Top 10 Things to do in Marion, United States

September 18, 2017 Etsuko Causey

Marion is a city in Linn County, Iowa, United States. The population was 26,294 at the 2000 census and was 34,768 at the 2010 census, an increase of 32.2%. The city is located next to Cedar Rapids and part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Restaurants in Marion

1. Squaw Creek Park

4305 Squaw Ln, Marion, IA 52302-9669 +1 319-892-6450
Excellent
71%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
4%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 23 reviews

Squaw Creek Park

Reviewed By corelligator - Marion, Iowa

Beautiful park with very nice lodges to rent. Lodges have fire places, patios, kitchens and lots of parking. The park has many nicely groomed trails for hiking, and facilities for horses, plus a dog park. My in-laws have parked their camper there when they come to visit and the facilities are very nice. There are lots of picnic tables and a small play ground near one of the pavilions that my kids loved to play at when they were small.

2. Brucemore

2160 Linden Dr SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52403-1748 +1 319-362-7375
Excellent
70%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 231 reviews

Brucemore

Three families owned the Brucemore estate between 1884 and 1981-the Sinclairs, the Douglases, and the Halls. They were business and community leaders during a century of evolution in the Midwest. Caroline Sinclair, widow of pioneer industrialist T.M. Sinclair and mother of six, hired architects Josselyn and Taylor to build the mansion for $55,000 in 1884. In 1906, George Bruce Douglas, of the Quaker Oats and Douglas & Company fortunes, acquired the home with his wife, Irene, transforming the property into a country estate they named Brucemore. In 1937, their daughter, Margaret, inherited Brucemore with her husband, Howard Hall, founder of Iowa Manufacturing and Iowa Steel and Ironworks. The Halls added flair to the estate with famous guests, including Presidents Herbert Hoover and Harry Truman and their exotic pet lion, Leo. Today, Brucemore's 26-acre, park-like estate invites exploration of the site's history, gardens, grounds, and 21-room mansion through a variety of opportunities. The Queen Anne architecture, 1925 Grant Wood Porch, 1929 Skinner pipe organ, and 1930s Grizzly Bar and Tahitian Room reflect the vibrant history of remarkable people. The changes they made to their estate, the impact they had on their community, and the stories they left behind shape our understanding of modern Cedar Rapids, eastern Iowa, and the American Midwest.

Reviewed By Margaret L

We have taken visitors here time and time again. But residents should watch for special events, the annual Bluesmore blues festival is fantastic, the Balloon Glow Annual event is wonderful, and last Halloween they had a quirky, hilarious scarecrow exhibit free on the grounds behind the manse...hoping it will be there again next year! The gift shop, an ever-so-important part of any museum or attraction, is atmospheric, and top notch. Only one teeny tiny complaint, something that cannot really be fixed- the tour is, by necessity, not handicap accessible. Informative tour guide, reasonable price, it would be an especially great way to spend a rainy afternoon.

3. Allen's Apple Orchard

5801 N 10th St, Marion, IA 52302-9200 +1 319-377-1408
Excellent
82%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 11 reviews

Allen's Apple Orchard

Reviewed By Tiffanyjim - Marion

Allen's is a wonderful orchard and about two mies from our home. They Have a nice selection of apples, wonderful baked goods, and merchandise. Family run business and they are very helpful and friendly. Love that we have such a nice family friendly attraction so close to us!

4. National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

1400 Inspiration Pl SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404-5918 +1 319-362-8500
Excellent
72%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 278 reviews

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library

Expanded 50,000 sq. ft. building opened in July 2012 with a world-class exhibit "Alphonse Mucha: Inspirations of Art Nouveau" featuring 230 pieces direct from Prague and London. Two other galleries feature rotating exhibitions on the culture, art and history of Czechs and Slovaks. And don't miss the two-room 1880's Czech immigrant house that was home to five generations. See the new museum store filled with European treasures and gifts. Stroll down Czech Village and also visit the exhibition, "Rising Above: the Store of a People and the Flood" located a 87 Sixteenth Ave. SW

Reviewed By Shelby A

We had our wedding reception at the Czech Museum and the staff was incredible. Our pictures turned out beautifully because this museum is just beautiful. They have a nice gift shop and the attached parking garage is very helpful and awesome for those that are handicapped.

