Iowa
Mural in Cedar Rapids - Czech Village
We have driven through Iowa a few times even staying in the state, but we in 2023, we devoted some time to explore a few towns and cities. I have Czech heritage and family heirlooms at the Czech Museum in Cedar Rapids, so I planned a road trip to visit the area. On this trip, we also stayed in Galena, Illinois which is a cute and fun town.
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In Muscatine, we stayed at the Merrill Hotel which was a wonderful hotel, but we did not care for the restaurant. We visited Contrary Brewery, Missippi Brewery, The Pearl Martini Bar and Lounge, and the Waffle and Pancake House for a delicious breakfast. The Pearl Martini Bar was lively with a fun bartender.
Contrary Brewery in Muscatine
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In Cedar Rapids, we went to the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library. The museum has great exhibits, and we learned so much about the history and culture of the nation. We went to Lion's Brewery, Lucky’s, and Red Frog. During our trip and at the time of writing in 2024, Lion’s Brewery had a limited release kettle sour called Crunchberry that is a must try!
Lucky’s Patio in Cedar Rapids
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In Davenport, we had a great stay at the Hotel Blackhawk and toured the city. We went to the farmer’s market, Front Street Pub and Eatery, Bootleg Hill Meadery, Analog Arcade, and had great meals at Bix Bistro. Analog Arcade is a wonderful arcade bar, and Bootleg Hill Meadery has great mead.
Bootleg Hill Meadery in Davenport