Cedar Rapids Reviews

Downtown 

     We have all types of establishments in all sorts of adventures for everyone.  It is time for breakfast and coffee, there are many specialty coffee and juicing places to get woke up for your day of work and fun.  When it comes to dinner time you have many options, from American to Asian and Cuban to Italian.  There are all sorts of different tastes for all different people.  Mexican to even Vietnamese, something for everyone. 

     Let us not forget the Bar and Nightlife in the streets of downtown Cedar Rapids.  You can see a comedy performance or a theatrical presentation.  Run by a brewery and try out the local beer being made right there in the bar.  There is an arcade for the kid inside, after you throw some axes with your friends.  If you are hungry from walking all over town, stop by one of the many burger joints.  Burgers are everywhere in Cedar Rapids, from subs to special hotdogs and tacos to pizza, there is something for everyone enjoying the nightlife of Cedar Rapids.  

     There are some great places to visit while finding things to do in Cedar Rapids.  Visit a beautiful 19th century mansion or go for a quick nine hole at one of the most challenging courses in the state.  You can always go the learning and interesting stuff places.  You can check out some art, tour a museum, or try a few diverse exhibits at a few different museums.  If you like history and the museum feel, try out one of the top five, in the world, Masonic Libraries or the great museum that preserves and shares stories about Linn County history.  
    Do you like sports?  How about a baseball game at the stadium to check out the Kernel’s?  
   There is much to do in little Cedar Rapids Iowa, come check it out!    

     Newbo City Market is a public space full of supporting health, happiness, and the well-being of all.  

     Bohemia District near downtown Cedar Rapids is always promoting the little guy.  It will always have the new businesses starting up, the farm-to-table movement and locally sourced foods and products.  They are about getting the customers talking to, learning from, and developing relationships with local producers, and about neighbors interacting with one another.  

     Everyone involved with Newbo will always find the resources around them in the community before going to a supermarket or store.  They have many stores for the area, by the area.  They meet and over come many challenges, whether it be manmade or nature in full swing.  The market yard has become the starting point for many activities.  Starting a bike rides, enjoy a concert, or just visiting the park and find others to experience new adventures.  They are always helping local businesses better attract and retain talent and consumers.  

     NewBo City Market hosts hundreds of events inside Rotary Hall and in the Market Yard. From free and family-friendly programming to unique ticketed events and classes, beloved community events to specialized private events like weddings and company gatherings. The Market serves as the perfect space to bring people together.

     If you want an amazing visiting spot, try these guys. 

     Are you ready for interesting shopping?  What about the food?  If you are ready come on down, read this and go down to the Czech Village and experience a beautiful place.  

     The Czech Village and New Bohemia neighborhoods make up the DISTRICT and great place for family and friends to gather. In the DISTRICT you can experience amazing entertainment, award-winning beautiful restaurants, unique shopping, world-class museums and drinks a plenty. 

     Let us start at a museum or two.  Hear about the Czech and Slovak story and connect to people from every background at one museum. Now check out the other museum and learn how to preserve our past and enlighten our future.  Next on the list, we will first have to stop and get a massage from all the museum walking.  

     We have a busy night to get prepared for, next let us get our hair and makeup done for the evening.  It is time to get dressed and go to dinner.

     But, where to go?  Do you want a burger?
    There are a few to mention!  What about seafood or Mexican?  Maybe you can go get a Margarita and think about where to eat.  There is a restaurant all about Asian inspired pizza, sounds interesting.  Maybe we should go to a couple of shops, there are a few hemp stores, I am curious.  There is a shop that takes your specs and will make handmade leather purses and jackets, beautiful.   

     We were going to dinner, but we did find quite a few bakeries and coffee shops to snack at, maybe its time to find the bar we want to hang at for the evening.  Now its time to choose what type of drinking establishment we go visit.      Do you want to go dancing?  Maybe clubbing, jumping from one bar to the next?  How about live music or just a softer bar that serves freshly made beers and wines?   

     Are you getting tired yet?  If so, there are some choices there too.  Do you choose the 4-bedroom mansion or the 1-bedroom suite? Both will be great!!  Lay down your sleepy head, you have another big day tomorrow.  

Lindale Mall Area

     Is the weather being iffy and you just wanted to get out of the house?  Then you need to visit Lindale Mall, the only indoor shopping center in Cedar Rapids.  Be sure to grab the kid o’s and make it a lunch date.  There are many food options available in or around Lindale.  If you like Burgers and want to try a famous one you can do that or get some custom made popcorn for the movie you are planning to watch at home.  

     I think the sun just came back out; you know Cedar Rapids weather.  Time to get a new pair of sunglasses bought and on to protect your eyes.  What about shoes, we have been walking a bit and its amazing what you can find out about your own shoes when you are bored.  
     Based on your kids ages, there are multiple places geared to children or your young adults. From video games to kids rides, there is something for all ages.  The older kids have the funny stores that are so inappropriate for the littler kids.  The little kids have the stores that the big kids would never be caught in.   

