Cedar Rapids area
Around Cedar Rapids area
Photo: WeaponizingArchitecture · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Iowa · 461k people
Cedar Rapids area
Locals say the Corridor · “City of Five Seasons”
Where the river meets the prairie, and the kolaches are warm.
Iowa Hawkeyes goldIowa Hawkeyes black
Welcome to the Corridor, where the Cedar River winds through a city that loves its Czech roots and its Hawkeyes. Whether you're here for a Kernels game, a stroll through NewBo, or just a great pork tenderloin, you'll find a friendly, down-to-earth vibe. We're glad you're here!
Clubs for Cedar Rapids area
No clubs for Cedar Rapids area yet.
The room
Cedar Rapids area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Cedar Rapids's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Cedar Rapids. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Cedar Rapids area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Showcases Czech and Slovak heritage with exhibits and events.
- NewBo Market Public market with local vendors, food stalls, and community gatherings.
- Cedar River Trail Scenic multi-use trail along the Cedar River, popular for biking and walking.
- Cedar Rapids Museum of Art Houses a significant collection of Grant Wood and other regional art.
- Brucemore Historic estate with gardens, grounds, and community events.
- Czech Village Historic district with Czech shops, bakeries, and the National Czech & Slovak Museum.
- Outdoors Bike or walk the Cedar River Trail
- Outdoors Kayak or canoe on the Cedar River
- With kids Visit the Science Station
- With kids Explore Indian Creek Nature Center
- Evenings Catch a show at the Paramount Theatre
- Evenings See live music at McGrath Amphitheatre
- Locals love Czech bakeries
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Cedar Rapids Kernels baseball season May–September Minor league baseball at Veterans Memorial Stadium, May–September.
- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders hockey season October–April USHL hockey at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena, October–April.
- Freedom Festival July July 4th celebration with fireworks, parade, and family events along the river.
- Downtown Farmers Market June–October Weekly market with local produce, crafts, and food trucks.
- Marion Arts Festival May Juried art fair in nearby Marion with live music and kids' activities.
Cedar Rapids has a humid continental climate with hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Spring and fall are mild and pleasant, making them the best times to be outdoors. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable, with mild temps and lower humidity.
Talk like a local
- “The Corridor”
- The Cedar Rapids–Iowa City metropolitan area.
- “C.R.”
- Short for Cedar Rapids.
- “NewBo”
- The New Bohemia district, a trendy arts and dining area.
- “Czech Village”
- The historic Czech neighborhood near the river.
Getaways
- Iowa City University town with vibrant downtown, bookstores, and cultural events.
- Dubuque Historic river city with the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.
- Davenport Quad Cities hub with riverfront attractions and the Figge Art Museum.
- Waterloo Home to the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum and the Lost Island Waterpark.
Local flavour
Teams
- Cedar Rapids Kernels MiLB
- Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL
Also rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes (NCAA Division I)
Eat and drink
- Czech kolache
- Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded pork cutlet, an Iowa classic.
- Maid-Rite loose meat sandwich A regional chain known for its seasoned ground beef sandwich.
- Sweet corn Summer staple from Iowa's cornfields.
Where people go
- Czech Village Historic district with Czech shops, bakeries, and the National Czech & Slovak Museum.
- NewBo Market A vibrant public market and community gathering place.
- Cedar River trail Scenic paths along the river for walking and biking.
- Historic theatres Paramount Theatre and other venues hosting performances.
- Grain elevators Iconic agricultural structures dotting the landscape.
Heritage and traditions
Cedar Rapids is proud of its deep Czech heritage, celebrated in Czech Village and the National Czech & Slovak Museum, and of being the home of artist Grant Wood, whose 'American Gothic' put the region on the map. The city's resilience after the 2008 flood is also a source of local pride.
This time of year in Cedar Rapids area
- Cedar Rapids Marathon October Fall marathon and half-marathon through the city.
- Cedar Rapids Marathon October Fall marathon and half-marathon through the city and trails.
Say it like a local: “You bet” — A friendly way to say yes or agree.
Festivals
- Houby Days May Czech mushroom festival in Czech Village, celebrating the region's heritage.
- Grant Wood Art Festival June Held in Stone City near Anamosa, honoring the artist with art sales and activities.
