Cedar Rapids, IA

Absorb the atmosphere of Cedar Rapids, a rapidly growing city situated along the banks of the Cedar River in Iowa. Here you’ll see artistic centers that blend the old and the new alongside parks and unique historic landmarks that preserve the past of the American Midwest.

Get up early and head to the markets in the north of the city. The Farmer’s Daughters market has fresh, locally sourced produce from farms in the area. Get around using the public bus system or by taxis, which are cheap and reliable.

Cedar Rapids has 3,360 acres (1,360 hectares) of parkland to explore. Fish for trout, scuba dive or canoe at the Prairie Park Fishery. The 65-acre (26-hectare) lake and surrounding park also offers opportunities for hiking, biking and bird watching.

Go on a wine-tasting tour of the county’s local vineyards. Wineries just outside Cedar Rapids are surrounded by rolling hills and offer tasting and lunch menus.

Art and culture lovers will be delighted by the exhibitions at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, which has thousands of pieces which span 2,000 years of craftsmanship. Visit the historic Brucemore mansion north of downtown. The restored 19th-century mansion lies on a 26 acres (10.5 hectares) estate and hosts regular concerts and theater performances. Check the official Brucemore website for timetables of events.

Engage with history at the African American Historical Museum and the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, where you’ll learn about the state’s immigrant past. Take children to the Iowa Children’s Museum for an interactive experience of science. Visit the Ushers Ferry Historic Village, where actors and buildings depict life in an Iowan village at the start of the 20th century.

Rent a car and drive to the Indian Creek Nature Center just outside the town. Here you’ll find 330 acres (133 hectares) of preserved prairies, wetlands and woods that Iowa is known for.