Davenport Travel Guide

Davenport, Iowa is a picturesque town on the border between Illinois and Iowa. The Mississippi River and the town's interesting history see visitors return to Davenport year after year. Many events and festivals take place here all year round, such as the Mississippi Valley Fair and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival. Davenport was founded around 1800 and due to its turbulent past, museums, and landmarks, is a hit with history buffs. Plus, for outdoor enthusiasts, there are also over 50 different park, 26 picnic areas, and over 20 miles of trails to explore in Davenport. For visitors who love nature but want to be close to a city, Davenport is the perfect getaway location.

Things to Do in Davenport

There are plenty of great things to do in Davenport, and with such a wide selection of museums and parks, it's no wonder Davenport is a favorite with families.

Visit the Figge Art Museum -- a very modern building with amazing art pieces on display. Equally, the Putnam Museum and Science Center is a fun place for adults and children to learn about cool experiments and facts. The Family Museum of Art and Sciences is another designated museum for families and makes for a great day out. To delve into the history and heritage of Davenport, check out the Bix Beiderbecke Museum and Archives, a place dedicated to music and its impact within the town. Elsewhere, the Colonel Davenport House was built in mid 1830s and is the oldest-standing building in Davenport.

Vander Veer Botanical Park is an amazing park where visitors can see postcard-worthy plants and butterflies -- just remember to have your camera fully charged on arrival! Centennial Park and Sunderbruch Park Trails are also popular for hiking and biking, boasting stunning views -- especially in fall when the paths are littered with red, orange, and yellow leaves.

If you're traveling around the festive period make sure to visit the downtown area for impressive decorations and street performances. The Festival of Trees is a particularly cool event for children, where they can meet Santa, bake gingerbread cookies, and listen to stories.

Best Places to Stay in Davenport

The best area to stay in Davenport is the Village area in the downtown section -- home to historical buildings, cute cafes, and restaurants all just around the corner from vacation rentals. The Vander Veer historical district is also great if you want to be close to the museums and the botanical garden, but if you want to have easier access to trails and parks, choose the area close to the river bank. Davenport has plenty of amazing vacation rentals suitable for large groups and families.

Best Time to Visit Davenport

The best time to visit Davenport is from July to August when the weather is warm and great for outdoor activities. The average temperature from May to September is 80 degrees but it's also very humid. From October to March the temperature sits around 35 degrees and has freezing wind.