The arrival of summer in Iowa City marks the return of Summer of the Arts! Every year, Summer of the Arts brings free arts and cultural events to Iowa City, all with the aim of building community and bringing people together. 

This year, our real estate agents are truly excited about all the concerts, festivals, and other events that are part of the Summer of the Arts lineup. Be sure to check out the festivities in Iowa City this summer! 

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Spring and summer are ideal times to explore the expansive natural beauty around Iowa City, with a diverse selection of nearby campgrounds to suit every taste. Whether you're looking for a family-friendly campground with loads of activities for all ages or a more rugged, primitive campsite where you can get in touch with nature, you can find it close to home. Our real estate agents have the details on 5 of the best places to go camping near Iowa City.

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It's time to celebrate spring in Cedar Rapids, and some of your favorite dining destinations around the city are hard at work gearing up for your arrival. So why not stop by and celebrate the season with some scenic patio dining? Our real estate agents have all the details on 6 Cedar Rapids restaurants with awesome patios for you to enjoy this spring.

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Our real estate agents love a lot of things about living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. But above all, we love getting to call such a rich, historic city home. In the nearly two centuries since Osgood Shepherd built the first log cabin in what is now Cedar Rapids back in 1837, our city has seen its share of history. 

Cedar Rapids is home to hundreds of sites and several districts that are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. For anyone looking for historic Cedar Rapids homes for sale, there are a lot of great options out there. We recommend beginning your search in and around these unique historic districts in Cedar Rapids. 

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Our real estate agents love to unwind outdoors with the company of a book. Celebrate National Book Lovers Day on Sunday, August 9th, with some quality reading time at one of these beautiful parks around Iowa City.

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With a landscape crisscrossed by rivers and dotted by lakes, Iowa offers endless opportunities for anglers. National Go Fishing Day is coming up on June 18, and our real estate agents are excited to share some of our favorite fishing spots in the Cedar Rapids area. 

Cedar Rapids straddles the banks of the Cedar River and lies within a short drive of several prime fishing lakes. From bass and walleye to crappie and catfish, you'll find opportunities to tackle all your favorite game fish in these Cedar Rapids fishing hot spots!

1. Prairie Park Fishery - 2125 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
   Encompassing a deep, clear lake that was once a sand mining quarry, Prairie Park Fishery is one of the most popular fishing spots in the Cedar Rapids area. The two basins of the flooded quarry harbor abundant crappie and bluegill populations, along with largemouth bass, walleye, and several other species. Shore access is available, and anglers have the best luck fishing around steep drop-offs and shelves. Located a stone's throw from these Cedar Rapids homes for sale, the park has limited motorboat access—electric trolling motors only—but is a great place to fish from a canoe or kayak. 
   
   
2. Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area - 4530 McClintock Rd, Palo, IA 52324
   Just 20 minutes from Cedar Rapids, Pleasant Creek State Recreation Area offers some of the best fishing in the region. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, crappie, and muskellunge are all stocked in Pleasant Creek Lake, which has fishing jetties along the shore and several boat launch ramps. The recreation area is also a prime spot for swimming, boating, hiking, and camping. 
   
   
3. Palisades-Kepler State Park - 700 Kepler Dr, Mt Vernon, IA 52314
   Stretching along the picturesque banks of the Cedar River southeast of Cedar Rapids, Palisades-Kepler State Park is a beautiful place to spend a weekend in the great outdoors. This stretch of river is known for great catfish, bass and bluegill fishing, especially in the area above and below the old Cedar River dam. The park provides shore fishing access, in a dramatic setting surrounded by mature forest and towering river bluffs. 
   
   
4. Indian Creek Nature Center - 5300 Otis Rd SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
   One of Iowa's true hidden gems, Indian Creek, is an outstanding smallmouth bass stream that lies well off the beaten path. Rocky areas and deep holes up to 8 feet deep harbor big smallmouths year-round, and some walleye swim-up Indian Creek from the Cedar River every spring. Twister-tail grubs and spinners are the lures of choice for local anglers. You can access the creek through Indian Creek Nature Center, just outside Cedar Rapids (the Nature Center facilities are closed due to COVID-19 at this time, but the trails and grounds remain open). 
   
