Few US metropolitan areas have a history as unique as the Illinois-Iowa Quad Cities, which grew up on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. Before western expansion, the area was the site of Saukenuk, the largest Indian settlement in North America. In 1789, a young Sauk named Black Hawk looked on as American forces destroyed his village and, years later, he led his people in what became known as the Black Hawk War. "Indian problems" led to the establishment of a fort on Rock Island, which eventually became the country's leading arsenal. As the river slowly opened to boat traffic, small groups of "rapids pilots" began helping travelers navigate the deadly Rock Island Rapids. About the same time, a young inventor/farmer named John Deere opened his first plow-making plant in Moline. Around these three industries grew the towns of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa, and Rock Island and Moline, Illinois. Today, the Quad Cities offer fascinating attractions and activities such as the Black Hawk State historic Site, shopping in historic East Davenport, clubbing in the Rock Island Arts and Entertainment District, and gambling on a riverboat casino. In the summer, sounds of celebration fill the Upper River Valley during family-friendly festivals such as the internationally recognized Mississippi Valley Blues Festival.

Figge Art Museum

of Art boasts an extensive collection of 19th and 20th century American Art, including an impressive Regionalism work by Grant Wood, and landscapes by Asher B. Durand. When the facility first opened in the 1930s, the nucleus of its collection was a gift of more than 300 paintings from C. A. Ficke. Today, however, the museum also counts among its holdings several European Old Master paintings, Mexican Colonial Art, and the unique Haitian Collection, which was the first of its kind in the United States.

Admission:Adult $7;
Senior (60+) $6;
Student $6;
Child (3-12) $4

Click here to visit the Figge Art Museum website »

Family Museum of Arts and Science

2900 Learning Campus Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722-7710 · 563-344-4106

BETTENDORF . Have you ever wanted to operate a television camera? How would it feel to touch a tornado or make a cloud? At Bettendorf's

Museum of Arts and Science, you can do all this and more. This popular Quad City museum offers families the chance to explore the fields of science and technology via such interactive exhibits as "Heartland," "The Homestead," and "Rhythm Alley." The museum also features a variety of traveling exhibits like "Hubble," which allows visitors to explore the heavens from right here in the Quad Cities.

Admission:Adult /Child (2-59) $5, Senior $3

Click here to visit the Family Museum of Arts and Science website »

Walnut Grove Pioneer Village

18817 290th St, Scott County Park, Long Grove, IA 52801 · 563-328-3283

LONG GROVE . Take a few steps back in time to an era when Scott County was wild, and frontiersmen first settled the area. An important stagecoach stop in the 1860s, Walnut Grove offers visitors the chance to see what life was like in the latter half of the 19th century. Among the historic buildings you can tour are the old bank, Olde St. Ann's Church, the Donahue Depot and a blacksmith shop. Donations are encouraged.

Admission:Suggested Donation Adult $2, Child $1

Payment Methods:Cash Only

Niabi Zoo

13010 Niabi Zoo Rd, Coal Valley, IL 61240-9468 · 309-799-5107

COAL VALLEY . Niabi Zoo, which is home

to more than 800 native and exotic animals, offers an ideal family-friendly activity in the Quad Cities area. Niabi's Wild Things gift shop is a great place to pick up neat little souvenirs and momentos from your visit. Park attractions also include a miniature railroad for children (the Mel McKay Express), petting zoo and picnic facilities.

Admission:Adult $5;
Senior (62+) $4.50;
Child (3-17) $4

Payment Methods:Visa, Master Card

Website: Click here to visit the Niabi Zoo website »

Fryxell Geology Museum

Details: 820 38th St, Swenson Hall of Science, Rock Island, IL 61201 · 309-794-7318

AUGUSTANA COLLEGE . For those fascinated by the unique geology of the Upper Mississippi

River valley, Augustana College's Fryxell Museum is a must see. Located in the Swenson Hall of Science, the museum displays more than 1500 rocks, minerals and fossils – quite an extensive collection to be sure. Among the museum's more noteworthy residents are the fossil remains of Tyrannosaurus rex, Allosaurus and Cryolophosaurus. Tours of the museum include a 30-minute "hands on" activity.

Hours:

Admission:Free

Click here to visit the Fryxell Geology Museum website »

Fejervary Children's Zoo

1800 W 12th st, Davenport, IA 52804 · 563-326-7830

DAVENPORT . Davenport's original zoo is located on the former estate of the Fejervary family

The zoo is dedicated to plants and animals unique to the Iowa-Illinois Mississippi Valley region, and you can see everything from cougars and wolves to bison and bald eagles. The zoo also features a petting zoo and the popular Monkey Island. Picnic shelters and a public swimming pool are located in Fejervary Park.

Admission:Adult $3;
Senior (62+) $2;
Child $2.50

Payment Methods:Cash Only

Black Hawk State Historic Site

1510 46th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201 · 309-788-0177

ROCK ISLAND . This 200-plus acre area, just south of downtown Rock Island, was the site of the westernmost battle of the Civil War. Today, the park is lined with beautiful hardwoods and offers several walking trails that traverse vast wooded areas and rocky river bluffs. A few of the trails even run along the northern bank of the Rock River, offering excellent opportunities to spot a bald eagle or two. The 150 Watch Tower, which stands on a jut of land overlooking the river, provides outstanding views of the river and the surrounding countryside. The Hauberg Indian Museum is also located here.

Admission:Free

Website: Click here to visit the Black Hawk State Historic Site website »

Deere Family Homes

Details: 817 11th Ave, Moline, IL 61265 · 309-765-7971

MOLINE . These two historic homes were both built by Charles Deere, son of John Deere, in the latter half of the 19th century. The majestic Deere-Wiman home

on 11th Avenue was Charles's home and is surrounded by beautiful gardens that are open to the public. Charles built the Butterworth Center (1105 Eighth Street) in 1892 as a wedding gift for his daughter, Katherine, and her husband, William Butterworth. Butterworth is noteworthy for its brilliant Italian-style ceiling painting. Tours during the week available by appointment only.

Admission:Donations encouraged

Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead

Details: 28050 230th Ave, Princeton, IA 52748 · 563-225-2981

Located just outside of the Quad Cities, near Princeton, is the home

that "Buffalo Bill" Cody's father built in the mid-19th century on the Iowa prairie. The legendary frontiersman and Wild West Showman lived here as a boy, and the home has been restored to resemble the way it looked when the young scout lived there. Today visitors may tour the grounds. If you're lucky, perhaps you'll even catch a glimpse of a grazing buffalo or two.

Admission:Adult $2, Children (16 and under) Free

Payment Methods:Cash Only

Website: Click here to visit the Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead website »

Quad City Botanical Center

Details: 2525 4th Ave, Rock Island, IL 61201 · 309-794-0991

ROCK ISLAND . The Quad City Botanical Center, located just east of Arsenal Bridge, offers gardening enthusiasts the chance to explore one of Illinois's largest conservatories. The Sun Garden conservatory, which is open year round, boasts exotic tropical plants and flowers from around the world, waterfalls and pools of koi. Outside, you can see a veritable explosion of annuals and perennials nearly every season, and the conifer garden plays host to a variety of festivals and shows in the spring, summer and fall.

Admission:Adult $5;
Senior (60+) $4;
Child (5-12) $3;
Child (2-4) $1

Payment Methods:Visa, Master Card, American Express

Website: Click here to visit the Quad City Botanical Center website »