Cedar Rapids Travel Guide

  Eastern Iowa airport
by leics
 
  • Eastern Iowa airport
      Eastern Iowa airport
    by leics
  • Shuttle van (they also use cars)
      Shuttle van (they also use cars)
    by leics
  • Mom at Ellis Park, Cedar Rapids
      Mom at Ellis Park, Cedar Rapids
    by Jewelslover
  • Ellis Park in Bloom
      Ellis Park in Bloom
    by Jewelslover
  • One More of Ellis
      One More of Ellis
    by Jewelslover
 

Pro

Jewelslover profile photo

 Beautiful Green Friendly Homey City 


Con

Jim_Eliason profile photo

 Not much to do 


In a nutshell

SmokeEater profile photo

 Good party town but you need to be there on a saturday for tailgating 

 

Explore Cedar Rapids

Things to Do  

Great bike trails!

Great bike trails!, Cedar Rapids

 Oatlad Says:  I love the bike trails in Cedar Rapids. They are very scenic, well maintained, and they take you all over town. Its really great to see parks like these, I hope the trend continues in Cedar Rapids and spreads to other towns. 

The Paramount Theater

The Paramount Theater, Cedar Rapids

 Jewelslover Says:  The Paramount Theater was build in the 1920's. This 1901 seat theater hosts many events each year, from the Cedar Rapids Symphony ,ballet, broadway series, to local events and meetings.The theater is listed in the National Register of Historic places which lists places of... 

Check out Ellis Park

Check out Ellis Park, Cedar Rapids

 Jewelslover Says:  Ellis Park is on the Northwest side of Cedar Rapids. There are tennis courts, a public swimming pool, horseshoe pits, golf course, rose gardens, baseball fields, and walking trails. There are several shelters for picnics or parties.Ellis Park is right on the Cedar River.... 

Bever Park - Kid Friendly Park!

Bever Park - Kid Friendly Park!, Cedar Rapids

 Jewelslover Says:  I remember going to this park as a child distinctly because of the zoo. It's changed over the years, and it's now Old MacDonald's Farm. There are pigs, sheep, rabbits, ducks, donkeys, a cow, and prairie dogs. There is a large playground area and lots of open space and big... 

WINE TASTING!!!

WINE TASTING!!!, Cedar Rapids

 wineladylauren Says:  Once a month during the warmer months (May-September), you can gather with other fun wine lovers, taste and learn about wines, sample cheeses and party dips, and win door prizes! This outrageous tasting bash takes place in an outdoor venue at a quaint little boutique wine... 

National Czech and Slovak Museum

National Czech and Slovak Museum, Cedar Rapids

 yooperprof Says:  Interesting place to study the culture and heritage of the Czech and Slovak settlers who me made a new home for themselves in the broad expanses of Iowa.The Museum is a modern convenient facility with a good research library, gift shop, and an interesting permanent exhibit... 

Hotels  

Baymont Inn And Suites Cedar Rapids

 1 Review and 66 Opinions  We came to town in an RV and it needed some service. We didn't find out until about 7 PM that we... 

Clarion Hotel and Convention Center Cedar Rapids

 2 Reviews and 69 Opinions  I had been to this hotel several years ago when it was a Sheraton Hotel. It was great then. I wasn't... 

Restaurants  

Zindrick's: Old World Charm (and Carbohydrates!)

Zindrick's: Old World Charm (and Carbohydrates!), Cedar Rapids

 yooperprof Says:  Food Coma Central. Authentic Central European restaurant with hearty Bohemian specialities, just like the old country. Spaetzle and Goulash and more dumplings than you can shake a stick at. Pierogis at least as good as those in Hammond Indiana! Nothing nouveau, lite, or... 

North Country Steakhouse: Cook your own steak

North Country Steakhouse: Cook your own steak, Cedar Rapids

 Jim_Eliason Says:  This place has a unique concept in that it is set up like a butcher's shop and you select your cut of meat. From there, they provide marinades and grills for you to cook your own steak. 

CR Chophouse: New chef brings life to tired restaurant

CR Chophouse: New chef brings life to tired restaurant, Cedar Rapids

 steaksavvy Says:  My wife and I used to be regular customers of Daniel Arthurs restaurant in Downtown Cedar Rapids. The food was world class, unlike anything else in the corridor. We were dissapointed to learn in late january that the Chef that made that restaurant what it was was no longer... 

CR Chophouse: Don't Go Here!!

