I am going to Cedar Rapids in early May for a friends wedding. This will be my first trip ever to Iowa. Does anyone have any recommendations for hotels and things to see? Frankly, there does not seem to be many hotels in the city. From checking the web, there's a Four Points, a Crowne Plaza, a nice sounding non-affliated hotel and other mid-range hotel/motels. Thanks for the help.

I would suggest staying at either the Collins Plaza Hotel & Convention Center
[the Area's only Four Diamond Hotel] or the Crowne Plaza Five Seasons Hotel [attached to the Five Seasons Civic Center] I have driven past the Four Points Hotel on I-380 and it looks rather dreary, though I haven't stayed there. I haven't stayed @ the Collins Plaza Hotel, but have heard it's nice. I stayed at the Five Seasons Hotel when it was relatively new 20 years ago [before it was a Crowne Plaza]... the rooms were average, nothing extraordinary. Get more info on Cedar Rapids by visiting their website:
http://www.cedar-rapids.com/

As far as attractions... About 15-20 miles WSW of Cedar Rapids is Iowa's Number One attraction: the Amana Colonies. [Yes the same Amana as in Amana Appliances] It's a cosy village filled with stores and restaurants. You would have to rent a car to see the Amana Colonies as I don't know of any bus tours of it from Cedar Rapids.

Another experince is going to a minor league baseball game, if you haven't been to one and are interested in baseball. It's quite a different atmosphere from MLB games. Cedar Rapids' minor league baseball team is the Kernels [i haven't been to a Kernels' game but frequent Quad City River Bandits games-- they're in the same league] Get more info on the Cedar Rapids Kernels by visiting their website:
http://www.kernels.com/

Another website worth visiting is the Iowa Divison of Tourism:
http://www.traveliowa.com

I hope this helps.

Collins Plaza is quite nice, atrium style with a waterfall. (I don't happen to like that style hotel b/c of the noise factor), but it is decidedly the nicest place in town. Would second the Amana excursion--take time to have a meal out there which is pretty spectacular. There is a (small) section of town (Bohemian Village?) with some interesting eastern European ethnic food etc. Nearby in West Branch is the Hoover museum/library.

jl

Avoid the 4 Points unless you really, really enjoy the smell of oats (as in Quaker Oats) cooking. Actually, the smell permeates the whole town, but the 4 Points is pretty close to the Quaker plant.

Amana's are nice. A bit touristy now, but then, you'll be a tourist won't you. There is also a decent outlet mall near the Amana's if shopping is your thing. If gambling does it for you, Mesquaki Casino in Tama is about an hour away.

You'll love the CID airport. Your luggage should be arriving on the carousel by the time you make the 3 minute walk from the gate area to baggage claim.

Cheers,

'toad

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I booked the Collins Plaza Hotel which sounds nice. I will be in Cedar Rapids in three weeks and will be sure to post a trip report. I'll try to see the Amana Colonies if time permits. I got a great round trip fare on TWA so I joined their Aviators club. This is my first trip this year that is not on either an Onepass member airline or Delta. I haven't flown TWA in years but the fare was just too good not to buy. By the way, what's up with the Aviator card. The one they sent me is paper.

Don't know how you purchased your TWA ticket, but in the future, if you plan to use TWA domestic (except flights to/from STL) www.lowestfare.com offers 20%-30% discount off lowest available fare. As to Cedar Rapids hotels, I realize you've made your reservation, but if you want a super deal, you may be interested to read the post about a Priceline winning bid there at http://pub4.ezboard.com/fpricelinean...opicID=6.topic I host the forum.

Sheryl,
Thanks for the advice. I bought my ticket about a month ago from Lowestfare and saved thirty bucks. Although I do feel guilty giving Carl Ichan the money. TWA needs all the help they can get right now. I don't think there is any chance for a Priceline success in this case since both the Crown Plaza and Four Points are completely booked. I asked my friend what was going on and he said it's a prom weekend there.
Thanks again,
James