Davenport, IA Road Trips

With a population of 101,363 (2012 estimate), Davenport is the largest city in the Quad Cities and the third-largest city in Iowa. It was founded in 1836 by Antoine LeClaire and was named for George Davenport, a colonel during the Black Hawk War stationed at nearby Fort Armstrong and a local merchant. The treaty that ended the Black Hawk War was signed in 1832 by Chief Keokuk, representing the Sauk and Mesquaki tribes, and United States Army General Winfield Scott at what is now Fifth and Farnum Streets. LeClaire, who was fluent in English, French, Spanish and a dozen Native American dialects, served as the interpreter. This treaty opened large tracts of land in Eastern Iowa to American expansion. The Quad Cities were the site of two of the westernmost battles of the War of 1812. Major Zachary Taylor, future U.S. president, commanded American troops in a couple of skirmishes against the Sauk tribe. One of them was at what is now known as Credit Island on the Mississippi River in the west end. The city also served as Iowa's military headquarters during the American Civil War, as the telegraph wires at the time did not continue any further west. A marker was placed in Lindsey Park along East River Drive to mark the location of Camp McClellan, the largest of five army camps that were located in the city. The same site was also the location where members of the Dakota tribe were interred for four years following the Dakota War of 1862 in Minnesota. Davenport is known for a couple of "firsts" in history.

1 Davenport Skybridge. A pedestrian cable-stayed bridge that spans River Drive in downtown Davenport. It provides views of the Mississippi River, its bridges and the downtown area. 2 Figge Art Museum, 225 W. 2nd St, ☏ +1 563 326-7804. Tu-F 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-9PM, Su noon-5PM. The Figge has a collection of approximately 3,000 works that includes works from the Renaissance to contemporary art, with particular strengths in American Regionalist, Mexican Colonial and Haitian Art. In addition, the Figge now houses the over-12,000-piece collection University of Iowa Art Museum. Adults $7, seniors (60 and older)/students with ID $6, children (ages 3-12) $4, Free to members. 3 German American Heritage Center, 712 W. 2nd St., ☏ +1 563 322-8844. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM, Su noon-4PM. Housed in a former hotel where German immigrants lived when they first came to Davenport, it features an interactive, audio-visual permanent exhibit, "The German Immigrant Experience," which takes visitors on an exploration of what it was like to be an immigrant to the region in the 1800s. The exhibit is interactive and includes a theater, audio-visual stations, artifacts and two restored hotel rooms. Adults $5, seniors $4, children (ages 5-17) $3, free to members. 4 International Fire Museum, 2301 E. 11th St. (Village of East Davenport), ☏ +1 563 676-5459. May 1-Oct 31: W Sa 10AM-2PM. The museum opened in 1986 in the former Hose Station Number 4. The museum houses fire fighting memorabilia including a 1951 Mack pumper that belonged to the city of Riverdale, Iowa.

1 Mississippi Valley Fair, 2815 W. Locust St., ☏ +1 563 326-5338, fax: +1 563 326-3111. Late July-Early August. This is essentially a large-scale county fair. It includes a midway with rides and games, concessions, livestock and other 4-H events. The grandstand hosts high-quality, nationally and internationally known performers. Most of the entertainers are Country-Western singers with at least one Rock music night. Admission to the grandstand is by FunCard only. Contact the fairgrounds for information.. 2 Rhythm City Casino, 7077 Elmore Ave, ☏ +1 563 328-8000. 24 hrs. The Casino features 900 slot machines and video poker, including Super Times Pay, Spin Poker, Multi-hand play, 14 table games, Hit Parade Buffet and Twist 'N Shop Grab 'N Go. (updated Jun 2020) Grand Parade. Part of the Quad Cities St. Patrick's Day celebration in March, this parade goes from Rock Island to Davenport and is the only St. Patrick's Day parade in the country to go through two states. (updated Mar 2016) 3 RiverCenter, 136 E. 3rd St., ☏ +1 563 326-8500, fax: +1 563 326-8505, [email protected]. The facility flanks East Third Street and hosts events throughout the year that include events geared towards the public, as well as trade shows and conferences. The Iowa/Illinois Regional Auto Show takes place annually in early February. The Adler Theatre is also a part of the complex (see below). 4 Quad-Cities Beaux Arts Fair, [email protected]. Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 10AM-4PM.

