Explore Moline, Illinois
Moline, Illinois, has strong ties to John Deere and serves as the global headquarters for Deere & Company. John Deere moved his operations to Moline in 1848 to take advantage of the Mississippi River’s waterpower and transportation. He even served as mayor for two years. Today, that legacy lives on through several attractions, including the John Deere Pavilion, the historic Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House, and more all included on the self-guided John Deere Trail. This product, developed in collaboration by Visit Quad Cities and a John Deere archivist, allows residents and visitors a way to explore John Deere’s history, innovation, and impact throughout the Quad Cities. The Visit Quad Cities Destination Center, located at a historic site along the John Deere Trail, provides maps, guides, and local insights for travelers.
Downtown Moline is easy to navigate on foot and includes a mix of hotels, restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, and historic landmarks. The Vibrant Arena at The MARK is a 12,000-seat venue that hosts national touring concerts, sporting events, Disney on Ice, Monster Truck shows, and serves as home to the Quad City Storm (hockey) and Quad City Steamwheelers (arena football). Nearby, Bass Street Landing features weekly outdoor concerts in the summer and a splash pad for kids.
Dining and drinks are plentiful downtown. Lagomarcino’s, a family-owned confectionery in operation for more than 100 years, serves old-fashioned soda fountain drinks, sundaes, and handmade candy. Pour Bros. Taproom has a casual atmosphere, outdoor space, live music, and a self-serve draft wall. The Syndicate, located within the Axis Hotel, is known for breakfast meetings, craft cocktails, and a lobby painting of Faye Dunaway. Dead Poet’s Espresso and Milltown Coffee, both on the QC Coffee Trail, serve up quality coffee with local flair. Bent River Brewing Co.—part of the QC Ale Trail—is known for its Uncommon Stout. For a themed environment, try Take Cover Tiki Bar.
The riverfront provides ample opportunity to enjoy the outdoors. The paved Great River Trail runs along the waterfront and is popular for walking and biking. Moline’s Ben Butterworth Parkway section of the trail is a favorite for its views and green space. Sylvan Island, accessible by pedestrian bridge, is a hidden gem with trails for hiking and biking. From spring to fall, you can also hop aboard the Celebration Belle riverboat for a sightseeing, lunch, or dinner cruise. The Channel Cat Water Taxi offers seasonal stops in Moline and connects you to other parts of the Quad Cities.
Moline’s neighborhoods offer even more to explore. The Floreciente neighborhood is a mostly Hispanic community that highlights its cultural roots with colorful murals, events, and the popular Mercado on Fifth, a Friday night outdoor market running from May through September. The new Mercado building provides a welcoming space for community events. The Overlook neighborhood features historic homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s and is close to Old Towne, where Moline’s Belgian roots are preserved at the Center for Belgian Culture and with rolle bolle courts in Stephens Park.
The arts are alive in Moline with performances and programming from Ballet Quad Cities, the Spotlight Theatre, the Black Box Theatre, and The Sound Conservatory.
For recreation, Riverside Park is home to the Riverside Family Aquatic Center, and Greenvalley Sports Complex offers baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields, and even a cricket field for tournaments.
Moline is also home to educational institutions including Black Hawk College and Western Illinois University – Quad Cities, both offering academic and community programs.
SOME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE
- John Deere Pavilion & Store
- Vibrant Arena at The MARK
- Western Illinois University – Quad Cities
- Black Hawk College
- Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman Homes
- Celebration Belle Riverboat Cruises
- Channel Cat Water Taxi
- Black Box Theatre and Spotlight Theatre
- Great River Trail & Ben Butterworth Parkway
- Mercado on Fifth & Floreciente Neighborhood
- Sylvan Island
- Pour Bros. Taproom & Bent River Brewing Co.
- Lagomarcino’s Old-Fashioned Confectionery
- The Visit Quad Cities Destination Center (on the John Deere Trail)
NEIGHBORHOODS TO EXPLORE
Floreciente – This mostly Hispanic neighborhood of first, second, and third-generation families has undergone revitalization to show off its cultural roots. Mercado on Fifth livens up Friday nights from May through September with an outdoor market of multicultural vendors, food, and entertainment. The Mercado on Fifth building provides a beautiful gathering place.
Overlook – On the hilltop overlooking downtown Moline, this neighborhood has beautiful historic homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House. It’s located near Old Towne where you can find nods to Moline’s Belgian heritage with the Center for Belgian Culture and Stephens Park with rolle bolle courts.
