Help with travel plans to Davenport, Iowa
 

Hi all! My hubby is planning a trip to Davenport, Iowa this summer. Just wondering if anyone on the board is from the city and can offer some tourism advice (where to stay, sites to see, etc). Thanks in advance.

You're in the Quad-Cities so that gives you a few options of stuff to do in both Iowa and Illinois.

Mississippi River Center
http://www.missriver.org/

If you travel a half hour north there's the Maquoketa Caves State Park.

Anamosa is nearby- maybe 45min drive? Grant Wood Art Gallery, he had a studio there.

If you drove about an hour west, you'd go past Iowa City and there's the Amana Colonies.
http://www.amanacolonies.com/

Across the river in Moline: John Deere HQ.

Depending on when you're there this summer- Le Claire, IA has a tug-of-war game with the rope going across the Mississippi River to a town on the Illinois side.


Iowa tourism center:
http://www.iowalifechanging.com/

Re: Help with travel plans to Davenport, Iowa
 

The Quad Cities area is actually relatively well-populated, so you'll have a solid choice for hotels etc.

If you're into casinos, the Isle of Capri is probably the best, especially in terms of hotel room and other accomodations - there are four in the QC, and they are one of the biggest tourist draws.

Past that, either side of the river is nice, but try to not be overly close to the river itself (with certain exceptions). The biggest social scene is undoubtably The District in Rock Island, which has a pretty large number of bars, clubs, and restaurants. Also, you may want to check out the schedule for The Mark in Moline, which is the largest arena in the area and gets the best of the summer tours for concerts and shows. While you'll actually be visiting Davenport, the entire area is very well-connected, so don't have any objections to staying in a different town (or state!) as you'll be within easy driving distance of wherever you need to be.



Also, FYI, you can get to Iowa City (U of I) in 45 min or slightly less, but the Amana Colonies are 15-20 min farther west - and that's just to Middle Amana, some of the more 'authentic' colonies can be 20 min or more past that, and are truly out in the country. You'll want to take a good look at all that stuff if you want to head out there, it can be confusing to drive.

Having grown up in the QCA, I find it funny that people vaction there. It just never seemed to be much of a tourism spot.

Anyways places to see and things to do:

If you are there in July the Bix fest and race are quite a sight to see. Also in Rock Island (accross the river from Dav) The District downtown seems to have a festival of some sorts every weekend plus a good night scene.

Blackhawk state park in rock island is a neat historic place to visit. Also Scott County park in davenport is a really nice park.

Have fun!
:)

Why would anyone in there right mind go to Iowa!?

LOL you're from Nebraska!!! ;)

Seriously, Iowa City is a great college town but there are definitely more exciting states to visit. I haven't been to the Quad Cities for over 10 years, but when I used to hang out there sometimes, they were pretty much typical depressed river towns.

Well, there is an AF store in Davenport, one of the two in the whole state (the other one is in Coral Ridge Mall by Iowa City).

How about the John Deere pavillion and main HQ in Moline? They are pretty famous all across the nation.

Comedi Sportz is a good comedy club in Rock Island District.

nah, there's 2.5 in WDM now, ace

Oh, is it at the new mall, the one with the Cheesecake Factory?

Yup, there's one out at Jordan Creek. Mmmm....Cheesecake Factory.

As far as Davenport, I think I read an article about a music museum that was going to be opening there in 2004. I'm blanking on the name of it right now, but when I find it, I'll edit this.

I don't know if this guy is kidding or not, but of all the states I have been to, the one I have the least use for is Iowa. Downtown Des Moines has to be the most inept capital city nightlife I have ever experienced. I went to downtown DM on a Saturday night and have seen more partying at Orthodox Masses.

Downtown Des Moines is a joke - most of the better bars and clubs are away from the downtown area or in the suburbs.

Most of downtowns in any city are inert after 6 pm - since most of them are actually financial district. Look at Boston or Atlanta. Or, some cities have commercial district as downtown (i.e. Chicago, NYC), which would die down eventually by 8 or 9 pm.

So if you want to see a good nightlife in a given city, stay away from the downtown area. ;)

Thanks to all for your suggestions. My husband is attending the International Jugglers' Association's annual juggling festival in Davenport in July. He booked a room at the Blackhawk Hotel. Is this a nice hotel? Their rates seem cheaper than the Radisson. I can't seem to find any information about the hotel. Thanks!

The Balckhawk is a really nice historic hotel in downtown Davenport. I've been there a few times for events and thought it was really nice. Have fun!