The Pickle Palace is a great bar/restaurant with pickleball courts and rooftop seating looking out over the Cedar River and downtown Cedar Rapids.
Big Grove Brewery is a local brewery offering a wide selection of drinks and food that Sam and Patrick have come to enjoy while living in Cedar Rapids.
Overlooking Cedar Rapids to the south is Mount Trashmore. At one point a landfill, it has now been turned into a local park which offers hiking and biking trails with one of the best views of the city at the top.
Located 20-30 minutes south of Cedar Rapids, Lake MacBride State Park is full of fun wooded hikes, access to a beach, and plenty of other nature activities to explore. For guests who may be spending more than a few days in the Cedar Rapids area, it is a great place to get outdoors!
Home to the University of Iowa, Iowa City is regarded as one of the best college towns in the country. With lots to do, ranging from touring the original Capitol building of Iowa, to visiting the Museum of Natural History, to exploring the large variety of bars and restaurants the city has to offer, there is something for just about everyone. Iowa City is located just 20 miles south of Cedar Rapids.
Located about 70 miles northwest of Cedar Rapids is the city of Dubuque. Dubuque is home to Loras College where Patrick went to undergrad and where Patrick and Sam shared many of their first dates. Dubuque is located along the Mississippi River and has scenic bluffs overlooking the river. Dubuque is home to the Mississippi River Museum, Eagle Point Park, and the Mines of Spain. For guests traveling a long way for the wedding (thank you so much!), we recommend going to Dubuque if you have extra time, as it is a town with plenty of fun activities to do!
For those traveling from the west, Des Moines is a fantastic city to visit. Des Moines is the largest city in Iowa and has plenty to do! Des Moines is home to one of the highest-rated and largest farmers' markets in the country, Adventureland amusement park, expansive botanical gardens, and tons of parks for walking and biking. Sam and Patrick have gone on many day trips to Des Moines and have enjoyed every single one of them!