18 Best and Fun Things to Do in Davenport IA (Lowa)

Davenport, Iowa, is a modern city with strong German roots, a vibrant art scene, and residents who enjoy being outside. Regardless of the season, the city parks are alive with activity, and there is always a game going on, whether it is golf, baseball, or ice hockey.

Things to Do in Davenport IA, the Davenport Skybridge, one of the city’s icons, offers a spectacular view of the city, glistening with bright lights that change all the time. Call the attractions and restaurants ahead of time to confirm the current hours of operation at cedar rapids.

18 Best Things to Do in Davenport IA Today

1. The Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum began as the Davenport Municipal Art Gallery in 1925, thanks to a gift of 330 artworks from Charles A. Ficke, a former mayor of Davenport. The gallery was renamed the Davenport Museum of Art in 1987, and it received its current name in 2005, thanks to major donations from the V.O. and the Elizabeth Kahl Figge Foundation.

At the time, the museum relocated to David Chipperfield’s new modern glass building, which quickly became a city landmark. The museum’s permanent collection includes the Grant Wood Archive, works by several other American Regionalist artists, a significant collection of Haitian art, and a number of contemporary works, in addition to Mr. Ficke’s collection of American, European, and Spanish Viceregal art. The art studios, auditorium, and large lobby of the museum are always busy with art classes, events, and lectures for art lovers of all ages at George davenport.

563-326-7804 225 W 2nd St Davenport, IA 52801

2. Botanical Garden of Vander Veer

Take a stroll down the Grand Allee, a lovely wide walkway in Vander Veer Botanical Park lined with mature trees and blooming flower beds in Des Moines. It is one of Davenport’s century-old traditions. The path leads to the Stone Fountain, which has dancing water and changing lights. For those looking for a little more speed, there is another path on the garden’s outside perimeter that offers about one mile of the jogging track.

There are also gardens that date back to 1885, such as the Municipal Rose Garden, the Hosta Glade, the Old World Gardens and Fountain, the Children Garden, and many more in the United States. The Conservatory is one of the park’s crown jewels, with a year-round display of fragrant blooms including spring azaleas, lilies, daisies, summer tropical flowers, fall colors with the Chrysanthemum Festival, and winter Poinsettia Lights Display.

Davenport, IA 52803, 215 W Central Park Ave, Phone: 563-326-7818

3. Davenport, Iowa’s Putnam Museum

If you want to see a faithful recreation of Egyptian King Tut and the famous treasures discovered in his tomb, go to Davenport’s Putnam Museum. This renowned museum of history and natural sciences was founded in 1867 and has been bringing the mysteries of regional history, ethnology, anthropology, and natural science to light ever since through a series of permanent and visiting exhibits.

The museum houses 160,000 significant artifacts and specimens. Some of the most significant is Black Earth, Big River, and the Quad-Cities’ past and present natural habitats. The Hall of Mammals is a multi-sensory exhibit about Arctic polar bears, African zebras, and other mammals that uses photographs, exciting dioramas, and hands-on activities. The museum has excellent outreach and education programs in collaboration with NASA, the Smithsonian Institution, and other prestigious institutions.

Davenport, IA 52804, 1717 W 12th St, Phone: 563-324-1933

4. East Davenport Village

East Davenport Village, what was once a historic Civil War military and logging community, as well as a parade ground for Civil War soldiers from Camp McClellan, is now a popular Davenport entertainment and shopping district, complete with galleries, pubs, restaurants, and boutiques. The Village, as the locals call it, is Davenport’s oldest neighborhood at iowa city. It runs along the Mississippi River in southeast Davenport and includes Upper and Lower Lindsay Parks.

There’s always something going on – the area is a popular venue for local events and celebrations, a place to come for a pleasant stroll and browse through unique shops, look for a special gift, get a massage, or book a room in one of the charming B&Bs. The Village has been designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Davenport, IA 52803, E. River Dr. (HW 67) and Mound St., Phone: 563-324-9224

5.The Skybridge at Davenport

The Davenport Skybridge is a pedestrian bridge in downtown Davenport that spans River Drive or Highway 67. Its primary function is to provide a safe crossing of River Drive on the way to the Riverboat or LeClaire Park. When the sun goes down, the Skybridge transforms into something else. The bridge’s entire span is covered with a series of LED lights that illuminate the bridge in a constantly changing kaleidoscope of bright colors, creating a magical atmosphere.

The bridge is 575 feet long and 50 feet tall, with an observation deck facing the river that provides a spectacular view of the Centennial Bridge, Mississippi River, and Davenport Levee. It is one of Davenport’s most notable landmarks at science center.

