Quad Cities: A Summer Weekend Getaway

Located about 170 miles west of Chicago, the Quad Cities is a fun weekend getaway. As the name implies, there are four cities: two in Iowa (Bettendorf and Davenport) and two in Illinois (Moline and Rock Island) split by the mighty Mississippi River. With just under 500k residents, it’s an easy place to get around and there is so much to see and do.

Unique Quad City Things To Do

Bix7 Race, a local institution for over 50 years, is held the last Saturday of July. It’s a seven mile run/walk that winds through downtown Davenport and includes live music and a fun festival atmosphere. Make sure to register early if you want to participate because up to 18,000 people attend yearly. 

It is followed a week later by the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival featuring jazz musicians from around the country on stages in LeClair Park, on the riverboats, and even in the city. Spanning over three days, you’ll experience amazing nationally acclaimed jazz bands in a  festival dedicated to the legend Bix Beiderbecke, a jazz cornetist, pianist and composer from the area. 

Iowa 80 Trucking Museum is located at I-80 Truck Stop, the world’s largest truck stop. This is a free museum featuring trucks throughout the years. There are many rare and one of a kind trucks and memorabilia. It’s worth a stop even if you aren’t a truck aficionado as you might learn something new. 

Backwater Gamblers, a competitive water ski show club, is a local group that has members from the US national team that won #1 in the world in the last competition. They perform Wednesday and Sunday nights at 6pm on the Rock River. It’s free to go. Donations are always accepted to support their competitions. It’s so exciting to see the flips, tricks, and human pyramids they build all while on water skis.

Criterium Bike Race happens every Memorial Day Weekend and consists of road biking on several laps around a closed circuit. This intense, fast paced road biking race is a thrill to watch and draws a fun crowd.  

The Last Picture House is a new boutique movie theater created by two local guys Bryan Woods and Scott Beck. Ever watch the movie The Quiet Place with John Krasinski? Well these two local legends wrote the movie. After their success, they came back to the QCA to open this sleek theater/bar/rooftop. 

Isabel Bloom was a local artist who created a delightful line of sculptures. Her work lives on in many homes and gardens in the area. You can tour the workshop now located in Davenport Iowa to take home your own piece of local art. 

Cinnamon Ridge is an automated dairy farm located 30 minutes away in Donahue, Iowa. Reservations are required however it’s worth the drive to see this high tech, innovative dairy operation. Don’t forget to try their artisan cheese made on site. 

The German American Heritage Center and Museum in Davenport has a walking tour of the German neighborhoods in Davenport, which details the history of early settlers in the area. Be sure to check out their museum as well. 

Road and Mountain Biking Trails

While there are no actual mountains in the midwest, the Quad Cities Trails organization has done a great job building up many biking trails in the area ranging from beginner to extreme. Using the natural landscape that includes cliffs, ravines, and parks around the area, there are mountain biking trails for all levels. Our favorites include: Illiniwek Forest Preserve in Rock Island County, Illinois and Sunderbruch Park in Davenport, Iowa. 

lliniwek Forest Preserve features 5 miles of ultra flowy singletrack with the longest sustained climbs and descents in the QC area. Sunderbruch Park contains 11.5 miles of trails, including a central paved multi-use trail, hiking and single-track mountain biking trails of varying difficulties, and equestrian trails. I cannot begin to tell you how cool these trails really are. You definitely don’t feel like you are in flat corn field Iowa. All the trails are really well maintained and marked. It’s really incredible and a huge highlight of this area. 

If you prefer the flatter paved roads, you are in luck as well. There are some great biking trails along the river. We recommend taking the Great River Trail (GRT) Moline section called the Ralph B. Birks Recreational Trail that runs through Butterworth Parkway. It runs the entire span of Moline’s 4.2 mile shoreline located along the Mississippi River. On this trail, you can even include a stop at Milltown Coffee in Moline for a refreshing coffee and treat. Stop for a delicious lunch at The Rust Belt or Catfish Charlies! If you’re up for it, you can extend this trail another 60 + miles all the way to Savannah, IL.

Many of these trails are perfect for walking and exploring as well. Sylvan Island in Moline IL, teeming with both trails and wildlife, has a multi-use trail, miles of single-track mountain biking for users of all abilities.

Parks

If you haven’t gotten your fill of nature yet, the Quad Cities has so many parks to check out as well. 

Crow Creek Park, located in Bettendorf Iowa, has a little bit of it all – there is a large, enclosed dog park perfect to let your pup run free, a skate park, multiple jungle gyms, baseball and softball fields, miles of running trails through grass, wood chips and dirt, a quarry to fish in, and of course there’s a beautiful walking path that leads you back to the small creek that the park is named after. The park is pretty active hosting a variety of tournaments and school events but you should be able to enjoy it year round. They even host summer roller hockey tournaments. 

