Best & Fun Things To Do + Places To Visit In Davenport, Iowa. #Top Attractions

Is Davenport, Iowa, on your list of potential vacation spots? Look at our recommended travel activities and attractions in Davenport, Iowa, to get the most out of your time there. Check out the list of the best things to do in Davenport, Iowa, and places to go in Davenport, Iowa below. We at Wondrous Drifter, a Web 3.0 travel startup, have big plans to shake things up in the travel business.

Adler Theatre

In search of great theater? The Adler Theater in Davenport, Iowa, is a great place to watch live theater.

This theater offers a 2,400-seat to accommodate guests seeing such live and epic performances right in the center of downtown Davenport.

When did it open? It opened in 1931, intentionally designed at first as to being the RKO Orpheum and designed by A.S. Graven.

Soon in 1981, it started having renovations and changed its name to “Adler” in tribute to E.P. and Philip Alder.

The theater is now where the Quad City Symphony Orchestra and Ballet Quad Cities perform regularly.

What to expect here? The theater hosts Broadway shows regulated by touring companies and other products and performance groups.

One unique fact about this museum is that it is registered as part of the National Register of Historic Places, making it an iconic historical landmark and a place full of entertaining performances.

You have to go and see this theater for yourself to enjoy a Broadway experience in Iowa.

Address: 136 E 3rd St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States

B.J and Mabel Palmer Mansion

The B.J. and Mabel Palmer Residence is a must-see for anybody interested in Davenport’s residential buildings.

The Palmer Residence is particular in Davenport history, located on the Palmer College of Chiropractic campus.

It looks like a house if ever you go there and see it at first glance. However, it is not a house but a mansion.

From 1912 to 1961, it used to be the home and property of B.J. and Mabel Palmer. In 1984, it became listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

If you wonder what is inside, it showcases the Palmer couple’s possession during their period. Including things full of unique design elements and antique memorabilia.

It has many collections of pieces that the Palmer family collected and left behind during their travels worldwide, featuring pipe organs, chess sets, and many other things.

It offers tours handled by active volunteers to guide any visitor around the mansion and explain its cultural and historical significance.

Want to learn more about the Palmer family? Then come and visit the B.J. and Mabel Palmer Residence.

Address: 808 Brady St, Davenport, IA 52803, United States

Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy

Are you looking for a place with a gallery, studio, and classroom together?

The Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy has all these three in one.

Located in downtown Davenport around the Bucktown Center for the Arts, this is the place to witness any taste, works, and learnings about art.

It has a unique blend for combining a gallery, a studio for artists, and providing classrooms for hosting art classes.

If you are searching for high quality, here is a destination with original art showcased in a warm, friendly, and collaborative setting by patrons and artists.

For any visitor curious about this place, you can stroll and have an exciting experience looking around, especially artists working in the studio towards the back of the gallery.

Its gallery showcases many different media of Midwest artists, including getting to see drawings, paintings, and other sculptures.

If you want to take part in the Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy, it has classes for any beginner to advance to learn and share their art.

This place is worth visiting to see and learn about works of art.

Address: 2967 State St, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States

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Camp McClellan Cellars

Since 1991, Camp McClellan Cellars has sold and produced some of the finest wine worldwide.

Located in the Village of East Davenport, Camp McClellan Cellars is a wine store with a numerous range of locally produced wine.

It has various wine-related items at home or as a gift, like a wine rack.

It opens almost every week except when it is closed on Tuesdays.

As a shop with local wine, this place offers a shopping in-store experience of selling wine and homebrew in a less crowded environment.

You can even shop online or have your home delivery.

Besides getting savory local drinks or wine, they even have food and fancy gift baskets as you buy from them.

Another exciting thing is that this spot has numerous wine producers in Iowa making wine tastings. It is a perfect opportunity for any visitor to witness and taste the wine produced by wine producers who launch products in the market.

Do you want to know the tricks, trade, and even taste of locally made wine? Then visit the Camp McClellan Cellars.

Address: 2302 E 11th St, Davenport, IA 52803, United States

Chocolate Manor

Are you obsessed with eating chocolate?

If you are, you should brace for a visit to Davenport’s chocoholic heaven called the Chocolate Manor.

It is downtown Davenport an elegant store selling various chocolate.

They sell 100 mouth-watering kinds, involving chocolate, cookies, truffles, cupcakes, toffees, and even a chocolate-covered potato chip.

It is a chocolate business dedicated to making all chocolate-related delights. The Chocolate Manor makes everything on-site, using the highest quality French and Belgian chocolates.

