A College Kid's Summer Bucket List

By: Micaela Koeppen 

After living in the Quad Cities for the past five years, I have learned that this region has so much to offer! My story is quite unique as I was born and raised in southern California and moved 1,000 miles away to attend Augustana College in Rock Island, IL. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Augustana, and it ultimately led me to fall in love with the QC. After graduating in May 2024, I decided to stay in the QC to start my master’s education at Western Illinois University.  Being in the Quad Cities has made me realize this place is seriously a hidden gem that everyone should get the opportunity to explore! So, the next time you find yourself in the Quad Cities, here are my top five must-experience items: 

Modern Woodmen Park

When visiting the Quad Cities, you must enjoy a River Bandits game at THE BEST minor league baseball park. At least one Tuesday a month, Modern Woodman Park has $2 Tuesdays where tickets, hot dogs, and beer are all $2! The stadium even has a fun zone with five different rides and a giant Ferris Wheel. These are the best days to get a group of friends together and enjoy some baseball!

Whitey’s Ice Cream

Another must visit Quad Cities favorite is Whitey’s Ice Cream. Whitey’s seriously serves the best ice cream in the Midwest! They offer a variety of flavors in scoops, shakes, or malts. My favorite is when they have seasonal flavors like Peppermint during the wintertime and Key Lime Pie in the spring. But the ultimate flavor that Whitey’s has to offer is Graham Central Station!

Stroll along the Mississippi River

One unique thing about the Quad Cities is its vast trail system. In my opinion, the coolest trail is the Great River Trail (GRT). The GRT runs parallel to the Mississippi River and extends for about 66 miles! The trail runs from Rock Island, IL in the south and Savana, IL in the north. The GRT also makes up a part of the Mississippi River Trail which is a 3,000-mile trail system following the river. In the Quad Cities, the Great River Trail passes through Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Rapids City, Port Byron, and Cordova. The trail passes by near where I currently live, so I spend my free time walking on the trail enjoying the beauty of the Mississippi! Many Quad Citizens also use the trail to scooter, bike, or run.

The Putnam Museum

Even if you’re not a history buff the Unearthing Ancient Egypt is a must-see exhibit that the Putnam Museum has to offer. This exhibit features two real mummies that you’ll be able to explore inside and out! The Putnam also has super cool rotating exhibits. One that was my favorite was Tails to Tales: Storybook Beasts. This exhibit involved partnership with 19 Quad Cities artists to bring childhood stories to life alongside the animals from the Putnam’s collection. This exhibit made me so nostalgic as it featured books from my own childhood. The Putnam is a museum you won’t want to miss!

Mercado on Fifth

When the weather starts to warm up, the outdoor festivities start to commence. One of my favorites is Mercado on Fifth’s nightlife. Mercado on Fifth is a non-profit organization that hosts an outdoor market every Friday during the summer. The outdoor market features things like food trucks, boutiques, retail vendors, children’s activities, and live Latin music. I love this event because of how it celebrates the Latin culture that lives here in the Quad Cities!

Now’s your chance, take a visit and experience these bucket list items for yourself!