100 Things to do in Cedar Rapids Before You Die

by Katie Mills Giorgio

Cedar Rapids is the second largest city in the state of Iowa and has long been known as the City of Five Seasons . . . a place where you can experience spring, summer, fall, and winter and take the time—the fifth season—to enjoy them all.
Consider 100 Things to Do in Cedar Rapids Before You Die to be your guide to soaking up all this Midwestern gem of a city has to offer any time of year. Hike to the top of Mount Trashmore to take in the best view in the city. Shop and eat your way through the NewBo City Market and the surrounding neighborhood. Immerse yourself in Czech and Slovak culture in the Czech Village. Dive into the local arts and culture scene, walking in the footsteps of famed artist Grant Wood who called Cedar Rapids home. Enjoy an outdoor concert on the banks of the Cedar River. Each item you explore on this Cedar Rapids to-do list offers a unique perspective on the city.

Local writer Katie Mills Giorgio is your host for making the most of your time in Cedar Rapids, whether you are looking for tasty eats, rich creative experiences, or an opportunity to get in touch with nature. This book is filled with insider tips and more than 100 ideas to enjoy all that Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area has to offer.

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 26, 2022

Reviews

[Stacie]

Since I have lived in the Cedar Rapids area for over 30 years, I assumed I had tried or knew about all the things there were to do in the area. I was surprised to see I have not. Even though the title says Cedar Rapids, you’ll find events and places in the Cedar Rapids area. In fact, my friend’s flower farm is mentioned just outside of Van Horne. I have never heard of the Prairie Patch Farm near Swisher where you can hike with a llama. What a fun experience that would be when I have my nieces here for a few days.

One of our favorite things to do is try a new restaurant when we go out with friends. The Food and Drink section offers a great selection of places we’ve loved and ones we still have yet to try. Sadly, one of the restaurants listed has just recently closed, so it’s important to use the phone number or social media tags of each location to check hours and availability. I appreciated being reminded of a restaurant I had forgotten about and was a favorite one to go to, Vino’s Ristorante and R.G. Books. I think I’m going to suggest going there for our anniversary this year.

Now that we will have many more free evenings as we are soon-to-be empty nesters, I’m excited to try the Jazz Under the Stars in the warmer months. I had no idea there was a Cedar Rapids Astronomers Club and they run their own Eastern Iowa Observatory. Two large telescopes allow viewers to see more than the average glimpse into outer space.

Activities by season and created itineraries allow readers to spend a day trying several things in one day or a weekend since they are all close by. Be sure to check out all the tips on the pages for extra ideas and ways to make the day even more special. Including Food and Drink, Music and Entertainment, Sports and Recreation, Culture and History, and Shopping and Fashion the Cedar Rapids area has lots to offer visitors and those of us who live here.

For the Iowan who has everything, this Cedar Rapids area book offers all kinds of good ideas to boost the local economy. Add in a gift card to one of the featured restaurants and you have a great gift for the hard-to-buy-for person on your list!

[Charlotte Gunnufson]

I was delighted to discover the author's super fun snappy writing style!