   
5. Five in One Dam - Cedar Rapids, IA 52405
   Right in the heart of Downtown Cedar Rapids, the Cedar River offers a wealth of fishing opportunities, particularly in the area directly downstream from the Five in One Dam. Many anglers drop a line from the Cedar River Trail, which meanders along the shoreline, try their luck from Riverfront Park on Mays Island, or fish directly off the 1st Avenue Bridge. Either way, the river offers great smallmouth bass, walleye, and white bass fishing, along with the opportunity to tangle with giant carp and catfish. 

From fishing and hunting to hiking and birdwatching, our little corner of the world offers endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Contact us today to learn more about life in Cedar Rapids.

On February 8, the Hawkeye State is recognized on National Iowa Day. It's the perfect time to celebrate what makes our state such a special place to live.

Our REALTORS® are familiar with the state of Iowa's many fantastic attributes and share the following 7 facts about our state:

1. The Scenery is Much More Than Cornfields 
   If you're from another part of the country, images like those in "Field of Dreams" may have given you the impression that Iowa is covered in cornfields. The fields are there, but Iowa's beautiful, varied landscape has much more to offer. You'll find rivers, lakes, woods, rolling hills, and prairies. Rural areas, as well as cities, are found across the state.
   
   
2. We Have a Football Rivalry That Matters 
   Iowa vs. Iowa State is an intense rivalry, so if you're moving to the state, you should probably go ahead and pick a side. Someone is bound to ask you whether you're a Cyclone or a Hawkeye, so be prepared to hear why each team is better than the other and make your choice.
   
   
3. We Still Love "Field of Dreams" 
   The Field of Dreams still draws plenty of visitors, and Major League Baseball is even constructing a new ballpark at the site. The New York Yankees and the Chicago White Sox will play there on Aug. 13, 2020, so the farm will gain new visitors and fans.
   
   

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Our REALTORS® want you to take a hike — literally! November 17th is National Take a Hike Day, and there's no better way to celebrate than with an on-foot adventure around Cedar Rapids. There are 60,000 miles within our country's National Trail System and countless other parks, routes, and hiking paths for you to explore in all 50 states. Iowa has nearly 350 hiking trails with the longest reaching 88 miles. We're lucky to have so many great walking paths in our state, with many located around Cedar Rapids. Grab your hiking shoes, a comfortable jacket, and check out these trails on National Take a Hike Day.

• Sac & Fox Trail — Corner of Cottage Grove Pkwy SE/E Post Rd SE., Cedar Rapids, IA 52403
  The Sac & Fox Trail is located on the eastern side of Cedar Rapids and runs for seven miles, some of which follow along the Cedar River and Indian Creek. The crushed limestone surface is easy for most walkers to transverse as you move through wooded, nature, and prairie areas. There are a few conveniently located trailheads to access the Sac & Fox Trail, including one at Indian Creek Park, Sac and Fox Trail City Park, and near the Indian Creek Nature Center. Consider walking a mile or so if you're scheduling Cedar Rapids homes for sale showings for this beautiful Sunday afternoon.

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Located down the road from some of the most beautiful Coralville homes for sale, Iowa River Landing is a haven for fun and relaxation for area residents. There you will find plenty of places to dine, shop, and enjoy spending time with your friends and family. There is always something new to see and discover at Iowa River Landing. You'll want to make regular visits for as long as you live here!

Shops and Stores Galore

There are plenty of things you need to buy for your new home, and you will conveniently find many shops at the Iowa River Landing. A trip to Ethan Allen is guaranteed to give your home a modern and elegant appeal. While you are updating the decor, you might decide to fill in some extra closet space. That is easy to do when you pop into J. Jill, True Style Boutique, or EVEREVE where you will find the latest fashions on display.

If you are worried about an empty pantry when you move into your new home, you can rest easy because the shelves at Trader Joe's are stocked. Healthy, delicious, and always affordable, it's one of the popular grocery stores in the region.    

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Strap on your helmet and get ready to roll: May is National Bike Month! Our real estate agents love riding around in Iowa City's gorgeous spring weather. Take advantage of the warm air and cool breeze with a relaxing ride around Iowa City for National Bike Month.

• Waterworks Prairie Park – Interstate 80 & Dubuque St. NE, Iowa City, IA 55240
  Waterworks Prairie Park is a fantastic place for outdoor enjoyment near Iowa City homes for sale and the miles of trail within are perfect for bike riding. The wooded areas offer shade from the sun while views of the ponds and wetlands provide you with a great view of Iowa's native birds. This is an ideal bike riding trip for the whole family that can also turn into an afternoon of hiking, canoeing, or even a delicious post-biking picnic.

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