They also have various ice cream flavors to eat while enjoying eating your chocolates if you crave more.

When ordering here, you can expect something out of the ordinary as more of their products are different, or they accept and back custom orders for their customers.

They made unusual things, from 300 chocolate-made toothbrushes for a wedding to even an 8-foot-tall chocolate menorah for a Jewish rabbi.

The Chocolate Manor is a must-go if you want good chocolate.

Address: 110 E 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States

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Credit Island

The Credit Island is one of the top attractions in Iowa.

Credit Island is a historic island in Davenport. You have to visit and enjoy for those who don’t know what to do.

Credit Island is an island southwest of Davenport, near the Mississippi River.

It is listed on the Register of Historic Properties in Davenport and was once a former Native American trading ground where this island initially got its name.

Credit Island is a popular 420-acre for visitors and locals to enjoy a range of outdoor activities and facilities within the island.

It has a golf course and other fields suitable for sports like baseball, softball, rugby, and even soccer.

People within the vicinity can do outdoor walks, biking, hiking, fishing, and boating. It has several picnic areas and playgrounds to enjoy on the outdoor island.

If you love birds, look out as eagle watching is possible on this island; you may need to bring binoculars.

So come to this remote island and enjoy an outdoor day in Davenport!

Address: Credit Island, Davenport, IA 52802, United States

Davenport Skybridge

The Davenport Skybridge is one of the best things to do in Iowa.

Do you want to look up in the sky of Davenport?

You can walk across the Daven Skybridge to have a better bird’s eye view of the city.

Located in downtown Davenport, it is a pedestrian bridge that extends over Highway 67 or River Drive.

For any visitor who takes a stroll and wants to avoid any worries over the cars crossing the River Drive on the way to LeClaire park or Riverboat, they built the Skybridge to offer a safe way for visitors to walk across.

It is over 50 feet tall and 575 feet long, with the end of the bridge facing the river.

Do you know what is something else about this bridge? You better check and wait as it is sundown in Davenport Skybridge.

During that moment, the entire bridge gets to have a magical vibe as the sun covers the bridge with Led Lights illuminating the bridge with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing bright colors.

This bridge is a must-see to have a perfect view of Davenport.

Address: 400 Beiderbecke Dr, Davenport, IA 52801, United States

Duck Creek Parkway

With over 13.5 miles, the Duck Creek Parkway has several parks and areas to enjoy the outdoors.

It serves the lifeline and is between Davenport and Bettendorf’s cities in the United States.

Duck Creek passes through multiple parks, starting from the Emeis Park and Golf Course until the end of Duck Creek Park and Golf Course.

Other notable parks include Northwest Park, Junge Park, Garfield Park, Maquette Park, and Eastern Avenue park for any visitor to get bored at one particular park and find something new.

The park was known to the public in 1930. Though in 1970, they started building bike paths for visitors who prefer cycling over walking.

Besides being a place to bike, it offers scenic and recreational opportunities as you wander around the native woodlands, urban housing areas, wetlands, and many more to see around the park.

The Duck Creek Parkway deserves a visit if you enjoy outdoor parks.

Address: 225 W 35th St, Davenport, IA 52806, United States

Figge Art Museum

The Figge Art Museum is one of the best places to visit in Iowa.

Are you searching for art across the streets of Davenport, Iowa?

Then, you can look up and see the Figge Art Museum for its many art galleries and collections.

It began opening its doors to the public in 1925, initially named Municipal Art Gallery. A person named Charles A. Ficke was even kind enough to give his 330 artworks as a gift during its year opening.

It has received many donations from the Elizabeth Kahl Figge Foundation and the V.O.

If you want to look around, check the auditorium art studios and big lobbies for any art admirers of any age.

If you are wondering what it looks like, look out for a new modern glass building to catch your eye. It was designed by David Chipperfield when the museum moved locations and has become a landmark of the city.

If you are wondering what artworks await inside, it has collections from the Grant Wood archive, collections of Haitian art, paintings from American Regional artists, and numerous contemporary art.

This art museum will entrance you towards the city’s many works of art.

Address: 225 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States

Freight House Farmers Market

If you are looking for idea ideas and ingredients for what to cook, you can look around at the Freight House Farmers Market.

It is in downtown Davenport, near the Mississippi Riverfront by the historic Freight House Building.

This market is where you can sample and see some of the best local products sold in Davenport.

They sell local fresh products from fresh fruits, meat, vegetables, and even baked goods.

You can buy other products, such as high-quality crafts, doggy treats, fresh flowers, candies, and other various products to be found in the market.

