The Worlds Biggest Truckstop is not an exaggeration. Definitely worth the day trip from the Quad Cities. Showers are hot. When youre tired of looking at trucks, eat at any of the nearby restaurants including Grammas Kitchen, which supports local farmers with delicious food, or head into Walcott itself for burning off some energy at one of their great parks or check out the cutest little public library. Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark. December 26, 2021 columbia county, oregon property tax rate. Our trip to the Quad Cities in eastern Iowa and western Illinois was supposed to be a fun getaway, including some beautiful fall scenery. The hotel features multiple room configurations from studio (which features well lit work space and a kitchenette) to the Baron Two Bedroom (14 foot window arches mixed with modern conveniences).if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'wheretoadventure_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_5',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-wheretoadventure_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); If The Brewhouse doesnt meet your needs, the Courtyard Milwaukee Downtown is another great option. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Jessica is a home educator and owner of QC Moms. 800-331-1467 From LeClaire to Dubuque and back for $329 (includes meals, snacks, transportation, and accommodations) Quiet Walker Lodge. There are several chain hotels located within 15 minutes of the park in Ottawa. In July there are fields of sunflowers. Education and shopping! Truckers Jamboree July 8-10, 2021 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. Perfect for eating with kids when you dont want to worry about table manners. Take a long bike ride or a short stroll, its all beautiful! Paris to Lyon ticket: Buy your train ticket from here. You can pick one up at one of these suggested locations. Very peaceful and serene, youll be glad you took this day trip from the Quad Cities. The old fashioned house is fun to browse through no matter if you care about Buffalo Bill or not. You can also check the events calendar to see if any sports or other activities are planned during your visit. You have entered an incorrect email address! Do I really even need to try to convince you to go here? Dec 1, 2021 - Who's ready for a fun winter weekend getaway right here in the Midwest? Your email address will not be published. An early-on hire of a 15-year- old Bob Tunberg turned into close friendship. Driving time - 1h15min. Plenty of room to run around, and some historical education make this a great spot to plan a picnic with friends. They actually have a location in both cities. They have many RV camp sites, but also have some simple cabins onsite that host 4-8 guests. With five rooms and suites, the Victorian Inn provides an intimate, peaceful, historic setting. weekend trips from the quad citiesclunking noise over bumps rear ford fiesta. When youre done browsing at the candy kitchen, take a stroll around the tiny downtown. Check their calendar as they often host fun events. Dont worry they also offer burgers. You can make The Wilderness as budget friendly as you like as rooms include at least a microwave and large junior fridge. Stop into their Cedar Falls location to enjoy one of their over 60 specialty pizzas, wings, and other favorite appetizers. For a tasty breakfast before your day on the water, visit Simple Lake Geneva for locally sourced ingredients. A basic small town childrens play area. The Quad Cities offer more family fun than can fit into one day! Being all nature-y. Lots of history and hands on activities. Distance from Baltimore: 41 miles (36 minutes) Sandy Point State Park. They have several tasting options, a couple versions of which you can try all their wines. She used to write at http://www.farmfreshjessica.com. Discover city breaks to Paris, or go all out with a short break to New York . Splurge on a night in one of the many hotels and make a weekend full of memories. We often think of the Galena area as the place to go skiing in Iowa, but it has so much to offer for your summer roadtrip too! The steakhouse is just across the parking lot from the main Wilderness lobby. The Quad Cities is home to hundreds of music, food and art festivals. Plenty of room to run around, and some historical education make this a great spot to plan a picnic with friends. Indulge in all the melty, gooey-ness at theMac and Cheese Shop. Franschhoek is a perfect place for a honeymoon escape or a romantic weekend getaway from Cape Town. A surprising amount of things to do there! There are obvious choices and not so obvious choices with suggestions for places to stay, eat, and enjoy: The Dells is a place built for families like yours. Obed and Issacs Restaurant is a fun place to hang out with delicious food. The kids will love the access to Timber Ridge Waterpark as well. Depicted by many actors, including Kevin Costner and Kurt Russell, and fodder for many Westerns, it all started here, in humble Monmouth IL. Burlingtons city parks have a