Road trip from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids
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Shopping
Nature & Parks
Nightlife
Sights & Landmarks
Fun & Games
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Museums
Shopping
Nature & Parks
Nightlife
Sights & Landmarks
Fun & Games
Food & Drink
Outdoor Activities
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ITINERARY
2h 24m128 miles26 stops
1
The Lift
2
4th Street
3
West End Architectural Salvage
4
World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates - home of The World Food Prize - is a public museum, educational facility and a place of inspiration for all. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security.
5
Brenton Skating Plaza
6
Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
7
Capitol Building
8
Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Open to visitors since September 2009, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 of the world's most celebrated artists. The 4.4 Acre park, located within a major crossroads of the urban grid, creates a pedestrian friendly entranceway to downtown Des Moines. This accessible setting, coupled with the skilled landscape design and caliber of the art, makes it unlike any other sculpture park in the United States. The Pappajohns' contribution of 28 works for the park is the most significant donation of artwork ever made to the Des Moines Art Center.
9
Iowa State Fairgrounds
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
10
Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
11
Fitness Sports
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
12
Nick's Bar & Grill
Nick's Bar & Grill, in Cedar Rapids, IA, is the premier restaurant serving Hiawatha, Marion, Fairfax, Palo, Atkins and surrounding areas since 2014. We offer burgers, soups, salads, appetizers, pizza, skillets, a full bar, 14 flatscreen televisions, dart boards, electronic gaming and much more. For your next meal, visit Nick's Bar & Grill in Cedar Rapids.
13
Westdale Mall
14
Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids
15
Hawkeye Downs Speedway
16
Dragon's Lair Family Adventure Center
Immerse yourself in your favorite video game for real. Play classic games like capture the flag, defuse the bomb and VIP. To name a few of our ever growing selection of games. Test out our realistic weapons and wireless sensors. They will put you in the middle of the action. Come and experience the Lair.
17
Ellis Park Golf Course
18
Mother Mosque of America
19
National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
Expanded 50,000 sq. ft. building opened in July 2012 with a world-class exhibit "Alphonse Mucha: Inspirations of Art Nouveau" featuring 230 pieces direct from Prague and London. Two other galleries feature rotating exhibitions on the culture, art and history of Czechs and Slovaks. And don't miss the two-room 1880's Czech immigrant house that was home to five generations. See the new museum store filled with European treasures and gifts. Stroll down Czech Village and also visit the exhibition, "Rising Above: the Store of a People and the Flood" located a 87 Sixteenth Ave. SW
20
African American Museum of Iowa
The African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history. As Iowa’s leading educational resource on the topic, we educate more than 30,000 people each year through museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, youth and adult education programs, and community and fundraising events.
21
Cedar Rapids Public Library
22
Grant Wood Studio
Grant Wood's Cedar Rapids studio is the second floor of a late 19th century carriage house. The modest red brick and wood building sits next to a large, elegant mansion that once housed one of Cedar Rapids' most prominent families. It was in the Studio that Grant Wood painted one of his most famous works of art, American Gothic-a work that was shown at and purchased by the Art Institute of Chicago in 1930 for $300.
23
Gilded Pear Gallery
Gilded Pear Gallery is a full service contemporary art gallery in Cedar Rapids, IA. The gallery features over 70 artists across varying media including jewelry and fine crafts as well as rotating exhibitions every 6-8 weeks. We specialize in corporate and residential art consultation-installation, framing, art appraisals, and more. View our website to learn more about our artists and services or visit the gallery to see an exhibit!
24
GoFree Escape Rooms
GoFree Escape Rooms is home to independent, locally designed live adventure games in which players work together to solve a series of puzzles, clues, and riddles to complete an assigned mission.
25
Spare Time Cedar Rapids
NOW OPEN: Spare Time is bringing Games, Lanes, Food, and Fun to Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Our newest location features luxury bowling, arcade games, laser tag, escape rooms, restaurant, bars, and more!