Everything sold in the market is fresh and seasonal, and some local produce tends to change during the year.

You can enjoy and explore this buzzing and lively market as you search for what product to buy and even talk with the local artisans and farmers.

Conveniently enough, they have a licensed therapist in the market if ever you are tired as you walk around the market.

This is the place to go if you want to buy some of Davenport’s local produce.

Address: 421 W River Dr, Davenport, IA 52801, United States

German American Heritage Center

Did you know that the Germans used to settle in America during the 1990s?

You can earn more by visiting the German American Heritage Center to know the German immigrant experience in the United States.

It was the German first home in the 1800s as immigrants arrived in Davenport. They soon established this heritage center in 1994 at the historic Standard Hotel.

They established this heritage center to preserve their population’s German heritage and provide knowledge to the future generation about their immigrant experience in the United States.

This center grew to be a museum with two rotating exhibits as time passed.

Among the exhibits to see in this center is the German Immigrant Experience, their leading permanent audio-visual interactive exhibition that you have to come and see.

This permanent exhibit offers a lot, featuring an orientation theater, two restored hotel rooms, and six educational stations.

It has a former hotel as a figure in the museum and among the National Register of Historic Places.

This German museum is worth a detour for both you and your family!

Address: 712 W 2nd St, Davenport, IA 52802, United States

Great River Brewery

The Great River Brewery is the place to enjoy your beer-drinking experience in Davenport.

It started with two college friends who dreamed of turning their love of drinking beer into a real business.

This spot was set up in Iowa City as a Brew Pub in October 2004. It soon moved its whole operations to Davenport, Iowa, in December 2008 in hopes of better satisfying its customers in its new location.

This brewery is known for making every year 3,000 barrels of crafted beer.

Anyone who is just passing by or touring the brewery can enjoy the premise of tasting its fine made-beer.

Suppose you are curious about how they make it? They offer visits and tours for visitors to witness the brewing process and taste test in their tasting room firsthand to experience drinking their fine-crafted beer.

You have to come here to taste some of Davenport’s finest beer!

Address: 322 E 2nd St. Davenport, IA 52801, United States

Lagomarcino’s Confectionary

Since 1908, Lagomarcino’s Confectionary has been baking some of the finest chocolates you can find around.

Located in the East Village of Davenport, Lagomarcino has been an American family-owned business that has operated for more than a hundred years.

What this business just a typical dessert shop? Nope.

It is more than that, for it is four in one, doing business as a candy shop, a chocolate shop, an ice cream parlor, and a soda fountain.

The story of this business as the family owners moved from Italy to the United States to live a new life and start up this business. They passed the Lagomarcino to the fourth generation of the family.

It has served delicious food for over a hundred years in the family legacy business.

Try out their famous hot fudge or Easter eggs with homemade ice cream if you are a dessert fan.

This shop is the place to start if you have a dessert in mind that you are so craving to try.

Address: 2132 E 11th St, Davenport, IA 52803, United States

Nahant Marsh

You must visit the Nahant Marsh to experience an outdoor view of Davenport’s natural scenery with a stunning lake.

Situated southwest on the outskirts of Davenport, this spot is a natural preserve with over 305-acre.

It is among the last significant urban lands in the city and is an oxbow wetland system. The oxbow wetlands of Nahant March are the relicts of the prehistorical channels flowing off the Mississippi River.

It has wetlands seasonally inundated with a bottomland forest, upland prairie, and other small places filled with prairie and wet meadows.

Under the protection of the Nhanat march Ecological Area, it ensures that the community or any visitor can enjoy the habitats, wildlife, and wetlands of the Nahant March.

The site has maintained trails, a dock, a boardwalk, and ever bird blinds to accommodate and let visitors explore for a fun, thrilling experience at the Nahant Marsh.

The Mahant Marsh is a must-visit if you love the sight of mother nature!

Address: 4220 Wapello Ave, Davenport, IA 52802, United States

Palmer Museum of Chiropractic History

If you have no idea what chiropractic is, you can learn more at the Palmer Museum of Chiropractic History.

It was founded by the Palmer Foundation of Chirpactric History, with exhibits located over its three Palmer campuses.

It is located at the Vickie Anne Palmer Hall, open for tours and weekly visits.

Suppose you are interested in taking a tour around the museum. In that case, they get to provide you with brochures and self-guided details in its main lobby to know what and where to go around the museum.

This museum emphasizes the history of the profession of chiropractics as this job plays a significant role for the Palmer Family and the palmer College.

