'''Cedar Rapids''' [http://www.cedar-rapids.org/] is a city located in Linn County in the state of Iowa. In 2000, it was the second largest city in Iowa by population and is home to approximately 140,000 residents. The suburbs of Hiawatha and Marion blend in on the city's outskirts. While historically known as an industrial, working class city; Cedar Rapids has recently begun to grow and expand employment opportunities in the service sector, attracting new residents to the area. While out of the way of most major travel routes and destinations, a stop in Cedar Rapids may uncover a great taste of the Midwest. One thing is for sure, that the residents will be extremely friendly when you inform them you are visiting from out of town.
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By car
Cedar Rapids is located on Interstate 380, about 20 minutes north of Iowa City at the intersection of Interstates 380 and 80.
By air
The '''Eastern Iowa Airport''' ({{IATA|CID}}) [http://www.crairport.org/], approximately 5 miles south of downtown, is served by five airlines.
Get around
The main bypass of the city is I-380. 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:
''500 33rd Ave. SW''
The quadrant system's base is the insection of the Cedar River and 1st Avenue. Although seemingly simple to an observer, this system is nearly useless to visitors since the intersecting lines essentially form an "X" on a map rather than a "+".
See
'''Cedar Rapids Downtown District''' [http://www.downtowncr.org]
'''Cedar Rapids History Center''' [http://www.historycenter.org ]
'''Cedar Rapids Museum of Art''', 410 Third Avenue SE, ''+1 319 366-7503'' [http://www.crma.org] Features a collections of works by Iowa natives Grant Wood and Marvin Cone, along with a collection of 21 Roman portrait busts. (Currently Closed to public)
'''Science Station''', 427 First St. SE, ''+1 319 366-0968'' [http://www.sciencestation.org/] Interactive children's science museum. Features an IMAX dome. (Currently closed to public)
Do
Theatre Cedar Rapids, [http://www.theatrecr.org].
Cedar Rapids Symphony, [http://www.crsymphony.org].
Buy
Eat
The Vernon Inn. he Greek Place. 663 Mt Vernon Rd SE. 19-366-7817. Greek cuisine. Flaming cheese and stuffed grape leaves are a must.
Blend. 21 Second Ave SE. 19-366-3364. ww.blendcr.com. 25-50. Blend is an upscale restaurant with a contemporary and comfortable atmosphere. Their gourmet menu changes monthly, ranging from exotic seafood to T-bone steak.
The Flying Wienie. 03 8th Ave SW. 19-861-3036. ttp://www.theflyingwienie.com/menu.htm. 4-8. The roof of the Flying Wienie is adorned with a full sized, bright yellow bi-plane. As the name suggests, The Flying Wienie serves hot dogs and other greasy short order food, homemade Polish sausage and Gyros.
The Starlite Room. 300 1st Ave NE. Another local favorite. Small town Iowa atmosphere with greasy food. Known for it's 1/2 pound Superburger.
The Irish Democrat. st Avenue & 32nd Street. 19-364-9896. ttp://www.irishdemocrat.net/index.htm. 1am-. 7-15. A local favorite. Irish pub and grille.
'''Bishop's Buffet''', 2600 Edgewood Rd SW (Westdale Mall), ''+1 319'' 390-4541. All-you-can-eat cafeteria serving American food. A favorite Sunday dinner stop for the elderly. Known for its chocolate ambrosia pie.
'''Brewed Awakenings''', 1271 1st Ave. SE, ''+1 319'' 363-4333. A very comfortable coffee shop near Coe College that makes excellent espresso. [http://www.brewedawakeningscr.com/]
'''Nikki's BBQ''', 1455 Mount Vernon Rd SE, ''+1 319'' 261-0707. Excellent BBQ!
'''Biaggi's''', 320 Collins Road NE, ''+1 319'' 393-6593, [http://www.biaggis.com/cedarrapids.htm] Upscale Italian in a sophisticated setting. Part of a national chain.
