23 Best & Fun Things to Do in Cedar Rapids (IA)

In search of the best and most fun things to do in Cedar Rapids, Iowa?

Established in 1919, Cedar Rapids is the second-largest city and a seat of Linn county, east-central Iowa, United States. The town lies astride the Cedar River adjacent to Marion (northeast) and Hiawatha (north), about 25 miles northwest of Iowa City.

The east bank of Cedar Rapids, settled in the late 1830s and surveyed in 1841, was named Rapids City for the rapids, which supplied abundant waterpower. Cedar Rapids was renamed when incorporated as a town in 1849, with the advent of the railroads in 1859. Below are the 23 attractions in Cedar Rapids you will love to visit.

Planning a trip to Cedar Rapids? Here are the top things to do in Cedar Rapids, IA.

Things to Do in Cedar Rapids

1. National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
Credits: ArtisticAbode [CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library opened in July 2012 with a world-class display of “Alphonse Mucha: An Inspiration of Art Nouveau,” which features 230 pieces directly from London and Prague.

National Czech and Slovak Museum is 50,000 square. Ft. building consists of two galleries that totaled exhibitions on the art, culture, and history of Czech and Slovaks. You will also find the two-room 1880’s Czech immigrant house in the museum, home for five generations.

Curated by the National Museum in Bratislava, the treasures of Slovakia contain more than 120 rare and outstanding artworks and artifacts, many of which have never left Slovakia before. You will find the folk dress, embellished leather goods, carved wooden implements, folk jewelry, metal works, and many others in the museum.

National Czech and Slovak Museum are available for group tours of all ages at the museum and library. Exploring the museum is one of the fun things to do in Cedar Rapids; they also offer special packages and discourage for ten or more people.

Address: 1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-5918

2. Brucemore

Brucemore
Credits: Richard Roche / Flickr
Brucemore

Brucemore is a living landmark that charts the history of Cedar Rapids. Brucemore is a 26-acre park-like estate exploration of its grounds, history, gardens, plus a 21-room mansion.

Each season in Brucemore, Nature’s changing beauty captivates visitors to the estate, as it offers new and fun experiences. The Brucemore is one of the best things to do in Cedar Rapids if you’re in search of one.

You enjoy some of the events like the festivals, concerts, theater, strolling in the garden with your loved ones, holiday celebrations, plus tours. This enliven’s the site and celebrates the heritage of the community. Brucemore is dedicated to preserving historic structures important to its regional story, increasing opportunities to use the sites for programs, cultural events, and tours,

Brucemore also strengthens the security around the estates to protect the priceless collection and recover and replenish the historic landscape. There are many histories to discover and learn, plus other unique artworks you will find in Brucemore.

Address: 2160 Linden Dr. SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403-1748

3. Czech Village / New Bohemia District

The District: Czech Village & New Bohemia
Credits: The District: Czech Village & New Bohemia / Facebook
The District: Czech Village & New Bohemia

The Czech Village and New Bohemia neighborhoods make up the district. The district features a vibrant place for friends and family to gather to enjoy great entertainment, fun bars, award-winning restraints, world-class museums, plus a unique shopping experience.

Czech Village and New Bohemia District are some of the top places to visit in Cedar Rapids as it is a spectacular place you will love to live is work in, as they support varieties of entrepreneurial entities. The district also hosts tourists, local visitors, students, and organizations working on employee retention and recruitment.

There are so numerous things you will love to do or places to visit in Czech Village and New Bohemia District; they also host the state and national Main-Street Program, where you will learn about the art and history of the city.

Situated in the heart of Cedar Rapids, Czech Village and New Bohemia are some of the fun places to visit in Cedar Rapids, as they have almost every you will enjoy and love to taste.

Address:10th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401

4. NewBo City Market

NewBo City Market
Credits: NewBo City Market / Facebook
NewBo City Market

The NewBo City Market is a community-based economic development organization that has become an adorned cultural and community gathering space, music, learning, art, and a range of activities.

The market is a dynamic public area that promotes health, well-being, and happiness in the heart of the New Bohemia District, close to downtown Cedar Rapids.

NewBo City Market host several other free and family-friendly events like evening concerts by local musicians, wellness activities such as yoga and group bike rides, plus other large community festivals that display the rich culture and beautiful talents. NewBo City Market is a public community hub of activity designed to enlighten, inspire, and entertain. There are many fun things to do in Cedar Rapids, and visiting NewBo City Market is one of them.