6.Chocolate Manor, Davenport, Iowa

Chocolate Manor is a chocoholic’s dream; there are 100 different kinds of chocolates, truffles, toffees, cupcakes, cookies, and even chocolate-covered potato chips in this elegant downtown Davenport store. Because everything is made on-site, the aroma that emanates from the store is divine. They only use the best ingredients and Belgian and French chocolates at le claire. What you see in the store is not everything they make; they accept custom orders, some of which are unusual.

They created an eight-foot chocolate menorah for an orthodox Jewish rabbi, 300 chocolate toothbrushes for a dentist’s wedding, life-size all-chocolate shoes, 350 chocolate tulips for a wedding, and many other chocolate delights. They can make anything you can think of, and it will be delicious.

Phone: 563-355-6600, 110 E 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801.

7.Music Experience on the River

The River Music Experience is a music venue and non-profit organization located in the Redstone Building, a historic Petersen Harned Von Maur store, that offers space for musicians of all genres to share their art and for local residents to enjoy true live American music of the Mississippi River. Aside from the live music venue, the River Music Experience also has the RME Cafe, a café and community stage that hosts approximately 150 performances per year, ranging from local band shows to a weekly open mic at eastern iowa.

River Music Experience has a variety of educational programs available, including Rock Camp USA, the Sound Lab, an educational recording studio, music lessons, open mic nights, jazz jams, “Songwriters in the Round” workshops, and much more at aquatic center.

563-326-1333, 129 Main St, Davenport, IA 52801

8.Lagomarcino’s Sweet Shop

Call it what you want – ice cream parlor, soda fountain, chocolate shop, candy shop – but visiting Lagomarcino’s is like returning to childhood and going with grandpa to get a piece of candy, hot fudge, or an ice cream cone. The Davenport location, formerly a pharmacy, was designed to look as close to the original 1908 Lagomarcino’s in Moline as possible as fort armstrong, complete with a gleaming black walnut bar and stained glass lamps at grant wood.

It is reminiscent of another era, full of smells and flavors that evoke the best memories. Try their famous Easter eggs or their fantastic hot fudge served with homemade ice cream at modern woodmen park.

Davenport, IA 52803, 2132 E 11th St, Phone: 563-324-6137

9. Residence of B.J. and Mabel Palmer

The B.J. Palmer House, which is located on the Palmer College of Chiropractic campus, holds a special place in Davenport history. The mansion was built in 1874 in the Second Empire style for Louis C. Dessaint, the owner of a local lumber mill. B.J. Palmer, regarded as the father of chiropractic practice, purchased it in 1912 for the School of Chiropractic for Native American thing. The radio station that became WOC was also housed in the mansion.

The house has an unusual wrap-around porch and a strange collection of unrelated objects such as an Aeolian pipe organ, the trunk and branches of four oak trees, wicker furniture from a Philippine prison, a humidor made of elephants’ feet, an Australian kangaroo, and much more – these are just a few examples of the Palmer family’s original collection. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The first floor of the house is available for tours.

Davenport, IA 52803, 808 Brady St, 563-884-5714

10. Davenport, Iowa’s Freight House Farmers Market

When you’re at a loss for what to cook, head to the Davenport Freight House Farmers’ Market. You can also get fresh local produce, talk to local farmers and artisans who deliver their products to your door, or simply hang out and enjoy the buzz and lively atmosphere. The market, which is located on the scenic Mississippi Riverfront by the historic Freight House Building in downtown Davenport

Offers fresh farm fruits and vegetables, eggs, poultry, meets, cheeses, jams, honey, baked goods, salsas, candies, fresh flowers, handmade soaps, high quality crafts, doggy treats, and much more. Because everything on the market is fresh and seasonal, it changes with the seasons at iowa state fair. The market is open every Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday of the year.

Davenport, IA 52801, 421 W River Dr, 563-322-6009

11.German American Heritage Center

The German American Heritage Center was established in 1994 with the goal of preserving the heritage of the German-speaking population and supplementing younger generations’ knowledge of the German immigrant experience. The center is housed in the historic Standard Hotel, which served as the first residence for many German immigrants who arrived in Davenport in the 1800s. The center has evolved into a museum, with two rotating exhibits and the German Immigrant Experience, the main permanent audio-visual interactive exhibit.

Six education stations, an orientation theater, and two restored hotel rooms are part of the permanent exhibit. The former hotel, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is an important part of the museum.

Davenport, IA 52802, 712 W 2nd St, 563-322-8844

12. Beréskin Gallery and Art Academy

Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy is a unique blend of a gallery, an artists’ studio, and a classroom that offers a variety of art classes. The gallery features works by a variety of Midwest artists in a variety of media, including painting, sculpture, and drawing. This mix is intended to provide artworks that appeal to almost any artistic taste, where anyone can come and purchase a piece for their office or home. At the same time, buyers and visitors can interact with the artists in a welcoming, collaborative environment.