5. Uptown Marion

1225 6th Ave, Ste 100, Marion, IA 52302-3435 +1 319-743-4726
Excellent
64%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 11 reviews

Uptown Marion

Uptown Marion is a collection of more than sixty boutiques, restaurants, and galleries offering personalized services, goods and experiences that are MADE FOR YOU. Whether shopping or dining, let us take care of it all. From your morning latte to evening lager, Uptown Marion offers a full itinerary of for strolling, savoring, and spending hours with friends. It’s all MADE FOR YOU in Uptown Marion.

Reviewed By 185Craig - Marion, Iowa, United States

For some reason, the local Chamber of Commerce calls downtown Marion "uptown". It's "up" from Cedar Rapids, but that would make it "Uptown Cedar Rapids". And it's not "up-scale" -- in fact, if Marion has an "up-scale" area, it is as far away from "uptown" as you can get.

So no, Marion, you don't have an "uptown" district. It is downtown. And it's just fine. Nice park with the old railroad depot roof (yes, just the roof is authentic) making up the pavillion. Nice events held there in the summer. Lots of antiques. LOTS of antiques. And churches. And churches that have been converted to antique stores. Did I mention the antiques? There are some antiques there.

And there are roundabouts coming. That will be fun. :-)

6. Paramount theater

123 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1403 +1 319-398-5226
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 83 reviews

Paramount theater

Reviewed By Wayne F

My wife and I attended the Saturday Night performance of the International Juggling Association (IJA) at the Paramount Theater last weekend. This venue is a landmark in Cedar Rapids and wonderfully upgraded and remodeled since the flood of 2008.

This theater hosts many different events year round. We have attended Christmas productions, symphony concerts, professional artist in concert, and even a silent movie of Phantom of the Opera l. The Wurlitzer organ housed in this theater was played by a professional to accompany the movie.

The rich colors of the wood and carpet, the decorated draperies with gold tassels, the ornate lighting fixtures, and statutes in the lobby area, speak volumes about the history and elegance of your surroundings when you enter the theater.

I would highly recommend taking in a performance at this beautiful theater!!

7. Tucker Park

101 N B Ave, Hiawatha, IA 52233-1552
Excellent
0%
Good
100%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 1 reviews

Tucker Park

Reviewed By Bernardo F - New York City, New York

A pretty nice city park. Lots of green space, trees and a playground too. Covered areas for picnicking too. Easy parking. It was clean and well maintained.

8. Granger House Museum

970 10th St, Marion, IA 52302-3572 +1 319-377-6672
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 11 reviews

Granger House Museum

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and a wonderful example of Victorian Italianate architecture, the Granger House Museum is the only restored middle-class family home in Linn County. Occupied by a single family for nearly 100 years, the house contains many of its original furnishings and is arranged to reflect the lifestyle of a successful, late 19th-century middle-class family. Behind the home is an 1879 brick carriage house, the only one of its kind in the Midwest, which contains a variety of artifacts revealing the owner’s involvement with Morgan horses, dairying, and farming.​The museum is open seasonally, but tours for individuals or groups may be scheduled by appointment throughout the year.

Reviewed By agnewre2016 - Marion, Iowa

Old home preserved with furniture even the piano (which has a story of its own) and wonderful staff. Check times as not open all the time unless by appointment. They serve wonderful luncheons by appointment, mystery theater dinners, etc. The Marion history abounds even into the carriage house behind.

9. Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

410 3rd Ave SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401-1606 +1 319-366-7503
Excellent
55%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 119 reviews

Cedar Rapids Museum of Art

With more than 2,000 years of art on display in the heart of Downtown Cedar Rapids, the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has something to offer everyone!

Reviewed By Il0vebaseball - New Jersey

The Cedar Rapids Art Museum was a surprising little gem -- the building is lovely and the collection is really quite nice for a small city's art museum. Plus, the staff is engaging and very friendly.

10. THE chocolate SHOP

1244 7th Ave, Marion, IA 52302-3405 +1 319-377-7597
Excellent
80%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
20%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 5 reviews

THE chocolate SHOP

2016 - Celebrating TEN years in Uptown Marion. We create fine chocolate AND we sell fine chocolate all in one location in beautiful historic Uptown Marion. All our "chocolate insides" are cooked on sight and then hand rolled or cut and then covered in fine milk or dark chocolate. Worth the Drive…. Worth THE walk…. to THE chocolate SHOP.

Reviewed By Dana C - Marion, Iowa

Dark chocolate sea salt caramels are to die for! Tremendous selection of gifts both personal and professional. I special ordered a large number of corporate gifts last Christmas and they were beautiful as well as delicious-- everyone loved them! Friendly and knowledgeable owner and staff. A must when you are in Marion Iowa!

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