 |
|
|
|
|
Cedar Rapids, IA
Best Museums (Attractions & Activities)
(10 Overall Closest) |
 |
|
African American Historical Museum & Cultural Center of Iowa |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
55 12th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids 52401 • 319-862-2101 |
|
|
| |
Description:
DOWNTOWN. Iowa's African American Heritage Foundation was founded in 1994, but not until 2003 did this museum open its doors. Visiting researchers often choose to peruse the reference library and archives, but casual attendees typically stick to the main galleries. Their exhibits focus on plantation life and slavery, free black migration to Iowa, the Civil War and Reconstruction, and military and church history in African American life. A special section recognizes black Iowans in the arts, agriculture, business and athletics, and the Africa Gallery recounts life on a slave ship and elucidates the Middle Passage from West Africa to Iowa. The Nikee Museum store sells drums, sculpture, hand-made jewelry, art prints and books. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Amana Colonies |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
39 38th Ave, Amana 52203 • 800-579-2294 |
|
|
| |
Description:
AMANA. Just a short drive from Cedar Rapids, the Amana colonies are a National Historic Landmark village settled in 1855 by German immigrants seeking religious freedom. The group lived a communal life and remained essentially unchanged until 1932, when citizens voted to privatize local businesses and dwellings. Today, tours of the village are best begun at the Amana Heritage Museum, where you can watch a video explaining the history of the Amana colonies and reserve a spot on a walking tour. Each village structure is a unique museum unto itself, and each charges a separate admission fee. Visit all of them or just those that most interest you. Each one details its role in the life of the colony: church, agricultural museum, communal kitchen, cooperage, homestead store and blacksmith. Local restaurants serve traditional German and German-American foods, and more than 60 specialty shops offer furniture, quilts, antiques, clocks, woollen goods, artwork, and gift items. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Brucemore |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
2160 Linden Dr SE, Cedar Rapids 52403 • 319-362-7375 |
|
|
| |
Description:
DOWNTOWN. This Queen Anne-style mansion, built between 1884 and 1886, has been a National Trust historic site since 1981. Tour tickets are sold in the visitor center, which occupies a renovated carriage house. This structure also houses a flower shop, museum store and exhibitions chronicling the lives of the three families who have lived at Brucemore. The 26-acre estate is more than a historic home and museum – throughout the year numerous garden tours, concerts and plays are featured on the grounds. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Carl & Mary Koehler History Center |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
615 First Ave SE, Cedar Rapids 52401 • 319-362-1501 |
|
|
| |
Description:
DOWNTOWN. At this facility, more than 35,000 artifacts tell the story of Cedar Rapids and Linn County in the 1900s. Displayed items, curiously enough, are as small as a hat pin and as large as an electric car. Many exhibits are interactive and allow visitors to guide their own experiences. Other highlights include a virtual 3-D "time machine tour" of downtown as it was a century ago and an archives and library (reservations requested). A museum shop sells everything from Grant Wood note cards to hand-dipped candles. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
410 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids 52401 • 319-366-7503 |
|
|
| |
Description:
DOWNTOWN. This museum is best known for having the world's largest collection of art by Grant Wood, Iowa's native son who painted "American Gothic." In fact, the museum owns and operates Wood's studio in downtown Cedar Rapids (at 5 Turner Alley). CRMA's eight-gallery permanent collection features Roman portrait busts, sculpture by Malvina Hoffman, Regionalist art from the 20th century and multimedia works and photos by Iowa artists. Since all 5,000 items can't be accommodated at one time, the museum rotates its holdings regularly. The museum store carries a wonderful selection of ceramics, stationery, jewelry, hand-crafted wooden toys and decorative glass items. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Czech Village |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
16th Ave SW at 1st St, Cedar Rapids |
|
|
| |
Description:
CZECH VILLAGE. In the late 1840s, Cedar Rapids experienced a large Czech influx, thanks to a boom in the meat-packing industry. Many of these new immigrants settled along the river in what is now known as Czech Village. Their former houses have now been converted to bakeries, restaurants, and specialty and gift shops, many with ethnic Czech-Slovak overtones. Spend at least a half-day strolling among the shops, taking time to savor lunch or dinner at a restaurant serving authentic foods. The excellent National Czech-Slovak Museum is also located here. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Iowa Masonic Library & Museum |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
813 1st Ave SE, Cedar Rapids 52402 • 319-365-1438 |
|
|
| |
Description:
DOWNTOWN. One of the world's largest and most complete Masonic libraries is located in a large, white marble building in downtown Cedar Rapids. More than 100,000 volumes are housed in the imposing structure, and both Masonic and general interest texts are included. The public may use the library free of charge. Free tours are also available. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
4444 1st Avenue NE Lindale Mall, Ste 18, Cedar Rapids 52404 • 319-362-8500 |
|
|
| |
Description:
CZECH VILLAGE. When it comes to Czech and Slovak history, this museum is one of the country's most comprehensive. Exhibits feature fine art, maps, stamps, handmade ceramics and decorative glass objects, and folk costumes from Bohemia, Moravia and Slovakia. A museum highlight is the recreated immigrant home, furnished as it would have been by late 19th-century settlers. The museum shop sells hard-to-find goods imported from the Old Country. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Science Station & McLeod / Busse IMAX Dome Theatre |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
427 1st St SE, Cedar Rapids 52401 • 319-363-4629 |
|
|
| |
Description:
DOWNTOWN. Learn about weather, magnets, electricity, the human body, outer space and much more at this hands-on science museum. Located in a renovated fire station dating to 1917, it offers 12,000 square feet of space and holds more than 130 interactive learning exhibits. A special pre-K area delights kids with a sand table, climbing wall and puppet theater. Connected to the museum is Iowa's only IMAX dome theater. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
Seminole Valley Farm Museum |
|
(Attractions & Activities - Museums) |
|
1400 Seminole Valley Rd NE Seminole Valley Park, Cedar Rapids 52411 • 319-378-9240 |
|
|
| |
Description:
CEDAR RAPIDS. Visiting this museum is like taking a trip to Grandma's farm – circa 1900 – and is an especially enlightening experience for youngsters. The farm is listed on the National Register and includes the farmhouse itself, along with a barn, tool shed, summer kitchen, smokehouse, chicken coop and, of course, outhouse. Once you've experienced all of these components, take in one of the Seminole Valley Farm Theater's living history productions. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Country Inns & Suites Feeds