lot to offer. Although Grand Geneva is located less than ten minutes from downtown Lake Geneva, it is an opportunity to have a full resort experience and choose to enjoy downtown and the waterfront as you like. Nearby posters about the birds help you identify and learn more about the avian visitors. The first annual Quad Cities Family . They make them so well, with real cream, youll want to buy one of each kind. Heres the spot for you! Spend a scenic weekend in the Quad Cities enjoying the beautiful colors along the Mississippi River. She is passionate about natural living, homeschooling her wild and free children, gentle parenting, and trying to glorify God in her daily life. All thoughts and opinions are 100% authentic. Discover the best of Quad Cities shopping, restaurants, night life, breweries, events, business, outdoors, fun, local life, real estate, transportation, jobs, and schools. Asheville, North Carolina. Typical of the time period of Little House on the Prairie kids will love to see how our ancestors lived. If there is any time left over, she enjoys reading, her planner, reading, cooking, writing, baking, Netflix and Facebook, reading, and learning new things. If you have a free weekend, this may be the spot! This also is home to a cool local theater with lots of adults eager to share their love of theater with families. At Iowas first pick your own flowers farm, you can make an incredible bouquet inexpensively. Among other highlights, they have a bee hive which enables you to watch the bees work at their tasks. A Brand New Park- Huckleberry Park playground equipment, restrooms, pavilion, basketball hoops, and pickle ball courts. Kwazulu Natal. Dating back to 1860, its an old-fashioned soda fountain, and the oldest in the country, right here in Iowa! There are plenty of picnic tables along the 104.5-mile linear park spanning five Illinois counties (Rock Island, Bureau, Henry, Lee and Whiteside). Both parks are great for picnicking and relaxing between hikes.. So, here's Our Wandering Families 10 Must-Dos when visiting. Absolutely perfect in all ways! In the winter (or anytime of year), I recommend The Wilderness Resort. It is beautiful for a stay three seasons per year and full of opportunities. great british sewing bee presenter dies. Hyatt Place East Moline Quad Cities 111 Bend Blvd, East Moline, IL, 61244 Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in East Moline. The outdoor area is incredible; views that need to be captured, outdoor seating, decorative water landscaping, a deck with live music on Saturdays, altogether breathtaking. They rent golf carts which makes it fun to tour the property and even the Illinois River if the water is low. 4* Kruger Gate Hotel - 100m From Paul Kruger Gate Package (2 Nights) You will also want to check the Peoria Convention Centers schedule for family friendly events.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[580,400],'wheretoadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1','ezslot_13',114,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-wheretoadventure_com-mobile-leaderboard-1-0'); If you choose to stay at Sankoty Lake, much of your weekend will naturally unveil itself. River Arts Center You can paint your own pottery or you take in some local artists work. They have a Civil War re-enactment weekend in the fall, but its cool all the time! It's located close to Cape Town, in the picturesque valley surrounded by beautiful vineyards. 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). Bickelhaupt Arboretum Learn about all kinds of varieties of flowers and plants with the nifty labeled signage. This is especially a hit with fans of big machinery (aka most little kids I know!). I recommend staying downtown Milwaukee to get the best feel for the city. Here are four places our family enjoyed. If there is any time left over, she enjoys reading, her planner, reading, cooking, writing, baking, Netflix and Facebook, reading, and learning new things. recognized the street as Unbelievably Crooked and the #1 Odd Spot in their Odd Spots Across America Campaign, With an indoor/outdoor water park, bowling alley, go-kart track, laser-tag arena and arcade, it is literally a fun city! Go for lots of walks and hikes along the river fireworksall for free! Public transport, major highways and pedestrian footbridges connect the five cities. Its a sweet little road trip near the Quad Cities. The Quad Cities are connected to several major American cities via the Quad Cities International Airport. Moms got to take home flowers AND new friends. A small town festival worth making the jaunt for second weekend in July. Typically 32 flights run weekly, although weekend and holiday schedules can vary so check in advance. Its so important to expose your kids to real art. Celebrate with hundreds of festivals and special events throughout the year. Tug Fest 2021 will be August 12-14, 2021. Support local theater and enjoy the show! Davenport mom, Maggie, says its their top day trip destination because her boys love it all!. Definitely a worthwhile road trip near the Quad Cities. 