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Rock Island is a river city of about 37,000 people in western Illinois, one of the Quad Cities, facing Davenport, Iowa, across the Mississippi River near the mouth of the Rock River. Its story begins with the Sauk and Meskwaki village of Saukenuk, home of the leader Black Hawk, and with Fort Armstrong, built in 1816 on the island that gave the city its name. In 1856 the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi linked Rock Island with Davenport.
The island is now the Rock Island Arsenal, a major U.S. Army installation with a museum, a national cemetery and Lock and Dam 15, where a visitor center lets you watch barges lock through. Back in town, Augustana College's Old Main crowns the hillside, the Hauberg Estate and Black Hawk State Historic Site preserve gardens, forests and Native American history, and Circa '21 Dinner Playhouse stages Broadway shows in a restored theater.
Downtown's riverfront has Schwiebert Riverfront Park and the entertainment district known as The District, while the Quad City Botanical Center grows tropical plants under glass. Davenport, Moline and Bettendorf are minutes away across the bridges.
One of the oldest U.S. Army museums, on Arsenal Island, with exhibits on Fort Armstrong, the Civil War prison camp, the arsenal's manufacturing history and a large collection of firearms and artillery. Access to the island requires a security check and valid ID, so read the visitor rules before going.
A museum inside the Watch Tower Lodge at Black Hawk State Historic Site that tells the story of the Sauk and Meskwaki peoples, with life-size dioramas, tools, clothing and exhibits on daily life through the seasons. It is small and free; check opening days, as hours are limited.
A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers visitor center on the western tip of Arsenal Island with an observation deck over Lock and Dam 15, where you can watch towboats and barges pass through the lock. Exhibits explain river navigation. In winter, look for bald eagles fishing below the dam.
A national cemetery on Arsenal Island where veterans from the Civil War to recent conflicts are buried in long rows of white headstones. Nearby is the Confederate Cemetery for prisoners who died at the island's Civil War prison camp. It is a peaceful, respectful place; island security rules apply.
An early 1900s Prairie-style mansion set in landscaped grounds on a hill in Rock Island, now a civic center used for events, weddings and occasional tours. The gardens and lawns are pleasant for a quiet stroll. Check the city schedule for open house days and holiday events, as hours vary.
A wooded park on the bluffs above the Rock River, near the site of the Sauk village of Saukenuk, with hiking trails, wildflowers, birding and the stone Watch Tower Lodge built in the 1930s. It is one of the best nature escapes in the Quad Cities. Trails can be steep and muddy after rain.
A long-running dinner theater in a restored 1920s movie palace downtown, serving a buffet or plated meal before professional productions of Broadway musicals and comedies, plus children's shows. Waitstaff often perform a short revue. Book ahead, especially for weekend evenings and holiday shows.
A casino and hotel near Interstate 280 on the south side of Rock Island with slot machines, table games, restaurants, a sports bar and an event center. It is a popular evening option in the Quad Cities. Guests must be 21 or older on the gaming floor; check the events calendar for shows.
A private liberal arts college founded by Swedish immigrants, with a wooded hillside campus topped by the domed Old Main. Visitors can walk the grounds, visit the Augustana Teaching Museum of Art and catch concerts. The campus is especially pretty in autumn; park in visitor lots.
A botanical garden near the riverfront with a large glass Sun Garden full of tropical plants, a waterfall and a koi pond, plus outdoor gardens and a children's garden. It is a warm escape in winter and pleasant all year. Allow about an hour, and check the calendar for seasonal shows.
A riverfront park in downtown Rock Island with a great lawn, a concert stage, a splash pad, river overlooks and paths connected to the riverside trail. It hosts summer concerts and festivals with the Centennial Bridge as a backdrop. Visit at sunset for views across to Davenport.
Rock Island's downtown entertainment district, a few blocks of bars, restaurants, live music venues and the plaza that hosts outdoor events and festivals in summer. It is the liveliest place in town on weekend nights. Check local event listings for concerts, and use the nearby parking ramps.
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Photo: Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Photo: Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Farragutful, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
