Bettendorf, Iowa, is among the five cities that form the Quad Cities metro area, along with Davenport, Rock Island, Moline, and East Moline. Around 400,000 people live in the area, most in villages in the peripheral areas. Some of the more popular spots in Bettendorf include the convention center, McManus Park, and Rock Island across the Mississippi River. If you’re feeling hungry or craving for some good eats, you can also try out all the great food spots and bars around town. However, it is worth noting that although there are transport options like buses and cabs, you’ll want to rent your own car here. There are plenty of fun things to do in this charming city and if you want to visit, you wouldn’t want to miss any of these! Read on to learn more about our picks for the best things to do in Bettendorf, Iowa.
1. Have a picnic at McManus Park
McManus Park is located right in the middle of town, just off the US-6 Highway. It is a spacious park - about a hectare big - and is a popular recreation spot for the residents of the nearby village. Your kids are sure to love playing on the slides, swings, and see-saws present there. You can also shoot at some hoops on the basketball court nearby, if you feel like being an all-star. Picnics are also a fun, family-friendly activity you can enjoy in the open grounds. You can also just chill by the benches too, if you want to just take a rest and reflect on your day.
McManus Park
Address: 1200 Mississippi Blvd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Bettendorf IA - Parks & Facilities
Opening hours: 12am - 10:30pm (daily)
Price: Free
2. Appreciate art at Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy
Posted by Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy on Saturday, 12 October 2019
The Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy is a dual-purpose art venue that is open to artists and art lovers of all levels. The venue itself is more reminiscent of a warm, intimate home gallery and workshop, rather than a huge, exclusive museum. The galleries are home to a good selection of modern artworks, as well as some new media by talented local artists. You can also learn the basics and the skills of art in any of their classes, from art history to how to use some of the media in art. You’re sure to have a new appreciation for art.
Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy
Address: 2967 State St, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Beréskin Gallery & Art Academy
Opening hours: Tue - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 9am - 4pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
Price: Up to 150 USD (for art classes)
3. Let the kids play at Middle Park
The Middle Park is aptly named after the road by the same name that passes by it. It covers a few acres just north of the downtown area, and it is highlighted by a small lake in the middle, the City Pool. The Duck Creek trail cuts through the park, providing a good path for joggers and cyclists. Children’s play areas and sports facilities are also present, including a baseball pitch. The golf course in the next corner is for those who’d like to take some tees instead. Overall, the park is a great way to relax and catch a breath of fresh air.
Middle Park
Address: 2407 Middle Rd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Bettendorf IA - Parks & Facilities
Opening hours: 8am - 10:30pm (daily)
Price: Free
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4. Admire the cool exhibits at Family Museum of Arts and Science
If you want a unique kind of educational experience, you’re sure to have a blast at the Family Museum. With over 44,000 square feet (4.09 sq m) of exhibition space, there is plenty to see here, from displays like George’s Farm to the Thinkshop, where kids can create anything they want. The outdoor playground has traditional rides like swings and slides kids can enjoy. You can also rent out some of the exhibit space if you want to hold your own party or other events. Classes and summer camps are also available for the younger ones, to complete their learning journey here at the Family Museum.
Family Museum of Arts and Science
Address: 2900 Learning Campus Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Family Museum
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 9am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm
Price: 9 USD regular
5. Bring your furry friend to Crow Creek Dog Park
If you have your canine friend with you, Crow Creek Dog Park is the perfect place to walk her. Covering about 4 acres (1.6 ha) in the northern part of the city, the park boasts plenty of open grass for dogs to run around freely. A bike path surrounds the park, providing you with a place to trek or jog around. You can bat some baseballs at any of the nearby diamonds too, or play some hockey at the rink. The children’s playground is also a good place for the kids to play. You won’t find a more complete park experience than at Crow Creek.
Crow Creek Dog Park
Address: 4800 Devils Glen Rd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Crow Creek Dog Park
Opening hours: 6am - 8pm (daily)
Price: Free
6. Take a stroll in Devils Glen Park
A stroll in this park is a perfect way to spend your afternoon in Bettendorf, with its verdant trees providing shade and some refuge from the sun and the rain. The park is frequented by the locals, who go there during the weekends to jog or just chill out. There are trails that cut through the park, and a creek runs alongside it, giving it added character. An archery range and baseball diamond are available if you want to engage in a more varied activity. There are shops and diners just outside the park, as an added bonus to your trip here.
Devils Glen Park
Address: 1101 Devils Glen Rd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Bettendorf IA - Parks & Facilities
Opening hours: 6am - 10:30pm (daily)
Price: Free
7. Catch a live performance at Veterans Memorial Park
Veterans Memorial Park is a popular event venue, thanks to its large open spaces and theater space. Movies and concerts are held here regularly. The Bill Bowe Bandshell Stage is an iconic fixture here, with its clamshell inspired appearance. The memorial itself is a group of stones engraved with the names of soldiers who fought in previous wars, with the US flag flying permanently over. The playground has slides and soft mats, which provide plenty of safe play space for the kids. A baseball and volleyball area are available if you are more inclined to play sports. The park is overall a nice and lively event venue for the locals and tourists in town.
Veterans Memorial Park
Address: 1645 23rd Street, Bettendorf, Iowa
Website: Veterans Memorial Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
8. Go bowling at High 5 Lanes & Games
Get your game on at the High 5 Lanes & Games! The main bowling alley has 16 lanes so that you’ll always have a lane for a game or two. The Up Top lounge, an adults-only bar, contains another 16 lanes for non-stop games well into the night. The laser-tag arena is the other main attraction of the area, where a pirate-themed arena has towers, ramps, and bridges for complex terrain and intense close-quarters action. Other fun games here include challenging themed escape rooms and an arcade room where some classics are present. You can rent out the place for your birthdays and parties too, if you want to hold tournaments among your friends and family for non-stop fun.
