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Showing posts with label Quad Cities. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Quad Cities. Show all posts

2/11/20

Mid America Destinations



Illinois River Towns Quad Cities North Shore and South Dakota
Illinois and Iowa
Champaign County is nearly equidistant from Chicago, St Louis and Indianapolis; a thriving micro-urban oasis supported by local agriculture, technology and research and home to the University of Illinois.
The College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Science is a leader in crop science, bio-energy and animal science. Farmer-owned Grain Cooperatives in America’s heartland and the Illinois grain belt; rich soils and modern farm practices produce record yields of quality grains. Ethanol and distiller’s grain production. Research in soybeans, from production to consumption, by the National Soybeans Research Laboratory. The National Center for Super Computing Applications, whose Blue Waters Supercomputer is the largest and most powerful on a university campus and among the largest in the world.
The River Towns of Illinois along the banks and bluffs of the Mississippi River hug the western border of Illinois for 550 miles. Experience an Illinois winery, brewery, farm, u-pick, or local farm to table restaurant. Four Centuries of history and heritage and thousands of stories that recount America's evolution while experiencing breathtaking views, majestic landscapes and species that travel thousands of miles for a visit or to make themselves a home.

The Quad Cities area consists of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The region has the excitement of a big city and the hospitality of a small town with award-winning museums and cultural centers, internationally-recognized festivals, beautiful riverfronts and a vibrant nightlife.
Davenport has beautiful riverfront vistas and an active downtown area with the Figge Art and Putnam History Museums and great shopping at the North Park Mall.
 
Bettendorf the Library and adjacent Family Museum provide exciting programs and storytelling. The numerous outdoor activities include the Splash Landing water park, Wallace's Garden Center and Duck Creek Recreational Trail.

Rock Island downtown is known for its festivals and nightlife with Cajun food and zydeco music; Jamaican food and reggae music; and a fall Irish folk festival. Family activities include the country's largest go-kart street race. 



Experience a Downtown Architectural Tour and the Broadway Historic District
 
Moline is one of the agricultural capitals of the world, home of John Deere and steeped in history. The modern downtown area features great riverfront views and evening entertainment with musicals performed by local actors.
East Moline is home to many great events and festivities. Empire Park is right on the Mississippi River, walk along the riverfront trails of The Quarter or visit to the John Deere Harvester Works, one of the world's largest combine factories.
The North Shore Communities along Lake Michigan are minutes from Chicago’s city center: Evanston, Glenview, Northbrook, Prospect Heights, Skokie, Wheeling and Winnekta.
South Dakota
Aberdeen South Dakota Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was inhabited by the Sioux Indians. The first group of Euro-American settlers to reach the area in the 1820s was a party of four people, three horses, two mules, fifteen cattle, and two wagons. This group of settlers was later joined by another group the following spring, and eventually more settlers migrated toward this general area. Like many towns of the Midwest, Aberdeen was built around the newly developing railroads. Officially plotted as a town site on January 3, 1881 by the Milwaukee Road which was presided over by Alexander Mitchell, who was born in Scotland, hence the name Aberdeen. The town was officially founded on July 6, 1881, the date of the first arrival of a Milwaukee Railroad train.
Aberdeen the perfect family and business destination
The Dacotah Prairie Museum The idea for a community museum in Aberdeen dates back almost 70 years. In 1938, John Murphy, a Northern State College professor, and Marc Cleworth, a salesman, created the Northern South Dakota History Museum which was housed in the Central building on Northern's campus. The collection of this first museum grew rapidly through loans and donations until by 1941, it had amassed a collection of over 500 items.
Rapid City is centrally located to visit the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park and the Badlands. Western and Native American Heritage throughout the city you will find Native American history exhibits, fine arts display, and interactive museums like the Journey Museum that takes you from the formation of the Black Hills over 2.5 billion years-ago to the continuing saga of the Western frontier.

