The Atlas Obscura Guide To Cedar Rapids

2 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Updated May 3, 2021

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Unusual Attractions in Cedar Rapids

View from the south bank looking north at Mays Island where Cedar Rapids City Hall and Linn County Courthouse are located.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Cedar Rapids Municipal Island

One of just a few cities in the world to base their center of government on an island. Others: Paris and Osaka.

Grant Wood Studio

Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Grant Wood Studio

Grant Wood painted some of his most famous works of art at this studio.

Are we missing something unusual?

American Gothic Barn from northwest

Mount Vernon, Iowa

American Gothic Barn

A hidden barn-sized rendition of Grant Wood's most famous, and most parodied, painting.

9 miles from Cedar Rapids

Hähnchen, or chicken, schnitzel, comes with a creamy gravy.

Amana, Iowa

Ronneburg Restaurant

What was once a communal kitchen now serves heaping portions of hearty German fare.

16 miles from Cedar Rapids

High Amana General Store

Amana, Iowa

High Amana General Store

Step back in time while shopping inside this local store.

18 miles from Cedar Rapids

Old Stone Barn

Anamosa, Iowa

Stone City

Remnants of a quarry company town still stand on the banks of the Wapsipinicon River.

18 miles from Cedar Rapids

4,000 pound wooden nickel

Iowa City, Iowa

World’s Largest Wooden Nickel

This 16-foot-diameter wooden coin has been standing in Iowa City since 2006.

20 miles from Cedar Rapids

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