Address: 1100 3rd St SE Located in the Heart of the Czech Village/New Bohemia District, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-2306

5. Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Credits: Paul Sableman / Flickr
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Founded in 1895, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is a dynamic and thriving art museum of the community of Cedar Rapids for its visitors and society alike. With over 2,000 years of art on display in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids, the museum has something to offer for everyone.

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is committed to exciting, educating, and engaging its visitors through the arts. The outstanding art inspires the museum of art East gathered at the 1893 World’s Colombian Exposition in Chicago; this led to the founding of Cedar Rapids Museum of Art in 1895.

Address: 410 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1606

6. Paramount theater

Paramount theater
Credits:SimoneN / Shutterstockh

Paramount Theatre is one of the 300 movie palaces left in the United States; established in the architecturally extravagant 1920s, Paramount Theatre hosts yearly concerts, fundraisers, corporate meetings, dance recitals, and a Broadway Series.

The Theatre features the Orchestra Iowa, the region’s premier symphony orchestra. Paramount Theatre is dedicated to maximizing the presentation of successful events in client’s facilities for the cultural, recreational, economic, and educational benefit of the communities they serve.

Paramount Theatre’s main management polish centered on events, which is the lifeblood of a successful public assembly facility, and the philosophy is central to their goal. On September 1, 1928, the theater opened as the Capitol Theatre; the capital offered comedians, dancers, acrobats, singers, along with an audience sing-along, the Wurlitzer organ, and a film.

Address: 123 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1403

7. Indian Creek Nature Center

Indian Creek Nature Center
Credits:Jacob Lund/ Shutterstockh

Indian Creek Nature Center is Iowa’s first and only private, non-profit nature center, with over 500 acres of woodland, wetlands, and prairie, plus more than 5 miles of trails in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The Nature Center is headquartered in the Amazing Space building, one of only 31 Living Building Challenge Petal Certified buildings globally and in Iowa; this makes it one of the most sustainable buildings worldwide.

Indian Creek Nature Center is one of the attractions in Cedar Rapids you need to explore, as it is dedicated to creating a more sustainable future through environmental education, offering leadership in land preservation restoration, plus encouraging responsible interaction with Nature.

The Nature Center features eight miles of trails at Indian Creek, including a boardwalk trail through a marsh with extensive views of Upper and Lower Lakes WMA. Most of the trails consist of informational plaques; you can also enjoy self-guided Nature walks on the trails. You will also find wildlife alongside a myriad of amphibians, mammals, reptiles, and migratory birds.

Address: 5300 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

8. Grant Wood Studio

Grant Wood Studio
Credits: Jonathan Dresner / Flickr
Grant Wood Studio

The Grant Wood Studio is owned and managed by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, which consists of the world’s most extensive collection of works by Wood. The museum is situated three blocks from the Grant Wood Studio.

Grant Wood Studio is one of the best places to visit in Cedar Rapids. It features incredible paintings and artworks you will love to view and learn about other historical and exciting things in the studio. The studios reflect Wood’s passion for architecture and design.

Grant Wood lived and worked in the city from 1924 to 1935, and he created many famous paintings in the studio, including the painting of the American Gothic.

You will find other paintings in the studio, including the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, Daughters of the Revolution, Woman with Plants, Dinner for Threshers, and others.

Address: 810 2nd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403-2402

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9. Cedar River

Cedar River
Credits: Kevin Cass / Shutterstock
Cedar River

The Cedar River features a 338-mile-long river in Iowa and Minnesota and; the river is a tributary of the Iowa River that flows to the Mississippi River. The Cedar River was initially called the Red Cedar River by the Meskwaki and later got its name from red cedar trees growing there.

The first Mississippi steamboat got to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in 1844, and during the next decade, the Red Cedar was an important commercial waterway. The Cedar River is one of the attractions to visit in Cedar Rapids if you’re a nature lover.

The Cedar river passes through Austin, Minn., Charles City, Cedar Falls, Waterloo, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa; its primary tributaries are the Little Cedar and the Shell Rock rivers. Explore the Cedar River to discover exciting things about the area, the river, and the parts/paths it meanders.