4. (712) 566-5108. TYCOGA Winery -after a day out wrangling the kids and giving them the summer of their lives, you deserve a moment to catch your breath at the serenity pond while you taste locally delectable wines. According to the Iowa DNR, the Iowa eagle population rises from 500 to 3,000 birds in the winter as eagles from Canada, Wisconsin and Minnesota seek open water to hunt. Dec 23, 2018 - Romantic Getaways are a great way to reconnect as a couple. Have a train lover in the family? That majority will never understand what its like to have a Black heritage, and raise a Black family in these times, but I can do my best to educate myself and advocate for my brothers and sisters who are richer in melanin than I am. Plan your next Iowa weekend getaway to Dubuque, the oldest city in Iowa, which offers a good selection of attractions to explore. Bring your hiking shoes and a picnic. In the middle of nowhere, its a startling beauty! 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. In 2022, they updated most of the hotel rooms and some of the indoor waterpark features. Dont miss the Bronze Fonz statue for a quick photo opp. Excellent museum and aquarium. If you are visiting in the summer, The Wilderness will offer you more options in their three outdoor waterparks as well. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. You can go to the water park without staying at the hotel. The 43 rooms, a mix of original and modern, are filled with charm, soft, period furnishings. This is what road trips near the Quad Cities are all about. They offer several kids menu items as well. 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. Opened in 1852 by federal permit issued from President Millard Fillmore, Breitbachs is Iowas oldest food and drinking establishment. I love the idea of introducing collegiate life to our kids (whether or not they choose not) since it was such a special time in our lives. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. The trails vary from wide open mown paths on which you could take a stroller, to narrow trails in the woods. A city park with arboretum and botanical garden, alongside the Mississippi River. 9. It has a lot to offer families, a lot like our own John Deere Visitors Center. Its a sweet little road trip near the Quad Cities. Besides seeing all of Miss Effies beautiful posies, you can pet her cats and see her chickens and ducks. Required fields are marked *. You don't have to plan a vacation to the Bahamas to enjoy sand and sun. This is part 1 of a three part series of 100 road trips near the Quad Cities (100 summer family day trips within 100 miles of the Quad Cities.) Its a tart odd looking stem of a plant, which, when you add enough sugar is absolutely out of this world delicious. First, you need to have a movie night at home so your kids understand why youre driving all this way to see a baseball field and corn when we have perfectly good baseball fields and corn back home in the Quad Cities. Whether you want to rent a kayak or get a ride with a naturalist for a guided tour, youll likely find what your looking for with this little stop off. If youre not familiar with rhubarb, come get acquainted. One of the earliest county fairs in the area! Brettun & Black Mercantile Store is a dry goods store and museum as it appeared in 1849. Patty was visiting in the Quad Cities area today and wanted to go kayaking, so she looked us up for a nice leisure tour down the Rock River this morning. Helium Trampoline Park You know how in A Christmas Story theyre always telling the little boy Youll shoot your eye out, kid!? 1. We're full of real fun and real experiences, and we're proud to call this place home. (Not that this happened to me!). Where To Stay In The Quad Cities. The camping sites, entertainment, and museums are just some of the things that make this a good place for family vacations. Weve got a lot to offer in the Quad City area, but if youre like me, sometimes you want a change of scenery and to get the heck out of town. My favorite downtown hotel is The Brewhouse Inn & Suites. We are talking food and fun! 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.. An all-time favorite summer escape, and one that is especially important to NYC's queer community, is Fire Island. She is passionate about natural living, homeschooling her wild and free children, gentle parenting, and trying to glorify God in her daily life. Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels with Expedia Rewards. . A great weekend or week-long trip for the family, or just for the parents! 6. Last I checked it was still closed from Derecho last summer, but keep it near the top of your list of family day trips near the Quad Cities. Where to Stay: Located on the park grounds is a beautiful, historic lodge is Starved Rock Lodge. 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. 