Cedar Rapids is many things. It is not only Iowa’s second largest city, but it is also an economic hub in the Eastern region of the state that has recovered from the devastating flood that hit it during 2008. Cedar Rapids also has a flourishing arts and culture scene. One of, if not, the strongest in the entire state. It houses a variety of museums and cultural exhibits including the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library, and the Paramount Theatre. Cedar Rapids is also nicknamed “The City of Five Seasons”, with the 5th season being all of the time you have to enjoy the other 4 seasons.
Due to the arts and culture scene, Cedar Rapids is and has also been the hometown of many of America’s famous celebrities, past and present. The painter of American Gothic, Grant Wood, was a native along with other more well known names such as Elijah Wood, Ashton Kutcher, Ron Livingston, Kurt Warner, and Bobby Driscoll.