Explore Davenport, Iowa
Set on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River in the QC, you’ll find the City of Davenport. Its downtown area rests along the banks of the Mississippi, with LeClaire Park providing access to riverfront biking & walking trails and amazing river views. You can even get up close and personal with the impressive Lock and Dam 15, the world’s largest roller dam. Many events and festivals are held in the downtown area. They include the Quad-City Times Bix 7, Alternating Currents, Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Beaux Arts Fair, and Festival of Trees, to name a few. In Lindsay Park, take in the Riverssance Festival of Fine Arts in a beautiful hilltop setting with artists from all over the Midwest.
Davenport is also home to one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades in the country. Home to a variety of craft breweries, coffee spots, fun local shops, and nationally recognized chains, Davenport is the largest city in the QC metro and one of the best places in the U.S. for millennials to own a home. Experience the many restaurants, museums, nightlife, live music venues, our nationally recognized farmers market, historic and unique hotel properties, and a casino resort that are all QC originals. Modern Woodmen Park, recently named the #1 minor league ballpark in the U.S. has spectacular views of the river and even has a Ferris Wheel for families to enjoy. Near the Putnam Museum & Science Center, take in the seasonal lights at Fejervery Park and get in the spirit of the holidays.
There’s a lot to do in Davenport but make sure you hit up CRU and order a Man-Fashioned or grab some of the best quiche on the planet at Café d’Marie. Get your appetite ready and experience Duck City and just wait until you meet the incomparable Chef Jeremy. Or, grab a Spicy Pina pizza from Lopiez, and head to the East Village for food, drinks, and shopping. No trip to the East Village is complete without making a stop at Isabel Bloom where you will find unique sculptures from this inventive and one-of-a kind artist. Downtown’s Motor Row neighborhood includes incredible spots like Armored Gardens, Raccoon Motel, Mississippi River Distilling Company, and Great River Brewery, in addition, Barrel House offers a casual space to have a drink plus a great burger and fries and The Half Nelson offers contemporary American fare in an upscale setting; both restaurants are accesibility verified through Wheel the World. And the iconic Last Picture House is a boutique independent cinema that offers a cocktail lounge and stunning rooftop views of the Arsenal Bridge. The historic Hotel Blackhawk along with The Current Iowa features fantastic guest rooms and located atop The Current is UP Skybar, an outdoor rooftop destination with delicious appetizers, cocktails and unbeatable river views.
Get #QCoutdoors in Davenport, take leisurely walks in parks, bike rides along the riverfront, and enjoy hilltop vistas.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
- Adler Theatre (Broadway & Concerts) and adjacent RiverCenter
- The Figge Art Museum
- Modern Woodmen Park – Home of the River Bandits baseball team
- Rhythm City Casino Resort
- Common Chord and the Redstone Room
- Putnam Museum & Science Center
- German American Heritage Center
- Capitol Theatre
- Quad City Symphony Orchestra
- Bix Beiderbecke Museum
- Freight House Farmer’s Market
- Vander Veer Park & Conservatory
- Sunderbruch Park – (Mountain biking & hiking)
- Home to Palmer College of Chiropractic and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
- St. Ambrose University
- Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
- Hot Glass Co.
- River Cruise Line docking near downtown for Viking River Cruises and American Cruise Lines
- Union Station – Visit Quad Cities Destination Center and an official Iowa Welcome Center
NEIGHBORHOODS TO EXPLORE
Downtown Davenport – This downtown is eclectic, alive, and active. Popular with young professionals and those explorers looking for variety, historical buildings, urban living in loft apartments, and much more. You’ll find plenty of diverse restaurants, pubs, unique shops, and entertainment options that are all walkable from downtown hotels.
Village of East Davenport – This historic 6-square block shopping and entertainment district is a great way to spend the afternoon or the evening. Grab an ice cream scoop, lunch, or take home some hand-crafted chocolates from the long-standing staple Lagomarcino's Confectionary. Check out boutiques, restaurants, and pubs line the streets of the village, and you can even sample local wine at Wide River Winery. Hop aboard the Channel Cat Water Taxi to ride as a passenger on the Mississippi River to other docks around the Quad Cities.
McClellan Heights – located east of the Village of East Davenport, is a beautiful residential area where you can drive through and admire homes in a variety of architectural styles along winding hills and streets.
Gold Coast & Hamburg District – Drive through and discover large historic homes that housed the original movers and shakers of the Quad Cities. Today’s Quad Citizens have taken up residence in many of these homes and are restoring them to their former glory.
Hilltop Campus Village - This walkable district features some of Davenport’s earliest neighborhoods, including Cork Hill, College Square, and Vander Veer Park—each with unique architecture and stories to tell. Stroll through leafy streets lined with historic homes and charming green spaces. In the heart of the Hilltop, you’ll find gems like The Brewed Book, a cozy spot to sip coffee and browse a curated selection of books, and Miss Phay Café, a local favorite for fresh, flavorful Vietnamese cuisine. Don’t miss MLK Park, a multi-purpose indoor/outdoor community space honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
