Beautiful Iowa City and Cedar Rapids

Iowa City is located in eastern Iowa.

Amana Colonies consisting of seven villages is one of the top tourist attractions, A group of religious Germans founded and built the colonies. Residents who live there occupied themselves with farming and crafting, Today you can tour the village and shop in the craft shops and enjoy the restaurants. The villages host special events and seasonal celebrations.

The main purpose of Coralville Lake is to prevent flooding and control water flow in the area. The lake also offers recreation with 500 campsites which are spread over three campgrounds. You can enjoy fishing from the pier or take a boat on the nearby river, There are also hiking and mountain biking trails, swimming in the lake, volleyball courts, and picnic areas.

On the University of Iowa campus, you’ll find The University of Iowa Museum of Natural History. The museum offers an extensive collection of mammals and birds as well as Native American artifacts. You can learn about Iowa’s history and learn about its geology, culture, and ecology, Guided tours and self-guided tours are available.

On campus, you’ll also find The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art housing one of the leading university art collections in the U.S. The museum has about 15,000 objects and artworks, The Elliot Collection displays post-impressionist European art and the Stanley Collection of African Art has over 2,000 objects of African art.

The Hebert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum is the library and burial site of the 31st President of the U.S., Herbert Hoover. In the library you’ll find items and photos that belonged to the Hoover Administration as well as personal belongings, The museum tells the story of the life of Herbert Hoover. There is a temporary exhibit as well. On the surrounding park grounds, you’ll find Hoover’s birthplace cottage, gravesite, and other buildings from the period.

Hickory Hill Park is a large park in the northeast part of the city. There are abandoned fields, forests, prairie, and wetlands around Ralston Creek and other streams, The park offers picnic shelters, tables, grills, restrooms, and water fountains. They are trails for hiking and walking, In the winter sledding and cross-country skiing are popular.

The Iowa Avenue Literary Walk celebrates and explores the lives and work of 49 authors who were related to Iowa, The walk follows a series of bronze panels featuring quotes from literary works with the names of the authors. The walk also has an author section displaying biographical information and explaining their connection to Iowa.

The Iowa Old Capitol Building is the former site of the main government building for Iowa. Today it is a landmark found on the University of Iowa campus, It is used as an exhibit space and for educational programming. The highlights include the Hansen Humanities Gallery, the Senate Chamber, and the Supreme Court Chamber, Tours are available.

Lake Macbride State Park is the largest state park in Iowa, You can enjoy outdoor activities like boating, swimming, fishing, camping, and hiking, The park has picnic shelters and a lodge you can reserve, The is a lovely beach with concessions, A 5-mile limestone trail circles the lake. There are also additional limestone paths and six permanent Volksport trails. The lake has boat ramps and boat rentals.

Cedar Rapids on the Cedar River

A city in eastern Iowa, Cedar Rapids has a history that includes Czech, Slovak, and Moravian vibes. You can see lots of interesting architecture and it is the home of iconic American Gothic artist Grant Wood.

The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is located in the lovely Czech Village in Cedar Rapids. They offer first-class exhibitions. One of their permanent exhibitions is Faces of Freedom: The Czech and Slovak Journey. This is a multimedia interactive experience covering both World Wars, life in Czechoslovakia during Communist rule, and their journey to the New World. You can see Czech and Slovak ethnic costumes, art, and woodwork. There are also concerts and different events.

Brucemore is a beautiful 19th-century mansion on a historic estate. It is a memorial to the lives of prominent local families. It was built in the Queen Anne style and later renovated. You can enjoy a guided tour of the 21-room mansion and see the art and furnishings. The grounds are lovely and the mansion hosts concerts, theater performances, and other events.

The Paramount Theater opened its doors in 1928 and was known as the Capitol Theater. On the stage, you could see live shows, comedians, dancers, acrobats, and films. It has played host to such celebrities as B.B. King and Willie Nelson. The theater was designed as a palace and has a Hall of Mirrors similar to the one in Versailles. The theater was renamed when it was purchased by Paramount Studios in 1929. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it is one of only 300 movie palaces left in the U.S. The theater hosts concerts, a Broadway series, and other events.

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has the largest collection of artwork by Grant Wood, Jaques Marvin Cone, and Mauricio Lasansky in the world. The Riley Collection offers ancient Roman portrait busts. Part of the museum is Grant Wood’s studio where the artist lived and worked between 1924 and 1935. The museum focuses on 20th-century American Art and has over 7,000 works of art.

Being home to many Czech, Slovak, and Moravian immigrants Cedar Rapids created the Czech Village and the New Bohemian Main Street District. You can take part in festivals, see performing arts from all around the world, and more. In the district, you’ll find the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, many fine restaurants, and a vibrant nightlife.

The African American Museum of Iowa is located on the banks of the Cedar River in downtown Cedar Rapids. It has become one of the major educational institutions in Iowan African American history.

The Indian Creek Nature Center has a diverse land that includes prairie, forest, and wetlands. You can enjoy hiking, bird watching, and fishing. In the winter there is cross-country skiing. The center offers many different programs for both adults and children like summer nature camps.

Ushers Ferry Historic Village in the Seminole Valley has 20 historic buildings that show what life was like in a small Iowa town at the turn of the 20th century.

The Iowa Masonic Library is one of the top five largest Masonic libraries in the world. In its collection are more than 150,000 volumes and it’s open to the public, There are both Masonic and general books. You can also find three extensive museum collections among them the Charles H, Swab Memorial collection.

Lindale Mall offers more than 100 stores and restaurants. There is a large selection of jewelry, accessories, shoes, and clothing. The mall has seasonal holiday displays and hosts various events.