Top 10 Winter Activities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Snowshoeing/Cross Country Skiing

For just $10-15 per person, rent snowshoes at Indian Creek Nature Center as long as there is five or more inches of snow cover. Check out the City of Cedar Rapids trails for cross country skiing located at Ellis Golf Course, Jones Park, Seminole Valley Park, Twin Pines Golf Course, Gardner Golf Course, Czech Greenway, and the Sac and Fox Trail. They are opened, marked and groomed when they are completely covered with snow and conditions allow grooming. Call the Winter Sports Hotline, 319-286-5700, for trail openings and conditions.

Linn County Conservation trails that are available for cross-country skiing include: Matsell Bridge Natural Area 5 miles; Morgan Creek Park 3.8 miles; Wanatee Park 3.5 miles; and Wickiup Hill Learning Center 3.3 miles. 4” of snow is required for our equipment to be able to groom trails. Tracks are first “rolled” and then “groomed”. Hikers, horses, and dogs are encouraged to stay off the Nordic ski track. Find more information here by scrolling to Winter Activities.

Hockey Action

The Cedar Rapids RoughRiders are back in action at the ImOn Ice Arena for the season! The RoughRiders are part of the USHL, offering exciting hockey action the entire family will enjoy. For tickets and their home schedule, click here.

A competing team fails to steal the hockey puck from the Rough Riders during a game in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Ice Skating

Skate outdoors! Bundle up and practice your skating skills this winter at one of Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation Department's free outdoor ice rinks. The rink is open when weather conditions permit — so don't miss out! It's located at Hughes Park Basketball Court, 2100 Wilson Ave. SW. Visit the City of Cedar Rapids website to check if the ice rinks are open.

Two girls bundled up in winter clothes ice skate at an outdoor rink in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Indoor Playground

For over 32 years, The Fun Station has been a Cedar Rapids staple providing visitors and residents alike a fun, active and safe indoor family play space perfect for any occasion all year long.

This year the ADVENTURE is getting even bigger! The Fun Station has expanded to a new location and is now Iowa’s LARGEST indoor adventure park with over 70,000 square-feet of FUN and more than 22 amazing attractions!

Kids play on large bumper cars, jungle gyms, slides, and other attractions at The Fun Station in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Sledding

Sledding hills are located at Bowman Woods, Jones and Shawnee Parks. Find park information here and safety tips here.

Throughout Linn County the area next to Red Cedar Lodge at Wanatee Park and a hill by Woodpecker Lodge at Pinicon Ridge Park in Central City are popular for sledding during the winter months.

Father pushes his daughter in a sled on a snowy hill in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Warm Up!

Warm up with your favorite fancy coffee or hot chocolate at a local coffee shop - view a few suggestions here.

A latte in a coffee mug with intricate latte art at a coffee shop in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Shop, Dine, Explore

While you are out, take time to explore a new neighborhood – Uptown Marion, Czech Village / New Bohemia Main Street, Kingston Village, The MedQuarter – support the local shops and restaurants that make each of the districts unique.

Close up of a "Shop Small" sign in a store window in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Jump Around

At AirFX Trampoline Park, you’ll enjoy 40,000 square feet of family fun! Including wall-to-wall trampolines, dodgeball court, trampoline basketball, 18- and 24-foot tumble tracks, jumping pits, and more!