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Alex Harper • Sep 30, 2026 
Reviewed By Paul Jacobs
Casino Expert
Iowa’s newest casino will launch its STEM lab with “Astronaut,” a hands-on space exhibit. Cedar Crossing Casino plans to open in Cedar Rapids in mid-November 2026, and the exhibit runs through February 2027. Kids aged 5 to 12 get the most from it, while adults get a new gaming floor next door.
This guide covers the exhibit, key dates, and what to check before you visit.
What Is the Compass Center at Cedar Crossing Casino?
Inside the Cedar Crossing complex, the Compass Center fills a 5,000-square-foot STEM space. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. Notably, the lab has its own front door, apart from the slots and tables.
Iowa sets the age at 21 for all legal gambling in Iowa, from casinos to sportsbooks. As a result, kids don’t need to walk through the gaming area to reach the exhibit. Most states follow similar gambling age rules, though a few allow 18-year-olds in some venues.
Inside the Astronaut Exhibit
Astronaut packs 26 hands-on stations into one space-training experience. Scitech, a nonprofit science center based in Perth, Australia, designed it. Imagine Exhibitions produced it, and it arrives at Cedar Crossing Casino from Toronto’s Canadian National Exhibition.
Visitors can expect stations like these:
- Feel simulated g-force, the push astronauts feel during launch
- Try on the type of clothing crews wear in space
- See how crews handle meals, sleep, showers, and bathroom breaks in orbit
- Team up with mission control to land a capsule
Astronaut Exhibit at a Glance
Here are the core details families need before planning a trip.
| Detail | What We Know |
| Venue | Compass Center, Cedar Crossing, Cedar Rapids, Iowa |
| Run | November 2026 to February 2027 |
| Best age range | 5 to 12, with all ages welcome |
| Stations | 26 interactive stations |
| School access | Free for Linn County field trips |
| Ticket price | Not announced as of October 2, 2026 |
What Adult Players Get at Cedar Crossing Casino
Next door, the $275 million resort opens with a full casino and sportsbook. Specifically, the floor launches with roughly 700 slots plus 22 tables run by live dealers.
If slots are your game, check which slot machines pay the best before you pick a seat. Blackjack and roulette rules stay the same on a riverfront floor or with online table games at home. Meanwhile, the sportsbook enters a state where online sports betting in Iowa already takes about 95% of wagers.
The property also has five places to eat and drink. For example, Clubhouse by Zach Johnson is a steakhouse developed with the Iowa-born golfer.
Event Center Shows and Ticket Dates
The Event Center at Cedar Crossing Casino seats about 1,500 people and has shows booked into 2027. The newest shows hit ticket sites at 10 a.m. CT on October 9. However, free charter program members get a 24-hour head start on tickets.
| Date | Headliner |
| Dec. 5, 2026 | Old Dominion |
| March 6, 2027 | Carlos Mencia |
| April 16, 2027 | Trace Adkins |
Why Cedar Crossing Casino Is Betting on More Than Gaming
The STEM lab is part of a bigger promise to Cedar Rapids. Developer Peninsula Pacific Entertainment (P2E) pledges 8% of yearly gaming revenue to Linn County nonprofits. In contrast, Iowa only requires 3%.
Cedar Crossing Casino won its state license in February 2025 after opposition from rival Iowa casinos. P2E president Aaron Gomes says the goal is a place that offers far more than gambling. So far, the resort has hired about 200 staff and still needs roughly 200 more.
What to Check Before You Visit
A little planning makes a mixed family trip smoother.
- Confirm exhibit ticket prices and hours on the official Cedar Crossing site
- Use the Compass Center’s separate entrance when you bring kids
- Bring a valid photo ID if you plan to play, since the floor is 21+
Before you play, set a time and money limit for the casino floor. That step is one of the easiest responsible gambling habits to keep.
The Bottom Line
Cedar Crossing Casino gives Eastern Iowa a gaming resort that families can visit, too. A grand opening celebration follows on December 4 and 5. Until then, check the official site for exhibit ticket prices.
