good street art scene.

There are over 30 murals in Cedar Rapids. You’ll find many of them right downtown or as you explore the Czech Village.

A few that caught my eye elsewhere were Fragments, a shimmering diamond shape on Second Avenue, and Homage to Immigrants at 213 16th Avenue SE.

Cedar Rapids is so walkable that you’ll come across at least a handful without even looking. For a bit more guidance, check out the city’s Cedar Rapids Art Walk guide.

It has a good art scene overall, too.

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is a modest museum that shows off quite a few works from local hero Wood. 

To be honest, Brian and I both loved the pieces on display from Maurits Cornelis Escher more than anything from Wood.

You can call that blasphemy if you want, but you can’t tell me it’s not impressive to create something that so beautifully combines art with math. Check him out.

Fun fact: The ceramic heads in my photo above are from artist Jun Kaneko. You’ll see them on the 3rd Avenue side of the museum.

The NewBo City Market is fun for a little bit of everything.

Peruse local vendors for unique gifts or just go with some giant pitas from Pita’z as we did at this delicious marketplace. I also treated myself to some large truffles from Lori Ann’s Candies because I was feeling a little indulgent that day. 

The market is a great place to enjoy the city’s entrepreneurial spirit on top of stuffing your face with a variety of local products. 

There are opportunities for outdoor adventure.

Enjoy Cedar River views on a nice day at Palisades-Kepler State Park, just 20 minutes southeast of the city in Mt. Vernon. If you’re able, take one of their loop hikes for the best experience in the park.

We did about 3.4 miles along the Cedar Cliffs and Palisades Loop Trail but had to modify it somewhat due to fallen trees. We never felt lost, but likely added some mileage to the trek.

If nature is your jam, the scenic trails of the Indian Creek Nature Center are another option in the city.

Mount Trashmore, a former landfill turned recreational site, and Lake Macbride State Park in nearby Solon are two more we didn’t get to.

We heard some weird things about the water quality at Lake Macbride, so that’s why we didn’t get out there. Do with that what you will, as we didn’t experience it ourselves.

You can feel fancy at the Brucemore.

The Brucemore is a 26-acre historic estate known for its expansive gardens. It was closed to tours on the inside during our trip, but if the gates are open, you can wander the grounds.

That’s what we did and it quickly became one of our favorite stops in Cedar Rapids.

Check out the mansion’s exterior and find your favorite woodland creature statue. It’s not all fancy, though. If you love the idea of weird things to do in Cedar Rapids, seek out the pet cemetery here.

Fun fact: Apparently, the former owners had a lion. 

The Brucemore is also one of the most important sites in Cedar Rapids. It’s the only National Trust Historic Site in the state of Iowa and an excellent example of Queen Anne-style architecture. 

It’s been home to three different prominent families in its history and a center for arts and culture over the years. I’d love to return during the winter holidays to check it out all decked out for Christmas. Visit the website to book tours if you’d like to get inside.

The city treats its Black history with respect.

Our home for the week was near the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, so obviously I had to pop by when I spotted the historical signage out front. This is the oldest historically Black church in the city.

The congregation has been in this spot in some form since the 1870s. The current structure was built between 1931 and 1932. It has served as an important social, political, and religious space for Cedar Rapids’ Black population ever since.

You can take a deep dive into Black history from an Iowa perspective at the African American Museum of Iowa. The last section about redlining in the state hit me the hardest.

Redling is a discriminatory practice where financial institutions systematically deny loans or other financial services to people based on race or ethnicity. Affected areas were often marked in red on maps, so that’s where the name came from. 

The practice led to layers of racial segregation on top of an already divided society not just in Iowa but across the country. It also left marginalized communities affected by redlining with limited access to resources and opportunities. I highly recommend a stop.

Cedar Rapids has a great brewery scene.

Lion Bridge Brewing Company was our first stop. The beers here didn’t just taste good. Everything smelled really good, too. I’m not even talking about the hops. We had a spiced black ale here that fit so well with the start of fall.

Clock House Brewing was in the middle of an anniversary night during our visit, but we were still able to grab a few tasters to sample. 

We paired those with some of the available popcorn from Almost Famous Popcorn Company and a few more substantial snacks from Black Sheep Social Club next door.

Duck-fat fries are always a good idea, but they serve up a full lunch and dinner menu if you’re looking for ideas.

