Ellis Harbor is a peaceful neighborhood featuring a well-developed bicycling infrastructure that supports convenient bike travel throughout the area. Quiet streets contribute to a calm environment with minimal traffic noise. The community offers a wide variety of housing options, including small apartment buildings, single detached homes, townhouses, and spacious lofts, catering to diverse preferences. Properties vary in size, some boasting four or more bedrooms, reflecting versatility in available dwellings. Residents benefit from ease of parking options, making car travel comfortable. This neighborhood provides a relaxed, tranquil setting with varied living arrangements suited to numerous needs within an accessible, bike-friendly environment.
The character of Ellis Harbor is exemplified by its slower-paced ambience. Ellis Harbor is very quiet overall, as the streets are generally very tranquil.
Parks, schools, dining, and what makes this neighborhood special
Ellis Harbor is home to a rare houseboat and boathouse community nestled in a harbor just off Ellis Road, where around 100 floating homes form a tight‑knit summer neighborhood, with a strong sense of camaraderie among residents. Each structure is unique, and while they present challenges like winter storage and flood risk, they define the character of the area.
This 416‑acre riverside green space includes the historic 18‑hole Ellis Golf Course (designed in 1919 by William Langford), walking trails, tennis courts, ball diamonds, sand volleyball, a swimming pool, Shakespeare Garden, boat ramps, and hosts water ski shows — offering unmatched outdoor recreation right in Ellis Harbor.
Ellis Harbor is served by Cedar Rapids Community School District and zoned to Kennedy High School (A‑minus rating on Niche, with 27 AP classes) after attending Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy (6‑8) and Madison Elementary (C‑plus), providing strong local college‑prep educational options.
While largely residential and river‑focused, Ellis Harbor sits just 2 to 3 miles from major shopping and dining hubs—Hy‑Vee stores, Cedar River Landing dive bar, and downtown Cedar Rapids—making essential amenities and nightlife easily accessible by car or bus.
The Cedar Boat Club hosts annual fireworks displays at Ellis Park/Harbor, a beloved summer tradition that attracts families from across the city to gather riverside and enjoy community celebrations under the night sky.
Things to do, events, and what's happening this month
A grand Independence Day celebration right in Cedar Rapids featuring live music, food trucks, family-friendly activities and a spectacular fireworks display—perfect for residents of Ellis Harbor looking to celebrate with the community.
Enjoy free outdoor band concerts at nearby parks like Ellis Park, ideal for families to bring a blanket and relax in their own neighborhood setting during summer evenings.
One of the largest markets in the Midwest with hundreds of vendors, local produce, food, and entertainment—an easy morning outing for Ellis Harbor residents seeking fresh goods and community vibes.
A major outdoor concert featuring Cypress Hill—great for music fans in Ellis Harbor wanting to catch a high-energy live show close to home.
Free Thursday evening concerts in Greene Square with rotating local bands and community benefits—ideal for a casual summer night out nearby in Cedar Rapids.
A fun and quirky concert featuring comedy music legend Weird Al—perfect for families or fans in Ellis Harbor looking for a unique, entertaining night indoors.
Stories, updates, and things to know in Ellis Harbor
Local characteristics and demographics for Ellis Harbor
