From River Trails to Skyline Views: Summer on the Road in the Heartland

1 week
1,300 miles
3 unique cities

This summertime road trip had us walking miles through Cedar Rapids, biking around Minneapolis, and kayaking down the Milwaukee River.

Come along as we share highlights, including iconic destinations, must-see murals, and beautiful natural pathways.

What started out as a baseball road trip idea quickly turned into a Midwest adventure checking three states off our bucket list: Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

We started out with…

What’s a road trip without a few quirky Americana stops along the way? With the help of our beloved Roadside America app, we found the perfect half-way point on the first leg of our road trip: Normal, Illinois.

With just a short detour off I-74, we found Carl’s Ice Cream Factory. Outside the ice cream shop stands 14-foot-tall Carl, the ice cream muffler man. Inside you’ll find premium, fresh-made hard ice cream, burgers and more.

 

First Stop: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids wasn’t exactly a “destination” for us… more like a convenient stop on our way to Minneapolis. But, with a little research, we found the second-largest city in Iowa was rich in history and cultural offerings.

We spent one full day here, exploring the city primarily on foot. We walked more than 6 miles through downtown, along Cedar River, out to New Bohemia and into the Czech Village.

We spent some time in the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art where we learned more about local artist Grant Wood, and then drove a little out of town to find the American Gothic Barn.

You could spent a full day or more exploring the many murals scattered throughout the downtown area, each paying tribute to the hard-working people of the region, local artists or entertainment. There’s also a noticeable environmental awareness with dedicated walking paths along Cedar River and uniquely reformed natural areas like Mt. Trashmore.

Where to stay:

Tru by Hilton Cedar Rapids Westdale

Things to do:

Get inspired at Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

Visit New Bohemia & Czech Village District

Explore Brucemore Mansion

Hike Mt. Trashmore

Catch a show at Paramount Theatre

 

Second stop: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Cedar