     Now let us not forget about mom and dad.  
    There are plenty of shops all over Lindale for them too.   Whether they need a gorgeous outfit to go out in tonight or just something fun for date night.  For him or her, there are a bunch of choices.  Where will they go out if going out for dinner?  There are tons of great restaurants in and surrounding Lindale.  Now let us make sure dad got a beautiful present for mom this evening.  There are tons of shops and jewelry stores for that too.  Or maybe something different to bring you both back when you met?       Remember sneaking out of the house?  Do you still got it, there is even a store to try out your new escape routes?  

     It sounds like the night is all planned out, maybe checking out a new bed would be a good idea for the sleep you will be needing later tonight.   

Westdale Mall Area 

     Anyone that has lived here for twenty years or more, know this area and how much it has changed over the years.  My sister and I talk about running across Edgewood Rd as kids to go shopping.  It has since changed, there is no more indoor mall, now it is store by store in a huge parking lot.  

     Now it is a place worth checking out again. Do you need a new pair of kicks?  They have you covered, just go to the Dept. and they will help you out in women, men, or kid shoes.  Maybe the kids need some new school clothes, the department store that has been there since 1972 should be able to help.  As for mom, if you cannot find a new outfit there you can always try the store designed just for women and the prices are Less than normal. 

     How about the adorable smart way to feed and trim your sweet puppies?  I heard they are Smart there!  While your puppies are getting a manny petty, you deserve one as well.  Just down the parking lot from the pet store you can get your hair and nails done.  

      You have got to be getting hungry.  Do you feel like a sub, maybe a bagel, or some amazing chicken nuggets, they have you covered?  My favorite place is the Mexican spot that is amazing, located right in the old volleyball court.  There are a lot of new and exciting places to check out.  Do not forget about the frozen yogurt spot, maybe after winter would be a nice stop.  

     Try it out and check out the new Westdale Mall.  The shops and stores will be worth the look!  

It is time for baseball.  An amazing day of so much fun!  There is something for everyone.  The die-hard will be sitting behind the benches and behind home plate.  These are the patrons there to watch the game, HOMERUN … GO GO GO!!  That is what will be heard around these fans, HE WAS OUT!!

Then you have the fun group, looking for something to do for the day and heard about the cool day of events they have going on at the stadium.  Wait, stuff other than a baseball game?  Yes, there are a lot of events that can be taking place, right inside the doors.  Do you like clowns?  There could be an extremely popular one for Cedar Rapids right there greeting and making balloon animals.  Have you heard about the mascot Mr. Shucks?  He loves to pop out unexpected to see everyone at the games!  You can even have Mr. Shucks come to your birthday party or special event!!  He really enjoys that!  

Do you have a big group of fans and fun lookers or a special employee that just deserves the attention?  Then the Diamond Suite is right up your alley.  The fun will come to you, a player will visit and so will Mr. Shucks.  You can enjoy a wet bar and food to your liking.  The seats are amazing as well, right outside with twelve of your besties, while the other eight are watching on the flat screens in the suite itself.  

This is one of Cedar Rapids Great Treasures!!  

TCR is one of the largest professionally run, and operated volunteer theatre organizations in the U.S. They have a commitment to create the magic of live theatre. They bring the arts to Cedar Rapids for all to enjoy.  TCR has been a beautiful theater driving a creative force in Eastern Iowa and the surrounding areas.  

They have welcomed over 50,000 patrons to a nine-show season of musicals and plays with additional presented work.  National celebrity performers to comedy, burlesque, and much more.  If you enjoy live action on a stage, then this is up your alley.  Right now, they are offering limited seating and broadcasting on-line for all to enjoy.  

The Paramount Theatre in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a 6-story brick building located in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Then, in 2015 it was included as a contributing property in the Cedar Rapids Central Business District. 

They have had some amazing concerts that were very one on one with the performers.  We went to the Jake Owen concert and he threw my husband a beer.  The names keep going too.  We saw Halestorm, a popular rock group before they were huge.  This is the place to go to get the experiences of a lifetime.  My husband and I will never forget these concerts!  

The Paramount has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  They are one of the last stage theatres left in the U.S.  They are known for the annual concerts, fundraisers, corporate meetings, and their Broadway Series.  The Theater is home to Orchestra Iowa, the region’s only premier symphony orchestra.  This is a must-go-to spot once everything starts to open.  Well worth the wait!  But a definite must go.    

The new Alliant Energy PowerHouse Arena, formally known as the U.S. Cellular Center or Five Seasons Center, is a multi-purpose facility located in the center of the downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  This Arena features rock, country concerts, circuses, corporate events, and conventions.  If it needs the space, it will fit here!  It is centered on events and maximizes the presentation of successful events in client facilities for the cultural, recreational, educational, and economic benefit.

Are you thinking about possible events to come to Cedar Rapids and enjoy?  Once the doors re-open and events start to book up, you will have an amazing time.  It could be a concert of hard rock, country, or even a classical performance.  The children in your life will enjoy one of the many family functions and you can also expect to laugh your butt off once the comedy shows take-off again.  Do not forget about the sporting events.  You know the players are all waiting for the games and crowds to return to cheer them on.  

Once everything gets back together again, it will be a much needed break from the real world.