Middle Park located in Bettendorf, Iowa is your place to go if you are interested in Frisbee Golf. With an 18 hole course, this park will have you walking up and down hills, through the forest and even across the bike path and a stream. If regular golf is more your thing, this park also hosts Palmer Hills Golf course where you can spend a lovely afternoon at the tee. There is a bandshell that hosts summer concerts and plays. The park has a large play place for kids as well. 

Scott County Park, located farther north of the cities, is a 1,280-acre county park that offers a variety of hiking, mountain biking, and equestrian trails. There are almost 30 miles of park to explore. With a golf course, swimming pool, historic Walnut Grove Pioneer Village, hiking, biking, and trails, there is literally something for everyone. You can even pitch a tent or bring an RV to camp! 

West Lake Park in Davenport, Iowa is a haven for summer camping, fishing, swimming, and boating. With 4 lakes, there is much to explore. You can rent kayaks and paddle boats or bring your own! 

The Mighty Mississippi River 

One of the most distinctive features of the Quad Cities is the Mississippi River. This river is a waterway for freight headed south to the Gulf of Mexico. The current is very powerful so it’s not recommended to swim in. You’ll see the occasional boat pulling water skiers but the Rock River  is better if you want to go swimming. 

One interesting fact is that this area attracts eagles in the winter time because the water at the locks and dams doesn’t freeze so the eagles have found a viable food source. It’s quite the sight and people come from all over to see the eagles. January is the best time to catch a glimpse of these powerful creatures. 

Downtown Davenport

This area has gone through a revitalization effort so the older historic buildings are taking on new life with a variety of restaurants like: Half Nelson (upscaled American food), Armored Gardens (BBQ), Oh So Sweet by Tiphanie (sandwiches, salads, and baked goods), Miss Phay (Thai), Me and Billy (steak). There is quite the coffee scene as well so grab a delicious cup at Redband Coffee Co. or 392Caffe. 

Take in the Figge Art Museum for some impressive collections of art. Don’t forget to check out the exterior as it’s a funky, modern building in the middle of these historic streets. The Freight House Farmers Market runs weekly on Saturdays 8am-2pm, Sunday 10am-2pm. It pulls local farmers and vendors from the area so you can get fresh produce, organic honey, farm fresh meat and beautiful handmade goods. 

Next to the farmers market, stop by the LeClair Park and Bandshell that sits right on the Mississippi in downtown Davenport and host many summer concerts, jazz nights where you can bring a picnic, and of course the 4th of July celebrations called Red, White and Boom. Catch a minor league baseball game at the Quad Cities River Bandits stadium next door.  

Downtown LeClaire

Drive 10 miles up north along the river to LeClaire, Iowa. Their 12 block downtown main street (Cody Road) runs along the river and is full of unique shops, a distillery and a brewery which feature live music on the weekends, many restaurants and bars, and even antique shops. Ever watch the show American Pickers? They have a storefront in Le Claire for the antique aficionados. 

Downtown Moline

Downtown Moline has been building up over the years and has lots of restaurants and a cute riverwalk area. The Vibrant Arena at The Mark brings in many big name concerts and shows. You can even catch a Quad City Storm minor league hockey game here. 

Walking in downtown Moline, you’ll find lots of cute restaurants like: Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Lemongrass Cafe (Thai), Cafe Fresh (sandwiches and salads), and Fifth Avenue Syndicate (upscale cuisine). 

Moline, Illinois is the headquarters of the John Deere farm, construction and lawn care equipment empire. If you’re interested in learning about the history of the company, the impact they’ve had on farming and life in the QCA, they have a free, beautiful, interactive museum at John Deere Pavilion on the Moline Riverfront. One of the highlights is that you get to climb up a combine tractor and sit in the driver’s seat.

Where to Stay

You can find any level of hotel chain in the Quad Cities from any major chain to boutique hotels. A few nicer boutique hotels we’d recommend in downtown Davenport are The Blackhawk, a renovated historic building with modern charm and The Current Iowa, Autograph Collection has funky art throughout the hotel and a super fun rooftop bar. In downtown Moline, we’d recommend The Axis, another historic building renovated to a boutique hotel and Element by Westin in Moline. 

Restaurants 

If you need a few more suggestions for great restaurants, a few of our favorites are Monarch (upscale American), Verde (classy Mexican), The Tangled Wood (innovative American food with live outdoor music on the weekends on their beautiful patio), Jerry’s (hamburgers), and Happy Joes for the home of the Taco Pizza. 

Ice Cream 

Saving the best for last… If you come to the Quad Cities, your trip should not be complete without a stop at Whitey’s Ice Cream. Started in 1933, it’s a local favorite with amazing ice cream flavors and that 1950’s soda pop charm. I highly recommend the Banana Graham or the Kona Coffee flavors. If you want to get crazy, try a slushie with a scoop of ice cream. It’s like a creamsicle in a cup! 

Overall the Quad Cities is a great place to visit and live. It feels like small town America with the amenities of a larger city. Dive into the local charm and attend events and festivals throughout the year!