If you want to know all the fun things to do in Davenport, Iowa, whenever you visit the city, this article is for you.
Davenport, Iowa, is known for its vibrant art scene and solid German roots. There are plenty of activities in the city parks and games in the various arenas.
One of the city’s icons is The Skybridge, which gives a great view of the city and its surroundings.
Visitors can enjoy other venues and tourist attractions in Davenport, such as museums, galleries, and theaters.
The city even has its island, which used to be a trading post for Native Americans.
Where is Davenport, Iowa?
The city of Davenport is located in Scott County, Iowa, and is the county seat.
It is also the largest city in the region, known as the Quad Cities. The Mississippi River passes through the area.
Davenport was founded in May 1836 by French aristocrat and philanthropist Antoine Le Claire.
It was named after his friend George Davenport, who served in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812.
In 2010, the census reported that the city had a population of 99,685. However, it was later argued that the census bureau had not included all its residents.
The city then appealed this figure, and it was eventually determined that the total population of Davenport was over 100,000.
Things to Do in Davenport, Iowa
It is almost impossible to exhaust all the fun activities available in Davenport, Iowa.
There is something for everyone. These are some of the things to do in Davenport, Iowa;
1. Vander Veer Botanical Park
The Grand Allee is a wide walkway that leads through the magnificent gardens of the Vander Veer Botanical Park.
One of the park’s traditions is to take a stroll on this walkway. And it is also filled with blooming flowers and trees.
The path also leads to the Stone Fountain, which features a variety of lights and dancing water.
One of the park’s most popular attractions is the Conservatory, which features various blooming flowers and trees.
It also hosts multiple events, such as the Chrysanthemum Festival and the Poinsettia Lights Display.
Address: The Vander Veer Botanical Park is at 215 W Central Park Ave, Davenport, IA 52803.
2. Village of East Davenport
This area is in southeast Davenport and spans along the Mississippi River. It features several parks, including the Lower and Upper Lindsay.
There is always something happening in this area, and it is a great place to gather for local events and celebrations.
You can also browse through various shops and find something special for yourself.
The former site of a Civil War military camp known as Camp McClellan is a popular shopping and entertainment district in Davenport.
It’s also known as the Village, the oldest neighborhood in the city. This area has various restaurants and bars.
Address: The Village of East Davenport is located at E. River Dr. (H.W. 67) and Mound St., Davenport, IA 52803, United States.
3. Chocolate Manor
The Chocolate Manor is a popular store in downtown Davenport that features various chocolate products.
The store’s staff members use only the finest ingredients and only use Belgian and French chocolates.
As a result, the smell emanating from the store is divine, and it’s also believed that the chocolate used in the store has been made using the highest quality.
The staff members at the Chocolate Manor are also known for their unusual creations.
For instance, they made a menorah that measures 8 feet tall and hundreds of toothbrushes using chocolate.
They also create life-sized chocolate shoes and various other chocolate treats.
Address: The Chocolate Manor is located at 110 E 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States.
4. Lagomarcino’s Confectionary
The Lagomarcino’s Ice Cream Shop is a popular establishment in Davenport that features various types of ice cream and other food products.
The store was once a pharmacy, designed to look like the original Lagomarcino’s on nearby Rock Island. It also has a stained glass window and a black walnut bar.
The Chocolate Manor is a popular establishment with various chocolate products.
The store’s staff members use only the finest ingredients and only use Belgian and French chocolates. It’s also known for its famous Easter eggs and hot fudge.
Address: The Lagomarcino’s Confectionary is at 2132 E 11th St, Davenport, IA 52803, United States.
5. Freight House Farmers Market
The Freight House Market is located in downtown Davenport and is just a few steps away from the Mississippi River.
It features a variety of different food products and services. Some of the products you can find at this market include eggs, poultry, cheese, honey, and more.
The Freight House Market is open from 10 am to 2 pm weekly. It’s also available on weekends.
Everything on the market is seasonal and changes with the time of year.
Address: The Freight House Farmers Market is located at 421 W River Dr, Davenport, IA 52801, United States.
6. Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy
The Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy combines a gallery, a studio, and a classroom with various art classes.
This is an excellent place for people interested in learning more about art. The gallery features various types of art, such as paintings, sculptures, and drawings.
This mix of art allows people to quickly purchase a piece of art that they can use for their home or office.
The gallery and its surrounding area are also designed to provide a welcoming environment for both visitors and buyers.
The Bereskin Gallery & Art Academy also features various classes designed to help people improve their skills. The gallery’s local artists teach these classes.
Address: The Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy is located at 2967 State St, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States.
7. Adler Theater
The Davenport Theater is a popular venue that features a variety of different performances.
It’s also known for hosting various Broadway shows. In addition, this facility and the adjoining hotel have been registered as historical places.
The Davenport Theater is a beautiful Art Deco-style building initially known as the RKO Orpheum.
A.S. Graven designed it, and Henry Dreyfuss was the interior designer for the facility.
In 1981, the RKO Orpheum was given a new name, the Adler, in honor of Philip and E.P. Adler, two newspaper publishers who made significant contributions to the restoration.
Address: The Adler Theater is located at 136 E 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States.
8. Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra
The Davenport Symphony Orchestra was established in 1916, and its first concert was held with just 60 people.
The organization has since gone on to perform an entire season and features various types of performances.
Some of these include a variety of pop concerts and chamber music concerts.
Address: The Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra is located at 327 Brady St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States.
9. Camp McClellan Cellars
In 1991, Camp McClellan Cellars was established. It features a wide variety of different types of wine and various other related items.
