Things to Do in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids' music scene sets the stage for talent from the area and beyond.

If you live in or visit a big city like New York, Chicago or Los Angeles, having access to world-class musical performances is expected as part of the package. But when considering other notable artsy cities, Cedar Rapids should be on your radar, too. With a population of nearly 140,000, Cedar Rapids has a music scene that’s considered a hidden gem. Learn about our awesome music scene!

Fast fact: Cedar Rapids is the largest corn-processing city in the world and one of the leading bioprocessing and food ingredient centers in North America. As impressive as that is, Cedar Rapids has many other impressive aspects that help make life happy around here.

Quality of life amenities include museums, two main theaters, 74 parks, four golf courses, six public swimming pools, two major hospitals and Eastern Iowa Airport. Other advantages include top-notch schools, a good transportation network and a pro-business government.

Cedar Rapids is home to 24 Fortune 500 companies, including big names like Cargill, General Mills, Nordstrom, Quaker Oats and Whirlpool. About 300 advanced manufacturing plants have operations here, and the insurance and finance industries keep growing strong, too. Other major sectors are aerospace, biotechnology, defense, education services, food and beverage, health care, IT, packaging and renewable energy.

Livability Cedar Rapids, IA is sponsored by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, which is home to a half million creative residents and covers 4,400 square miles in eastern Iowa including the seven county region of Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties.

You know it's a location to love when the community vibes. Look no further than the Cedar Rapids Downtown Farmers Market and Market After Dark, both produced by the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance. All summer long, the community shows up in spades to enjoy fresh local food, beverages and coffee, stroll the more than 200 market vendors, and pick out tasty ingredients (or flowers!) for later. With high marks from the community, and also national organizations like American Farmland Trust rating the Downtown Farmers Market a "best in class" farmers market, you know it's good.