8/25/19

Muscatine Iowa


a commercial industrial network pearl of the Mississippi and watermelon capital
Muscatine is situated on a series of bluffs and hills at a west-south bend in the Mississippi River. The river-bend gives the city roughly 260 degrees of riverfront with two creeks flowing into the Mississippi in downtown Muscatine. From the bluffs there is a beautiful view of the town below and of the Mississippi for miles up and down.  Located 25 miles (40 km) from the Quad Cities, 38 miles (61 km) from Iowa City and 68 miles (109 km) from Cedar Rapids, Muscatine is part of a larger community whose residents commute for work.
Muscatine Island is home to working-class neighborhoods and industrial areas
Transport Muscatine is located along two designated routes of Iowa's Commercial-Industrial Network; Highway 61 serves as a major agricultural-industry route to the south from Burlington to Muscatine, where it becomes a heavy-industrial and major commuter route to the northeast between Muscatine and Davenport; highway 61 serves as a shortcut for traffic from northeastern Missouri and southeastern Iowa to the Quad Cities, Chicago, and points beyond. Iowa 92 provides access to the Avenue of the Saints to the west and western Illinois via the Norbert Beckey Bridge to the east.
History Muscatine began as a trading post. The name may have been derived from the Mascoutin Native American tribe who lived along the Mississippi in the 1700s. From the 1840s to the Civil War, Muscatine had Iowa's largest black community; fugitive slaves who traveled the Mississippi from the South and free blacks who had migrated from the eastern states.
Mark Twain lived here during the summer of 1855 while working at the Muscatine Journal
Town Slogans include Pearl of the Mississippi and Pearl Button Capital of the World, referring to when pearl button manufacturing by the McKee Button Company was a significant economic contributor and Weber & Sons Button Co was the world's largest producer of fancy freshwater pearl buttons harvested from the Mississippi River. Muscatine is also known as the Watermelon Capital of the World, reflecting the agricultural and rural nature of the area.

8/18/19

Mid America Destinations


Illinois River Towns Quad Cities North Shore and South Dakota
Illinois and Iowa
Champaign County is nearly equidistant from Chicago, St Louis and Indianapolis; a thriving micro-urban oasis supported by local agriculture, technology and research and home to the University of Illinois. The College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Science is a leader in crop science, bioenergy and animal science.
Farmer-owned Grain Cooperatives in America’s heartland and the Illinois grain belt; rich soils and modern farm practices produce record yields of quality grains. Ethanol and distiller’s grain production. Research in soybeans, from production to consumption, by the National Soybeans Research Laboratory. The National Center for Supercomputing Applications, whose Blue Waters Supercomputer is the largest and most powerful on a university campus and among the largest in the world.
The River Towns of Illinois along the banks and bluffs of the Mississippi River hug the western border of Illinois for 550 miles. Experience an Illinois winery, brewery, farm, u-pick, or local farm to table restaurant. Four Centuries of history and heritage and thousands of stories that recount America's evolution while experiencing breathtaking views, majestic landscapes and species that travel thousands of miles for a visit or to make themselves a home
Reduce Transit Times and Travel Cost on Your Next Trip
The Quad Cities area consists of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa, and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The region has the excitement of a big city and the hospitality of a small town with award-winning museums and cultural centers, internationally-recognized festivals, beautiful riverfronts and a vibrant nightlife.
Davenport has beautiful riverfront vistas and an active downtown area with the Figge Art and Putnam History Museums and great shopping at the North Park Mall.
Bettendorf the Library and adjacent Family Museum provide exciting programs and storytelling. The numerous outdoor activities include the Splash Landing water park, Wallace's Garden Center and Duck Creek Recreational Trail.
Rock Island downtown is known for its festivals and nightlife with Cajun food and zydeco music; Jamaican food and reggae music; and a fall Irish folk festival. Family activities include the country's largest go-kart street race. Experience a downtown architectural tour and the Broadway Historic District.
Moline is one of the agricultural capitals of the world, home of John Deere and steeped in history. The modern downtown area features great riverfront views and evening entertainment with musicals performed by local actors.
East Moline is home to many great events and festivities. Empire Park is right on the Mississippi River, walk along the riverfront trails of The Quarter or visit to the John Deere Harvester Works, one of the world's largest combine factories.
The North Shore Communities along Lake Michigan are minutes from Chicago’s city center: Evanston, Glenview, Northbrook, Prospect Heights, Skokie, Wheeling and Winnekta.
South Dakota
Aberdeen South Dakota Before the arrival of European settlers, the area was inhabited by the Sioux Indians. The first group of Euro-American settlers to reach the area in the 1820s was a party of four people, three horses, two mules, fifteen cattle, and two wagons. This group of settlers was later joined by another group the following spring, and eventually more settlers migrated toward this general area. Like many towns of the Midwest, Aberdeen was built around the newly developing railroads. Officially plotted as a town site on January 3, 1881 by the Milwaukee Road which was presided over by Alexander Mitchell, who was born in Scotland, hence the name Aberdeen. The town was officially founded on July 6, 1881, the date of the first arrival of a Milwaukee Railroad train.
the perfect family and business destination
The Dacotah Prairie Museum The idea for a community museum in Aberdeen dates back almost 70 years. In 1938, John Murphy, a Northern State College professor, and Marc Cleworth, a salesman, created the Northern South Dakota History Museum which was housed on campus. The collection of this first museum grew rapidly through loans and donations until by 1941, it had amassed a collection of over 500 items.
Rapid City is centrally located to visit the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer State Park and the Badlands. Western and Native American Heritage throughout the city you will find Native American history exhibits, fine arts display, and interactive museums like the Journey Museum that takes you from the formation of the Black Hills over 2.5 billion years-ago to the continuing saga of the Western frontier.

