Cedar Rapids

If you have time when your flight comes in or before you leave, Cedar Rapids is worth a side trip. This small town offers a happening range of restaurants, coffee shops, stores, and arts offerings.

New Bo

NewBo City Market, From: ettractions.com

New Bo, short for New Bohemian, refers to this revitalized area’s proximity to the Czech Village, as the Czech Republic used to be colloquially known as the Kingdom of Bohemia. The New Bo Area includes the City Market, which offers a wide variety of food stalls (my personal favorite is La Reyna), as well as:

Brewhemia: I haven’t tried the Nitro Coffee, but you should! Personally, I prefer their Americano and one of their gluten free cookies.
Great American Popcorn Co.: Go for the wide range of popcorn, stay for the ice cream and candy. If you want an indulgence, this kid-friendly location is a fun choice.
Next Page Books: This independent book shop is not to be missed. Although it’s small, the owners carefully select books across all genres and love offering recommendations to patrons. Of particular interest is their rich selection in poetry.
New Bo Mercantile and Vintage Shop: This small shop offers a selection of vintage goods, but it’s best for candle and soap making classes or bulk tea.

Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums

Cedar Rapids Public Library, from: connect.crlibrary.org

Cedar Rapids Public Library: This building won a variety of awards from local and national organizations devoted to architecture and design. Most notably, it won Library Journal’s 2015 award for Landmark Library. Visit to browse the books, get a coffee from the in-house kiosk, and soak up the sunlight from the meticulously manicured park across the street.
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library: Not far from the New Bo area, the National Czech & Slovak Museum is a major cultural hub within Eastern Iowa. Although it suffered flooding in 2008, the University of Iowa worked closely with its staff to restore its holdings and infrastructure.
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art: Offering a wide range of exhibitions, be sure to check out permanent displays on Mauricio Lasansky and local artist Grant Wood as well as the visiting display Iowa + Taiwan.
African American Museum of Iowa: Learn more about the African American community in Iowa at this museum through its permanent exhibit, Endless Possibilities, and its rotating shows on black culture and history.

Bonus

Cobble Hill Eatery & Dispensary, from: cobblehillrestaurant.com

Should you get hungry while you’re exploring Cedar Rapids, save time to visit Amy’s favorite restaurant in Iowa – Cobble Hill Eatery and Dispensary. Everything from the cocktails to the cheese platter to the mains to the dessert is amazing due to Chef Andy Schumacher, a semifinalist for the James Beard Award.

–Amy Hildreth Chen
Special Collections Instruction Librarian &
Interim English and American Literature Librarian
University of Iowa Libraries