A beautiful place in which to observe nature. These are organized in order of distance (closest to furthest ranging from 7 miles to 128 miles, which makes them all doable for a day adventure! The Hennepin Canal State Trail is an ideal destination for a relaxing day of picnicking, hiking, biking, fishing and old fashioned family fun. You dont really need much of a descriptor, its an engines museum. At The Wilderness, there is a nice variety of waterpark attractions for every age and interest. The owner has a mission of creating a safe place for family fun! It is part of a 513-acre wetland complex bordered by the Mississippi River, Interstate Want to take a road trip near the Quad Cities? To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. There are plenty of picnic tables along the 104.5-mile linear park spanning five Illinois counties (Rock Island, Bureau, Henry, Lee and Whiteside). Continue with Recommended Cookies, by Annie Thomas | Jan 11, 2023 | Family Travel, Itineraries, Midwest Travel | 0 comments. Smilees Ice Cream Support a local family while you enjoy melt-in-your-mouth pulled pork sandwhiches and the kids devour a sampling of one of the 32 flavors of melt-all-over-the-floor-and-their-face ice creams. Good City Brewing, just off the Riverwalk and near the Bucks arena, offers snacks, sandwiches, pizzas and more kids options. Dec 21 - Dec 22. This 30-acre park includes a 9-acre lake for fishing and swimming, perfect for a quiet afternoon of enjoying the water, but shallow and small so you arent as anxious about watching the kids. In addition to lodge rooms are cabins that accommodate larger families. Perfect if youre walking, biking, or even pushing a stroller. Mark your calendar for this wonderful experience. Typical of the time period of Little House on the Prairie kids will love to see how our ancestors lived. There are several spots that have a few picnic tables and we each brought a sack meal (fast food or home made) and enjoyed each others company and the beautiful views. Heritage Park Interpretive Center learn about the Mississippi and its importance in our areas settlement and growth. Barely qualifying as an actual road trip near the Quad Cities as its so close, youll find four lakes with a beach, paddle boats, kayaking and canoeing. Blues, jazz, rock, and many other musical stylings can be found not only at the festivals, but also at music venues throughout the downtown areas. 4. A lovely trail most of which is shady. Our top city break deals. Enjoy a Friday nightFish Fry Hawks View Golf Club. From R5,609pp. Have a train lover in the family? The trails surrounding the ponds are paved and fun to explore. The Quad Cities prides itself on a jam-packed event calendar, and if we can be honest for a minute - you won't want to miss a second of the action. Lane reductions continue through holiday weekend in 3 . You can visit the movie site. The Stoney Creek Inn is located near the Illinois River and still convenient to the highway. Public transport, major highways and pedestrian footbridges connect the five cities. Downtown Davenport and Moline are home to excellent hotels, including the Radisson and Blackhawk. Splurge on a night in one of the many hotels and make a weekend full of memories. They feature pasta favorites and delicious pizza. Where to Eat: A variety of dining options are available in the Lodge and Park. Iowa 80 Trucking Museum The varied collection of trucks and vehicles is amazing even if you dont consider yourself a fan of trucks. Kids (and grown ups alike) love Hurts Donuts, an Iowa regional favorite. Education and shopping! You can find an interactive map here. Typical of the time period of Little House on the Prairie kids will love to see how our ancestors lived. Running along the Hennepin Canal, this is a picturesque hike or walk, or bike ride. Parents may enjoy a stroll on the short River Walk while kids run off some energy using the game tables. They called Manatoumi, or Sacred Ground. Much more than a historical learning opportunity, youll find something for everyone from sweet little restaurants where kids are welcome and cherished to boutiques for mom, all with the picturesque feel of days gone by. The Peoria Zoo is a smaller zoo located within a larger park that kids will enjoy before or after your visit. After a long day of kid-centric fun, you deserve to take some time for yourself. She couldn't have asked for a better day. Delicious wines, and with a name like Kickapoo, I kind of feel like you really need your whole wine cellar filled with it. QuadCities.com is a locally operated directory and information guide for the Quad Cities area in Illinois and Iowa. Nature Spiral, a literal spiral primarily made of 65 boulders, with outlined images of native birds, fish, insects, animals, and plants cut into the surface of many of the stones was made by a local artist. Experience theater, arts, music, dining and fun-filled nightlife. hioned family fun. Dating back to 1860, its an old-fashioned soda fountain, and the oldest in the country, right here in Iowa! Wide River Winery After a long day of kid-centric fun, you deserve to take some time for yourself. They have many RV camp sites, but also have some simple cabins onsite that host 4-8 guests. The park is included with a hotel stay. Weekend Getaways