High 5 Lanes & Games
Address: 4850 Competition Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722
Website: High 5 Lanes & Games
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 2pm - 10pm; Fri: 2pm - 12am; Sat: 10am - 12am; Sun: 10am - 10pm
Price: Up to 30 USD/hour
9. Try your luck at Isle Casino Hotel
The Isle Casino Hotel is one of the biggest entertainment hotels in the Quad Cities area. The hotel’s rooms are some of the best you’ll find in Bettendorf, and are sure to be a cozy abode for you and your loved ones. The beds are large, textiles are top quality, and the room layouts are very well thought out and modern. A fitness room, pool, and restaurant are some of the finer amenities of the hotel. The bright and elaborate casino is the best part of the hotel. Here, you can play some slots, bingo, or a good round of poker. Just remember to play responsibly during your stay here!
Isle Casino Bettendorf
Address: 1777 Isle Pkwy, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Isle Casino Bettendorf
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
10. Have a fun family time at Ed Scheck Park
Located in the heart of a quiet village, Ed Scheck Park greets you with plenty of open and green spaces to run or jog around. It is a popular playground for kids after a school day, with amenities like a slide, swings, and seesaws for them to have plenty of fun and interactions. A baseball field is also present, the perfect place for you to practice your pitches, with fellow amateurs and little leagues. There are a picnic area and a roofed structure for your barbecues and celebrations. The park is located right beside the health center, so it is very easy to find.
Ed Scheck Park
Address: 4792 Mayfield Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Ed Scheck Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
11. Relax in Forest Grove Park
Forest Grove Park is one of the more scenic places in Bettendorf, with great scenery during the fall and winter months. Located on the north side of Bettendorf, the park is a recreational place for the residents of the nearby villages. A picnic area is present if you want to have a barbecue. Sports is also encouraged here: there is a basketball court and lots of open space for baseball and football. Jogging lanes are also plenty, so you can clock in the miles without too much of a problem. Lastly, the benches are a good place to unwind after a long day going around town.
Forest Grove Park
Address: 5730-5754 Forest Grove Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Forest Grove Park
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
Price: Free
12. Learn scuba diving with Scuba Adventures QCA, Inc.
Income Tax refund offer! For the Want to be a Diver, The O.W. Course is $375.00, for your Dive Buddy would be $187.50,...
Posted by SCUBA Adventures QCA Inc on Friday, 20 April 2018
Have you always wanted to learn to go Scuba diving? You can dive headfirst into it with Scuba Adventure QCA! Scuba Adventure QCA is one of the top diving schools in the region. Three tiers of diving lessons are offered here: Mid-Range, Elite, and Superior. Each tier is suited to your budget and skill level, so that you don’t feel left behind in the lessons. There are also special classes hosted, like underwater photography and using special equipment. They also sell diving and swimming equipment in their store, so you can get some gear for your future dives.
Scuba Adventure QCA
Address: 1104 State St, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA
Website: Scuba Adventure QCA
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sun)
Price: 1625 USD for complete package
13. Sample different beers at Crawford Brew Works, LLC
It’s always an honor to see our tap handles out in the world. This was at the new Steel Plow in Davenport. A beautiful, cool place that has great taste in beer.
Posted by Crawford Brew Works on Wednesday, 20 November 2019
Crawford brew works is a popular brewery in the heart of Bettendorf. The rustic furniture and stone floors give off a calm atmosphere where you can relax after a long day. Brewing equipment and inventory shelves remind you that a healthy selection of beers is available for you to taste. Fruit-based ales and lagers are just some of the beers you can try here. You can mix and match drinks if you are more adventurous. There are also pizzas served if you want something to munch on. Lastly, you can book the mezzanine for your own event, while enjoying great panoramic views of the town.
Crawford Brew Works
Address: 3659 Devils Glen Rd. Bettendorf, IA 52722
Website: Crawford Brew Works
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 3pm - 11pm; Fri: 3pm - 12am; Sat: 12pm - 12am; Sun: 12pm - 9pm
14. Shop at the old Duck Creek Plaza
The Duck Creek Plaza used to be a popular strip mall that was opened in 1960 as an open-air space. The place has seen its heyday in the early 1990s, enjoying a large visiting crowd. But towards the turn of the century, many factors have led to the mall’s decline. The original structure was demolished in 2004, and the land is now occupied by a myriad of stores. Some of these stores were tenants of the old plaza, including a pharmacy, home store, and a large department store. If you want to buy some gifts and things to bring home, this is your kind of place.
Duck Creek Plaza
Address: 858 Middle Rd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Opening hours: 6am - 12am (daily)
15. Try the beef burgers at Central Standard
Eat all the burgers you want at Central Standard, a modern restaurant aimed at serving only the best hamburgers in town. Modern furniture and lighting fixtures help give a very urban and chic vibe that younger adults can enjoy. The burgers themselves come in different flavors like veggie, turkey, chicken, and the popular whiskey bleu, a burger with bleu cheese and whiskey. Sides like cheese curds, pretzels, and onion rings add plenty of different flavors, and the chicken wings are a great snack for sports days. Tacos and salads round out the menu and provide a nice contrast to the meaty burgers. You can also choose from their different drinks like shakes and beers, to finish a great dining experience.
Central Standard
Address: 2239 Falcon Ave, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States
Website: Central Standard
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 10pm
A charming city along the Mississippi River
Bettendorf boasts the classic charm of the American rural city, where low buildings and quiet villages dominate the open spaces. Restaurants, sports, and parks are some of the highlights here, and all of them are worth a visit. If you want to take a step back from the stresses of the city without giving up all the comforts, Bettendorf, Iowa, is your next destination.
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