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Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids travel guide

City in Iowa, United States

Best time to visitSeptember
Nearest airportCID · 7 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC−5
Population137,710

About Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States, and the county seat. The population was 137,710 at the 2020 census, and was estimated at 137,935 in 2025. making it the second-most populous city in Iowa. The city lies on both banks of the Cedar River, 20 miles (32 km) north of Iowa City and 128 miles (206 km) northeast of Des Moines, the state's capital.

Places to visit in Cedar Rapids

  1. National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

    National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

    Museum · 1 mi from centre

    A museum showing the history and culture of Czech and Slovak immigrants, with folk costumes, a restored immigrant home and changing exhibitions, set by the Cedar River.

  2. Czech Village and NewBo District

    Neighborhood

    Neighborhoods on either side of the Cedar River with shops, bakeries and galleries, plus the NewBo City Market featuring local food vendors and small businesses under one roof.

  3. Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

    Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

    Museum

    A downtown museum known for a large collection of works by Iowa artist Grant Wood, creator of American Gothic, along with other American paintings and changing exhibitions.

  4. Brucemore

    Brucemore

    Historic · 2 mi from centre

    A Queen Anne style mansion on large landscaped grounds, open for guided tours that reveal the lives of the three families who lived there, with gardens and summer events.

  5. Indian Creek Nature Center

    Nature

    A nature preserve on the edge of the city with trails through restored prairie, woodland and wetlands, and an environmentally designed building with nature exhibits and programs.

Where to stay in Cedar Rapids

Popular hotels in Cedar Rapids, out of 42 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Cedar Rapids

Best time to visit Cedar Rapids

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cedar Rapids is September, when average daytime highs are around 78°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 13° – 28° 7
Feb 21° – 39° 5
Mar 33° – 54° 9
Apr 42° – 61° 11
May 51° – 72° 10
Jun 64° – 82° 11
Jul 66° – 82° 14
Aug 63° – 80° 9
Sep 58° – 78° 5
Oct 48° – 68° 7
Nov 34° – 49° 7
Dec 19° – 33° 8

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Cedar Rapids weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 72° 44° 2%
  • Thu 22 Oct 71° 53° 0%
  • Fri 23 Oct 73° 53° 0%
  • Sat 24 Oct 75° 59° 2%
  • Sun 25 Oct 67° 53° 4%
  • Mon 26 Oct 53° 40° 7%

Know before you go

Currency
United States dollar (USD)
Language
English
Calling code
+1
Driving
On the right
Time zone
America/ChicagoUTC−5
Capital
Washington, D.C.

Upcoming public holidays in United States

  • Veterans Day
  • Thanksgiving Day
  • Christmas Day
  • New Year's Day
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
  • Presidents DayWashington's Birthday

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Cedar Rapids

These are the airports closest to central Cedar Rapids. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • CID The Eastern Iowa Airport7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
Search flights to Cedar Rapids

Getting around Cedar Rapids

All addresses in the city are based upon a quadrant system. The system divides the city into four directional quadrants with addresses that may look something like this:

By bus

Cedar Rapids Transit +1 319-286-5573. Service runs M-F from 5:25AM until 7:15PM, and Sa 9:15AM to 4:15PM. There is no service on Sunday.

Cedar Rapids travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Cedar Rapids?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Cedar Rapids is September, when average daytime highs are around 78°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

What is the weather like in Cedar Rapids?

June is usually the warmest month in Cedar Rapids, with average highs of 82°F (28°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 13°F (-11°C). The wettest month is typically April, with about 128 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Cedar Rapids?

The Eastern Iowa Airport (CID) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Cedar Rapids.

What time zone is Cedar Rapids in?

Cedar Rapids uses the America/Chicago time zone (currently UTC−5). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Cedar Rapids?

All addresses in the city are based upon a quadrant system. The system divides the city into four directional quadrants with addresses that may look something like this:

What are the best places to visit in Cedar Rapids?

Top sights in Cedar Rapids include National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Czech Village and NewBo District, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and Brucemore. A museum showing the history and culture of Czech and Slovak immigrants, with folk costumes, a restored immigrant home and changing exhibitions, set by the Cedar River.

Where should I stay in Cedar Rapids?

Popular areas for hotels in Cedar Rapids include Cedar Rapids. Well-reviewed options include Homewood Suites by Hilton Cedar Rapids-North and DoubleTree Cedar Rapids Convention Complex.

How many hotels can I book in Cedar Rapids?

Destina Holidays currently lists 42 properties in and around Cedar Rapids, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.