Cedar Rapids, Iowa

1. See Slovak and Czech ethnic costumes at the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

Located in the charming Czech Village in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library has achieved great standing in the community as well as in the nation. In2013 it was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service for its first class exhibitions and activities and for its philosophy which celebrates freedom and human dignity.

The museum's permanent exhibition is called "Faces of Freedom: The Czech and Slovak Journey." It is a multimedia interactive experience that covers the World Wars, life in Czechoslovakia under Communist rule and the journey to America in search of a better future. The museum also features Slovak and Czech ethnic costumes, music, art, woodworking and family attractions and offers a range of concerts and events for the Czeck, Slovak and American community.

Find it at this Address: 1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, Phone: 319-362-8500

2. Take a guided tour of Brucemore

Brucemore is a magnificent 19th-century mansion located on a historic 26-acre estate in Cedar Rapids, a memorial to the lives of three prominent local families. Built in 1884 for the young widow, Caroline and her children, on the slope overlooking the main route into town, it was considered "the grandest house west of Chicago."

The house was built in Queen Anne style, but as the style went out of fashion, the next owners, George and Irene Douglas, renovated the house in a much more simple Craftsman style. Margaret and Howard Hall moved into Brucemore in 1937 and left their own whimsical touches, including the "man cave". There are guided tours of the beautiful 21-room Mansion and visitors can enjoy the art, furnishings, architecture, landscape, and many family objects which have been preserved at Brucemore. The mansion offers regular concerts, theater performances and other social events.

Find it at this Address: 2160 Linden Dr SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403, Phone: 319-362-7375

3. See a performance at the Paramount Theatre

Opened in 1928 as the Capitol Theatre, what is today the Paramount Theatre was a stage for live shows with singers, comedians, dancers, acrobats, the Wurlitzer organ and films. The theater hosted some of the all-time great artists such as Willie Nelson, B.B. King and many others. It was designed as an opulent palace, with a "Hall of Mirrors" like the one in Versailles, valuable oil paintings, sculptures, extravagant furniture and many other treasures.

In 1929 it was bought and renamed by Paramount Studios. After being severely damaged by a flood, the theatre was extensively renovated and reopened in 2012. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Paramount Theatre is one of only 300 movie palaces still left in the States. Today the theatre hosts concerts, corporate meetings, fundraisers, a Broadway Series and dance recitals. The Paramount is home to the Orchestra Iowa and the Cedar Rapids Area Theater Organ Society.

Find it at this Address: 123 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, Phone: 319-398-5211

4. Admire the art at the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art was established in 1905 by the Cedar Rapids Art Club, which started exhibiting art for the public in the gallery in the new Carnegie Library. When the library moved to a new location, the building was renovated to become the new Cedar Rapids Museum of Art which formally opened its door in 1989. The museum has the largest collection of works by Grant Wood, Bertha Jaques, Marvin Cone and Mauricio Lasansky in the world. It also has a significant collection of ancient Roman portrait busts in its Riley Collection. Grant Wood’s studio, where the artist lived and worked between 1924 and 1935, is now part of the museum and is open to the public. There is also a significant collection of the works of Marvin Cone, Grant Wood’s friend and collaborator, in the Museum. That collection includes some of his best abstracts and landscapes. The museum focuses on 20th century American Art and has more than 7,000 works of art. There are also popular art classes for children and adults.

Find it at this Address: 410 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, Phone: 319-366-7503

5. Visit Czech Village - New Bohemia Main Street District

Cedar Rapids is home to many Czech, Slovak and Moravian immigrants as well as their descendants. They came at the turn of the century and settled on nearby farms and villages around Cedar Rapids. Czech Village is a historic fully restored part of the original shopping district.

In 2009, the city created Czech Village - New Bohemia Main Street District as a way to bring a breath of fresh air to the community. The district hosts festivals, performing arts from all over the world, visual arts and much more. The district is home to several world-class museums such as the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, a range of great restaurants and rich nightlife.

Find it at this Address: 101 16th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, Phone: 319-432-9785

6. Watch a game at Veterans Memorial Stadium

Veterans Memorial Stadium is a baseball stadium built in 2002 to replace the original 1949 home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels, which had to be torn down. The new Stadium was finished just in time for the opening season, which the Kernels celebrated by achieving record attendance with 196,066 visitors.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels is a minor league baseball team affiliated with the Minnesota Twins. On the outside, the stadium is a brown brick structure with an aluminum upper part, but on the inside it is great expanse of green grass, perfectly designed for baseball. The stadium has also hosted some great concerts by artists such as Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.

Find it at this Address: 950 Rockford Rd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404, Phone: 319-363-3887

7. Visit the African American Museum of Iowa

The African American Museum of Iowa is located on the banks of the Cedar River, at the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids. Since its opening in 1994, it became one of the major educational institutions on the subject of Iowa African American history. The museum offers tours, a number of diverse exhibits and thematic programs, family activities, youth education for students, Iowa Communications Network Programming, fundraising events, a summer camp and many other programs. The museum also publishes The Iowa Griot, the quarterly newsletter that has a goal of keeping history alive to make the future better.

Find it at this Address: 55 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, Phone: 319-862-2101

8. Stroll through the NewBo City Market

The NewBo City Market is found in the heart of the New Bohemia Main Street District, and it's home to a wide range of dining, shopping, and entertainment. Located in a unique warehouse setting, the Market serves as a "Town Center" where people can mingle, shop, and enjoy food from some of the area's best restaurants.

Visitors can purchase local produce, specialty foods, flowers, meats and seafood, and home accessories from local growers, artists, artisans, and businesses. Cooking demonstration classes are offered regularly, and live music can be enjoyed every Friday night from May through September.

Find it at this Address: 1100 3rd Street SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401, Phone: 319-200-4050

9. Go bird watching in the Indian Creek Nature Center

The Indian Creek Nature Center aims to promote a sustainable future by encouraging responsible interactions with nature and providing environmental education to the public. The Center is situated on 210 acres of diverse land, including prairie, forest, and wetlands, which visitors can use to go hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing and fishing.

A number of public programs are offered, including beekeeping classes, free nature walks for preschoolers and their parents, and workshops that teach the basics of raising chickens in an urban setting. Children can attend summer nature camps, which are offered in both four-day and single-day sessions.

Find it at this Address: 6665 Otis Road SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403, Phone: 319-362-0664

10. Learn about history in Ushers Ferry Historic Village

Ushers Ferry Historic Village is operated by a charitable organization and serves as a venue for a variety of community-building activities, events, and programs. Located in the Seminole Valley, Ushers Ferry is made up of 20 historic buildings that help to illustrate what life in a small Iowa town at the turn of the 20th century was like.

Large groups that want to explore the Village can purchase a two-hour bonfire and hayrack ride package. Walking tours are offered for a small fee during the summer months.

Find it at this Address: 5925 Seminole Valley Trail NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52411, Phone: 319-286-5763