26
Indian Creek Nature Center
Customize this Trip
OVERVIEW
1
Start:The Lift
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
222 4th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-2206
2
Start:4th Street
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
4th Street, Des Moines, IA
3
Start:West End Architectural Salvage
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(71) review
22 SW 9th St, Des Moines, IA 50309-4310
4
Start:World Food Prize Hall of Laureates
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(81) review
The Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates - home of The World Food Prize - is a public museum, educational facility and a place of inspiration for all. This magnificently restored Beaux Arts space celebrates the spirit of giving, emphasizing the importance of global food security.
5
Start:Brenton Skating Plaza
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(9) review
520 Robert D Ray Dr, Des Moines, IA 50309-1824
6
Start:Robert D. Ray Asian Gardens
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.0
(73) review
Robert D. Ray Asian Drive, Des Moines, IA 50309
7
Start:Capitol Building
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(890) review
1007 E Grand Ave, Des Moines, IA 50319-1001
8
Start:Pappajohn Sculpture Park
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(739) review
Open to visitors since September 2009, the John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park features artwork by 22 of the world's most celebrated artists. The 4.4 Acre park, located within a major crossroads of the urban grid, creates a pedestrian friendly entranceway to downtown Des Moines. This accessible setting, coupled with the skilled landscape design and caliber of the art, makes it unlike any other sculpture park in the United States. The Pappajohns' contribution of 28 works for the park is the most significant donation of artwork ever made to the Des Moines Art Center.
9
Start:Iowa State Fairgrounds
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.5
(882) review
For 11 days in August, it’s a fairground, but for the other 354 days of the year, the Iowa State Fairgrounds is home to auto shows, livestock exhibitions, flea markets, antique shows, concerts, trade shows and more. See what’s happening this month at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.
10
Start:Fort Des Moines Museum & Education Center
Des Moines, Iowa·
4.0
(8) review
75 E Army Post Rd, Des Moines, IA 50315-5866
11
Start:Fitness Sports
Des Moines, Iowa·
5.0
(9) review
Iowa's first Specialty Running & Walking store with a emphasis on personal service. Ou r stone motto is "Where You have the Right to B-Fit". Est. in 1984.
12
Start:Nick's Bar & Grill
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.0
(7) review
Nick's Bar & Grill, in Cedar Rapids, IA, is the premier restaurant serving Hiawatha, Marion, Fairfax, Palo, Atkins and surrounding areas since 2014. We offer burgers, soups, salads, appetizers, pizza, skillets, a full bar, 14 flatscreen televisions, dart boards, electronic gaming and much more. For your next meal, visit Nick's Bar & Grill in Cedar Rapids.
13
Start:Westdale Mall
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
3.5
(4) review
2600 Edgewood Rd SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-7818
14
Start:Islamic Center of Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(6) review
2999 1st Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-4521
15
Start:Hawkeye Downs Speedway
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.0
(6) review
4400 6th St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-4431
16
Start:Dragon's Lair Family Adventure Center
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(8) review
Immerse yourself in your favorite video game for real. Play classic games like capture the flag, defuse the bomb and VIP. To name a few of our ever growing selection of games. Test out our realistic weapons and wireless sensors. They will put you in the middle of the action. Come and experience the Lair.
17
Start:Ellis Park Golf Course
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
3.5
(7) review
1401 Zika Ave NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-1257
18
Start:Mother Mosque of America
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.0
(6) review
1335 9th St NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405-1805
19
Start:National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(368) review
Expanded 50,000 sq. ft. building opened in July 2012 with a world-class exhibit "Alphonse Mucha: Inspirations of Art Nouveau" featuring 230 pieces direct from Prague and London. Two other galleries feature rotating exhibitions on the culture, art and history of Czechs and Slovaks. And don't miss the two-room 1880's Czech immigrant house that was home to five generations. See the new museum store filled with European treasures and gifts. Stroll down Czech Village and also visit the exhibition, "Rising Above: the Store of a People and the Flood" located a 87 Sixteenth Ave. SW
20
Start:African American Museum of Iowa
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(32) review
The African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide museum dedicated to preserving, exhibiting, and teaching Iowa’s African American history. As Iowa’s leading educational resource on the topic, we educate more than 30,000 people each year through museum tours, traveling exhibits, research services, youth and adult education programs, and community and fundraising events.
