Gateway Access Realty

Cedar Rapids, IA Area Guide

General Info

Home to the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art as well as Theatre Cedar Rapids, this flourishing city is also the economic hub of the state, located in the core of the Interstate 380 Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Technology Corridor. As a center for arts and culture for Eastern Iowa, Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in Iowa and the county seat of Linn County. With a Census Bureau estimated population of over 128,000, Cedar Rapids is a still growing metropolis lying along both banks of the Cedar River about 100 miles east of Des Moines, the state’s capital and its largest city.

Cedar Rapids is a beautiful city, perfect for people who are just starting their careers, starting a family or getting ready to retire. With lots of activities and the state capital close by, Cedar Rapids is a great place full of friendly people waiting to welcome you. Come pack a bag and for a visit, we’d love to show you our city. We know you’ll be hooked the minute you get here!

To learn more, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_Rapids,_Iowa

History

Before becoming Cedar Rapids, it was the territory for the Fox and Sac Native American tribes until the first permanent settler, Osgood Shepherd, came in 1838. First named Columbus, it was re-surveyed in 1841 and renamed Cedar Rapids for the rapids in the Cedar River at the site, the river being named for the many red cedar trees growing along its banks. Incorporated in 1849, Cedar Rapids continued to grow and annexed the neighboring community of Kingston in 1870. With the founding of the Sinclair meatpacking company, Cedar Rapids economic growth moved forward and it hasn’t stopped growing since then. To learn more, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cedar_Rapids,_Iowa#History

Attractions and Activities

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

In 1895, community leaders from Cedar Rapids formed an art club, inspired by the extraordinary art gather at the World’s Colombian Exposition in Chicago. By the early 1960’s, members had acquired and renovated a building for themselves in a downtown location, renamed themselves the Cedar Rapids Art Center and became accredited in 1981. To learn more about the Museum, please visit: http://www.crma.org/Default.aspx

The African American Museum of Iowa Their mission: to preserve, publicize and educate the public on the African American heritage and culture of Iowa. The project was begun in 1994 when a group from the Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, in celebration of Black History Month, made it their project and would welcome your visit. To learn more, visit: http://www.blackiowa.org/

Brucemore, A National Trust Historic Site Brucemore is alive with numerous events throughout the year. "Classics at Brucemore" presents classic theatre in an outdoor amphitheatre while "Bluesmore" attracts thousands to a blues festival on the First Avenue lawn. A garden show, holiday open houses, children's activities, garden walks, plant sale, concerts, lectures, workshops, and educational programs are scheduled during the year. For more information, visit: http://www.brucemore.org/

Cedar Rapids Symphony One of the oldest symphony orchestras in continuous operation west of the Mississippi, the Cedar Rapids Symphony was founded in 1921 and has 82 professional musicians who stage more than 120 performances throughout Iowa each year. Come enjoy their beautiful music! To learn more, visit: http://www.orchestraiowa.org/

Parks and Recreation

Whether you’ve celebrated your 40 th or your fourth birthday, Cedar Rapids parks has thousands of acres of parkland with you mind. Dog parks, hiking trails, boating facilities and golf courses are only the beginning. Home to hundreds of year round recreational leagues, the parks and recreation system also offers a wide variety of venues for classes, as well as an ice rink, aquatic center and water parks. In recognition of Cedar Rapids’ commitment to their parks and recreation, Sports Illustrated and the National Recreation and Parks Association received recognition as Iowa’s “Sportstown” an honor given to just one city in each state.

To learn more, visit: http://www.cedar-rapids.com/attractions/category/parks-and-recreation/

Events Calendar

Year round events in Cedar Rapids run the gamut from theatre events in January to the Holiday Open House at the Tabor Home Winery. Please join us for any or all of these events, meet and mingle and just have a great time.

For a complete listing of events in Cedar Rapids, please visit: http://www.cedar-rapids.com/events/

For more details about Cedar Rapids, please visit: http://www.cedar-rapids.com/