8/14/19

A Journey along the Mississippi and Illinois River Towns



Scenic Vistas Tranquil Landscapes Historic Sites and Recreational Opportunities
The Great River Road in Illinois National Scenic Byway runs along the banks and bluffs of the Mississippi River, through quaint river towns and urban cities as it hugs the western border of Illinois for 550 miles. Experience an Illinois winery, brewery, farm, u-pick, or local farm to table restaurant.
Four Centuries of history and heritage and thousands of stories that recount America's evolution while experiencing breathtaking views, majestic landscapes and species that travel thousands of miles for a visit or to make themselves a home.
Fertile Soils and Waters Discovered by Native Americans Ideal partners for Agriculture and Farming
Your Journey begins in Chicago, a world-class city. Experience the heart of the city from the Chicago River and visit the city’s 57-acre Museum Campus which includes the Field Museum, home to more than 20 million objects on culture, science and the environment, the Art Institute of Chicago, second largest art museum in America with over 300,000 works of art.  
Chicago’s Neighborhoods include Wrigleyville, home to Wrigley Field and the Chicago Cubs, Lincoln Park, a great destination for shopping and dining; and Bucktown Wicker Park’s cafes and boutiques. 
US Route 66 Begins Here
The Illinois’ Great River Road Itinerary starts in Galena. In the early 1800s, this bustling town grew quickly with the discovery of lead in the surrounding hills. Over 85 percent of the town is on the National Register of Historic Places.  Walk in the footsteps of a president at the Ulysses S. Grant State Historic Site, once home to the 18th President of the United States. The historic DeSoto House Hotel is the hub of Galena’s Historic Main Street, home to over 100 local merchants.
The rolling hills surrounding Galena are home to award-winning wineries including Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery and Rocky Waters Vineyard and Winery, and local distillery Blaum Bros. Distilling Co. At Wooded Wonderland, view the native prairie of northwestern Illinois, pick organically grown blueberries and visit an authentic country store that offers locally produced goods. Handmade wooden furniture and other items are crafted from native timber by local artisans. 

Savana and the Mississippi Palisades State Park. The park is rich in Native American history with hiking trails of varying difficulty. This section of the Mississippi River has stately bluffs that can be easily accessed from park overlooks, providing spectacular panoramic views of the river and bluffs below. 

Fulton is Home to the De Immigrant Windmill, one of only 12 authentic Dutch Windmills in the U.S.

Follow the Mississippi River to Moline, one of the Quad Cities, and take a cruise on the Celebration Belle, an authentic paddle wheel boat.

The Quad Cities Family Vacations Museums Historic Sites and Riverfront Festivals



Nauvoo, a National Historic Landmark community, was one of the largest towns on the American frontier in the 1840s. Now consisting of over 30 restored historical sites, visit a wagon ride with stops at some of the restored shops, homes and public buildings. Or take stroll at your leisure and enjoy demonstrations by reenactors at many of the historic buildings including the blacksmith, bakery, post office and school. Enjoy a glass of Illinois wine after touring Baxter’s Vineyards and Winery, Illinois’ oldest winery. Established in 1857, this family owned winery is now in the hands of the fifth generation.
Quincy has over 3,600 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the visitor center, Villa Kathrine, and the Quincy Museum, Newcomb-Stillwell Mansion. 
Grafton is situated at the northern end of the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway. From here, the road winds between the Mississippi River and towering cliffs all the way to Alton.
Pere Marquette State Park Panoramic Views of the Illinois River
See pelicans, swans, geese, egrets, eagles and many other migrating birds at the Audubon Center at Riverlands. Experience the river from eight stories above during the Melvin Price Locks & Dam 26 tour. One of the largest locks and dam on the river, it is a central traffic point for barges. The Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, a 180-foot tower with platforms at three heights, provides views of the rivers and land below. The nearby Lewis & Clark State Historic Site marks the point of departure for these two explorers who mapped the western U.S.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site and UNESCO World Heritage Site is just south of Alton. This was the location of the largest prehistoric settlement in North America from 700 to 1400 A.D. Monks Mound is the largest mound on-site and the largest Pre-Columbian earthwork in North America.