This store also sells wine racks and gift baskets. Besides wine, this establishment additionally offers a variety of food items.
The store also has a variety of different ingredients that you can use to make your wine.
Address: The Camp McClellan Cellars is located at 2302 E 11th St, Davenport, IA 52803, United States.
10. Figge Art Museum
The Figge Art Museum was first established in 1925 after Charles Ficke gave the city of Davenport over 300 works of art.
It was initially called the Davenport Municipal Art Gallery. In 1987, it was renamed the Davenport Museum of Art after it received several donations.
The museum’s name was changed in 2005 after the Elizabeth and the O.O. Figge Foundation made significant donations.
The museum then moved to a modern glass building that David Chipperfield designed.
Its permanent collection features various works by American, European, and Spanish artists.
Address: The Figge Art Museum is at 225 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States.
11. Putnam Museum
If you want to see the accurate recreation of King Tut’s tomb and the various treasures he left behind, head to the Putnam Museum in Davenport.
This museum, known for its extensive collection of natural and historical sciences, was established in 1867.
Over the years, it has been bringing the public into the world of anthropology, natural science, and ethnology through its multiple visiting exhibits and permanent collections.
The museum holds over 100,000 different specimens and artifacts. Many of these are from the Big River, Black Earth, and other natural habitats in the Quad-Cities.
Address: The Putnam Museum is located at 1717 W 12th St, Davenport, IA 52804, United States.
12. Davenport Skybridge
The Skybridge in Davenport is a pedestrian bridge that connects the city’s River Drive and Highway 67.
Its purpose is to provide a safe passage for people who want to cross the river.
However, this structure transforms into something else when the sun goes down. It has been equipped with LED lights that change colors constantly.
The Mississippi River Bridge in Davenport is a massive structure that spans over 500 feet long.
It has an observation deck that overlooks the Mississippi River and the Davenport Levee. It’s one of the most prominent landmarks in the area.
Address: The Davenport Skybridge is at 141-199 W River Dr, Davenport, IA 52801, United States.
13. River Music Experience
The River Music Experience in Davenport is a multi-faceted facility that offers various educational programs and services.
Some of these include Rock Camp USA and the Sound Lab. It also hosts jazz jams and workshops.
The Redstone Room is a live music venue with a community stage and café.
It’s located in the River Music Experience and serves as a venue for local bands and artists.
Besides being a music venue, the RME Cafe also features various events and performances.
Address: The River Music Experience is located at 129 Main St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States.
14. B.J. and Mabel Palmer Residence
The B.J. Palmer House, a historic mansion, is located on the Palmer College of Chiropractic’s campus.
It was constructed in 1874 and was initially owned by Louis Dessaint. Palmer purchased the house in 1912.
He is considered the father of chiropractic and was the owner of the school that started the profession in the area.
Address: The B.J. and Mabel Palmer Residence is at 808 Brady St, Davenport, IA 52803, United States.
15. German American Heritage Center
Established in 1994, the German American Heritage Center in Davenport is dedicated to preserving German-Americans’ heritage.
It’s located in an old hotel, the first home many German immigrants had in the area during the 1800s.
The German Immigrant Experience, a permanent exhibit, features a variety of educational stations and an orientation theater.
It also has two restored hotel rooms. The former hotel is additionally registered as a historic site.
In addition, the museum has two rotating exhibits and a main audio-visual interactive exhibit.
Address: The German American Heritage Center is at 712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802, United States.
16. Nahant Marsh
One of the last large urban wetlands in the Mississippi River is Nahant Marsh, a nature preserve situated near Davenport.
This area features an oxbow wetland system, which used to be the prehistoric channel that connected the river to the point where it eventually flowed into the Mississippi River.
The public can enjoy this area’s natural habitats and wildlife through various facilities. Some of these include bird blinds and a dock.
Address: The Nahant Marsh is located at 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport, IA 52802, United States.
17. Credit Island
Credit Island, a historic island along the Mississippi River, is a recreation area popular with locals and visitors.
This park features fields for various sports, including a golf course. It can also be used for multiple activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing.
Address: The Credit Island is at 2200 W River Dr, Davenport, IA 52802-2833, United States.
18. Palmer Museum of Chiropractic History
The Palmer Foundation established a museum dedicated to the history of chiropractic.
It features multiple exhibits located across the three Palmer College campuses.
The museum’s main objective is to provide a comprehensive view of the profession’s history.
One of the museum’s most popular exhibits is an artifact displayed in the atrium of the main building of Palmer College.
This item is usually accompanied by a game designed to get the visitors to guess what it’s.
Address: The Palmer Museum of Chiropractic History is at 115 W 7th St, Davenport, IA 52803, United States.
19. Lindsay Park
Lindsay Park spans over 30 acres and is located in East Davenport, Iowa. It has been recognized as a National Historic Site since 1998.
The park features various facilities for adults and children, such as baseball fields and a playground.
Address: Lindsay Park is located at 2200 E 11th St, Davenport, IA 52803, United States.
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20. Great River Brewery
The Davenport Brewing Company offers a variety of tours and activities designed to educate visitors about the brewing process.
After taking in the brewery’s various features, they can head to the tasting room to try their products.
Address: The Great River Brewery is located at 332 E 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States.
21. Lock and Dam Number 15
The Davenport Lock and Dam is a national historic site that can be visited by people interested in learning more about its working waterway.
Address: The Lock and Dam Number 15 is in Davenport, IA 52801, United States.