10. African American Museum of Iowa

African American Museum of Iowa
Credits: Griot2012 [CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
African American Museum of Iowa
The African-American Museum of Iowa is a statewide museum committed to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history.

The African American Museum is Iowa’s leading educational resource on the topic; the museum educates over 30,000 people every year through museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, youth and adult education programs, and community and fundraising events.

African American Museum is one of the attractions in Cedar Rapids you will love to visit, as you will find unique collections and exhibits that trace Iowa’s African American history from its beginnings to the present.

The African American Museum envisions building a community that comes together to foster a greater appreciation and understanding of Iowa’s history and culture through engagement, conversation, and reflection.

Address: 55 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-2202

11. Bever Park

Bever Park
Credits:YanLev / Shutterstockh

Bever Park is home to Old MacDonald’s Farm, managed and operated by the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department. A farm exhibit is open from May through October, from 10: 00 am to 12:45 pm every day, for scheduled tours and cleaning.

The Old MacDonald’s Farm is accessible to everyone. Some of the animals you will see on the farm are Lambs, Piglets, Rabbits, chickens, ducks, calves, goats, and others. Dogs are allowed in the park guys must be on a leash.

Go to Bever Pak with your kids as they will love petting the animals or playing around in the park. You can enjoy strolling around the animal enclosure and interacting with them.

In Bever Park, you will also enjoy swimming in the pool or taking a nice workaround to the park with your loved ones. A visit to Bever Park is worth your stop.

Address: 2700 Bever Park Trail, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

12. Clock House Brewing

Clock House Brewing
Credits: Leszek Czerwonka / Shutterstockh

The Clock House Brewing is situated in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. You can also visit the Clock House Brewing taproom inside the Black Sheep Social Club with your friends or family.

Clock House Brewing originated from the passion for beer of three like-minded beer enthusiasts that strive towards seeing the craft beer industry boom. The brewery works towards appeasing every palate with a wide selection of brews.

Clock House Brewing seats 60 visitors in the separate brew-pub space and offers house-made brew. The brewery provides a small but tasty menu prepared by the talented Black Sheep kitchen; you will surely love the delicious food served there.

You will also find the To-go growlers as they are available, including quality Clock House Brewing merchandise. Kindly stop in one of the best places to visit in Cedar Rapids with your loved ones as you all relax over a table of great drinks and make good memories.

Address: 600 1st St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-2016

13. Cedar Rapids Public Library

Cedar Rapids Public Library
Credits:jakkaje879 / Shutterstockh

Cedar Rapids Public Library connects people to information, experiences, and services which enhance their quality of life so the community can enjoy, learn and thrive.

A visit to Cedar Rapids Public Library is one of the top things to do in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for resources, information, and entertainment. They are the beacon of literacy to those who seek understanding and knowledge.

The Public Library serves the town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa; it has two locations the Downtown Library, situated at 450 5th Avenue SE, and the Ladd Library, at 3750 Williams Blvd SW.

Cedar Rapids Public Library works together work the Hiawatha Public Library and Marion Public Library, which permits them to share a collection of partners on programs materials and make resources more available to all citizens.

Numerous people, including visitors and residents, visited the new library, the meeting room spaces, and Whipple Auditorium.

Address; 450 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1904

14. Masonic Library and Museum

Masonic Library and Museum
Credits: antefixus21 / Flickr
Masonic Library and Museum

Masonic Library and Museum is acknowledged as one is the best facilities worldwide to perform Masonic research. Masonic Library and Museum house more than 250 000 volumes, of which thousands are rare books for dedicated researchers, plus circulating collection for the casual reader.

Masonic Library and Museum also collects materials dealing with non-Masonic topics, including government, education, history, social history, religion, etc. If you ask what to do in Cedar Rapids, visit the Masonic library as they are amazing things you will learn and enjoy.

The museum in the library houses Masonic decorative arts, artifacts, medallions, regalia, equipment, and jewels from around the globe. You will also discover a collection of Lincoln memorabilia, plus a civil war battle flag in the museum.

The general museum houses many artifacts that deal with history, from Babylonian tablets and ancient Egyptian tomb art to historical military items and pioneer collections.

The Swab Room of Masonic Library and Museum contains a collection of porcelain, figurines, vases, jewelry, and other fine art from around the world collected in the early 20th century.

