Housely
Situated in east central Iowa, Cedar Rapids is the state’s second city. It is also processes the largest amount of corn in the world. Its character is urban, manufacturing and it’s a major leader in North American food ingredient centers and bio-processing. The city is home to twenty-four Fortune 500 companies, and 300 diverse manufacturers. It is a growing city, with a population of about 126,000. It serves as the anchor for the Iowa Creative Corridor, and has an active arts scene with more than two dozen cultural institutions in the city. With vibrant community organizations and strong tourism focus, the city is a wonderful place to visit.
Here are 10 great things to do if you find yourself visiting or living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa
National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library
The museum is all about celebrating Czech, Slovak and American life. Founded in 1974, the museum was moved to its current location after the devastating Flood of 2008. Its Grand Opening Celebration took place in 2012. The museum is famous for its collection of oral histories provided by people of Czech and Slovak ancestry. Current exhibits of note include Immortal: Warhol’s Last Works. Future exhibits of note include Dale Chihuly Venetians: The George R. Stroemple Collection.
Grant Wood Studio
Famous painter of American Gothic and Young Corn, and known for his Regionalist movement work, Wood completed the majority of his famous works at this location. The studio is currently owned and operated by the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art. There is no admission charge to visit the museum during its regular hours. There is a 20-minute video shown downstairs which helps visitors learn about this iconic American painter. Then, a docent leads an informative tour to the second floor living area. The first floor is wheel chair accessible, but the tiny second floor is not. There are bathrooms available at the site. The first floor level has books, postcards and prints available for purchase.
Hawkeye Downs Speedway and Expo Center
There are plenty of action packing events held at Hawkeye Downs each year. Anything from auto racing, motocross, go-cart racing and bingo is possible to see at this venue. It welcomes about 100,000 visitors each year to the area for its half-mile and quarter-mile weekly racing series. For over 82 years there has been some kind of exciting event taking place at this location. It is famous in the eastern region of Iowa for its hosting of NASCAR, American Indy Car Series and other events.
Cedar Rapids Kernels
For a good old fashioned, take me out to the ballgame summer, going to a baseball game with the Cedar Rapids Kernels is perfect. The team has its schedule posted on its website, with ticket information and other special events held at the ballpark, too. Games are held at the Veterans Memorial Stadium, which opened in April 2002. The stadium will seat 5,300 visitors, and has 12 diamond suites, a standing room only area, and three areas for groups and picnics. There is an LED video scoreboard that is six stories high at right-center field. It is a 48 x 30 board that shows player statistic, live action, instant replays and much more for fans. There are box style seats in the Club and Premier areas which have cup holders. Concession stands are available throughout the stadium for quick service, with closed circuit TVs installed at each so the action is available while the lines are being served.
The Paramount Theater
Catch a live performance at this 1,690 seat theater located in downtown. The theater offers a wide range of Broadway theater, live concerts, popular performances and community theater and musical events. Shows schedule for 2016 include Celtic Thunder, The Piano Guys, Loreena McKennitt, The Fab Four, The Moody Blues, 42nd Street, RENT 20th Anniversary Tour, and much more. The theater is also home to Orchestra Iowa, with seasonal tickets and single tickets available.
The auditorium and lobbies are part of a treasured movie house restoration, which features local events and traveling acts. It has beautiful interior décor and sculptures. It is handicapped accessible. There are many local restaurants nearby, which make it easy to have a bite for dinner before the show. There is a parking garage behind the theater which provides quick and easy parking in this downtown location.
Brucemore
On a 26-acre estate, the 19th century mansion is tucked in the center of its historic location. It has been home to three families throughout its existence. Many people come to tour the Queen Anne style mansion, hear concerts, experience theater productions, and participate in the varied programs it offers. It hosts the Brucemore Outdoor Children’s Theater and Theater Cedar Rapids, and The Cedar Rapids Opera Theatre. Hot air balloons land on its First Avenue lawn as music, food and family activities liven the event. The Classics at Brucemore presents Shakespeare’s As You Like It in 2016. There are garden and art shows, and concerts by the Orchestra Iowa. This is a living culture center for the city with much to offer visitors.
Ellis Park
Ellis Park is located alongside the Cedar River, in the northwest side of Cedar Rapids. It features many public activities including a public swimming pool, tennis courts, walking trails, horseshoe pits, baseball fields, rose gardens and a golf course. For picnics and parties, there are several available shelters. Many seasonal events are held at this venue, as well.
Because of its river location, houseboat slips are available for rent and boats are allowed on the river. The water attracts large numbers of ducks and geese who come to nest with their new babies. During the winter time, the park features an ice skating rink. It is located at 916 Ellis Blvd NW.
Indian Creek Nature Center
There are over 200 acres with four miles of trails at the nature center. A great place for children to visit, the Sense of Wonder Trail is ranked nationally as a Nature Explore Classroom. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation district, which also has numerous other trails and walking and hiking experiences.
Cedar Rapids Municipal Band
The band offers a full concert schedule over the summer months at various venues throughout the city. Summer band concerts are an American tradition, and Cedar Rapids offers a some of the best. Begun just after World War II by Cedar Rapids music teacher Roland Moehlmann, the band started with his organizing VFW Band musicians and city school students to form what was first known as the City Band. The band, in various formats and names, has offered almost 1,000 concerts during the last 50 years.
Czech Village
This is one area which is a must to visit while in the city. It contains many restaurants and specialty shops in a restored portion of what was once the original home for many Slovak, Czech and Moravian immigrants who starting to settle in the area in the middle of the 19th century. The sights, sounds, and flavors of the village interprets and preserves the heritage of these cultures with plenty of opportunities for visitors to taste, touch and enjoy the goods offered for sale. It is a pretty and quaint part of the city which tells its history in living fashion.
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