College Kids on the Town

Cedar Rapids makes the adjustment to college life easy, no cap. Get the low down on the best places for food, friends and fun in the area!

The Cedar Rapids area is proud to house 4 colleges and universities:

Coe College: Coe College is a private, nationally recognized four-year coeducational liberal arts institution providing superior educational experiences for students since 1851.

Cornell College: Cornell College is a private, nationally-ranked liberal arts college located in Mt. Vernon, IA. From its inception, Cornell has accepted women in all degree programs, and hosted Iowa’s first female recipient of a baccalaureate degree in 1858.

Kirkwood Community College: Kirkwood Community College has served the needs of students, families, employees, and employers in eastern Iowa for more than a half century. Kirkwood is the area’s leading provider of accessible, affordable and exceptional education and training.

Mount Mercy University: Mount Mercy University offers students a fulfilling education, promising people of all background’s solid preparation for a changing world. Their 1,600+ students come from around the globe, creating a vibrant, diverse and welcoming campus community.

Study Break

Itching with cabin fever? There are so many places to enjoy while still getting your school work done. Check out the Cedar Rapids Downtown Public Library for a quiet change of scenery and a rooftop garden so you can study with a view!

Fill Up the Tank

Need a caffeine boost while you work? Stop into Brewhemia, Café Saint Pio or any of our other amazing coffee shops to fuel up. Looking for a quick snack or lunch on the go? Pop in to Lu’s Deli for a sandwich or Donutland Donut, grab a personal pan pizza at Need Pizza, or stop at food truck Tuesday’s during the summer months at NewBo City Market.

Fresh Air

If the hike up Mount Mercy’s hill doesn’t scare you off, enjoy a ride on one of the many biking and hiking trails connecting throughout the city. While exploring, stop at popular sites like the Sag Wagon, Pedalers Fork or Kickstand to rehydrate or snack. Prefer to shred some gnar? Visit Riverside Skate Park to test out the ramps, railings and half pipe. Plus, you can hike our very own mountain, Mount Trashmore, a refurbished landfill turned recreation site.

Out on the Town

Live like a local and explore events and shopping in the area! Catch concerts, musicals, comedians and more at one of our area venues like the McGrath Amphitheater, The Paramount Theatre, Theatre Cedar Rapids or the Alliant Energy PowerHouse. If you prefer a more intimate scene, checkout the line ups at CSPS, Giving Tree Theatre, or The Olympic, and find local live music at many area restaurants and bars.

If you’re looking to shop, you’ve come to the right place, as the NewBo, Uptown Marion and Czech Village District are home to a variety of local shops, food and sweet treats to get you through the day. And don’t miss Lindale Mall and Westdale shopping center for more mainstream options.

Get Active

Have a fun night out with your friends in Cedar Rapids! Beat the clock at Fantastic Escape, jump around at AirFX or show your skills in arcade games at The Quarter Barrel, along with bowling and laser tag at SpareTime Entertainment. Get active and practice your swing at D-Bat in Marion or on the sand volleyball courts at Volley’s. Prefer to watch sports rather than play them? Take in a baseball game with the Cedar Rapids Kernels or join the stable at ImOn Ice for a Cedar Rapids RoughRider hockey game.

After Hours Fun

When you’re ready to hit the town, visit the local bar scene at Bricks, Moco Game Room & Hot Dog Bar, Pub 217, The Rock Bar, LP Street Food & Scoop Coop and Tic Toc. Drop it low on the dance floors at Hazzard County or Club Basix. Hit up the local breweries and wineries including Iowa Brewing Company, Clock House Brewing, Lion Bridge Brewing, Cedar Ridge Winery & Distillery, House Divided, BIT Brewing and Third Base. And hang with the townies at Clancey’s Keg, Bushwoods, Edith & Lucielle’s Bait Shack and Wing Depot or Cedar River Landing.

Ballin’ On A Budget

Save your hard-earned cash by checking out some of the discounted options in town! Fill up at a local buffet like Pizza Ranch, Golden Palace or Taj Mahal then catch the newest movie release at Marcus or Collins Road Theatres Theatres for only $5 on Tuesdays. Next read our blog for more free things to do in Cedar Rapids. For an extra perk, do some research to find where you get discounts with your student ID at places like Chick-fil-a or Dairy Queen.