E&N's Adventure Guide
Nashua: Bradford Guest House
Not an early riser? The Bradford Guest House is just a 3 minute walk from our ceremony site at the Little Brown Church! Features a bar and coffee shop onsite.
Waterloo: Phelps Youth Pavilion
40 minutes from Nashua and en route to our reception site in Mt Vernon. This children's museum and playscape is open 10am-4pm on Saturdays.
Waterloo: Cedar Valley Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
40 acres of award winning gardens and scenic walks. Open 9am-7pm Saturdays.
Brandon: Iowa's Largest Frying Pan
Not even America's biggest frying pan--just Iowa's. It's silly, it's kitschy. You're here anyway, why not get a picture with it?
Urbana: Jams Coffee Bar
Offering coffee, wine, and baked goods. If you're looking for a pit stop between Nashua and Mt Vernon that's outside of the city, here's the place for you.
Mt Vernon: Brackett House B&B
If you're looking for an alternative to overnighting at the bigger motels and hotels of Cedar Rapids, Brackett house offers a quieter experience near our reception site. Continental breakfast is served between 7 and 8am.
Mt Vernon: Sleep Inn & Suites
Pet friendly, offers free breakfast, and has a pool. Sleep Inn & Suites is a seven minute drive from Palisades-Kepler park.
Mt Vernon: Bass Farms
Located across the street from Palisades-Kepler State Park. A personal favorite and well worth the stop. Offers seasonal outdoor activities for the kids (It's sunflower season ya'll!) and a well stocked shop. They offer a huge selection of locally made jams, salsas, cheese, meats, and other snacks. (I am personally partial to their housemade buffalo bleu cheese dip and merlot steak sauce)
Palisades-Kepler State Park
Camping options both modern and primitive including modern family cabins rented by the week. These offer air conditioning, full bathrooms, and kitchens. Variety of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and some relaxed fishing spots near the old dam.
Cr Favorite: Czech Village
A little bit of everything in one place. Cafe St Pios is a great stop for a some cozy local coffee with a moody maximalist vibe. Sweet Mercantile features a vintage style soda fountain --a fun and delicious stop with kids. Czech out Lion's Bridge for locally brewed beers (see what I did there?) If you're in the mood for junking, I recommend trying Czech Village Antiques. You never know what weird or wonderful things you'll find! Finally, if you're looking for a Sunday brunch spot, Lucky's on 16th is the place to be! I'm head over heels for their biscuits and gravy, but I hear they also make a mean bloody mary!
CR Favorite: NewBo City Market
Local small business incubator offering a variety of foods and artisanal goods. The surrounding neighborhood offers a small bookstore, ice cream shop, and record store that are all well worth the stop. Check out Lu's deli for lunch and grab one of their homemade scotcharoos (you won't regret it!)
CR Favorite: Leonardo's
Food: delicious Vibes: immaculate Known for their pizza, ice cream cocktails, and floor-to-ceiling vinyl. I'd recommend trying the reuben pizza, or one of their grasshopper cocktails!
CR Favorite: Black Sheep Social Club
Elevated regionally inspired fare with a variety of vegan and vegetarian options. You can't go wrong with their blueberry burger or their duck fat fries.