Another option nearby is the Iowa Brewing Company. We didn’t try that one, but it gets high marks for a diverse lineup that includes sour smoothie ales. If you haven’t had one of those yet, you’re missing out.

The cocktails are nice, too.

The wine here is just OK — you are in Iowa, after all — but the spirits are where it’s at. The Cedar Ridge Distillery is the best place to check out the scene.

Add some of that Adirondack chair ambiance on a warm, sunny day, and all of a sudden you’re in for a very special afternoon.

They have a decent-looking food menu, too, but we were here to drink. The pours are very generous, so moderate your drinking and make sure you have access to a ride afterward.

If you like live music with your drinks, Cocktails & Co in nearby Marion is a popular option.

The city has good dining.

We didn’t eat in a fancy way while in Cedar Rapids, but we ate WELL. Bricks Bar & Grill was recommended to us by a few locals, so we had to go.

The delicious smoked wings at this place are worth a visit, but you can make an afternoon of this place thanks to its extensive beer menu. The rest of the food menu is fine, but I’m telling you that you’re here for the wings. 

If you like options, here are a few more:

• Cobble Hill: This is a fancier option, although the prices don’t approach anywhere near what you’d see in a bigger city. Make reservations for this one.
• Need Pizza: Head to this spot for yummy pies and a generous late-night happy hour if you’re seeking things to do in Cedar Rapids after dark.
• The Quarter Barrel Arcade & Brewery: Feel like a kid again with a side of arcade games as your entertainment in Cedar Rapids.

The city is family-friendly.

We don’t have kids, but we enjoy activities that keep us young at heart. Cedar Rapids is full of options for those traveling deep with little ones and seeking family fun.

Visit Ushers Ferry Historic Village, a recreated town that depicts life in Iowa between 1890-1910, or catch a baseball game courtesy of the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Meet the critters at Old MacDonald’s Farm in Bever Park, an experience we missed by minutes on our visit thanks to a Google fail. Visiting farms are the kind of sports I prefer.

READ MORE: Seriously, I love a good farm, especially if there are goats involved. I’ve even done yoga with them!

It’s a good base for day trips.

If you’re only in Cedar Rapids for a weekend, stick to the city limits. If you’re here for longer as we were, Cedar Rapids is a decent base for some fun day trips. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular options:

• Iowa City: This is home to the University of Iowa and its prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop, a program that has churned out some of the biggest names in writing. I have a detailed travel guide to all of the fun waiting in Iowa City.
• Dyersville: This is home to the Field of Dreams movie site. If you build it, they will come. I wrote up a full guide to an experience I’d highly recommend on your trip through Iowa.
• Dubuque: Dubuque’s identity is centered around its placement on the Mississippi River. Learn more about why at one of the town’s most popular attractions, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.
• Des Moines: Don’t miss the Iowa State Capitol and a stroll on the Des Moines Riverwalk. Pappajohn Sculpture Park has a sculpture that you and the kids can climb all over, a rarity in these types of places. 

READ MORE: If you’re planning a trip to Iowa City, stop by the Devonian Fossil Gorge.

Where to Stay in Cedar Rapids

You have quite a few options for accommodations in Cedar Rapids. I wouldn’t recommend ours for a first-time stay due to loud cricket activity and a location off of an alley.

Use the map below to find a Cedar Rapids hotel or apartment that works for you:

You should spend some time in Cedar Rapids.

Walk the Cedar River Trail, explore the Czech Village, and learn about Grant Wood at the Grant Wood Studio and Visitor Center. Cedar Rapids also has a great dining scene if you’re here to snack.

I’m sure we’ll be back in Iowa at some point during our Midwestern travels. If so, we know where we’ll look as a great base!

On the search for more of the Midwest? Check out these guides:

• An Eating Guide to Chicago’s Logan Square
• Top Day Trips to Take from Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Plan a Trip to Fargo in North Dakota
• How to Take a Trip to Bay City, Michigan
• Love Movie Magic? Visit This Spot in Cleveland

I’m not done, yet. Here are a few more:

• Top Reasons to Visit Saugatuck, Michigan
• You’ll Want to Eat the Best Pizza in Chicago
• How to See the Best of the Apostle Islands
• Take a Trip to Ohio’s Cuyahoga Valley
• A Guide to the Best of Ohio’s Cleveland

Want to see more?