Warm Up with a Winter Weekend in the Quad Cities

Who’s ready for a fun winter weekend getaway right here in the Midwest? Well, we have just the trip for you in the Quad Cites. Whether you’re traveling with kiddos or just headed out for a couples getaway there is plenty to do. Check out our guide to a weekend in the Quad Cities and plan your trip now!

A huge thank you to Visit Quad Cities for hosting our weekend getaway. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic. For full details, please see the disclosure tab.

The Quad Cities

In case you aren’t familiar with them, the Quad Cities are made up of Davenport & Bettendorf, Iowa; and Moline & Rock Island, Illinois. They are split by the Mississippi River, but it’s hard to tell where one of these booming towns ends and the other begins.

Getting There

Getting to the Quad Cities is easy thanks to it being situated on a couple of major interstates. Interstate 80 travels East & West on the northern boarder of this area, while Interstate 74 comes from Illinois and splits the cities into their quads. You could also easily fly by landing at the Quad Cities International Airport!

If traveling by car:

• Des Moines, Iowa – 82 miles – 2 hours, 29 minute drive
  • Minneapolis, Minnesota – 358 miles – 5 hours, 15 minute drive
    • Kansas City, Missouri – 361 miles – 5 hours, 7 minutes
      • Chicago, Illinois – 172 miles – 2 hours, 41 minutes

Where to Stay: Hotel Blackhawk

By now, you know how much we love historic hotels and the Hotel Blackhawk, located in downtown Davenport does not lack on history, elegance, or superior service.

The Hotel Blackhawk, which has been a part of Davenport and the entire Quad Cities landscape for over one hundred years is beyond impressive. With it’s just over 100 recently renovated rooms, you’ll feel the true luxury and that no expense was spared. Not only are the rooms, lobby, and every part of the Blackhawk decorated in impeccable standard, the service provided by it’s employees is top notch. Make sure to take time to walk around the entire hotel to enjoy it’s beauty and read the book in your room about it’s tumultuous history.

Enjoy the Historic Hotel Bothwell with a Stay in Sedalia, Missouri!

What to Do

You will not run out of things to do during your weekend in the Quad Cities and we know we only scratched the surface of what they have to offer!

Rock Island Arsenal

The Rock Island Arsenal is not only an actual island in the middle of the Mississippi River, but it’s also a functioning Army base still today. From the Army’s website: “The Rock Island Arsenal is a major Army installation that is the home to more than 80 tenant organizations that provide critical products and services to all of our Armed Services. It employs more than 6,000 military, civilian and contractor personnel. So, keep that in mind as you move around the base.”

There are several buildings open to the public including the Rock Island Arsenal Museum, Colonel Davenport House, and the Mississippi River Visitors Center. We were lucky enough to tour the Colonel Davenport House during our visit and learned so much about the area, it’s history, and Colonel Davenport. T really enjoyed the Visitors Center where you get an up-close and personal view of the barges coming and in and out of Lock & Dam #15. Plus, learn about life on the river, the wildlife that inhabits it, and more!

We also strongly recommend you take the time to wonder through the Rock Island National Cemetery and Memorial Field.

Quad City Botanical Center

The Quad City Botanical Center is the perfect place to warm up during the winter months! While you may not be able to stroll the entire grounds in the winter, check out as much as possible. The staff work hard to showcase all different types of plants, flowers, etc throughout the year. During the winter months, you can enjoy their Tropical Sun Garden with glimpses of a banana tree, coffee bean tree, and chocolate tree! Make sure to ask about them all!

A bonus for the winter is the Winter Nights Winter Lights exhibit that is available from November 17th, 2021 and runs until January 2nd, 2022. Catch the entire grounds (inside and out) decorated in Christmas lights from top to bottom. Each year is different and worth the experience. There are even special nights with live music and visits from Santa & Mrs. Claus.