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. Early June Aledo is also the home to the Rhubarb Festival. What more could a person ask for from a park? (506 reviews) "Modern rooms. A 30 second shootout at the OK Corral has become the stuff of legend. The interior is inviting and described as steampunk and Victorian-revisionist. An environmental learning center featuring hands on exhibits for kids, educational programming, history, and live animal displays. Lost Grove Lake. Replica of old-fashioned schoolhouse, complete with a bell to ring and authentic furnishings. You could even plan brunch with your pals and rent tables in the Corn-Zebo. #2 in Best Weekend Getaways Part-mountain town, part-hipster sanctuary, this North Carolina locale is a haven for adventurers and beer lovers alike. Be prepared for all of the Mama, can we buy this? requests because the kids are fascinated by the place! In 2017, Ripleys Believe It or Not! Whether you visit for coffee and pastries, diverse lunch and dinner options, or just to shop around, the market has something for everyone. There are plenty of picnic tables along the 104.5-mile linear park spanning five Illinois counties (Rock Island, Bureau, Henry, Lee and Whiteside). DEJA BREW!! The huge outdoor area includes interpretive trails and Native American mounds, and a playscape. The 770-passenger paddlewheel boat, the largest non-gaming riverboat on the Upper Mississippi, offers casual sightseeing, lunch, dinner and day-long cruises. At the base of a bluff along Bloody Run Creek is definitely going to be a capstone of your summer. If you dont know, you can find out why and more at the Sawmill Museum. Enjoy riverboat cruises, bike trails, casinos, John Deere attractions and shopping in quaint villages. Nevertheless, put it on your list of day trips from the Quad Cities. Located just off the interstate and many mentioned downtown spots, you may decide to drive according to your home base of choice.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'wheretoadventure_com-leader-2','ezslot_8',111,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-wheretoadventure_com-leader-2-0'); Take a drive away from downtown along the Milwaukee Bay and its beautiful homes for a meal at Barlottas Lake Park Bistro. The display is organized and spacious. 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. 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. Walnut Grove Pioneer Village. She used to write at http://www.farmfreshjessica.com. Although they should. Schweibert Riverfront Park is a 4-minute walk from this Rock Island hotel, which offers a flat-screen cable TV with video games in every room. Its not a place youd expect to find picnic areas but it works and is a special surprise. Good City Brewing, just off the Riverwalk and near the Bucks arena, offers snacks, sandwiches, pizzas and more kids options. Reach the Quad Cities with the Amtrak service to Galesburg, an Illinois city 50 miles (80 kilometers) from Moline. Imagine taking buckets and buckets of dirt by hand in order to make hills, which are then made into a shape which can only be seen from the sky! If you are budget focused and traveling in the summer, consider staying at a motel or waterpark adjacent option like the Blackhawk Motel with its own pool, playground, and suite options or Natura Treescape Resort with its lagoon and fun treehouse rooms. Greenville, South Carolina. Sandy Point State Park is another great option for family fun adventures and an easy day trip from Baltimore and Washington DC. You could visit Louisville SRA for water time at the beach and inflatable obstacle course and end the day at the old-fashioned soda fountain at Springfield Drug for ice cream. The lakes are currently drained but definitely keep it in mind for future- and the camping is still good! Be on the lookout for Milwaukees own Sprecher Root Beer while you are dining. The Peoria Zoo is a smaller zoo located within a larger park that kids will enjoy before or after your visit. We do this almost every time we go to Dubuque and it never gets old. Distance: 145 mi / 2 hr 15 min ( map) What to Do / See: Swamp Rabbit Trail, Greenville Zoo, Liberty Bridge. The fine people of Aledo have been perfecting rhubarb recipes for decades. 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. 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. Several little shops line a main street of this literal pioneer village. A unique chance to walk around with your kids and interpret art. Walnut Grove Pioneer Village Several little shops line a main street of this literal pioneer village. Continue with Recommended Cookies, by Annie Thomas | Jan 11, 2023 | Family Travel, Itineraries, Midwest Travel | 0 comments. I have nothing against trampoline parks and own a trampoline myself. Youll definitely want to check this place out! Weve compiled a fantastic list of road trips near the Quad Cities you can take this summer! 