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Marion, Iowa offers a beautiful blend of connection, open spaces, and fun. Located under 20 minutes from the larger city of Cedar Rapids, Marion, IA fosters a small-town feel with various entertainment options in town and the larger city nearby. The range of festivals, parks, and local businesses in the historic uptown district makes a great combination of entertainment and recreation options. D.R. Horton offers a selection of new homes

Why live in Marion, IA?

Though it’s a suburb of Cedar Rapids, Marion, Iowa is a city with its own entertainment and professional opportunities, providing a blend of small-town charm with bigger city vibes. Marion hosts numerous community events for holidays and quality time with friends and neighbors. There are over 600 acres of green space in the form of parks, trails, and athletic areas in town, ensuring plenty of outdoor recreation options. With its blend of community connection, fresh air, and a thriving local economy, it’s clear why Marion, IA has been recognized for its quality of life.

What is there to do in Marion, IA?

Marion, Iowa curates a small town environment with many entertainment options and events. Uptown Marion Main Street is full of boutiques, pubs, and restaurants. Serving as the area’s central entertainment hub, the Main Street district is also home to Marion’s Uptown Artway, a collection of permanent art installations created by local and national artists, and the site of various city events and gatherings, such as a summer concert series or holiday gathering.

Whether looking for a culinary experience or a fantastic show, Uptown Main Street is the place to go. The Giving Tree Theater welcomes spectators to a wide range of shows; it prides itself on offering “something new every weekend.” The live performances include interactive shows, stand-up comedy, and theatre performances. Depending on the show you see, grab a bite to eat and then head over to the theatre to laugh, cry, or scream.

The Uptown Marion Market, a farmers' market featuring more than just fresh produce, can also be found in the Main Street district. Held on the second Saturday of the month in June, July, and August and the last Saturday of September, the market features activities and entertainment for all ages. Children, in particular, will get a kick out of the Power of Produce (POP) Club, which provides educational games, demonstrations, and interactions with local farmers. The first 30 kids to register at each market also receive POP bucks to shop with participating produce vendors. For a more traditional farmers market held more regularly—every Saturday, May through September—the Marion Farmers Market in Willowood Park features a variety of local produce, baked goods, and artisan crafts.

Marion’s local artists feature their work at events beyond the farmers' markets. The Marion Arts Festival, held in Uptown Marion, is frequently recognized as one of the top art fairs in the nation and features a wide range of art and artists. The festival includes various activities, including live music, art programming, shopping, food trucks, a 5K and half-marathon, and local fundraisers, such as the Empty Bowls Project. Local students sell ceramic bowls at the festival to benefit the area’s food banks. Even at one of the town’s biggest events, they work to gather together for fun and to serve the overall community.

For a more intellectual outing, the history and architecture buffs will enjoy the Granger House Museum and the Marion Heritage Center. The Granger House, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, details the social and cultural history of the middle class in the Midwest during the Victorian era. The Marion Heritage Center is also a historic building; it was originally a Methodist church when it was constructed in 1855. Now renovated and maintained by the Marion Historical Society, the center preserves the area’s history and provides educational programming, exhibits, and events that unite the community and honor its history and progress.

There are plenty of enjoyable ways to connect with the community near home in Marion, IA. Whether you tour the local museum or pick up fresh produce at the farmers' market, there is plenty to do in Marion.

Outdoor recreation in Marion, IA

Marion, Iowa makes it easy to enjoy the health benefits of the great outdoors. With 600 acres of public green space, there are numerous options to get some fresh air. Hike, cross-country ski, take the kids to the local splash pad, organize a game, or take in spectacular views at a nearby state park; whatever your preferred activity out in nature, you will surely find it in Marion, IA.

Thomas Park is one of the city’s largest outdoor spaces and features various recreation activities in any season. There is a bike trail through the area for exercise and views of nature. The park features plenty of courts and opportunities for games as well. There are volleyball and tennis courts, horseshoes, and the 19-hole Legion Disc Golf Course is adjacent to the park. The disc golf course is near a winding creek and takes advantage of the natural setting, making the game fun and scenic. Thomas Park also features seasonal recreation options, such as an ice rink and sledding hill for the winter season, and when the heat gets too hot in the summertime, you can take the kids to the splash pad.

Like Thomas Park, Wannatee Park, which Linn County maintains, offers plenty of ways to immerse yourself in nature. Whether you want to exercise, take the kids out to play pretend at a playground, or enjoy scenic views, the park provides plenty of options across more than 1,000 acres of green space. A four-mile multi-use trail through the park is a favorite among hikers, equestrians, and skiers, showcasing the area’s natural beauty with meadows, creeks, and mature trees. The Linn Area Mountain Biking Association (LAMBA) also manages trails within the park’s trail system, providing additional options to enjoy the area’s scenery.

Wannatee Park also offers a unique feature during deer season: a managed archery-only hunt within the park boundaries established zone. The antlerless deer hunt controls the deer population in this urban area and is only open to a limited number of applicants.

Natural beauty can be found throughout the area. Still, the Palisades-Kepler State Park, located under 20 minutes from Marion, features breathtaking vistas and historically significant sites as it is home to Native American mounds. The park is on the banks of the Cedar River, and in addition to the shore's beauty, the park includes stunning vistas of river bluffs and beautiful open fields full of wildflowers and wildlife. Hardwood trees stretch along the five miles of trails in the park, adding to the scenery and diversity of habitats you can view. The Palisades-Kepler State Park also allows boats, so you can take in the views from the water or cast a line.

With so many options for outdoor recreation in and around Marion, IA, you will surely find ways to enjoy nature close to home.

Businesses and economics in Marion, IA

Marion, Iowa is home to various industries, but the manufacturing, healthcare, and service industries make up a significant portion of the local economy. Several major companies have a substantial presence in town, providing a range of professional options and opportunities for residents. Timberline Manufacturing and ESCO Group are both headquartered in Marion, IA, and Hupp Electric Motors has a large facility in the area. These companies and the Linn-Mar Community School District are some of the town’s largest employers.

The town’s proximity to Cedar Rapids provides additional employment options for residents. Marion, IA is just over 15 minutes from Cedar Rapids, making it easy to commute to the larger city for career advancement and professional opportunities.

New construction homes in Marion, IA

Marion, IA provides a range of community events, outdoor recreation options, and career opportunities. With small-town charm and big-city convenience, Marion residents enjoy the best of both worlds; it’s a great place to call home. D.R. Horton offers a range of new homes for sale in Marion, IA with smart home technology and spacious floorplans. Browse our listings of houses for sale in Marion, IA, or contact us to learn more about becoming a homeowner in Marion.