- Czech Village Christmas Market December Holiday market with Czech crafts, foods, and festive lights.
- Freedom Festival July July 4th celebration with fireworks, parade, and community events.
- Downtown Farmers Market Summer Weekly market with local produce, crafts, and food vendors.
- Marion Arts Festival May Juried art show and live music in Marion.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church Historic Czech Catholic church in Cedar Rapids, reflecting the community's roots.
- Grant Wood Birthplace Located in Anamosa, the farmhouse where the artist was born.
- Stone City A historic artist colony near Anamosa, associated with Grant Wood and his students.
- Mount Vernon Historic Downtown A well-preserved Main Street with 19th-century architecture and local shops.
- National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library The largest museum of its kind in the US, preserving Czech and Slovak heritage.
- Brucemore A grand 19th-century mansion and estate, now a cultural center.
Food traditions
- Czech-style dumplings (knedliky) Served with roast pork and sauerkraut, a staple at Czech Village restaurants and festivals.
- Morel mushroom hunting In spring, locals forage for morels in wooded areas, a Czech-influenced tradition.
- Iowa pork chop on a stick A fair and festival favorite, thick-cut pork chop grilled and served on a stick.
- Czech sausage (klobasa) Smoked sausage sold at Czech festivals and butcher shops, often with mustard.
- Kolache Sweet Czech pastry filled with fruit or poppy seed, a local breakfast treat.
Music and arts
- Czech polka music Polka bands play at festivals and Czech Village events, keeping the heritage alive.
- Regionalist art movement Grant Wood's style, depicting rural American scenes, is a point of pride.
- Theatre Cedar Rapids A community theatre with a long history of local productions.
- Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra The city's professional orchestra performs classical and pops concerts.
A little history
- 1860s Czech immigrants settle in Cedar Rapids
- 1930 Grant Wood paints 'American Gothic'
- 2008 Cedar River floods devastate the city
- 1928 Paramount Theatre opens as a movie palace
- 1974 National Czech & Slovak Museum founded
Rivalries
- Iowa Hawkeyes vs Iowa State Cyclones The state's biggest college football rivalry.
- RoughRiders vs Waterloo Black Hawks USHL rivalry between close Iowa towns.
- Kernels vs Quad Cities River Bandits Minor league baseball rivalry with the Quad Cities.
- Cedar Rapids vs Iowa City Friendly rivalry over which city is the better hub.
- Game day Kernels baseball games
- Game day RoughRiders hockey Teddy Bear Toss
- Outdoors Bike the Cedar Valley Nature Trail
- Outdoors Paddle the Wapsipinicon River
- With kids Get a kolache at Czech Village
- With kids See the Grant Wood murals at the Cedar Rapids Public Library
Iowans speak with a standard Midwestern accent, often using 'pop' for soft drinks and 'you guys' for groups. Czech words like 'kolache' are pronounced with a soft 'ch'.
Only here
- Houby Days celebrates the Czech love of mushrooms, a unique local tradition.
- The Grant Wood Art Festival takes place in Stone City, where the artist once taught.
- The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders hockey team holds an annual Teddy Bear Toss, where fans throw bears onto the ice.
- Czech Village's historic storefronts and bakeries feel like a slice of old Prague in Iowa.
New here? A few tips
- Embrace the winters – they're cold, but the community stays warm with indoor events and cozy cafes.
- Try a pork tenderloin sandwich at a local diner – it's a Midwest staple.
- Learn to say 'kolache' correctly (koh-lah-chee) – it'll win you friends at Czech Village.
- Visit NewBo Market on weekends for local food, crafts, and live music.
- Check out the flood walls along the Cedar River; they're a symbol of resilience after 2008.
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Areas in Cedar Rapids area
Nearby
Every areaCedar CountyIowaWhere the prairie meets the riverMuscatineIowaWhere the river meets the melon patch.IndependenceIowaSmall towns, big skies, and the sweetest corn in Iowa.Mount PleasantIowaSmall-town heart, big Iowa sky.Waterloo–Cedar FallsIowaWhere the Cedar River flows and the Panthers roarQuad CitiesIowaTwo states, one river, endless heart.MaquoketaIowaWhere the river meets the bluffsFairfieldIowaWhere golden domes meet endless cornfields.
Cedar Rapids-Iowa City, IA CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.