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. Taking my kids to museums like this one is a way I can do that. Grand Bear is home to a small indoor waterpark, arcade and mini golf. There are endless activities and things. Reusable Usables has been closed for quite some time, but we have a new park Huckleberry Park that has playground equipment, restrooms, pavilion, basketball hoops, and pickle ball courts (to open next week). Nahant Marsh is a 305-acre preserve nestled in southwest Davenport. The scenery is peaceful & quiet. It was not a multiple locations establishment until the late 1970s and has grown to eight store locations in the Quad Cities. Its fun for all! Take to the air and fly into Quad City Intl. Perhaps the crowning jewel of the trendy yet traditional city, the Biltmore Estate simply isn't to be missed. The Quad Cities is a 2 hour drive west from Chicago, or flight in to the Quad City International Airport. There are several waterpark hotels and waterpark adjacent hotels, truly options for every budget. Started in Davenport in 1972, Happy Joe's tasty offerings have been serving the Quad Cities for over 40 years. The 250-room Gilded Age chateau sits on 8,000 acres of highly-curated gardens and meadow (all designed by . The owners are Wilton natives who just love all of their customers. Summer Festival and Moonlight . 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. Love noise, action packed fun, and big engines? You definitely want to add this to your list of road trips near the Quad Cities. I recommend staying downtown Milwaukee to get the best feel for the city. Besides seeing all of Miss Effies beautiful posies, you can pet her cats and see her chickens and ducks. Its a sweet little road trip near the Quad Cities. Bulgers Hollow Recreation Area This sweet little area literally dead ends into the river! Enjoy a picnic or bring along your guitar and have a good old fashioned singalong. Clinton is a great spot to go for a road trip near the Quad Cities. Waterglen Guest Lodge, Rustenberg Price: A 1 night's stay for 2 people valued at R999 Travel time from Joburg city centre: 2 hours 9. Theres sand volley ball and creeks to play in and many picturesque scenes. Paris to Lyon train: Take the train from Paris Gare de Lyon. Best season - October - April. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean . This is for you! Celebration River Cruises MISSISSIPPI RIVER For more than 30 years, the Celebration Belle has sailed the mighty Mississippi River with ports in Le Claire, Dubuque and the Quad Cities. There are more trails that feature beautiful waterfalls much like you will find in Starved Rock State Park. Definitely add it to your list of summer road trips near the Quad Cities. From the shore, enjoy Riviera Beach for relaxing or swimming. Out doors youll find a pair of swans and other wildlife. The food is suburb and generous! In addition to lodge rooms are cabins that accommodate larger families. She lives in a geriatric, temperamental Victorian home with her six children ages 16, 14, 12, 10, 8 and 5. Not far from here are a few great waterfront museums including the Milwaukee Art Museum and Discovery World. Im sure you know the reason the semi-pro baseball team in Clinton is called The Lumberkings. Felix Adler Childrens Discovery Center A basic small town childrens play area. Chicago. There is so much to see and do here, this could be your only stop in Peoria. 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. Brisk temperatures and rolling water framed by Fall colors sound like the perfect way to relax over a long weekend. Run trail routes, picnicking, grilling, and nature study. They are a great choice for the fun, themed hotel rooms and indoor/outdoor pool. Inside, many chances to learn about all sorts of nature. The skate park and nearby creek My kids bring their bikes and love the hill and the obstacles. Explore More Vancouver Seattle Los Angeles Las Vegas Phoenix / Mesa Denver Minneapolis Dallas St. Louis Chicago Detroit Atlanta Toronto Montreal New York City St. Petersburg / Clearwater Beach Orlando / Sanford Punta Gorda / Ft. Myers North Pole Omaha Kansas City You can find an interactive map here. Hiking and waterfalls make this an ideal family outing! KwaZulu Natal. While visiting the area, stop by the UNI Campus to explore. Seriously, research this part of our local history and learn with your kids about it! Lost Grove Lake Fishing, canoeing, kayaking or just walking on a few trails in this open prairie type area. You can paint your own pottery or you take in some local artists work. The space is smaller and they do not reservations, but the food is worth it, even if there is a short wait. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. City breaks are perfect for anyone looking to relax and get away from it all. Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center Youll find a huge aquarium here boasting local species of fish. Neat, tidy, clean. Top Hotels in Quad Cities from $52 - Expedia Quad Cities United States of America Hotels Expedia.com Plan your trip Find hotels in Quad Cities from $52 Check-in Check-out Guests Most hotels are fully refundable. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Find out when the peak color will be happening in the Quad Cities using the weekly Fall Color Report. Putnam Museum The Putnam Museum participates in the ASTC Travel Passport Program. Rent an e-bike to explore the area at Utica Bikes.