Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, Davenport, Iowa, is one of the Quad Cities, a group of towns in Iowa (the other one is Bettendorf) and Illinois (Moline and Rock Island) that share stunning waterfront views.
Known for riverboat casinos and strong German roots, Davenport also offers art, culture and a whole lot of pride for its hometown teams, including the Quad Cities River Bandits minor league baseball and the women’s Quad City Rollers roller derby.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Check Out Art and Mississippi River Views Downtown
Head to the Diner, a no-frills spot located right on the waterfront that serves up a mix of, well, pretty much everything — chicken and waffles, breakfast tacos, an entire menu of omelets and a blue-plate special, to name a few. From here, walk a few blocks north to check out the boutiques along Second and Third Streets.
You’d be remiss if you didn’t visit Chocolate Manor, a shop with more than 100 different kinds of confections, from truffles and toffees to cookies and chocolate-covered potato chips.
A few others to add to your list: Allied Barber & Supply for beard products and skin care, Doodads for affordable vintage, Ragged Records for bins upon bins of vinyl and Source Book Store for rare books (and much more).
Once you’re shopped out, head to Barrel House 211 for lunch. A quick walk from Chocolate Manor, this tavern is a great spot to post up with a pint of beer and a “Barrel Burger” (a classic third-pounder topped with all of the standard fixings).
Once the bill is settled, take a four-minute walk down Second Street to the Figge Art Museum — with its eye-catching glass construction, it’s impossible to miss. From Frank Lloyd Wright to Haitian art, the Figge hosts a selection of permanent and rotating exhibits. Don’t miss the gift shop, which stocks work from local artists.
Leave yourself a little bit of time before the sun sets — you’re off to the nearby Davenport Skybridge to take in the transition from day to night.
The pedestrian bridge is around the corner from the museum and connects to LeClaire Park — a seven-acre expanse of lush parkland with Mississippi River views and access to the Riverfront Recreation Trail, a paved walking and biking trail that traces the river all the way to neighboring Bettendorf. Linger for a few minutes as the sky moves through its dusky color palette.
Next, head a few blocks north to Armored Gardens, a spot for tacos, sandwiches, burgers and salads with next-level energy. Once you’re fueled up, pick a brew from the massive beer list (there are more than 100 options) and play some pingpong or mini golf.
Begin the end of your night with a show at the River Music Experience, a popular venue that welcomes local, regional and international acts. If there isn’t a show on for the night (or after the last song has been played), check out the Analog Arcade Bar for pinball, Frogger and Skee-Ball — and tons of other vintage and modern games to be played with a cocktail or beer in hand.
Saturday: Explore the Village of East Davenport
Once you’re good and ready to greet the day, head to the Village of East Davenport. First up: BREW in the Village for coffee and a breakfast sandwich — and to gear up for a day of exploring the neighborhood.
The International Fire Museum is your first post-meal stop. This local education center is a passion project by a group of local firefighters who wanted a space to share the history of their chosen career and give the public access to the historic Hose Station No. 4.
From here, explore the shops of the East Village. If you need somewhere to start, Isabel Bloom is great for local handicrafts, specifically ceramic goods. Once hunger kicks in, lunch at Rudy’s Tacos will deliver an energy boost. Fish tacos are always a good choice here, but opt for the deep-fried chicken enchiladas if you want something a little more out of the box.
Stretch those legs with a walk across the street to Lindsay Park. This riverfront green space has great views and public art in the form of sculptures located along Riverfront Parkway. Follow up your stroll with some sea-salt caramels at the nearby Lagomarcino’s Confectionery.
Take another walk down the street to your pre-dinner drink destination: Wide River Winery. Learn all about regional wines and give some of them a taste before selecting a glass and resting on the patio.
Hop in a ride-share to get to your dinner destination, the Front Street Brewery & Taproom, which is a downtown staple and the oldest brewpub in the state.
It offers a huge variety of beers, from shandies and red ales to pale ales and wheat beers. And the menu spans pub food classics, such as wings and fried pretzels, along with a few elevated options, like the peach-whiskey chicken and Mongolian steak tacos.
Post-dinner, you’re heading back to the East Village to throw yourself into the (very fun) dive bar scene. We recommend taking a walk along Second and Third Streets and following the crowds, but don’t miss McClellan Stockade and Grumpy’s Village Saloon for nostalgic vibes in a historic building.
Sunday: Enjoy a Leisurely Brunch and Bowl
Welcome your last day in Davenport with a meal at Thunder Bay Grille, a restaurant known for its expansive Sunday brunch buffet. Bottomless mimosas are an option, if that’s the sort of morning you’re after.
Once you’re finished, hop in a taxi for a seven-minute ride to the Vander Veer Botanical Park. The 33-acre park has been maintained since 1885 and now features a conservatory with azaleas, lilies and daisies, as well as tropical plants and fall foliage. In the wintertime, you can check out the annual “Poinsettia and Lights” display.
Next, head back toward the water to explore the Freight House Farmers Market. Open year-round on Saturdays and Sundays, there are more than 200 vendors to peruse, from bakers to makers.
When you’re ready to move on, take a short drive to Credit Island, named for its role as an early trading post for the Indigenous communities. Today, the 420-acre park is home to paths for walking, hiking and biking, as well as plenty of boating opportunities. During the winter, it’s a great spot to see bald eagles, so grab a seat on a bench and keep your eyes to the sky.
Don’t miss “Art in the Park,” a life-size wooden replica of painter Georges Seurat’s masterpiece “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte.”
Once your feet have had enough, it’s time for dinner at the Half Nelson in downtown Davenport. Here, the vibe is 1920s-inspired, and the menu is full of surprises, from crab beignets to a classic wedge salad. Stick around for a post-dinner digestif before heading to your final venue for the night (and the trip!): Blackhawk Bowl.
Located inside the Hotel Blackhawk, this bowling alley is known equally well for its martinis and the lanes it hides inside. Toast to your many strikes — or gutter balls, there’s no shame here — with a “Cody’s Peach” (think: pepper-lime and peach flavors with local Cody Road Bourbon) or “Sapor Syphon” (a gin martini with a cucumber twist and layered Pinot Grigio).
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