Cedar Rapids

Explore Cedar Rapids through its nature trails, art and history. Trails through wetlands, prairies and forests sit alongside collections spanning Roman busts to contemporary works, as well as markets and cultural programs. Depending on your travel interests, your stay can focus more on the outdoors, museums or events.

Nature Trails and Wildlife

The Indian Creek Nature Center offers seven miles of maintained trails through wetlands, prairies and forests. Along the trails, you can look out for migratory birds; there are also regular birdwatching programs and a birdwatching room. The Nature Center offers both outdoor exploration and organized opportunities for birdwatching.

The Cedar River Trail offers a different scale: it is open year-round, 12.6 miles long and ten feet wide. From Blairs Ferry Road NE, it runs through downtown Cedar Rapids to 76th Avenue SW, where it connects to the Hoover Trail. This makes it longer than the Nature Center’s trails and gives it a different route. Native grasses and wildflowers grow along sections of the trail, forming colorful displays of Iowa prairie. At McCloud’s Run, Cedar Lake and the Cedar River, you can experience sights and sounds of urban wildlife. The route and measurements may change as infrastructure is updated; if you are planning around the specific route, check the details in advance.

Art and History in Cedar Rapids

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art houses more than 7,200 works of art from different eras, from Roman antiquity to the present. Its collection is particularly strong in American art, especially from the first half of the 20th century. The museum also owns the world’s largest collection of Grant Wood’s artworks and a significant collection of Roman portrait busts. The works currently on view may vary.

The History Center is located in the historic Douglas Mansion. It offers events, walking tours, and permanent and rotating exhibits on the local history of Cedar Rapids and Linn County. Walking tours run from March through October; check the current tour calendar before making plans.

Brucemore is a National Trust Historic Site. The 26-acre estate was once home to several prominent Cedar Rapids families. Tours of the Queen Anne-style mansion tell the story of the house and the families who lived there; availability depends on the operator’s schedule. After a tour, visitors can explore the 26-acre grounds at no additional cost. Details of this offering may change.

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Czech Village hosts art workshops, language classes, concerts and tours throughout the year. The permanent exhibit “Endless Possibilities” at the African American Museum of Iowa offers another perspective on the state’s history: it explores the heritage of African Americans in Iowa.

Market Life and Vacation Rentals

NewBo City Market is a year-round public market in Cedar Rapids’ New Bohemia neighborhood. It offers goods grown and prepared in Iowa, including produce, specialty foods, meat and seafood, flowers, baked goods, prepared foods and crafts from local farmers and entrepreneurs. The market also hosts concerts, flea markets, festivals and cooking classes. For specific event dates, check the market’s calendar; also check there for current opening hours.

When searching for a vacation rental in Cedar Rapids, you can start by thinking about which side of the city you want to shape your stay: nature trails and wildlife, art and local history, or market and cultural events.

Discover more destinations: Hiawatha.

View the broader travel guide: Linn.