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Here in Laredo, history isn’t just in a book, it’s right here on our famous streets. Tour our historical districts and you’ll see 250 years of Mexican, American, and Texan history unfold before your very eyes. Come and discover it for yourself.

To learn about guided tours, contact: 1.800.361.3360 visitlaredo.com

Czech Village and New Bohemia CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA

Now collectively known as “the District,” Czech Village and New Bohemia are a center of entertainment and culture in downtown Cedar Rapids, Iowa. These neighborhoods had meager beginnings in the 1870s, when new growth in Cedar Rapids’ meatpacking industry presented opportunities for immigrants from Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic). As jobs multiplied, so did the Czech population in the city, as well as sites that celebrated their heritage, like the Sokol Gymnastics Building and the St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, where services were conducted in Czech.

Though few of the original heritage sites remain, Czech Village and New Bohemia give nods to Czech heritage, through murals and street art. The National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library and the Czech Heritage Park can expand visitors’ understanding and appreciation of Czech culture. Restaurants like Little Bohemia specialize in Czech fare. For a sweet ending to any visit, authentic Czech pastries, such as kolaches or packzis from Sykora Bakery, will do the trick.

TOURISMCEDARRAPIDS.COM