1 Boozies Bar & Grill, 114½ W. 3rd St., ☏ +1 563 328-2929. Two-level bar and grill, yet somehow cozy. Great hamburgers. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 2 Dynasty Buffet, 5388 Elmore Circle (Just north of Sleep Inn off of 53rd St. & Elmore Ave.), ☏ +1 563 355-4848. Daily 11AM-10PM. A wide variety of international cuisine including seafood, American, Chinese, made-to-order Mongolian stir fry, sushi bar, prime rib, soup, full salad bar and full dessert bar. Good buffet food. Around $16 all-you-can-eat. Discounts for seniors and children under 12. 3 Ganzo's Mexican Restaurant and Cantina, 3923 N. Marquette St., ☏ +1 563 445-7833. Friendly, popular Tex-Mex eatery; full bar. $10-30. 4 Lotus Asian Bistro, 589 E. 53rd St., ☏ +1 563 445-8898. Open for lunch and dinner. Great food, fabulous atmosphere with excellent wait staff. Lots of vegetarian options. $15-25. 5 Van's Pizza Pub & Grill, 3333 N. Harrison St, ☏ +1 563 232-1396, [email protected]. 11AM–midnight. A neighborhood restaurant & bar that features made from scratch, thin crust pizza and signature cocktails. They also offer appetizers, pastas, calzones, burgers, sandwiches, and a wide assortment of beers, signature martinis and wines by the glass or bottle. $12-20. 6 Village Corner Deli, 1030 Mound St. (Village of East Davenport), ☏ +1 563 323-2333. M-F 10AM–5PM, Sa 10AM–3PM. A quality deli with a variety of breads, meats, cheeses, veggies, and condiments. They also serve soups and salads. 7 Wise Guys, 2824 W Locust St #3A, ☏ +1 563 888-5639.

1 11th Street Precinct Bar & Grill, 2108 E. 11th St (Village of East Davenport), ☏ +1 563 324-9545. Happy Hour: M-Th 4PM-6PM. The bar and grill have been in business for over 30 years and the facility has been expanded and renovated. They are able to accommodate private parties, feature seven large High Definition flat-screen TVs, and live music every Friday and Saturday night with no cover charge. Grill: $5-25. 2 Carriage Haus, 312 W. 3rd St., ☏ +1 563 322-1162. M-Tu 4PM-9PM, W 4PM- 10PM, Th 4PM-2AM, F 3PM-2AM, Sa 6PM-2AM. Popular nightclub 3 Circle Tap, 1345 W. Locust St., ☏ +1 563 322-9276. Don't be fooled by the outside. It looks a little dingy, but it's a popular neighborhood bar. Excellent ribs 4 Kilkenny's Irish Pub, 300 W. 3rd St., ☏ +1 563 322-8584. 5 Mac's Tavern, 316 W. 3rd St., ☏ +1 563 324-6227. A traditional bar with a cool vibe. 6 Stadium Club Bar and Grill, 2828 Brady St., ☏ +1 563 322-3500. A place to watch your favorite sports teams. 7 Cafe d' Marie, 614 W. 5th St., ☏ +1 563 323-3293. Specialty coffees, breakfast quiche and pastries, fresh homemade soup and sandwiches, salads, vegetarian options including hummus wraps, organic whole leaf teas, all fruit smoothies, juices, etc. 8 Brew, 1104 Jersey Ridge Rd., ☏ +1 563-424-1902. Coffee and other beverages, sandwiches, wraps and desserts.

