Quad Cities Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Davenport showing a city
Putnam Museum showing a park and signage
Vander Veer Botanical Park featuring a park
Davenport featuring a city
Vander Veer Botanical Park featuring a garden, interior views and wild flowers
These five cities on the banks of the Mississippi offer smooth jazz and old-fashioned riverboats, attractive waterfronts, contemporary art and thrilling sports.

The Quad Cities are the collective name for five entwined cities and surrounding communities on the Mississippi River covering two states. Davenport and Bettendorf make up the Iowa half and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island are in Illinois. The five cities offer unique experiences but all feature fantastic views of the Mississippi. Discover the cities’ thriving art scenes, catch a baseball match at the local stadium and learn about the area’s fascinating Native American and Civil War heritage.

Davenport and Bettendorf are located in the Quad Cities’ northern half. Find a scenic urban landscape in Davenport, highlighted by the city’s pedestrianized Skybridge. This riverfront footbridge offers fantastic Mississippi River views and is brightly lit by a kaleidoscope of colored lights. See bald eagles fishing from here in the winter. 

Davenport features a thriving artists’ community, supported by the Village of East Davenport, the Figge Art Museum and the Bucktown Centre for the Arts. Enjoy family-friendly fun at the Family Museum of Arts and Science or Splash Landing Aquatic Centre in nearby Bettendorf. See an exciting baseball match at Davenport’s Modern Woodmen Park.

Take an old-fashioned Mississippi River cruise on a paddlewheel boat or luxury riverboat along the Illinois and Iowa border. Cruise past the largest roller dam in the world, Rock Island Arsenal, and the historic home of Colonel Davenport. Many cruises offer lunch, fascinating narration and entertainment, such as a Mississippi-style big band.

Enjoy the warm tones of Mississippi jazz at the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival and Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, held in summer.

On the Illinois side, find the Black Hawk State Historic Site where Native American villages once stood on Rock Island. Today the island houses the world headquarters for well-known farm equipment company John Deere and the Moline iWireless Centre sports and concert arena.

The Quad Cities are connected to several major American cities via the Quad Cities International Airport. Reach the Quad Cities with the Amtrak service to Galesburg, an Illinois city 50 miles (80 kilometres) from Moline. Public transport, major highways and pedestrian footbridges connect the five cities.

Where to stay in Quad Cities

Davenport which includes a river or creek and a city

Downtown Davenport

If you're spending some time in Downtown Davenport, Figge Art Museum and Davenport Skybridge are top sights worth seeing.

Downtown Davenport
Stoney Creek Hotel Quad Cities - Moline
Stoney Creek Hotel Quad Cities - Moline
2.5 out of 5
101 18th St, Moline, IL
The price is ฿3,628 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
฿3,628
฿4,136 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Moline. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,072 reviews)
"No issues with checking in. Staff courteous. Would stay again."

Reviewed on 9 Apr 2025

Stoney Creek Hotel Quad Cities - Moline
Isle Casino Hotel - Bettendorf
Isle Casino Hotel - Bettendorf
3 out of 5
1777 Isle Pkwy, Bettendorf, IA
The price is ฿2,975 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
฿2,975
฿3,819 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Bettendorf. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a marina. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"everything is great the arcade the casino the pool the hotub everything is wonderful"

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2025

Isle Casino Hotel - Bettendorf
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Davenport & Conference Center
La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Davenport & Conference Center
3 out of 5
3330 E Kimberly Rd, Davenport, IA
The price is ฿1,966 per night from 13 May to 14 May
฿1,966
฿2,202 total
includes taxes & fees
13 May - 14 May
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Davenport. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Nice"

Reviewed on 21 Apr 2025

La Quinta Inn by Wyndham Davenport & Conference Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Welcoming Condo in Davenport: Central Location!
Welcoming Condo in Davenport: Central Location!
3 out of 5
Davenport, IA
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Davenport. Enjoy free parking, balconies and in-room fireplaces. Popular attractions The TBK Bank Sports Complex and NorthPark ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Host communicated very well and was pleased with the ice cream we found when we arrived!"

Reviewed on 1 Jan 2025

Welcoming Condo in Davenport: Central Location!
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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