21
Start:Cedar Rapids Public Library
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(36) review
450 5th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1904
22
Start:Grant Wood Studio
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(36) review
Grant Wood's Cedar Rapids studio is the second floor of a late 19th century carriage house. The modest red brick and wood building sits next to a large, elegant mansion that once housed one of Cedar Rapids' most prominent families. It was in the Studio that Grant Wood painted one of his most famous works of art, American Gothic-a work that was shown at and purchased by the Art Institute of Chicago in 1930 for $300.
23
Start:Gilded Pear Gallery
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
5.0
(5) review
Gilded Pear Gallery is a full service contemporary art gallery in Cedar Rapids, IA. The gallery features over 70 artists across varying media including jewelry and fine crafts as well as rotating exhibitions every 6-8 weeks. We specialize in corporate and residential art consultation-installation, framing, art appraisals, and more. View our website to learn more about our artists and services or visit the gallery to see an exhibit!
24
Start:GoFree Escape Rooms
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
5.0
(5) review
GoFree Escape Rooms is home to independent, locally designed live adventure games in which players work together to solve a series of puzzles, clues, and riddles to complete an assigned mission.
25
Start:Spare Time Cedar Rapids
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
3.0
(5) review
NOW OPEN: Spare Time is bringing Games, Lanes, Food, and Fun to Cedar Rapids, Iowa! Our newest location features luxury bowling, arcade games, laser tag, escape rooms, restaurant, bars, and more!
26
Start:Indian Creek Nature Center
Cedar Rapids, Iowa·
4.5
(63) review
5300 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
CHECKLIST
GPS device or app
Download Offline Map
Car charger and portable battery
Water bottles and snacks
Travel pillow and blanket
Sunglasses and sunscreen
First-aid kit
Trash bags
Hand sanitizer and wet wipes
Driver’s license and vehicle registration
Cash and cards
Camera or smartphone
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the driving distance between Des Moines and Cedar Rapids?
The distance is 128 miles
What's the travel time between Des Moines and Cedar Rapids?
The driving time can vary depending on traffic conditions, but it is typically 2h 24m mins in normal traffic
What are some of the best cities to visit between Des Moines and Cedar Rapids?
Some popular stops include
Are there any cool sights or attractions I shouldn't miss on my drive to Cedar Rapids?
There are plenty! Here are some stops you shouldn’t miss on your way to Cedar Rapids
What’s the weather like in Cedar Rapids?
The weather in Cedar Rapids is generally mild year-round, with warm, dry summers and cool, wet winters. See the links below for more information
Weather in Cedar Rapids in January
Weather in Cedar Rapids in February
Weather in Cedar Rapids in March
Weather in Cedar Rapids in April
Weather in Cedar Rapids in May
Weather in Cedar Rapids in June
Weather in Cedar Rapids in July
Weather in Cedar Rapids in August
Weather in Cedar Rapids in September
Weather in Cedar Rapids in October
Weather in Cedar Rapids in November
Weather in Cedar Rapids in December
Interested in a detailed plan for your time in Cedar Rapids?
Plan your dream Cedar Rapids trip with our daily itineraries featuring must-see attractions! See them here!
A 1-day itinerary in Cedar Rapids
A 2-day itinerary in Cedar Rapids
A 3-day itinerary in Cedar Rapids
A 4-day itinerary in Cedar Rapids
A 5-day itinerary in Cedar Rapids
A 6-day itinerary in Cedar Rapids
Where else can I travel to if I'm starting my trip in Des Moines?
We have a lot of great trip options for Des Moines! See the links below for all the itineraries we created for you