vendors, food trucks, live music, riverfront access, and a centrally-located playground. If you’re exploring other corners of the QC, you’ll also find farmers market experiences in Bettendorf, Rock Island, and Geneseo.
Other weekend-only activities include: Mercado on Fifth (seasonal Friday nights) LeClaire’s First Fridays 2nd Saturdays on 2nd Ave. in Rock Island
And because the QC is the perfect hub for a little extra exploring, consider taking some mini-trips. Head to Aledo, where kids can pick fresh blooms at Danndee Flowers , then pop into the historic Aledo Opera House for a show and finish off the day with a bit of shopping while strolling downtown. On the Iowa side, drive down to Wildcat Den State Park in Muscatine for a family hike through the Devil’s Punchbowl, complete with giant rock formations and plenty of room for picnics, playground time, and frame- worthy photos. While you’re out that way, refuel at Contrary Brewing for lunch or dinner and a pint. Contrary Brewing is one of 15 stops of the QC Ale Trail , a self-guided tour of the local brewery scene where you can earn prizes along the way. The Muscatine Riverside park offers green space and a playground so the kids can run wild while you soak in those Mississippi River views. TWO DAYS IN THE QUAD CITIES Only here for a weekend? You can still do a ton without feeling rushed. DAY 1 Start with a QC Coffee Trail pick like the Brewed Book in Davenport, IA or The Atlas Collective in Moline, IL. Both places offer books, games, and some delicious lattes. Visit Quad Cities offers free adult bike rentals seasonally, with baby buggy attachments. Take yourself on a self-guided tour of the riverfront bike paths and sprawling trails that cover our region. The Quad Cities is the only place where the American Discovery Trail and the Great River Trail converge. Hit the Freight House Farmers Market or Bettendorf Market for snacks, crafts, and local flavor. Enjoy dinner at Front Street Pub & Eatery or Armored Gardens , where there’s a 100-tapper selection and open space for yard games and play out back! DAY 2 Visit the John Deere Pavilion or the German American Heritage Center for interactive exhibits kids can learn from and enjoy. Walk the Davenport Skybridge or the I-74 Bridge Glass Oculus and take photos of the Mighty Mississippi from above! Choose a play option: High Five Lanes & Games , Elevate Trampoline Park , or the Bettendorf Family Museum (to name a few). End the day with a treat from Whitey’s or Country Style Ice Cream .
Family Museum
The Rock Island Arsenal is also a place you could spend an afternoon. Grab a visitor pass (good for a year!) from the welcome center and then experience the island. Explore the history around the Rock Island National Cemetery , visit the Rock Island Arsenal Museum , stay active on their riverfront pathways, and have lunch on the island at the Island Oasis Café and Grill. Since you’re here for a couple of weekends, be sure you get to the QC’s farmers markets. The Freight House Farmers Market was voted the No. 1 market in Iowa. It absolutely lives up to the hype with over 200
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