Beef O'Brady's. 240 Edgewood Rd NE. 19-294-4992. ww.beefobradys.com. 1am-11pm. 6-12. A family type sports pub with friendly staff. Specialize in chicken wings (12 different sauces)and burgers.
Drink
'''R.G. Books''', 3611 1st Ave NE, +''1 319'' 363-7550. Small, cozy, intimate place for a small group of friends. Books line the walls, the bartenders have unique personalities, and the drinks are great. Take a seat on some of the couches and you may mistake yourself for an evening at an eclectic bookworm-turned-bartender friend's house. They make a mean mojito.
'''The Piano Lounge''', 208 2nd Ave SE, +''1 319'' 363-0606, [http://www.thepianolounge.com/cedarrapids.html]. Best known for its martinis and music. The martini menu is large, and features something for everyone' tastes. Comfortable for college co-eds and white collar business people alike. Be sure to catch dueling pianos, especially when the husband/wife combo perform. The Piano Lounge is the best place to spend Thursday night in Cedar Rapids: half-price martinis all night long. (Now reopened!)
'''Granite City''', 4755 1st Ave NE, +''1 319'' 395-7500, [http://www.cedarbrewing.com/]. Excellent microbrewery and great selection of food. Go on Monday and get a membership to the Granite Cite Brew Crew for $10: membership gets you a free beer ($4.75 value), 10% off every food purchase you ever have there, cheaper beers every time you go, and you accumulate points for prizes. It's easy to come back here again and again.
'''Third Base Sports''', 500 Blairs Ferry Road NE, +''1 319'' 378-9090, [http://www.cedarbrewing.com/]. Formerly "Cedar Brewing Company," it's a good microbrewery with lots of greasy, testy dinner food. A step or two below Granite City, but still well kept inside. The place in CR where people gathered to watch the 2006 World Cup Finals.
Sleep
'''Best Western Cooper's Mill Hotel''', 100 F Avenue NW, ''+1 319'' 366-5323, Toll-free: ''+1 800'' 858-5511, Fax: ''+1 319'' 366-5323, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=16096]. (Currently closed)
'''Best Western Longbranch Hotel & Convention Center''', 90 Twixt Town Road NE, ''+1 319'' 377-6386, Fax: ''+1 319'' 377-6386, [http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=16071].
'''Cedar Rapids Marriott''', 1200 Collins Road N.E., ''+1 319'' 393-6600, Toll-free: ''+1 800'' 396-2153, Fax: ''+1 319'' 393-2308, [http://www.cedarrapidsmarriott.com].
'''Fairfield Inn Cedar Rapids''', 3243 Southridge Drive, SW, ''+1 319'' 364-2000, Fax: ''+1 319'' 364-4620, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/CIDFI].
'''Hawthorne Suites''', 4444 Czech Lane, NE, ''+1 319'' 294-8700, Fax: ''+1 319'' 294-8256, [http://ww.cedarrapidshawthorn.com].
'''Holiday Inn Express''', 1230 Collins Road, ''+1 319'' 294-9407, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/cidcr].
'''Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites''', 3320 Southgate Court, ''+1 319'' 399-5025, [http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/ex/1/en/hd/cidsw].
MainStay Suites. 145 Rockwell Drive NE , Cedar Rapids, IA, US, 52402. hone: (319) 363-7829 Fax: (319) 393-1074. ttp://www.mainstaysuites.com/hotel-cedar_rapids-iowa-IA089. pm. 2pm.
'''Motel 6''', 3325 Southgate Court SW, ''+1 319'' 366-7523, Fax: ''+1 319'' 366-7639, [http://www.motel6.com/reservations/motel_detail.asp?MotelId=1485].
'''Residence Inn Cedar Rapids''', 1900 Dodge Road NE, ''+1 319'' 395-0111, Fax: ''+1 319'' 395-0111, [http://marriott.com/property/propertypage/CIDRI].
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