Now that the chilly, gray winter is over, our family FINALLY! got out to ride our bikes on the south side trails in Cedar Rapids. This day was extra special because all four of our kids were able to join us! You see, our oldest boy turns 21 in a few weeks and will be moving on in the world.
Our first stop of the day was at the new restaurant at 302 3rd Ave SW called Local Pour Street Food. The poutine here is delicious! The corn dogs are literally a foot long, the gyros are fantastic, and everything is exactly what you would expect to find from a food truck. Ask them about their secret menu….
Next we rode over to Czech Village and caught the trail over to the Cedar River.
Construction is in progress to expand the Cedar Lake area.
We were excited to see signs posted announcing a new pedestrian bridge that will be built in the near future to allow access across the river. Check out Project Connect CR here to learn more about the “Sleeping Giant” that will be a magnificent addition to the riverfront.
Mt. Trashmore rises in the distance…..
Critters on the trail going out to Tait Cummins Sports Complex.
All this riding made us thirsty. Gotta stop at Kickstand for a Smith and Forge Cider at 203 14th Ave SE for the adults. (Water and pop for the kiddos!)
After a quick stop at Quentin’s Bar and Grill at 450 1st St SW for some of the best wings in town, we ended our day at Blue 42 (629 Ellis Blvd NW) for burgers and pizza. Seven hours later, we arrived home. Tired, sore, and already planning our next outing. Where should we go next? Leave your suggestions in the comments!
Taste the flavors of the world without even leaving Cedar Rapids. How? Simply by visiting The Map Room! This new pub recently opened up downtown. The atmosphere is warm and cozy inside, almost like stepping into your grandfather’s study. Interesting maps of all kinds hang from the walls. The beer and wine list is well-rounded and is not so long it makes it hard to choose what you would like. Creative craft cocktails are also available. The best-kept secret about this place is how good the burgers are. Oh my goodness, they are awesome! 