Davenport has a variety of accommodations to serve a variety of tastes and budgets. Most major American hotel chains have some sort of property in the city. 1 Beiderbecke Inn, 532 W. 7th St., ☏ +1 563 323-0047. A full breakfast will be served in the formal dining room. Grocer Charles and Louise Beiderbecke (grandparents of jazz musician Bix Beiderbecke) built the home overlooking the Mississippi River in 1880. A contributing property in the Hamburg Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. 2 Renwick Mansion, 901 Tremont Ave, ☏ +1 641-792-3333. 8-room B and B. A contributing property in the St. Katherine's Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. 3 Baymont Inn & Suites, 400 Jason Way Court (I-80 and Brady Street exit. Follow Brady St. to the first traffic light and turn left. Turn left at the frontage road and follow to the hotel.), ☏ +1 563 386-1600. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Free Wi-Fi Internet, continental breakfast, and indoor pool. 4 Casa Loma Inn & Suites, 6014 N Brady St. (I-80 and Brady Street exit), ☏ +1 563 386-1290. Modern, log building. The main attraction is the low price. 5 Best Western Plus Steeplegate Inn, 100 W 76th St. (I-80 and the Brady Street exit), ☏ +1 563 386-6900, toll-free: +1-800-373-6900. A full-service hotel with indoor pool, recreation center, complimentary full hot breakfast buffet, high-speed Internet, restaurant and lounge. 6 Comfort Inn, 8300 Northwest Blvd. (I-80 and Northwest Blvd exit), ☏ +1 563 324-8300. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM.

The vast majority of visitors to Davenport arrive via Interstate 80. Brady Street (US Business Route 61) is the most popular exit off I-80. When Brady becomes a one-way south of the exit the southbound lanes are called Welcome Way. The Northwest Boulevard exit is a good exit for accessing the northwest part of the city, but it also angles toward the central city and intersects with Welcome Way south of Kimberly Road (US Route 6) and becomes Harrison Street. Harrison is a one-way that connects to the downtown area. Many also arrive using Interstate 74, the easiest route if arriving at Quad City International Airport. The Bettendorf exits are also the primary entry points from Bettendorf. Grant Street (US Route 67) is a one way that becomes River Drive before it enters Davenport. Middle Road becomes Locust Street and is a cross-town street though the middle of the city. The Kimberly Road-Spruce Hills Drive intersection (US Route 6) straddles the border between the two cities and Kimberly Road is a cross-town street though the north side. The 53rd Street exit is completely in Davenport. To access the city via I-80, travelers on I-74 should exit onto I-80 West (Des Moines). The west end of Davenport can be accessed from the I-280 bypass. The River Drive exit (US Business Route 61) provides direct access to downtown. Rockingham Road (Iowa Route 22) will also access downtown, but there are more traffic lights and the street is narrower. US Route 61 is a major north-south highway in eastern Iowa.

Most people commute through Davenport by car, but there is a very reliable city bus service. While a few cab companies operate in Davenport and surrounding communities, visitors from larger metropolitan cities should not expect the cars to be waiting outside hotels or other places. It is advisable to place a call to a cab company at least 30 min prior to when you want to be picked up. Davenport is generally an easy city to navigate. The city streets are basically laid out in a grid pattern, even as the city climbs the bluff above the Mississippi River. Some of the newer residential sections of the city do not follow a grid, however. For the most part, east-west streets are numbered starting near the Mississippi River and progressing in order as one travels north. There are several major east-west thoroughfares that are named and not numbered. River Drive (US Route 67 from Western Avenue east to Bettendorf and US Business Route 61 from Brady Street west to I-280) is on the south side of the city near the river. Locust Street travels through the middle of the city from I-280 to Bettendorf. Further north is Central Park Ave, which is a four-lane street from Brady Street west to Emeis Park. Kimberly Road (US Route 6) travels from I-280 in the west to I-74 in the east before it turns south and enters Bettendorf. The only major numbered street across the city is 53rd Street, which starts at about North Pine Street in the west and turns into 53rd Avenue when it enters Bettendorf.