Aledo
Welcome to Aledo! Experience the hometown charm of this rural farm community, known for its beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture and relaxed pace of life. Aledo, Illinois, with a population of approximately 3,633, is centrally located in Mercer County, about 199 miles west of Chicago and 29 miles south of the Quad Cities International Airport. Founded in 1855 and incorporated in 1885, Aledo serves as the county seat of historic Mercer County.
A stroll down Main Street or through the historic residential neighborhoods offers an architectural history tour, as the town retains much of its turn-of-the-century character.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Aledo Rhubarb Fest
Downtown Aledo is on the National Register of Historic Places
Mercer County Fair (mid-July)
Antique Days & Car Show (late August)
Aledo Holly days (first full weekend in December)
Andalusia
This small riverfront community of 1,100 in Illinois is home to a 28-acre winter wonderland for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Snowstar has different levels of runs and a Terrain Park freestyle area with jumps, rails, and boxes. Snowstar is open year-round for their zip line tours flying 100 feet over the ski slopes at speeds of 35 mph. The dual zip line is the longest in the Midwest at 1,300 feet.
Stop at a Ducky’s Lagoon restaurant on the river. Thursday is popular bike night. The Andalusia Slough Recreation Area is a good river access point with a boat ramp and picnic shelters.
Bettendorf
Located on the northern banks of the east-to-west flowing Mississippi River on the Iowa side is the city of Bettendorf.
Pack up the family because Bettendorf hosts a variety of kid-friendly fun and awesome outdoor spaces for everyone. Visit the Family Museum for an afternoon of interactive exhibits, educational classes, and plenty of activities for your littles, or adventure through the many trails and parks in Bettendorf. Other family fun includes sports and arcade games at TBK Bank Sports Complex and the area waterpark, Splash Landing.
Buffalo
This small Iowa town is located just west of Davenport on the Mississippi River. Buffalo Shores Beach is a popular spot for boaters to pull up to shore and there is a double boat ramp. Adjacent to the beach is a campground with 65 sites. Stop at one of the locally-owned restaurants in Buffalo and enjoy a meal. Several offer outdoor dining and river views. Wild Cat Den State Park and Pine Creek Grist Mill, located inside the park, is just an 8-mile drive from Buffalo.
Carbon Cliff
The Chicago and Rock Island railroad (later the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific) reached Carbon Cliff in 1854. By the mid-19th century, Carbon Cliff had become a coal mining center and was named for the many coal mines that dotted the bluff west of town. The Carbon Cliff mines were the earliest worked on the west side of the Rock River.
Carbon Cliff is home to Double Dunn Ranch, which offers horseback riding lessons, kids camps, and birthday parties.
Coal Valley
The first settlers in Coal Valley were trappers and farmers who came from Wales, England, Ireland, Germany, and Sweden. The Coal Valley Mining Company was formed in 1856, from which the name came from. The booming years for coal mining in Coal Valley was from the 1850s to about the middle of the 1870s.
The main street through Coal Valley offers restaurants, pubs, and one of the largest antique malls in the QC. Also, make a stop at Niabi Zoo and see over 600 animals representing 200 species from around the world, living on more than 40 acres.
Colona
Colona is a small city along the Green River. The Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park runs through the City of Colona. The Hennepin Canal Parkway State Park is open every day for visitors to fish, hike, bike, canoe, kayak and more. The City of Colona also maintains the Green Rock Memorial Bike Path along the Hennepin Canal.
Experience a fun and friendly festival atmosphere during Colona’s Annual Memorial Weekend Carnival and Annual Freedom Celebration with fireworks, a 5K and more.
Cordova
Travel up the Mississippi to find Cordova on the Illinois side of the river. This town is home to the Cordova International Raceway where you can watch cars zip around the QC’s own ¼ mile drag racing facility. The raceway hosts some exciting events throughout the year including the World Series of Drag Racing in August and Oktoberfest of Drag Racing in September.
Spend an afternoon in Cordova at one of their riverfront parks, local restaurants, and you can even utilize their public boat launch right onto the Mississippi River.
Davenport
Set on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River in the QC, you’ll find the City of Davenport. Its downtown area rests along the banks of the Mississippi, with LeClaire Park providing access to riverfront biking & walking trails and amazing river views. Many events and festivals are held in the downtown area. They include the Quad-City Times Bix 7, Alternating Currents, Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, Beaux Arts Fair, and Festival of Trees, to name a few. Davenport is also home to one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day Parades in the country.
East Moline
Affectionately referred to as EasMo, East Moline is located next door to Moline (just East, really) on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River in the Quad Cities region.
East Moline has begun a major riverfront revitalization on the land that housed the former Case IH plant. The Rust Belt hosts major concert acts at its indoor venue and The Bend includes a new hotel property, Riverside Park outdoor amphitheater, a restaurant, meeting venue, apartments, and future development opportunities.
Eldridge
Eldridge is a growing community just north of Davenport, Iowa. With numerous parks nearby, this town was also mentioned in the movie Promised Land in which Matt Damon’s character, Steve Butler, is notably from the area of Eldridge, Iowa. Beth Bader, a member of the LPGA is from Eldridge.
Eldridge’s main street area features restaurants and shops. Each year, The Moonlight Chase, one of Eastern Iowa's most unique road races, takes to the streets of Eldridge as a highlight to the Eldridge Festival.
Geneseo
Geneseo, located just 20 minutes from the Quad Cities International Airport, is known for its beautifully restored Victorian homes and vibrant, historic downtown. With more than 6,500 residents, this welcoming community offers charming shops, unique dining, and outdoor recreation including access to the scenic Hennepin Canal. From lively theatre to boutique galleries, Geneseo blends small-town charm with creative energy.
