The Czech Village/New Bohemia neighborhood of Cedar Rapids just south of downtown was first settled in the 1870s by Czech immigrants who found jobs at nearby meat-packing plants. Today this once humble 'hood is undergoing revitalization. The streets are attracting shops, restaurants and pubs. It's the most interesting area in the city for a stroll and spans both sides of the Cedar River. The entire area shows remarkable resilience in its recovery from a devastating 2008 flood.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Iowa attractions

2. Grant Wood Studio

0.79 MILES

Visit Grant Wood's downtown studio where he worked from 1924 to 1935. In this 2nd-floor space above a carriage house for the neighboring Douglas Mansion…

3. Amana Heritage Museum

16.15 MILES

Offers a good overview of the colonies. Ask about the self-guided walking and driving routes that can be accessed via your phone.

4. Old Capitol Museum

22.3 MILES

The cute gold-domed building at the heart of the University of Iowa campus is the Old Capitol. Built in 1840, it was the seat of government until 1857…

5. Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

26.32 MILES

Herbert Hoover, the president of the United States from 1929 to 1933, will forever be remembered for the Great Depression, the economic cataclysm that…