College Student Perspective: Bucket List Items

This summer, I set out to experience things in the Quad Cities. I am originally from Colorado, but have spent the last 3 years here, attending Augustana College. As an incoming senior, with a summer internship at Visit Quad Cities, I took it upon myself to get out and see what’s going on in the place where I live. Some of the places I hadn’t heard of until I started researching, so I want to help other college kids figure out how to spend their time. Here is what I scratched off my bucket list this summer:

Figge Art Museum

I was excited to visit the Figge, because they recently opened their 2023 Charles Schultz exhibit. I wanted to see the creation of Snoopy, learn about the process, and maybe get something from the gift shop. I had high expectations, and they were exceeded! Not only did I enjoy the Charles Schultz exhibit, I got to explore the museum’s huge collection. They have an impressive collection of artworks of different time periods, styles, and mediums. Thankfully, the museum wasn’t super busy on this weekday afternoon, so it felt like I had the museum to myself. I spent over two hours wandering through the exhibits, and probably missed something! Especially with all the deals they offer, like free admission in July, I would highly recommend the Figge Art Museum! Visit with your friends and take some Instagram pictures, go by yourself and explore the exhibit for however long you choose, or make it a unique date with your significant other. Should you choose to visit, I know it will be an enjoyable experience!

Beyond Van Gogh

The Immersive Exhibit at Beyond Van Gogh was exactly as described – beautiful, immersive, unique. Breathtaking is another word I would use to describe it. I am in no way an artist or someone who is familiar with Van Gogh, but being able to learn about his individual history was cool. I really liked the immersive room, where I took some cool pictures and felt like I was a part of the artwork. It’s only in the Quad Cities until the July 20, I would recommend anyone in the Quad Cities to check it out!

Niabi Zoo

I hadn’t been to a zoo since I was little, and Niabi Zoo restored that same childlike curiosity I had when I used to go see the animals. They have a rhino, giraffes, monkeys, and big cats. As anyone might imagine, it’s still exciting to see animals that don’t appear in the wild near you. On a Sunday morning, the zoo was surprisingly not super crowded, which made it a pleasant outing. We got to spend however much time we wanted at each enclosure without feeling pressured from crowds. The tickets for two adults weren’t super expensive, at $11, which makes it a relatively cheap, fun, and unique place to visit in the Quad Cities. It’s obviously a great option for families, but also a cute idea for something to do with your friends. I would definitely go back and look at the giraffes a little longer next time. Get out and see the wild animals!