Some Highlights Include:
Victorian and Historic Homes (perfect for a scenic drive)
Richmond Hill Players (live theatre)
The Cellar Restaurant & Geneseo Brewing Co.
C&S Antiques and downtown shopping
Hampton
Welcome to the Village of Hampton. The citizens of Hampton are proud of the small-town atmosphere and beautiful river views and all the fun outdoor amenities they have to offer, including Illiniwek Park.
The drive through Illiniwek park ends in a parking lot next to the river and a park area featuring a nature spiral.
Hampton hosts the Firefighter's annual chili suppers and pancake breakfasts and the Historical Society's Annual Apple Festival.
Le Claire
The beautiful riverfront town of LeClaire is full of history, unique shopping, river excursions, fun special events, and unbelievable flavors. Recognized as one of the best Main Streets in Iowa, LeClaire is the birthplace of “Buffalo Bill” Cody, and the museum in his name. Mike Wolfe and Frank Fritz, stars of the hit TV show American Pickers on The History Channel, are LeClaire natives. The Pickers Movement started right here in the QC and you can see it first-hand and purchase your own piece of salvaged history at Antique Archaeology in LeClaire.
Milan
The village is on the Rock River, about 4 miles upstream of its outlet to the Mississippi. The main street area of Milan offers shops, restaurants, pubs, and a bowling alley. Hennepin Canal Parkway - The Hennepin Canal State Trail, also just called the Hennepin Canal, is an abandoned waterway in northwest Illinois, between the Mississippi River at Rock River and the Illinois River. The entire canal is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Milan is also the site for the MPI Arts & Crafts Fair featuring over 200 vendors from around the United States.
Moline
Moline, Illinois, has strong ties to John Deere and serves as the global headquarters for Deere & Company. Deere moved his operations to Moline in 1848 to take advantage of the Mississippi River's waterpower and transportation. Moline is home to the John Deere Pavilion and Butterworth & Deere-Wiman historic mansions. You can even visit Deere & Company's headquarters grounds.
Downtown Moline is easily walkable with the John Deere Pavilion, hotels, restaurants, microbreweries, shops, nightspots, and the Vibrant Arena at The MARK (the QC’s 12,000-seat arena).
Port Byron
The small town of Port Byron is on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River in the QC region. Located on the riverfront directly across from LeClaire, Iowa, the two towns battle it out each August during the only tug-of-war across the Mississippi River.
Take a picture with Will B. Rolling, the 30-foot tall statue of a man on a penny-farthing bicycle who sits alongside the paved riverfront Great River Trail. Stop at one of the locally-owned restaurants along the riverfront main street. Play a round at Byron Hills Golf Course or take a trip to Adventure Quest during October for the QC Haunted Forest.
Rapids City
The small Village of Rapids City is sandwiched between Hampton and Port Byron on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River. Follow the paved Great River Trail along the riverfront, use the boat ramps, or enjoy a meal at one of the three locally-owned restaurants.
It’s Taco Wednesday at The Edge Eatery & Drinkatorium. It’s a great destination for a bicycle or motorcycle ride along the river. Great breakfasts, lunch, and dinner can be found at The Brothers Restaurant. Great Italian food and drinks can also be found at Gilanellas.
Rock Island Arsenal
Discover the Rock Island Arsenal-an active U.S. Army facility and a living testament to American history, innovation, and community partnership. Nestled on a 946-acre island in the Mississippi River, between Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline, Illinois, the Arsenal has been a cornerstone of the Quad Cities since its establishment in 1862.
In 1969, the arsenal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1989, the original arsenal buildings were designated a National Historic Landmark.
The Rock Island Arsenal is one of the largest and most important employers in the Quad Cities, and it is the largest government-owned manufacturing facility in the United States.
Riverdale
Home to over 400 residents and the country's largest aluminum rolling mill, Riverdale, Iowa is unique to the Quad Cities covering a little more than 2 square miles and is encircled on three sides by Bettendorf, Iowa and by the Mississippi River to the south.
There are five neighborhoods that make up the City – each with its own, unique geography and history including Belmont Road, Fennno Hill, Havens Acres, Manor Hill and Woods Estates.
Come explore this completely urban area!
Rock Island
This town definitely rocks. One of the National Football League’s eight original towns, Rock Island welcomes visitors with an amazing riverfront setting at Schwiebert Riverfront Park. The park features a promenade, splash park, boat docks, and outdoor concert area where free concerts take place during the summer months. The park connects to riverfront biking and walking trails that are part of the Great River Trail that runs 62-miles from Rock Island to Savanna, IL.
Rock Island has a great variety of food, from Pee Wee's soul food to Cajun, Thai, Mexican, Chinese and more.
Silvis
Located on the Illinois side of the QC region, Silvis is home to the John Deere Classic PGA TOUR event when professional golfers come to play the TPC Deere Run course each summer.
Hero Street in Silvis is a street that honors veterans of World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. It has been documented that as of the present day there have been over 100 young men and women from Second Street who have given service to the U.S. Military Forces.
Walcott
Despite a small population of around 1700, this Iowa town is located on busy Interstate 80 and home to the world’s largest truck stop. Iowa 80 Truckstop is an enormous complex of restaurants, shops, truck services, dentists, barbers, chiropractors, laundry, movie theater, and a huge parking lot. Throughout the summer, Little League and the Tri-County Men’s Fastpitch Softball League utilize Victory and Wescott Parks.
Each summer, Walcott hosts the Walcott Trucker’s Jamboree to celebrating America's truckers.
