Quad Cities Museum Gift Shops: Unique, Creative, Fun
There's nothing I like more than wandering around a museum gift shop after seeing a fantastic exhibit. We are lucky in the Quad Cities to have unique and diverse museum gift shops right here! You don't have to visit the museum to buy items from the gift shop. From your aunt to your son's friend to your neighbor, you'll find the perfect gift and get to support local shops, too!
Buffalo Bill Museum, LeClaire, IA
Not many people think of visiting the Buffalo Bill Museum shop for gifts but the lovely selection is definitely worth a stop! They have cozy wraps, scarves and ponchos to enhance your wardrobe. For the young and young at heart they have cowboy hats, geodes to crack into, Buffalo Bill Root Beer, and much more!
Check out items in person, online, and on the Buffalo Bill Museum Facebook page.
“The Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClaire, Iowa, offers regional gifts. You can find prints of paddlewheel postcards and a lot of fun magnets. There's always lots of parking and you don't have to pay admission to shop.” - Steph P.
Buffalo Bill Museum Store Hours
Monday - Saturday: Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: Open noon - 4 p.m.
Figge Art Museum Gift Shop, Davenport, IA
I could spend all day looking around at the artistic wonders and historical treasures offered at the Figge Art Museum Shop. You'll be delighted by mugs, coasters, coffee table books, jewelry, shirts, children's projects, puzzles and books. There are also holiday ornaments worthy of heirloom status and unique glass art. Members get a 10% discount and during Member Appreciation Week in December that doubles!
Check out items online at The Figge Art Museum Store. Orders are available for pick up or may be shipped.
“The Museum Store at the Figge Art Museum is not just for art lovers. Sure, you can find art posters, prints and postcards. You also can score unusual, beautiful and creative books, jewelry, clothing, toys and home decor to please anyone. The jewelry counter is a place to linger, with designs by local and regional artists and a range of prices. If you have children in your life, this store is a must for fun but serious art supplies and activities. Stuff their stockings here, too, because there are always silly and intriguing novelties—and many have a sneaky way of incorporating a bit of learning, too.” - Leslie D.
Figge Art Museum Store Hours
Closed Mondays
Tuesday - Wednesday; Friday - Saturday: Open 10 a.m - 5 p.m.
Thursday: Open 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Sunday: Open noon - 5 p.m.
The Fox & the Bee at the Family Museum, Bettendorf, IA
Oh! This shop is simply a room of fun! Every time we go to the Family Museum I have to stop in and see what unique toys and games are on display. You'll definitely find unique, quality items for the young and young at heart. I especially like that the gifts inspire creativity: a yarn unicorn, a giant crazy crayon, or a nose flute. Check out all the great items, you'll be glad you did!
Take a look at the Fox & Bee Facebook page for some great ideas.
“I highly recommend The Fox & Bee gift store at the Family Museum. You won’t find the latest “hot” toys but you will find unique items that spark imagination and play. From color changing umbrellas to darling puppets this place truly has something for everyone. Also with no tax and items starting at just $0.50 you can reward your child with a little prize and not go broke. If this wasn’t enough of a reason to shop here, they also give members 10% off and all proceeds from the store go directly to funding the museum.” - Chantel C.
The Fox & The Bee Hours
Monday - Thursday: Open 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday - Saturday: Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Sunday
The Garden Store at the Quad City Botanical Center, Rock Island, IL
This lovely shop is a delightful collection of garden themed gifts. You'll find jewelry, scarves, ties, books and home decor. They often offer featured artisans with unique garden art, knitting, or other novelties. You'll also find some fun for the kids including items from the eco-kids collection. The Botanical Center also often has potted plants for sale.
Some of their most popular items are now available online at: The Garden Store.
“The Garden Store is the perfect spot to find creative, cute gifts for anyone on your list. They have a variety of gorgeous, handmade jewelry, scarves, and adorable accessories. For children, they offer a great selection of fun toys, crafts, books and nature-themed gifts. I also buy all my house plants from the botanical center. Their prices are significantly lower than anywhere in the Quad Cities, plus the plants are hardy, rare and beautiful!” - Heather M.
The Garden Store Hours
Check the Botanical Center website for seasonal hours.
The German American Heritage Center & Museum Gift Shop, Davenport, IA
If you're looking for a unique wooden toy or a high quality stein, then this is the shop to visit. Discover cookbooks, children's stories, flags, shirts and more. You'll also find books on both worldwide and local history as well as delicate houseware items and the Quad Cities' very own Boetje's mustard. During the holidays there will be some wonder snacks like cookies and candies and, of course, advent calendars!
Many items including the vast array of unique ornaments are available online at: The German American Heritage Center & Museum Gift Shop.
“We have always enjoyed seeing what the German American Heritage Center gift shop has to offer. It's a little different each time, but always has plenty of wonderful European gifts. They carry books, dish towels, recipe collections, crafts, toys, glassware, tableware and beer steins, but our favorite is the huge assortment of Christmas tree ornaments, from nature inspired clip-on birds to beautiful glass ornaments! You can always find an unusual and beautiful gift!” - Marggy E.
The German American Heritage Center & Museum Gift Shop
Visits to the museum are by appointment, but you can visit and purchase at the gift shop anytime.
Closed Mondays
Tuesday - Saturday: Open 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: Open noon - 4 p.m.
Putnam Museum Store, Davenport, IA
This shop is full of wonder. If you are looking for a truly unique gift for a kid, including a teenager, take a look here. If you are searching for something unique for an adult, this is also a great shop to check out. From polished gems to novels and stuffed animals to coffee and tea collections, you will be amazed by the creative and engaging gifts offered.
Some of the items are offered online at: Putnam Museum Store.
“Every time we go to the Putnam Museum, we have to stop in the store. Our four kids are fascinated by the choices. One really loves to read and there are a ton of options in both fiction and non-fiction. Our youngest loves trains and dinosaurs and can always find something he 'needs.' Even our oldest son who as a pre-teen is kind of above shopping will find an item that peaks his interest. It's a great place for us to discover something this isn't a screen that expands my kids' imagination. I highly recommend stopping by for the perfect gift.” - Meghan C.
Putnam Museum Shop Hours
Closed Monday & Tuesday
Wednesday - Sunday: Open 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Check the Putnam website for updated times.
Museum Store Specials
Many of the local museum shops are participating in national shopping days like: Neighborhood Toy Store Day (third Saturday in November), Small Business Saturday (Saturday after Thanksgiving), and Museum Store Sunday (Sunday after Thanksgiving). Many shops are offering a discount for non-members and an additional discount for members. The Museum shops in Iowa also are exempt from sales tax for an added discount!
Written by Meghan Cooley
Meghan Cooley moved to the Quad Cities from St. Charles, IL, as an Augustana College student over 20 years ago. She left briefly after graduation and then returned to work in admissions and then marketing at Augustana College for 18 years. She now works as a consultant for admissions marketing and social media. She also does copy editing and writes for the Quad City Moms Blog. Now a true Quad Cities transplant, Meghan lives in Rock Island with her husband, Luke (R.O.W.V.A. and Augustana grad and Modern Woodmen employee) and four boys. She loves living in the Quad Cities and finds it the perfect place to raise a family, plan a date night, and go on adventures.