The Quad Cities are an amalgamation of towns on the Mississippi
River in the states of Iowa and Illinois in the American
Midwest. The total population (2005 estimate) of the region,
about a three-hour drive west of Chicago, is 376,309. The five
largest cities are:
Moline, Illinois
East Moline, Illinois
Rock Island, Illinois
Davenport, Iowa
Bettendorf, Iowa
The slogan of this region is "A community joined by a
river". What all places have in common is their geographical
location on the edge of the so-called Rust Belt, otherwise they
differ significantly in political, social and economic terms.
The Quad Cities is one of the few areas where the same
seven-digit phone number spans two area codes (563 and 309),
allowing for local and local calls across the river. In addition
to these five Anchor Cities, a number of smaller communities are
included in the Quad Cities area. The Quad City International
Airport in Moline likes to market itself as an alternative to
the major airports, especially Chicago, for its catchment area.
Nearly 20 miles north-northeast of the metropolitan area is the
Quad Cities nuclear power plant.
Before World War II and
in the immediate post-war period, the area was known as the
Tri-Cities. The original Tri-Cities were Moline, Rock Island and
Davenport. However, in the early 1960s, the area grew when it
merged with Rock Island County. Because of the high population
growth in Bettendorf, it was discussed whether the name "Quint
Cities" should be adopted, but this was rejected. Today, the
area continues to be known as the Quad Cities.
The Quad
Cities are an example of the multiple nuclei model, a system of
merging several cities.
Although it does not have an official name, the Quad Cities could be
another "City of Bridges." Several pedestrian-accessible bridges span
the Mississippi River and offer breathtaking views of downtown. The "Sky
Bridge" in downtown Davenport also offers a bird's-eye view of the city
center, as the colors of the light-emitting diodes embedded in the
bridge structure change from moment to moment. Because of its location
in a steep valley, visitors can see all around them as they approach the
Mississippi River.
Visitors to the Quad Cities will know that
Moline is home to the world headquarters of the John Deere Company,
known for its yellow and green farm equipment. The John Deere Pavilion
is a must-see. It is a one large room that chronicles the history of
John Deere tillers and tractors. It is also a great gift store where you
can find everything you need for your next John Deere party, from
T-shirts to golf balls to paper plates!
Downtown Moline is home
to Lago Marcinos, a confectionery established in 1908 that offers
delicious homemade candies and chocolates.
East Davenport Village
is a converted residential neighborhood that is now home to a thriving
art community. Isabel Bloom Studios, which produces world-renowned
sculptures, has a storefront here, near the John Deere Pavilion in
Moline.
The Rock Island district, with its exotic bars and coffee
shops, and pedestrian malls where music and ethnic festivals are held
almost every day in the summer, also offers shopping opportunities.
Arsenal Island is a 900-acre federally owned island in the
Mississippi River. The Civil War-era Rock Island Prison (where Ashley
Wilkes was sent in the novel Gone with the Wind) is located here, and
the cemetery and national cemetery for approximately 2,000 Confederate
soldiers are on the island. Other island attractions include Colonel
Davenport's house, a massive limestone structure more than 100 years
old, and a lock-and-dam system that includes iron government bridge
supports. General admission is only available to Moline and requires
registration at the gate.
A visit to Black Hawk State Historic
Site on Rock Island takes visitors to an area that served as a Native
American village for thousands of years, especially as a stronghold for
Sauk and Mesquite.
Isle of Capri is located in downtown
Bettendorf and Rhythm City Casino is in downtown Davenport. Jumer's
Casino Rock Island is located at the intersection of Interstate 280 and
Illinois 92 in southwest Rock Island.
The Quad City also hosts
the world-class Vic's 7 Road Race and the Sturgis on the River
motorcycle rally, and TPC Deer Run, home of the PGA John Deere Classic
(held annually in July), offers golf ball opportunities.
Moline's
TaxSlayer Center (formerly the Mark of the Quad Cities and iWireless
Center) is the main venue for concerts and events, with year-round
concerts and the Quad City Mallards field hockey team. It also hosts the
Missouri Valley Conference Women's Basketball Tournament each March.
At Modern Woodmen Park (formerly John O'Donnell Stadium), visitors
can watch the Quad City River Bandits baseball team (formerly the Swing
of the Quad Cities) devour their opponents. The location is along the
Mississippi River in Davenport, near the north end of the Centennial
Bridge.
An article in the popular satirical newspaper The Onion
once asked where Moline's gay district was located. Moline's gay
district is located a few minutes away in nearby Davenport.
During the winter months, you can watch bald eagles feeding along the
Mississippi River. The most opportune locations are the locks and dams.
The Quad Cities has two unique styles of pizza: Frank's, established
in 1949, was one of the first (if not the first) pizzerias in the Quad
Cities. They serve great pizza with a crispy, chewy crust and wonderful
tomato sauce. The iconic item is the sausage, but other toppings are
available as well. The pizza is unique in style (and cut long and thin)
and is a regional treasure. In addition to Franks, other local
restaurants, such as Harris Pizza, offer a similar style of pizza.
The second unique pizza is Happy Joe's Pizza. This small chain
offers the well-known taco pizza (less traditional, but still delicious)
topped with Canadian bacon and sauerkraut. Happy Joe's also offers more
common toppings. The restaurant also doubles as an ice cream store and
is very family friendly.
Speaking of ice cream, Whitey's Ice
Cream is a premium grade, hard-pack ice cream with numerous flavors not
to be missed. Another good choice is Country Style, which offers
inexpensive soft serve ice cream made with a variety of fresh
ingredients. Both stores are located throughout the area, and any local
will be happy to direct you to the nearest one.
The Iowa Machine
Shed honors the American farmer by cooking potatoes from scratch, even
peeling them.
Tappa's Steakhouse, located west of downtown
Davenport, is a family-owned steakhouse that has been around since the
late 20th century.
For those seeking a more unique taste, The
Filling Station offers delicious American cuisine at a low price. You
should definitely pay them a visit.
The Blue Cat Brew Pub serves
very good food, from burgers to seafood. Be sure to check out the beers
brewed in the restaurant's microbrewery.
For something more
upscale, visit Woodfire Grill (formerly known as Centro) in downtown
Davenport. John Deere Commons in Moline also has an upscale restaurant,
Johnny's Steakhouse.
The Moline Center (adjacent to the John
Deere Pavilion) offers a wide variety of cuisines, from pizza to Thai
food.
A traditional spread native to the Quad Cities area is
space jam, so named because the mixture of milk and blackberries used in
its production gives it a galaxy-like hue.
As with any large city, visitors to the Quad Cities should make every effort to avoid walking alone at night, especially in Davenport and the west end of Rock Island. In the summer, deer unfortunately block the roads, and most locals know someone who has hit a deer and wrecked their car. In the winter, many areas freeze over and become impassable without warning, symbolizing the unpredictable weather in the Midwest.