from the Quad Cities for Families Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. In 2017, Ripleys Believe It or Not! Scott County Park. In July there are fields of sunflowers. Pronounced Doh-NAY-tus, St. Donatus is old world, Iowas version of the tiny European country of Luxembourg. Its fun for all! If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Located along Lake Michigan at the northern most tip of the state, this fabulous state park has been a favorite destination for weekend trips for decades. There are plenty of picnic tables along the 104.5-mile linear park spanning five Illinois counties (Rock Island, Bureau, Henry, Lee and Whiteside). Weve compiled a fantastic lists of day trips you can take this summer! Hiking and waterfalls make this an ideal family outing! Mound builders were native peoples living in our area. Such a popular attraction it is the only Illinois run park that actually has its own website! There are lots of tasty options sprinkled throughout the resort for pizza, burgers, ice cream, and much more. Your email address will not be published. Buffalo Bill Museum All about a government scout and Wild West showman, the museum is so interesting and inspiring that if youre not careful, you may end up with a cowboy and buffalo lover who now begs you to take him to Wyoming to see where Buffalo Bill retired. This is really a local hidden gem in my opinion. This also is home to a cool local theater with lots of adults eager to share their love of theater with families. Depending on the weather, you can rent canoes and kayaks, swim on the beach, listen to live music on the restaurant patio, or just enjoy the beautiful scenery. Try not to eat a gnat. Choose a couple to get on the calendar now before your summer completely fills up! The location is convenient to the park, but also has many amenities of its own including swimming beach and snack bar. A Brand New Park- Huckleberry Park playground equipment, restrooms, pavilion, basketball hoops, and pickle ball courts. With miles of nature enjoyment, you can also take classes on everything from bats to bugs and even have a guided hike to bolster your learning experience. The Quad Cities are connected to several major American cities via the Quad Cities International Airport. Discover the best of Quad Cities shopping, restaurants, night life, breweries, events, business, outdoors, fun, local life, real estate, transportation, jobs, and schools. Weekend getaways to Iowa are perfect options for those living in the biggest cities of the midwest, including Chicago, Minneapolis/Saint Paul, St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Omaha.With a central location, a border shared with six states, a network of interstate highways, and an abundance of airports, it's easy to get to your chosen location for weekend getaways to Iowa. cinated by the place. Rent a motorboat or pontoon and enjoy 11,000-acre Lake Rathbun. 18132 Paradise Valley Trail, Durango 800-388-0942. They have several tasting options, a couple versions of which you can try all their wines. The display is organized and spacious. Mercer County Fair July 13-17 From the expected carnival rides, animal shows and pageantry you can also enter your baby into the decorated diaper contest or wander through the Pumpkin House or have your small set enter the pedal tractor pull. We are talking food and fun! A basic small town childrens play area. Our professional drivers are familiar with the area and will . While youre there, go ice skating at Coral Ridge Mall or visit Trader Joes. And if you are looking for something to keep the kids occupied closer to home this summer you wont want to miss our 2022 QC Area Summer Camp Guide! Kane County Flea Market, 525 S. Randall Road, St. Charles, Ill. Open Saturday noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. At the base of a bluff along Bloody Run Creek is definitely going to be a capstone of your summer. In December 2011, the federal government awarded $177 million in funding for the Amtrak . Absolutely the most beautifully scenic area of the Midwest, it is no wonder the Native American chose this place for their home. Its not too arduous; you just will need someone to make sure youre bending low enough if you go into some of the caves with babe on your back. Tell the kids youll stop singing only if they write an essay comparing and contrasting the Hennepin Canal with one of the other ones you learned about. About a two-and-a-half hour drive, plus a 30-minute ferry ride. Malone Park This 30-acre park includes a 9-acre lake for fishing and swimming, perfect for a quiet afternoon of enjoying the water, but shallow and small so you arent as anxious about watching the kids. Then they cool off by walking into the shaded creek area nearby and imaginatively playing, discovering new lands, and getting grubby. If none of these have you excited, dont miss my many suggestions for Iowa City (including Things to Do with Kids in Iowa City, Unexpected Midwest Spring Break), Midwest Hotels Not to Miss, Midwest Foodie Road Trip, and more. In July | Antique Truck Display some dating back to 1900, over 175 exhibits, Iowa Pork Chop Cookout Carnival games, a pet contest, trucker olympics, live music, and. Its not a place youd expect to find picnic areas but it works and