CR Chophouse: Don't Go Here!!, Cedar Rapids

 foodcritic4 Says:  Terrible experience. Extremely overpriced for the quality of food and service. For a party of 8 it took the service 1 hour to get our food to us all. The food was warm when we received it. The sauces were congealed and cold. Between a party of 8 there was 1 beverage... 

Brewed Awakenings: Smart Coffeehouse near Coe College

Brewed Awakenings: Smart Coffeehouse near Coe College, Cedar Rapids

 yooperprof Says:  Considerably Above Average java joint near Coe College and the main downtown strip. Interesting art on the walls, poetry in the bathrooms, and intelligent staff who know how to make a smiley with the cappacino foam. 

Clay City Sandwiches: You have to try this place

Clay City Sandwiches: You have to try this place, Cedar Rapids

 mlenns Says:  A cool little Gourmet sandwich shop in a strip mall across from westdale mall this place is a real treat i ate there twice on my trip to CR big sandwiches cool atmosphere with all original oil paintings on the walls this place is a definite must it is locally owned according... 

Nightlife  

Papa Juans: Best marquaritas in town

Papa Juans: Best marquaritas in town, Cedar Rapids

 Oatlad Says:  Papa Juan's serves very good marquaritas, and also has an extensive food menu, half Italian and half Mexican. All the food is well prepared and served in generous proportions. There is a large group of friendly locals who make it a fun place to hang out while waiting for... 

Chrome Horse Saloon: Cedar Rapids Biker Bar

Chrome Horse Saloon: Cedar Rapids Biker Bar, Cedar Rapids

 Jewelslover Says:  The Chrome Horse is a bar & grill located close to downtown Cedar Rapids. They have an extensive food menu & the usual drinks. Karaoke plays during the week, but they do have live music on Fridays and Saturdays. 

Cocktails: Good Drinks & Cheap Eats!

Cocktails: Good Drinks & Cheap Eats!, Cedar Rapids

 Jewelslover Says:  Cocktails is located in Marion just outside of the NE side of Cedar Rapids. They have a reasonably priced food menu and live music or events several nights a week. Check out their website for the schedule. 

Transportation  

To and from the airport

To and from the airport, Cedar Rapids

 leics Says:  If you do not have or hire a car you will be reliant on taxi or airport shuttle. I don't hire cars after a long day's travelling across the Atlantic (not safe imo) so I chose to use the Airport Shuttle Service advertised on the airport's own website.It is not possible to... 

Fly in to Moline

Fly in to Moline, Cedar Rapids

 Michael_SFBA Says:  Cedar Rapids does have its own airport with regular flights by major airlines, but the fares are high. I've found that the fares are significantly lower to Moline IL which is about 1:15min drive. I'm a cheapskate and find an hour drive is no big deal, so I usually fly into... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Crime areas
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3.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Michael_SFBA 11 reviews

There is one particular area in Cedar Rapids to avoid at night, bounded by 10th St, 19th St, C Ave NE, and 8th Ave SE. That's really larger than the entire problem area, and this is nothing like areas of really large cities, but compared to the rest of the city, which is quite safe, this is the one area to be cautious in. On some occasions, memebers of Chicago gangs have murdered their rivals in this area, on the street, and I also know of a number of violent muggings and rapes that have happened in this area.

Written Oct 1, 2005

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Off The Beaten Path  

If You are visiting Cedar...
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1.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

natdog 2 reviews

If You are visiting Cedar Rapids in the summer, it is really beautiful to drive up to Palo, Iowa which is only about 20 minutes from town. go up to Pleasant Vally and see the beach and all the camping grounds. Another great place is Coe College, its a beautiful campus and you can become a member and come use the nice pool all year round (I might be your lifeguard!). From there you should walk around downtown, see all the wierd public sculpture, go to the historic paramount theatre, and go to some little pubs or larger bars such as muddy waters. You should also drive around the Washington Highschool area on Cottage Grove and see all the big old houses. There is a lot of history about the SW side of town, especially near downtown.

Written Aug 26, 2002

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Favorites  

Municipal Island: City Hall

Municipal Island:   City Hall, Cedar Rapids

 yooperprof Says:  Cedar Rapids is rather unique in having its major civic buildings all concentrated together on an island in the middle of its major river, the Cedar. The City Hall - formally called the Veterans Memorial Hall - is an impressive landmark that was built in the confident... 

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Map of Cedar Rapids