Visiting Cedar Rapids for Iowa Ideas? Here's what to check out

The City of Five Seasons is a city of great restaurants, breweries, museums and outdoor recreation. If you're visiting Cedar Rapids for Iowa Ideas, we hope you'll find time to explore our fair city while you're here. 

Here are a few of our top recommendations:

EAT UP:

Start with a hearty breakfast at Riley's (4242 Center Point Road NE and multiple locations, 319-826-3667, rileyscafeandcatering.com), browse the many vendors at NewBo City Market for lunch (1100 Third Ave. SE, 319-200-4050, newbocitymarket.org), grab coffee at Brewhemia (1202 Third St. SE, 319-364-0802, brewhemia.com) and stop into Pig & Porter for a creative dinner (1028 Third St. SE, 319-200-4414, thepigandporter.com). Looking for additional options? Corridor residents voted for their favorite places to eat, drink and play in our Top Shelf competition: find the winners at hooplanow.com/top-shelf.

DRINK IT IN:

Cedar Rapids boasts an ever-growing brewery scene. Grab an award-winning pint at Lion Bridge (59 16th Ave. SW, (319)-200-4460, lionbridgebrewing.com) or Iowa Brewing Company (708 Third St. SE, 319-366-2337, iowabrewing.beer), play vintage arcade games at The Quarter Barrel (616 2nd Ave SE, 319-200-4140, thequarterbarrel.com) or enjoy a meal in a historic building at Backpocket Pilot Pub (415 Third St. SE, 319-362-2739, backpocketbrewing.com/pilot-pub).

DIVE DEEP:

Cedar Rapids is home to several notable museums. See a stunning Chihuly glass exhibit at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (1400 Inspiration Place SW, 319-362-8500, ncsml.org), dive into the state's Black history at the African American Museum of Iowa (55 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, 319-862-2101, blackiowa.org), step back in time at the Brucemore Mansion (2160 Linden Dr. SE, 319-362-7375, brucemore.org) or enjoy original works by iconic Iowa artists Grant Wood and Marvin Cone at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art (410 Third Ave. SE, 319-366-7502, crma.org).

STRETCH YOUR LEGS:

You don't have to stay inside to enjoy Cedar Rapids. Pick some apples at Allen's Orchard (5801 N. 10th St., Marion, 319-377-1408, allensorchard.com), check out the eco-friendly 'Amazing Space' building and hike in the woods at the Indian Creek Nature Center (5300 Otis Road SE, 319-362-0664, indiancreeknaturecenter.org) or rent a bike at Hall Bicycle Company for a spin along the trails (419 Second Ave. SE, 319-362-1052, hallbicycle.com/rentals).

Looking for more? Check out hooplanow.com for music, theater, art and other events listings.