The Mississippi River & 16 Great Stops in Bellevue

Bellevue, Iowa, is located along the Mississippi River and the Great River Road in Iowa. It’s quickly become one of our favorite weekend getaway destinations over the last couple years! Sure, the Mississippi River is a great reason to visit (along with Lock & Dam #12), but Bellevue has so much more to offer! Actually, we have 16 Great Things to Do (and places to Eat) in Bellevue for you! So, pack your bags!

Things to Do

While we love just relaxing and watching the river roll on by (along with the barges), there are many things to do in Bellevue!

Bellevue Riverview walk

One of my favorite things to do in Bellevue is to lace up my running shoes and take off on a run on the Bellevue Riverview Trail, which runs parallel to the Mississippi River. It’s a beautiful trail full of lots of gorgeous gardens, monuments & memorials and public art.

The Book Worm

There is no visit to Bellevue for me without a stop at the Book Worm. This little shop is jam packed with new and used books, along with a lot of gifts. My favorite part is combing through the used books to stock up for the year. The last time I visited, I snagged 5 books for just $16! Have I mentioned how sweet the owner is?! Don’t skip this shop!

Field of Chocolate Dreams & Bakery

Brand new to Bellevue is Field of Chocolate Dreams & Bakery…so new, it had only been open a week when we stopped! But….with a large variety of homemade chocolates, baked goods, and specialty gifts, you’re going to want to stop! I was excited to snag homemade chocolate covered cherries and macarons during our visit! Plus, the building renovations are gorgeous!

Hiking & Biking Trails

Bellevue isn’t a huge biking community, but you will find a couple trails and the streets are super bike-friendly! Make sure to ride out to Felderman Park to enjoy the cement trails and footbridge. Then, head north out of town on the Bellevue Rivervue Trail which connects the heart of Bellevue with Offshore Resort. Its a great little ride. In the state park, you’ll find several hiking trails!

5 Great Bike Trails in Iowa

Sweet Boutique

Also new to the Bellevue scene is Sweet Boutique. This shop combines ice cream, candy, and boutique clothing! It’s a fun stop with a great outdoor patio. While I didn’t snag a treat while we were there (I purchased some clothes though), I saw their ice cream nachos going out and they looked delicious.

Bellevue State Park

Bellevue State Park has several different parts, but the main part of the park is just south of town and offers several miles of trails. You can also enjoy the Butterfly Garden, nature center, and shelters. Make sure to make the short walk to the overlook at the park and enjoy the views of town and the mighty Mississippi River.

Great Shops

Bellevue is full of great shops…even more than the ones I’ve already mentioned. Make sure to spend some time strolling main street of Bellevue checking them out. You’ll find clothing, gifts, hardware, antiques, and more.

Places to Eat & Drink

In between all of the great things to do in Bellevue, there are plenty of options of great places to eat and drink!

La Casa de Pancho

We love a great Mexican restaurant and that’s exactly what you’ll find at La Casa de Pancho. Their chips are thin, crisp, and warm. The salsa is the perfect balance of smooth and hot. The food is always delicious, fresh tasting, and the service is wonderful!

River Ridge Brewing

There’s no better combo for us than great beer, water-side outdoor seating, and friendly staff. You’ll find all of those things at River Ridge Brewing. Not only do they offer great brews, but they also serve up delicious flatbreads (gluten free options too), gourmet pretzels, and nachos! Indoor and outdoor seating and frequent live music round out this great stop.

The Guide to the Best Iowa Breweries & Cideries

Moore Local

I’m always on the hunt for great local coffee shops and Moore Local in downtown Bellevue is just that! They are serving up great coffees (both hot & cold) while offering a variety of snacks and food products from locally owned businesses.

The Must Have Guide to Coffee Shops in Iowa

2nd Street Station

If you’re looking for an unassuming restaurant with uncomplicated but delicious food, then 2nd Street Station is for you! They offer a large variety of menu items including salads, pizzas, tacos, sandwiches, and more! During our visit, service was great, food was delicious, and the restaurant was clean!

Flatted Fifths at Potter’s Mill

Looking for delicious BBQ while in the Bellevue area? How about enjoying it in a historic gristmill?! Flatted Fifths BBQ is located in the oldest gristmill in the state of Iowa! Their menu features not only smoked & BBQ meats, but also Southern specialties like fried chicken, shrimp & grits, and jambalaya. They also feature live music frequently. Its a fun and unique dining experience.

Riverview Restaurant

We’ll be the first to admit that we walked right by Riverview Restaurant the first several times we visited Bellevue, but on our most recently trip we decided to give it a try for breakfast and were so pleasantly surprised. The menu is wide, the portions are huge, and the prices are reasonable. And the little old lady who waitresses is just simply the sweetest!

Offshore Resort & Restaurant

Just outside town, you’ll find Offshore Resort & Restaurant. While there is a full resort, their restaurant is what I’m here to talk about. They offer a full bar, full menu of sandwiches, entrees, appetizers, salads, burgers, and pizzas. Personally, my recommendation is the Southwest Chicken Salad! We also enjoy Offshore Restaurant because of the outdoor patio seating, which means you can watch the boats come in to dock or floating by while enjoying your meal!

Grandpa’s Parlour

Another great spot to snag something to eat (for breakfast or lunch) is Grandpa’s Parlour. But, the number one reason we stop by Grandpa’s Parlour on each visit is the ice cream! It’s the perfect place to grab a cup of hand scooped ice cream or other ice cream snacks! T’s favorite is the Zanzibar Chocolate while mine is the Black Raspberry Truffle.

The Best Ice Creams Shops in the Midwest

Richman’s Cafe

Located directly across the street from the river, you’ll find Richman’s Cafe. They are located in a residential area (away from the other businesses) so you need to keep an eye out for this stop! While they are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner…we’ve only visited for breakfast. They serve up classic breakfast, which are delicious and homemade.

Many Things to Do in Bellevue, Iowa

There you have it…16 great things to do (or places to eat) in Bellevue. Of course, there’s more that we haven’t had the time to explore yet. We find this community to be friendly, welcoming, and a great spot for slowing down and relaxing or a weekend of adventure and exploring and we think you will too. And, if you need help planning your trip, the folks at the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce are super helpful! When will you visit Bellevue?!