Davenport, Iowa was instrumental in the development of the land on the eastern banks of the Mississippi River. The population is roughly 100,000. Davenport is the home of Bix Fest, an annual jazz festival dedicated to the memory of trumpet player Bix Beiderbecke, who died tragically at age 28. The festival takes place in late July and early August, and 2021 was the festival's 50th anniversary.
Both the Figge Art Museum and the Putnam Museum feature diverse collections. The Figge's permanent collection features many items that are 500 or more years old. The museum's main focus is Colonial Mexican art from the time of the conquistadors. As an art museum, it also features occasional local artists. The Putnam Museum is dedicated to natural history and other sciences. Its newest permanent exhibit is "Black Earth, Big River," which chronicles the natural history of the Quad Cities' region. There are also classes available for art lovers of all ages.
If you like sports, then you can check out minor-league baseball games during the spring and summer. There are also minor-league hockey and basketball teams and a semi-professional football team in the city. The University of Iowa is only 55 miles away, so you can catch NCAA games there in major sports like football and basketball.
Campgrounds Near Davenport, Iowa
The Prairie Flower Campground has 154 fully hooked-up sites, but making reservations is definitely a good idea because of the astonishing cost of just $9 per day. In fact, the place is so busy that you're limited to stays of 14 days. The park is family-friendly, and there are many activities for your children to enjoy. You can bike and hike all day and then relax in the pool and hot tub afterward to soothe your weary muscles.
Summit Campground has 50 RV sites. Each site has a 30-amp and 50-amp hookup. There is no cell reception at the campground nor is there Wi-Fi. You may bring your pets to the campground as long as you keep them on a leash and clean up their messes. Water activities are the focus at Summit Campground. You can fish, kayak, canoe, and rent paddle boats too.
Buffalo Shores RV Park is for those who prefer a little bit of "roughing it." There aren't full hookups, but there is a beach on the shore of the Mississippi right in the park, so the whole family can swim as much as they like. Many of the park's 65 sites are right on the river, too, so you can take in the wonderful view every time you walk outside your rig.
State Parks Near Davenport, Iowa
A little more than an hour's drive north of Davenport, Iowa, is Mississippi Palisades State Park. Many rock climbers visit the park. If you climb, then you must bring your own equipment. Hikers can enjoy not only the scenery but also the geocaching. The park became a national landmark in 1973 because of its supreme natural beauty. During the fall, the trees are awash with color, and in the spring, wildflowers bloom everywhere to complete the picturesque view.
It's also just about an hour to Bellevue State Park, and it encompasses 770 acres that are split into two sections: Dyas and Nelson. The Nelson Unit includes a butterfly sanctuary surrounded by three hiking trails. Dyas contains an old limestone quarry and a primitive kiln. Five miles of hiking trails meander through the Dyas Unit as well. The South Bluff gives you a fabulous view of the Mississippi River, and the South Bluff Nature Center is both educational and fun for the whole family.
The Maquoketa Caves are just 47 miles from Davenport, Iowa. Amateur spelunkers can explore these 13 caves that are connected by hiking trails. Ancient peoples inhabited these caves, and there are plenty of exhibits of pottery, primitive tools, and stone points to keep you interested. You might even run into some bats in the caves. Some of the caves are quite small, so if you plan to explore those, be prepared for the confined spaces.
National Sites Near Davenport Iowa
The Herbert Hoover National Historical Site is 44 miles from Davenport, Iowa. The former president grew up in the house on this site with his Quaker family. Stroll the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site Walking Route as you explore the site. It's an easy one-mile hike. When you hike the easy Tallgrass Prairie Trails, you'll see what Hoover's family saw because the trail is maintained as it was in the late 19th century.
About three hours' drive away in Springfield, Illinois, you can find the Lincoln House, the only house the 16th president ever called his own. He and his wife lived there for nearly 20 years before he became president. It's now a two-story home, but it started out with just one floor. You can't hike on the grounds, but there are nearby trails that you can walk. One is the Lick Creek Wildlife Preserve Trail, which is about five miles of easy strolling.
The Soldier's Monument in Davenport, Iowa, itself was constructed to honor the troops of the Civil War. It was constructed in 1881. In 1983, the monument was included on the National Register of Historic Places. Hikers can stroll through the nearby College Square Historic District. Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is an example of Gothic Architecture. Many of the houses in the area are Colonial Revival in style.
National Forests Near Davenport, Iowa
The Shawnee National Forest is 318 miles from Davenport, Iowa. The forest was integral to the success of the Underground Railroad that helped escaped slaves reach Canada for their freedom. Throughout the forest, there are historical markers so that you can follow in the footsteps of these brave folks who fought back against slavery and white supremacy. Hike the Garden of the Gods Trail System trail system, 16 miles of winding paths through cliff faces, beautiful copses, and massive rock towers. The trail has sections that are both easy and difficult.
About another 100 miles in the same direction is the Hoosier National Forest in Indiana. There are 265 miles of trails through the forest that are prime for hiking and biking. The terrain is mostly moderate when it comes to difficulty, with a few extra-tough stretches. There's good fishing in the streams and reservoirs inside the park. The streams form their own pools of varying sizes as they flow, and sometimes the rocks shift to form different pools. Anglers should be aware of their surroundings when fishing these streams.
Six hours due north of Davenport, Iowa, is the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest in Wisconsin. There are even a few trees in this forest that are thousands of years old, but they are extremely limited in number because of 20th-century logging. The forest is best to visit in the wintertime. Despite the bitter cold, the paths through the forest become wonderful for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing. You can ice fish on the larger streams and lakes within the forest, too, and go for muskies, trout, bass, and walleye.