Address: 813 1st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-5001

15. Ushers Ferry Historic Village

Ushers Ferry Historic Village
Credits:Ushers Ferry Historic Village / Facebook
Ushers Ferry Historic Village

Ushers Ferry Historical Village is accessible for touring from June to August, starting Monday to Friday from 9 am to 3:30 pm.

Ushers Ferry Historic Village offers the residents of Cedar Rapids and Eastern Iowa an excellent venue for family-friendly activities, events, and programs, which build a community from the historical perspective of a miniature Iowa town at the turn of the 20th century.

Ushers Ferry Historical Village is situated on a ten-acre site in a beautiful Seminole Valley Park; it features 20 historic buildings depicting life in a small Iowa town between 1890 and 1910. The Village also offers special events, schools tours, and educational programs throughout the year; it is also open for weddings private or corporate party rentals.

Address: 5925 Seminole Valley Trl NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411-7738

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16. Prairie Park Fishery

Prairie Park Fishery
Credits: Nikolay Antonov/ Shutterstockh

Prairie Park Fishery offers opportunities to its guests for fishing, ice fishing, picnicking, paddle sports, scuba diving, and geocaching.

Prairie Park Fishery is ADA accessible; it also features a 1.7-mile complex surface trail loop around the 65-acre lake, providing excellent views for hikers, walkers, and bicyclists.

You can visit the park with your friends or family to enjoy strolling on the trails around the lake in the garden; you can also watch the birds. Dogs are allowed at Prairie Park Fishery but must leash at all times; no jet skis, speed boats, or sailboats are permitted in the park.

Prairie Park Fishery is a fun place to visit in Cedar Rapids, as there are exciting activities you can engage in; the park is open year-round every day from 6 am to dusk.

This makes what to do in Cedar Rapids, for a fun time, do add to your checklist of fun things to do in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Address: 2125 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403-4734

17. Veterans Memorial Stadium

Veterans Memorial Stadium
Credits: Iowahwyman [CC BY-SA 3.0], Wikimedia Commons
Veterans Memorial Stadium
The Stadium is a minor league baseball stadium in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The Memorial Stadium is the home field of the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the High-A Central.

The city owns Veterans Memorial Stadium, which was named to honor veterans of all wars. The Veterans Memorial Commission operates and manages the Stadium; the Linn County All Veterans Memorial is next to the Stadium.

The original Veterans Memorial Stadium was established in 1949 for the Cedar Rapids Rockets of the Central Association, which later became home to the Cedar Rapids Indians, the Cedar Rapids Raiders, and the Cedar Rapids Braves of the Illinois–Indiana–Iowa League.

Veterans Memorial Stadium features a total seating capacity of 5,300; you will also find 12 luxury suites and several sections reserved for group outings, including a mezzanine terrace in the upper deck behind first base, a pavilion, and a pre-game picnic area.

In addition to Kernels games, the Stadium hosted the Midwest League All-Star Game in 2004 and 2016, alongside other events like concerts, the American Legion World Series, baseball games and tournaments, the annual Corridor Classic between the Northern Iowa Panthers and the Iowa Hawkeyes, and others.

Address: 950 Rockford Rd SW Behind Kingston Stadium, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-1859

18. Sac & Fox Trail

Sac & Fox Trail
Credits: antstang/ Shutterstockh

Amongst the best things to do in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is hiking the Sac and Fox Trail.

The Sac and Fox Trail is the oldest designated National Recreation Trail in Iowa, providing 7.2 miles of shady, beautiful recreation along the Indian Creek and Cedar River on the outskirts of Cedar Rapids.

For the most part, Sac and Fox Trail is crushed limestone, and the terrain is mainly leveled, which makes it a famous route for cyclists and equestrians, plus cross-country skiers during winter.

Trail users may also like to check out the adjacent Indian Creek Nature Center, which hosts frequent activities and provides information about the area, a gift shop, and exhibits. Sac and Fox Trail continues north and west along the creek through densely wooded land that ends at a residential area on the eastern edge of Cedar Rapids.

Parking is available at several points along the trail. Explore Sac and Fox Trail with your friends or family to enjoy a memorable experience.

Address: Mt Vernon Rd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

19. The History Center

The History Center
Credits: The History Center / Facebook
The History Center

The History Center is dedicated to providing an excellent community resource that preserves and shares the stories of the community’s past and connects people of all ages to the present and future of Linn County.

