Iowa is a wonderful state to visit and Cedar Rapids is a family-friendly city that offers a whole heap of fun for visitors of all ages.
It's no surprise Cedar Rapids is ranked #1 in the Best Cities for Children list by SmartAsset! Cedar Rapids has plenty of exciting things for families to do together. With fun activities at NewBo City Market to family-friendly tours and events, it's easy to make your trip to the Cedar Rapids area a memorable experience for everyone in the family. Check out the fun-filled family adventure below to guide you to through the best of what the community has to offer.
Family Friendly Hotel
We recommend staying at the Cedar Rapids Marriott, where your children will enjoy the glass elevators overlooking the atrium as well as the indoor pool. Right across the street you'll find Noelridge Park with one of the prettiest flower gardens in the city.
Playtime
If your kids need to burn off some energy after a long car or plane ride, look no further than The Play Station. Located close to the hotel, this indoor jungle gym playground will keep them entertained for hours. The Play Station offers pizzas and lots of other food as well, so kick back and relax while the kids stay busy climbing, sliding and running.
Enjoy Breakfast
Pick up cinnamon rolls from Kathy's Pies for breakfast before enjoying the new Greene Square in the heart of downtown Cedar Rapids.
Hands on Fun
Our brand new Cedar Rapids Public Library downtown is truly one-of-a-kind and worth a visit. The children’s section is not only stocked with books and movies, but also includes a puppet theater, interactive computer games and lots of hands-on fun. Then things really begin to look up. Explore the “living learning” green roof.
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Unique Eatery
Classic arcade games are fun for all at Quarter Barrel Arcade! Grab a pizza and local craft for mom and dad.
Snack Time
Before heading to your next adventure, make a visit to Almost Famous Popcorn in the NewBo neighborhood to grab some snacks for the afternoon. They offer an amazing array of gourmet popcorn flavors, fresh scooped ice cream, fudge and vintage sodas the kids will love. Sample away.
Tons of Fun
Spend your afternoon jumping high into the air at Air FX Trampoline Park, conveniently located off Interstate 380. The kids will bounce for joy when they experience this indoor trampoline haven. Adults love the park too. So go ahead, join your children and jump for joy.
Something for Everyone
After a well-deserved night’s sleep, swing by the NewBo City Market on Sunday morning to have brunch with the whole family. This unique market offers a wide variety of eclectic food vendors sure to please young and more discerning palates alike. And we’ll wager you’ll all love the sea salt caramel ice cream served in a pretzel cone from Nelson’s Ice Cream.
Outdoor Adventure
No matter what the weather, stop in at Wickiup Hill Outdoor Learning Area for a big dose of free outdoor fun. You can explore the marshes or hike through the prairie and woodlands, as well explore the NEW nature playscape, Wickiup's Wandering Woods. Stop inside the lodge building to check out Oliver and Ava's River Raft Adventure exhibit.
Fall Favorites
If you are visiting in September/October don’t miss the corn maze, pumpkin patch, petting zoo and plentiful family-friendly activities at Bloomsbury Farms.
During the fall season, Bass Farms comes alive with pumpkins, mums, hayrack rides, games, bounce houses, putt putt golf, sling shots and much, much more.
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