Davenport on the Mississippi

Davenport is located in eastern Iowa on the Mississippi River.

Putnam Museum and Science Center is a museum that educates visitors about history and natural sciences. The collection has 160,000 pieces. There is also a theater featuring movies about history and natural sciences. Among the permanent exhibits are an aquarium full of fish and depictions of natural habitats such as forests and caves. The Hall of Mammals has photos and interactive displays.

The historic district in Davenport is known as The Village or The Village of East Davenport. It stretches along the Mississippi River to the southeast of the city. It is a main shopping and entertainment area. Lots of the buildings here date back to the Civil War era.

In the Village of East Davenport, you can find the lovely Lindsay Park. From the park, you can get fantastic views of the Mississippi River which stretches along the south side of the park.

Along a section called Riverfront Parkway, you can see architectural sculptures. This is the place that annually hosts the Riverssance Festival of Fine Art.

The Davenport Skybridge is a well-known bridge in the city that crosses over River Drive. The bridge was built in 2005 and offers spectacular views of the city. It is 50 feet tall and 575 feet long, The bridge overlooks the Mississippi and at the end, you’ll find an observation deck. The inside of the structure has kaleidoscope lightning with more than 8,000 lights. The lights are lit all evening long in different patterns and colors and they reflect seasonal holidays like Christmas.

The Figge Art Museum opened in 1928 and has more than 4,000 pieces of art that date from the 16th century to the present. There are collections of Colonial Mexican, Midwestern, and Haitian art on display. On display are also pieces of memorabilia art from artists like Grant Wood. You’ll also find artwork from American artists like Winslow Homer and Andy Warhol and European and East Asia art.

The German American Heritage Center is where you can learn about the history of the German-American community in Davenport. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places. Many interesting exhibits include interactive displays. There are also multimedia sections and various permanent exhibits.

Lock and Dam Number 15 is a lock and dam between Rock Island and Davenport and is part of the Upper Mississippi River, It is the longest roller dam in the world with a unique style and design. It is an interesting place to visit and you can walk on the surrounding nature trails. A popular activity here is bird watching and it is a great place to see the local plant and wildlife.

The Adler Theater is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was originally built in 1909 and restored in 1986. Although freshened up, the theater has still kept a wide range of its period features including the original glasswork and chandeliers and seating. Nowadays visitors can come here to see a range of vibrant shows that include musical performances, Broadway shows, standup comedy nights, and theatrical productions.

Credit Island is known for being an island on the Mississippi River to the southwest of Davenport. Originally the island was a former Native American trading ground from which it took its name, and it is now on the Register of Historic Properties in the Davenport area. Credit Island spans 420 acres and is now dedicated to a community park that features its own golf course as well as rugby, soccer, and softball facilities. Other popular attractions on Credit Island include fishing or picnicking and there are bicycle trails that run all over the area if you want to take in the local scenery by bike.

Eagle watching is also possible on Credit Island so bird watchers should bring some binoculars.

The Palmer Mansion or the Palmer Family Residence as it is also known, is the former home of B.J and Mabel Palmer who lived in the property from 1912 until 1961. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, the house now showcases the Palmer period possessions and is full of antique memorabilia as well as unique design elements. The mansion is open for tours and run by enthusiastic volunteers who will take you through the home and explain its historical and cultural significance in the area. Many of the pieces on show are exactly as the Palmers left them and these include period games such as a chess set, a pipe organ, and items picked up by the family on their travels around the world.

Duck Creek Parkway spans an impressive 13.5 miles and runs through several parks in Davenport before culminating at Duck Creek. Dating back to the 1930s, the parkway has a bike path that was built in the 1970s so that visitors can cycle the length of the trail if they prefer not to walk. The parkway also passes by other areas of note such as the Emeis Park and Golf Course if visitors fancy stopping by for a game.

Vander Veer Botanical Park is located in the Vander Veer Park Historic District of Davenport. Known for being one of the first of its kind in the area, the park is now listed on the Davenport Register of Historic Properties and dates back to 1885. For visitors who want to explore the local flora and fauna of Davenport in a historic setting, this is definitely the place to come, areas of interest in the park include a music pavilion, a stunning conservatory, and picturesque fountains that predate the Second World War.