History Center makes the history is the community accessible to everyone to enjoy, as they link the past to the present and future of Linn County. The History Center restored and renovated the Douglas Mansion on 2nd Ave for their move there during the Fall of 2018.

The Linn County Historical Museum Association started in 1969, established by several residents interested in permanently preserving the history of Linn County; this led to the establishment of the History Center to keep Ave celebrating its stories.

Address: 800 2nd Ave SE Suite 103, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403

20. Cedar Rapids Farmers Market

Cedar Rapids Farmers Market
Credits: dotshock / Shutterstockh

The Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market has become one of the largest open-air markets in the Midwest, featuring a complete and safe outdoor season all year round. Vendors can apply to offer their products for sale.

The Downtown Farmers’ Market is proud to display vendors selling goods and produce, all made in Iowa, grown and created by each vendor. Every first & third Saturday from June to September, you will find fresh produce, unique gifts, and delicious prepared foods and beverages, all supporting local Iowa business.

Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers has been recognized as one of the largest open-air markets in the Midwest and rated as a best-in-class farmers market by the American Farmland Trust. As you visit the Downtown Market, you will find traditional market products like meats and cheeses, unique artisan gifts, flowers, baked goods, and specialty food items.

21. Mount Trashmore

 

 

Mount Trashmore
Credits:VGstockstudio/ Shutterstockh

Mount Trashmore features a former landfill with 6 million tons of garbage, transitioning into a recreational site. Mount Trashmore appears to be a park with park features but is still a landfill.

Climb to reach the top of Mount Trashmore to discover the perfect view in Linn County, and you’re sure to love the beautiful view of the area. If you love mountain biking, you can come along with your mountain bike to enjoy a fantastic ride on the nice gravity-fed-flow trail.

Mount Trashmore is one of the best places to visit in Cedar Rapids as it has something for everyone; you will find a check-in kiosk, bike fix-it stations, gathering space, picnic tables, benches, restrooms, hydration station, and trail staff in the building.

Mount Trashmore strives to provide access to incredible views of the area while putting safety first as its priority. Mount Trashmore is also the perfect place to spend a good and enjoyable day with your loved ones.

Address: 2250 A St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-3003

22. U.S. Cellular Center

U.S. Cellular Center
Credits: Jacob Lund / Shutterstockh

The United States Cellular Center is the perfect place to go with your family or friends to watch live events, performances, displays, and other unique activities that take place in the center.

You won’t love to miss the CREventsLive; it is the perfect destination for your live entertainment, events, theater, Ava concerts in Eastern Iowa; VenuWorks manages the center.

You will meet excellent and friendly people in the center, and the restrooms are clean, the seats are comfortable, alongside helpful and friendly staff.

Do consider for your bucket list of things to do in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, for a fun time.

Address: 370 1st Ave NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1108

23. Grant Wood Window in Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Grant Wood Window in Veterans Memorial Auditorium
Credits:Marilee Reinertson Torres / Facebook
Grant Wood Window in Veterans Memorial Auditorium

Veterans Memorial Auditorium is a memorial featuring several incredible civil war items, including the stained glass memorial window designed by Grant Wood.

Completed in 1929, the window in the auditorium is a 16 foot “Lady of Mourning” with life-size soldiers from the Revolutionary War through WWI. Before creating American Gothic, Grant Wood designed the window, which sent him to national fame.

The memorial window stands 24-ft tall and 20 feet wide; it showcases a central female figure lady representing the Republic-significantly holding a palm branch of peace and laurel wreath of victory with six-stoic soldiers at the base representing the War of 1812 and others.

Address: 50 2nd Avenue Brg, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1225

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Plan your trip to Cedar Rapids

Are you ready for your next vacation? Are you in search of the perfect destination to experience a fun and memorable holiday with your friends or family? A spectacular place for you and your loved ones is in the beautiful city, Cedar Rapids.

The city is home to beautiful recreational parks, museums, historical places, restaurants, performances and exhibits, artworks, farmers market, collections of excellent and quality apparel, jewelry and accessories, delicious foods, outdoor games, many others.

So pack your bags, make a bucket list of things to do in Cedar Rapids, as you get ready to explore this fun city.