Brushes, Beers, and Bohemia: An Insider’s Guide to Cedar Rapids Culture

Jun 7

Mural of the iconic Grant Wood painting, American Gothic.

When planning a summertime road trip from our home in Indiana to Minneapolis and Milwaukee, there were a lot of miles we had to go through to get there and a couple different routes we could take. With a little research and my 50-state bucket list in mind, we decided to drive through Cedar Rapids, Iowa (check-off another state!).

Whenever I’d thought of Iowa in the past, flowing fields of corn and wheat sprang to mind. And that wasn’t far off from reality. Driving along I-80 out of Illinois, vast open fields is exactly what we saw.

But, once in Cedar Rapids, we discovered a lot more…

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Art became our focus

We didn’t really have a plan for exploring Cedar Rapids, but we had a list of possibilities and picked up a local magazine for inspiration. Sometimes when visiting a new place, all you need is a starting point and a sense of adventure.

I really wanted to visit the Grant Wood Studio. The American Gothic painting isn’t there (it lives at the Art Institute of Chicago), but I was curious to learn about the artist who painted it. Unfortunately, the Studio was closed when we were there. So, instead, we toured the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art and the Grant Wood display to learn more about the local artist.

American Gothic Barn

Continuing on our Grant Wood theme, we took a 15-minute drive outside of town to find the American Gothic Barn in Mt. Vernon, Iowa. It’s a quick and quirky stop, but another fun piece of local Americana. Located along US-30, this private farm features a simple barn not-so-simply painted with a larger-than-life replica American Gothic mural on one side and a landscape mural on the other.

Murals are everywhere

In fact, Cedar Rapids features a self-guided art tour that encompasses 20 murals and sculptures in a one-mile loop through downtown. Follow the map to find art by local artists, all in public spaces for all to see.

The vast array of public art throughout Cedar Rapids is supported by a local nonprofit, Murals & More, whose website explains that the power of public art fosters “a sense of belonging and opportunity for thought, contributing to our community’s identity and sense of place, enriching cultural vibrancy as a reflection of our community and the people who live here.”

A history of art & philanthropy at Brucemore

Built from 1884-1886, Brucemore has remained a part of Cedar Rapids for more than a century.

The 15,000 square foot, historic Queen Anne mansion was originally built with 21 rooms and 14 fireplaces. A massive Skinner Player Pipe Organ fills the house with music, occupying space on three floors of the home. And a tropical-themed basement, featuring the Tahitian Room and Grizzly Bar, offers a unique gathering space for entertaining guests.

In the early 1900s, owner Irene Douglas was a champion of the arts. In 1925, she commissioned local artist, Grant Wood, to decorate a unique sleeping porch at Brucemore. Today, the property continues to support local artists with studio space in the Carriage House and live events hosted on the property throughout the year.

Take a guided tour of the mansion to learn about the history of the estate and the families who lived there. NOTE: Inside the home are several flights of stairs and no elevator. Then, wander around the beautiful 26-acre property.

New Bohemia & the Czech Village

In addition to supporting the arts, Cedar Rapids celebrates its cultural heritage. Along the Cedar River, you’ll find the Czech Village & New Bohemia District - a 40-acre neighborhood filled with restaurants, shops, music and art.

Highlights of the District include:

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
African American History Museum of Iowa
NewBo City Market, a collection of food and artisan shops all in one space
Mt. Trashmore, a former landfill, turned recreation space with walking and biking paths

There are several restaurants and bars to explore within the Czech Village. With our limited time in Cedar Rapids, we picked just a few:

Sweet Mercantile, an old fashioned soda fountain and candy shop serving up classic sundaes
Little Bohemia, the oldest tavern in Cedar Rapids, known for its pork tenderloin and Czech goulash & dumplings
Lion Bridge Brewing Company, a small-batch brewery featuring indoor and outdoor seating, delicious food and (while we were there) live music on the patio

And, of course, lots of local shopping…. And more murals!