The gallery also offers a variety of classes for all skill levels, from beginner to advanced is a fun thing. These classes are taught by the gallery’s affiliated local artists. Bereskin is housed in the Bucktown Center for the Arts in Davenport, Iowa.

Bettendorf, IA 52722, 2967 State St, Phone: 563-508-4630

13. The Nahant Marsh

Nahant Marsh is a 513-acre nature preserve and one of the Mississippi River’s last large urban wetlands. Nahant Marsh is an oxbow wetland system located on the outskirts of Davenport. Oxbow wetlands are remnants of prehistoric Mississippi River channels. Nahant Marsh has seasonal wetlands, saturated sedge meadows, upland prairies, bottomland forest, and a few small pockets of wet and prairie meadows in addition to permanent wetlands.

The Nahant Marsh Ecological Area protects wetland habitats and wildlife, which can be enjoyed by the community via a boardwalk, maintained trails, a dock, and bird blinds.

Davenport, IA 52802, 4220 Wapello Ave, 563-323-5196

14. Davenport Attractions: Adler Theatre

In downtown Davenport, the Adler Theatre is a stately Art Deco-style 2,400-seat theatre and performing arts center. The RKO Orpheum, which opened in 1931, was designed by A.S. Graven, with interior design by Henry Dreyfuss. The restoration of the old RKO Orpheum began in 1981, and the theater was renamed the Adler in honor of E.P. and Philip Adler, newspaper publishers who contributed significantly to the restoration.

The Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Quad Cities perform at the theater. It frequently hosts touring Broadway shows as well as other popular performances and productions. The National Register of Historic Places lists both the theater and the adjacent former Hotel Mississippi.

563-326-8500, 136 E 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801

15. Island of Credit

Credit Island, a historic Davenport island on the Mississippi River, is now a 420-acre park popular with locals and visitors for a variety of activities and facilities such as a golf course and soccer, rugby, baseball, and softball fields. Walking, hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are all popular activities in the park. The island is traversed by sections of the multi-state Great River Trail known as RiverWay in Davenport.

The Art in the Park wooden sculpture exhibit, a fascinating 3-D replica of Seurat’s “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” can be found along the biking and hiking trail. There are several playgrounds and picnic areas as well. You can also enjoy this lovely location by sitting on one of the benches and watching the busy traffic on the Mississippi River or looking for eagles that live nearby.

16.Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra

The Quad City Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1916 and performed its first concert with only 60 musicians, both amateur and professional. Today, the orchestra performs a full season, including six masterwork series concerts, three pop concerts, including an Eagles tribute, and five chamber concerts from the signature series. The orchestra has 96 professional members who perform at a variety of venues, including the Adler Theater in downtown Davenport, which hosts the annual Holiday Pops Concert and a variety of other events.

The orchestra also frequently performs at Centennial Hall on the Augustana College campus in Rock Island, Illinois. The signature series chamber concerts are mostly performed in Augustana’s Wallenberg Hall. The orchestra provides support to five youth ensembles and organizes concerts and events in local schools in west branch.

Davenport, IA 52801, 327 Brady St, Phone: 563-322-7276

17. Palmer Chiropractic History Museum

The Palmer Foundation for Chiropractic History established the Palmer Family and Chiropractic Museum, which has exhibits on all three Palmer campuses. The museum is dedicated to the history of chiropractic, with a special emphasis on the role of the Palmer family and Palmer College. On occasion, the museum will display a select artifact in the Vickie Ann Palmer Hall’s main atrium and ask visitors to guess what it is.

The Osteological Display, D.D. Palmer’s Office, Roycroft Collection of hand-made furniture, Women in Chiropractic, the Wall of Pioneers, and the Special Collections and Archives are the Museum’s most important collections.

563-884-5245 115 W 7th St Davenport, IA 52803

18. Camp McClellan Cellars

Camp McClellan Cellars is a wine shop that opened in 1991. They have a large selection of local wines as well as a nice selection of wines from around the world. They also sell wine-related items such as wine racks, which you might need at home or as a gift. They also sell food to complement wines and fancy gift baskets. For those who are unaware, Iowa is home to a number of reputable wineries, including Wide River Winery in Clinton, The Ackerman Winery in Amana, Tabor Home Vineyards in Baldwin, and many others.

You can find them all at Camp McClellan Cellars, and because there is always some sort of wine tasting event going on, you can try them all before purchasing them. The Cellars are also well-known for stocking everything needed to make your own beer and wine. They have bottles, carboys, chemicals, and a variety of other materials. You can try your hand at making your own wine, and if it fails, you can always return to the Cellars and purchase a few bottles of good wine.

Phone: 563-322-2100, 2302 E 11th St, Davenport, IA 52803,

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