Davenport and Bettendorf are Iowa's part of the Quad Cities region. Along with East Moline, Moline, and Rock Island, Illinois, they form a metropolitan area with a population of more than 400,000. The Quad Cities have a rich Native American and Mississippi River heritage.
Many of the things to see and do in Davenport and Bettendorf are on or along the Mississippi. Visitors can take a riverboat cruise or ferry boat ride or enjoy riverboat gaming at one of the area's casinos. Islands in the Mississippi River between Iowa and Illinois provide a variety of recreational and historical attractions. Credit Island offers a park, trails, and golf course. On Arsenal Island, a former military arsenal, historic homes, a replica of Fort Armstrong, military cemeteries, and the Mississippi River Visitors Center are connected by a hiking and biking trail. In Davenport visitors have wide-open views of the Mississippi from several parks. At Centennial Park the Putnam Museum of History and Natural Science showcases Mississippi River history.
Davenport offers big city attractions such as symphony and theater performances and the Figge art museum, which displays work by regional artists like Grant Wood. The River Music Experience's interactive displays explore Mississippi River music. Bettendorf is home to the Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead and the Family Museum of Arts and Science, which features hands-on science exhibits.
The Quad City area draws visitors with festivals and events, like the Quad City Air Show. Two popular musical festivals are held along the riverfront during the summer: Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival and the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival.
Davenport and Bettendorf are located 60 miles east of Iowa City and 160 miles east of Des Moines. They are accessible via Interstate Highways 74 and 80. There are many lodging options in the area.