It has other significant displays, chiropractic artifacts, and exhibits collected by Palmer, such as the historical displays of the Palmer osteological collection, a few of B.J. Palmer’s epigrams, and his Roycroft Furniture collection.

This museum will pique your interest if you are ever interested in taking chiropractic.

Address: 115 W 7th St, Davenport, IA 52803, United States

Putnam Museum

If you are curious about history, especially what is inside the Egyptian tomb, go head to the Putnam Museum.

The museum was established in 1867 and thrived for more than 150 years.

It provides an immense, unique, and hands-on experience to more than 140,00 a year, including any youth or school group.

If you wonder what is inside, It has over 160,000 artifacts and piece collections and a theater to please and entertain guests to immerse themselves in the museum’s historical significance.

Do you have anything that interests you? The museum has been uncovering and exploring many things, such as regional history, anthropology, ethnology, and other natural sciences, as you tour and join along with the museum’s exhibits.

The museum’s stand-outs include the Big River, Black Earth, and natural habitats of the old to now of the Quad-Cities that you should see.

What’s more? The museum includes a fish aquarium with depictions of natural habitats, including forests and caves.

This museum has lots to show and for you to learn more.

Address: 1717 W 12th St, Davenport, IA 52804, United States

Quad Cities Symphony Orchestra

If you like hearing musical symphony orchestras, The Quad City Symphony Orchestra is a concert to bring music to your ears.

The first concert was performed in 1916 with initially over 60 musicians, including amateurs and professionals.

It is now among the longest-operating orchestras continuing in the country.

Currently, it has over 96 professional members doing many performances from several venues, including hosting the annual Holiday Pops Concert, the Adler Theater, and other places.

With this, anyone in the community can get entertained, engaged, and inspired.

The orchestra not just brings out great music; they also showcase cultural leadership and music education to show the art of music and make a difference.

Presently, this orchestra has been doing a lot of performances in six concerts for an entire season, in five chamber concerts as part of its signature series, and another three pop concerts to honor the Eagles.

It is a must-go if you yearn to hear superb music.

Address: 327 Brady St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States

River Music Experience

Do you love concerts with all the screams of fun and enjoyment in experiencing great music?

The River Music Experience is a great music venue for you to come by.

It is a non-profit organization located in the Redstone Building, near the historic Petersen Harned Von Maur store.

This music venue is ideal for musicians who want to sing and share their art with the locals or visitors passing by to showcase live American American music near the Mississippi River.

The River Music Experience has over 150 performances a year and performs weekly open mic from a local band show.

Besides just hearing the music, the River Music Experience has its cafe called the RME cafe to grab a bit when going somewhere nearby to listen to the music venue’s great music.

They are on a journey to build an iconic music spectacle to share music with everyone in the Quad Cities of Davenport.

It is a music spectacle you don’t want to miss.

Address: 129 Main St, Davenport, IA 52801, United States

Vander Veer Botanical Park

To experience the botanical wildlife in Davenport, come and stroll around the beautiful Vander Veer Botanical Park.

With over 33 acres, this park has blooming flower beds and fully grown trees as the ideal botanical garden.

Since it is the first among its kind within the vicinity since 1885, it became listed on Davenport’s Register of Historic Properties.

It is now a historical setting filled with local flora and flora for visitors to enjoy, nature-observe, and have a fresh breather at this iconic botanical park.

It has a path that will lead you to a fountain with ever-changing lights and dazzling water.

Just outside the park is a one-mile jogging trail for those wanting a pleasant area to get in some workout.

Some of the iconic things inside the park include the Hosta Glade, the Municipal Rose Garden, and many more with the park that you have to see.

This park is worthwhile in Davenport to have a botanical view of nature.

Address: 215 W Central Park Ave, Davenport, IA 52803, United States

Village of East Davenport

From a once independent community to a historical district, check out the Village of East Davenport alongside the Mississippi River.

Its uniqueness as a village was during the times of it being a historic Civil War military, parade grounds, and logging community for Civil War soldiers staying in Camp Mc Clellan.

The Village of East Davenport is now a famous district full of shopping and entertainment filled with restaurants, boutiques, galleries, and pubs.

It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and got its name “Village,” for short by the locals, for this district is the oldest neighborhood in the city.

If you wonder how far and wide the Village is, it stretches up to the Mississippi River in the southeast of Davenport.

Looking for a stand-out place, you can go to the Upper and Lower Lindsay Parks.

The Village of East Davenport has always had something unique, with the area being a popular venue for local events and celebrations.

The Village is a worthwhile place to stroll and shop with your family and friends.

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Address: 2300 E 11th Street, Davenport, IA 52803, United States