The Basics
ALDI
1860 Edgewood Road SouthwestMy favorite grocery store - with the best prices!
Pricey but unbeatable selection and quality, with an impressive selection of organic, gluten free, whole foods department, cheeses, meats, and liquor.
Hy-Vee Grocery Store
5050 Edgewood Road NortheastPricey but unbeatable selection and quality, with an impressive selection of organic, gluten free, whole foods department, cheeses, meats, and liquor.
Discount Tire
1500 Blairs Ferry Road NortheastBest prices, best customer service, free patch repair!
Favorite Places
For the naturalists and nature lovers, and to get a breath of fresh air! Wickiup is for kids and adults, for walking, a light hike, a cool wooden path through a marsh and onto a viewing platform of the pond, a butterfly garden, bird viewing, an awesome interactive learning center that is a big hit, for kids, but also for adults! This is one of my favorite places and it's rarely busy! Bring a snack and a drink and wear good walking shoes! Don't forget the bug spray. Pro-tip: If you wait to apply it at the park, to avoid stink eye, spray your hand and rub over yourself so as not to spray anything into the air or onto the surrounding vegetation there! This is Free to the public, but donations are always welcome!
7 locals recommend
Wickiup Hill Learning Center
10260 Morris Hills RdFor the naturalists and nature lovers, and to get a breath of fresh air! Wickiup is for kids and adults, for walking, a light hike, a cool wooden path through a marsh and onto a viewing platform of the pond, a butterfly garden, bird viewing, an awesome interactive learning center that is a big hit, for kids, but also for adults! This is one of my favorite places and it's rarely busy! Bring a snack and a drink and wear good walking shoes! Don't forget the bug spray. Pro-tip: If you wait to apply it at the park, to avoid stink eye, spray your hand and rub over yourself so as not to spray anything into the air or onto the surrounding vegetation there! This is Free to the public, but donations are always welcome!
Cedar Rapids historical home. Beautiful gardens, home & garden tours, awesome gift shop and lots of great public events are hosted here like outdoor live music and theater. Always a great experience. Bring your lawn chairs and a cooler for some relaxing and fun atmosphere. This property is private unless hosting an event. Parking can be tricky and limited, and require a little walking so go early! Worth the effort :)
26 locals recommend
Brucemore
2160 Linden Dr SECedar Rapids historical home. Beautiful gardens, home & garden tours, awesome gift shop and lots of great public events are hosted here like outdoor live music and theater. Always a great experience. Bring your lawn chairs and a cooler for some relaxing and fun atmosphere. This property is private unless hosting an event. Parking can be tricky and limited, and require a little walking so go early! Worth the effort :)
This up and coming trendy 'old' area is fun and relaxing at the same time. Check out their website for events: https://www.newbocitymarket.org/ Some of my favorite places there are Next Page Books, Brewhemia, The Vinyl Emporium, Raygun, Parlor City Pub, and Almost Famous Popcorn Company. Many other cute little shops of interest packed in all around The Newbo City Market. Inside the market you'll find a delightful array of local food vendors, shops, locally grown organic produce, artisanal meats, cheeses and bakery items with that *wow* factor. Treat yourself! This is also a great night life spot often featuring live music inside and out. Join in for ticketed and/or free yoga or dance classes, guided walks and runs in the park, if that's your jam!
58 locals recommend
NewBo City Market
1100 3rd St SEThis up and coming trendy 'old' area is fun and relaxing at the same time. Check out their website for events: https://www.newbocitymarket.org/ Some of my favorite places there are Next Page Books, Brewhemia, The Vinyl Emporium, Raygun, Parlor City Pub, and Almost Famous Popcorn Company. Many other cute little shops of interest packed in all around The Newbo City Market. Inside the market you'll find a delightful array of local food vendors, shops, locally grown organic produce, artisanal meats, cheeses and bakery items with that *wow* factor. Treat yourself! This is also a great night life spot often featuring live music inside and out. Join in for ticketed and/or free yoga or dance classes, guided walks and runs in the park, if that's your jam!
Interesting and loaded with shops and history - https://www.czechvillagecedarrapids.com/our-story
This is a great daytime place for families and friends to grab a bite to eat and get some window shopping in. Stop by the National Czech & Slovak Museum for a rich experience of local history and culture.
*safety warning* There is an active nightclub scene that has a bit of a rough reputation. It has a decidedly different vibe after dark, with higher instances of crime than average.
21 locals recommend
Czech Village
Interesting and loaded with shops and history - https://www.czechvillagecedarrapids.com/our-story
This is a great daytime place for families and friends to grab a bite to eat and get some window shopping in. Stop by the National Czech & Slovak Museum for a rich experience of local history and culture.
*safety warning* There is an active nightclub scene that has a bit of a rough reputation. It has a decidedly different vibe after dark, with higher instances of crime than average.
Traveler advice
Don't miss
Farmer's Markets
Great selection of local venders selling all kinds of wonderful things. The downtown market Saturday morning is amazing and the closest one is the Hiawatha market! Check for dates, times and find multiple locations here:
https://www.tourismcedarrapids.com/blog/cedar-rapids-downtown-farmers-market/
Don't miss
Uptown Friday Nights
Check it out!
http://www.uptownfridaynights.com/
Don't miss
Freedom Festival
Month long series of public events leading up to and including the Fourth of July fireworks downtown, Cedar Rapids. You'll need a $5 button, to attend all the events. They can be purchased at Hy-Vee and other locations including at the events.