is a special surprise. Definitely a worthwhile road trip near the Quad Cities. From reserving our trip to our final walk to our car after the two day cruise, all was perfect! Franschhoek is a perfect place for a honeymoon escape or a romantic weekend getaway from Cape Town. This is for you! I recommend staying downtown Milwaukee to get the best feel for the city. Fishing, canoeing, kayaking or just walking on a few trails in this open prairie type area. A 30 second shootout at the OK Corral has become the stuff of legend. This includes an average layover time of around 2h 48m. Only five minutes drive from Starved Rock is Matthiessen State Park. There is also a visitor center in this location to gather more ideas for your stay. The place has a whimsical, magical feel to it. Inside, many chances to learn about all sorts of nature. Hiking is the easy answer for what to do. This drive through display attract thousands of visitor each year. There are also great local events, like fish boils and jazz concerts. Distance from Baltimore: 41 miles (36 minutes) Sandy Point State Park. Rock Island reader Ashley highly recommends a visit and tells us, They have maps that correspond to the various numbers around the gorge about the many fossil types located at different spots. Truly a family run business, youll find locally grown grapes and deliciously made wines. You could spend some time at Scheels or eat at Zombie Burger. At Iowas first pick your own flowers farm, you can make an incredible bouquet inexpensively. Manage Settings The Victorian Inn Bed and Breakfast in Rock Island offers a quaint stay in a quiet neighborhood. They are a great choice for the fun, themed hotel rooms and indoor/outdoor pool. If you'd like to bounce around to nearby towns, fun day trips from Charlotte include Huntersville, Matthews, and Davidson in Mecklenburg County, and Concord over in Cabarrus County. If you want to be extra, you can look up information about the canals ahead of time, such as the Panama Canal, Erie Canal or Suez Canal and help everyone see what an incredible feat of engineering this was for the time. Favorite activities include canoeing (of course), hiking or snowshoeing on the 280-acre couples-only property, taking horse-drawn carriage or sleigh rides at a nearby farm, having in-room relaxation massages and reading (the resort has an extensive library). Plan your next Iowa weekend getaway to Dubuque, the oldest city in Iowa, which offers a good selection of attractions to explore. Its a sweet little road trip near the Quad Cities. This is an ideal location for birthday parties, camping, any time you want to get out into nature a bit without driving too far. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. You never have to step out into the cold to traverse between the three indoor park, arcades, activities, and many dining options. Additional terms apply. This is especially a hit with fans of big machinery (aka most little kids I know!). Coney Island at Cattail Slough This secluded little spot is nestled along the river with a small sandy beach and an area for fishing. Besides seeing all of Miss Effies beautiful posies, you can pet her cats and see her chickens and ducks. One of the earliest county fairs in the area means your kids wont have that jaded, This is the first in a three part series of a 100 incredible day trips within a 100 miles of the Quad City area. I always have a soft spot for a college town. The skate park and nearby creek My kids bring their bikes and love the hill and the obstacles. This is especially a hit with fans of big machinery (aka most little kids I know!). Winter is prime viewing time for bald eagles along the Mississippi River. Has incredibly intricate sand paintings inside bottles. The boyhood home of Buffalo Bill Cody, replete with buffalo on site. #2 in Best Weekend Getaways Part-mountain town, part-hipster sanctuary, this North Carolina locale is a haven for adventurers and beer lovers alike. I didnt even know such a thing existed until we saw the sign on the highway. This might not be the ideal stop for you, Aledo is also the home to the Rhubarb Festival. Clinton County Fair July 21-25, 2021 youll find all kinds of things to love at this perfectly sized fair. info@gowindstar.com. Go during a festival if you can, and not only because youll get in free if you don pioneer outfits but also theres kettle corn and gun fights! Town of less than 100 scenic overlook is not to be missed. Driving time - 1h15min. The small plates and drink specials are a great respite from the waterpark noise. Bliss and Backroads. Lost Grove Lake Fishing, canoeing, kayaking or just walking on a few trails in this open prairie type area. Plenty of room to run around, and some historical education make this a great spot to plan a picnic with friends. Chads Pizza is a regional favorite. European country of Luxembourg perfect place for a better day our car after the two cruise. Lodge rooms are cabins that accommodate larger families the home to a cool weekend trips from the quad cities theater families! Know weekend trips from the quad cities a thing existed until we saw the sign on the short River walk while run... Thomas | Jan 11, 2023 | family Travel, Itineraries, Midwest Travel 0. 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