German American Heritage Center & Museum

Being 100% German, I was 100% excited to visit the German American Heritage Center & Museum. This multi-floor museum offers special rotating exhibits. They also feature permanent exhibits, mostly focused on those that migrated from Germany throughout time. They have several interactive exhibits and the “In Their Shoes” was my favorite. This one featured first hand stories about those who gave up everything for a new life in America. Don’t forget to also browse their gift shop for authentic German gifts.

Putnam Museum

Whether you’re traveling with kids or a kid at heart, everyone will enjoy the Putnam Museum. From science to mummies, nature, and regional history, everyone will learn something and be intrigued. Plus, they have many interactive displays which is always a winner in our book.

Make sure to check out their brand new Winter Wheels exhibit which just opened on November 13th and will be in place until April 2022! Check out a large variety of antique motorcycles from all sorts of manufacturers! “Dad” is bound to enjoy this part of the visit.

Bonus: Make sure to take a walk out on the Davenport Skybridge at night and enjoy the light show!

Where to Eat

Every getaway in the Midwest is sure to have lots of delicious eats and your weekend in the Quad Cities will deliver! And don’t worry, there is a large variety of eats so everyone is bound to find something they like!

Lemongrass Thai Cafe

Enjoy an authentic Thai lunch by stopping by Lemongrass Thai Cafe! Choose from a variety of fried rice dishes, noodle bowls, or even steak “salads” plus different kinds of rolls, won tons, pot stickers, and more! During our visit, I enjoyed the Pineapple Fried Rice with Chicken. This fried rice was loaded with raisins, eggs, pineapple, cashews, and chicken! It was absolutely delicious! T opted for the Crying Tiger, which was marinated New York Strip steak on top of salad. He also picked a side of sticky rice with a spicy & sweet sauce.

Twin Span Brewing

Don’t be deceived by the location of Twin Span Brewing in it’s newer part of Bettendorf, near the interstate. The owners have worked hard to create a unique and inviting atmosphere with delicious food options and great beer. Not to mention the outstanding service we received while we were there. Select from a variety of appetizers, tacos, sandwiches, and flat breads. Personally, we recommend the Loaded Fries. The queso, fresh pico, and crumbled queso fresco on top of a big pile of handcut fries…they were the best! We’re still talking about them! I also thoroughly enjoyed my Moho Tacos made with grilled mahi mahi.

The beer was equally delicious. We love trying a flight of brews to enjoy a variety of flavors. During our visit, we enjoyed the four we tried which included Uncle Juicy (a very smooth sour), Adam’s Apple (a German Hefeweizen with a mild apple flavor), Lifey Light (a light version of lager), and the 563 Pina Colada seltzer. We enjoyed them so much we brought home Crowler’s of Uncle Juicy & Adam’s Apple.

Bayside Bistro

Bayside Bistro is a true family business and featuring delicious eats created with love. They feature a large variety of fresh made juices and smoothies, but also lunch sandwiches and dinner entrees. T picked the Philly Steak & Cheese with the Cilantro Lime Rice and the meat was tender and well seasoned. I picked the Fruity Spinach Salad which was a spinach salad loaded down with strawberries, cherry tomatoes, papaya, and feta! No dressing was needed! And of course, I had to add a side of the roasted sweet potatoes….delicious!

Whitey’s Ice Cream

No weekend getaway is complete for us without an ice cream stop. And no weekend in the Quad Cities is complete without a stop at Whitey’s Ice Cream. Whitey’s has been a part of the Quad Cities since 1933 when it started as one store and now they operate 8 stores in Iowa & Illinois including several across the entire Quad Cities area. They offer hard scooped specialty ice cream flavors, malts, sundaes, specialty sundaes, sodas, floats, and more! You can’t go wrong with any pick from their expansive menu! For me, it was the Chocolate Peanut Butter Revel & White Chocolate Raspberry….YUM!

Plan a Weekend in the Quad Cities

Still looking for more to do?! Don’t worry, there is a lot of options including the Bix Beiderbecke Museum, the Family Museum, Figge Art Museum, and more! We know that you’ll enjoy your weekend exploring these River towns. Which stop is at the top of your list?!

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