Suggestions for points of interest

We will be driving with 2 other couples at the end of June from St Louis to Chicago and back. We have 2 extra days (going) to drift off the main course to sightsee so our route is flexible and not direct to Chicago. We have varying interests which include nice scenery, parks, maybe I can squeeze in a short hike, historical places, museums, %26amp; we have a shopper or two. We plan to stop in Galena but other than that there are no other firm plans. I have an interest in nature so I checked out the Iowa State Parks website (Wow, you have alot of parks!) and found a few in the general area we may be traveling. These sound interesting, Geode SP, Wildcat Den SP, Bellevue SP, Pikes Peak sounds great but I think it%26#39;s too far north. If we only pick one or two parks to visit (no camping), can you help me narrow it down or make other suggestions? Scenic views, especially water, would probably be the priority because everyone would not enjoy a hike. I also read some previous posts and got several good ideas...National Mississippi River Museum, Fenelon Place Elevator, Field of Dreams (I know it%26#39;s a bit west but sounds great, is it?), and Mississippi excursion boat trip maybe from Davenport. This will be my first time in Iowa and although brief, I%26#39;m looking forward to the time we have to spend there.

Thanks very much for your assistance.

Suggestions for points of interest

Wow, you%26#39;ve done your homework! Galena is only about 20 miles from Dubuque (with the Fenelon elevator and Mississippi River museum). Dubuque is only about 30 miles from the Field of Dreams (near Dyersville) - which is definitely worth a visit if you%26#39;re a fan of the movie. Stops in all 3 places are ';doable'; in a long day.

As for the parks, I have been to several of those mentioned and I%26#39;m not sure that one is a better choice than another. Bellevue State Park has views of the Mississippi, so it may have broader appeal to your group.

There are ';river cat'; water taxis that can take you across the Mississippi from Davenport, IA to Moline, IL for a short boat ride. There are also river boat cruises and casino boats there.

Enjoy your trip!

Suggestions for points of interest

Thanks for the information, great suggestion about the water taxi. I checked the website for the channel cat that runs from Davenport to Molina. It%26#39;s cheap and some in the group may want to take the ';cat'; while others check out the area shops. Appreciate your views on Bellevue SP, if we have time I%26#39;ll try to add it to our itinerary. You have a great forum, I got most of our planning information from reading previous posts.

I know this is not in Iowa, but assuming you%26#39;re planning on taking Hwy 20 to I-90 to get to Chicago, it would be worthwhile to take a detour to Mississippi Palisades State Park. The park is on Hwy 84 just north of Savanna, IL. It%26#39;s a very scenic drive and the park itself is beautiful, with lots of trails and panoramic views of the Mississippi.

Also, just before where Hwy 20 and Hwy 84 intersect is a scenic observation tower that will give you a gorgeous view of the countryside. Worth the climb!

Thanks MsA....Mississippi Palisades and the observation tower sound like great places. I%26#39;ll check them out and add them to our list. It%26#39;s nice to get responses like yours and the one above, because otherwise, I would never know about some of these places.

Here%26#39;s a link to Mississippi Palisades State Park: …state.il.us/LANDS/…Palisade.htm

Thanks for all the great information you both have given me. I shared it with my fellow travelers and here%26#39;s the plan so far.......

St Louis to Davenport area, channel cat ride(s), shopping, sightseeing

???Should we stay overnight in Davenport, Moline or other???

Davenport area to Mississippi Palisades SP and possibly the observation tower (I found the tower website, looks cool, don%26#39;t know if others will share my opinion), continue to Galena and spend two nights.

From Galena, visit Dubuque for Mississippi River Museum amd Incline Railway, then over to Dyersville to the Field of Dreams.

Leave Galena for Chicago area.

Let me know if you have opinions about which town in the QC to spend the night (and why) and if you happen to have a specific motel suggestion, if not there are ample reviews in the hotel section.

Thanks again for your advice.

Hello, goneagain2! Your trip is really taking shape and looks like fun!

It has been years since I%26#39;ve stayed overnight in the Quad Cities, so the TripAdvisor ratings will provide better advice than I can on specific hotels. I believe there are some hotels in the 53rd St./Utica Ridge Rd. area of Davenport and Bettendorf that would be my recommended area. If you want to stay someplace novel, the Isle of Capri riverboat on the Mississippi is both a casino and a hotel.

Perhaps others out there have more current knowledge of the Quad Cities hotel scene and can provide some suggestions?

Take care!

prairiedog (former beachdog?)...thanks for the Isle of Capri suggestion. Several people in the group like casinos, so that might be a good option, plus I like the river location. I read reviews on TA as well as other sites; reviews seem to be quite varied but the group will likely go for it. I%26#39;ll post a review if we stay there. Thanks again.

boneagain2,

Please do send a trip report and/or reviews once you return home and are settled back into your routine. We%26#39;ll appreciate your feedback.

Great idea! I%26#39;ll switch to Beachdog if I ever leave the prairie for the dunes again. :)

Cheers!

prairiedog,

I was gargling my mouthwash while checking the forum and saw your post....I spit the Listerine all over my keyboard and couldn%26#39;t stop laughing. Check your typing miscue. I%26#39;ll be blow drying the desk all day, but smiling...thanks for the laugh!