Davenport: Mississippi River Trails, Nature and Culture

Davenport combines trails along the Mississippi River with wetlands, gardens, and a diverse cultural scene. As you plan your trip, you can consider whether you’d primarily like to explore the river, visit natural areas, or see exhibitions and local vendors. Destinations range from paved multi-use trails to narrow mountain bike trails, and from an urban wetland to a historic museum.

Trails by the Water

Sunderbruch Park has a 1.3-mile paved multi-use trail for walking, running, and cycling. There are also seven miles of narrow mountain bike trails in the park. The trails vary in surface, width, and intended use: the multi-use trail is a different option from the singletrack trails. Trail conditions and possible closures can change seasonally.

The 11.3-mile section of the Mississippi River Trail in Davenport runs parallel to the Mississippi River and begins at the western city limits. Several access points to the Mississippi River Trail are within the city limits. Downtown, LeClaire Park provides access to biking and walking trails along the riverfront. The trail section and access at LeClaire Park are two distinct points of reference for trails by the water. Access to trailheads may change during construction or maintenance.

Wetlands and Gardens

Nahant Marsh is one of the largest urban wetlands on the Upper Mississippi River. Its trails, boardwalk, and observation deck offer ways to experience different habitats. This makes it distinct from the trails at Sunderbruch Park: the focus here is on wetland habitats. Check the preserve’s conditions before your visit.

The gardens also offer their own highlights. Vander Veer Conservatory has a 100-year tradition of showcasing gardens under glass; its seasonal displays change annually. Hosta Glade is an official national display garden of the American Hosta Society and was established in 1998. Davenport thus offers different garden experiences side by side: plants under glass at the Conservatory and a designated outdoor display garden.

History, Play Areas, and Market

The German American Heritage Center and Museum is a National Historic Site with a large permanent exhibition and two rotating special exhibitions. The building originally served as a busy hotel for thousands of immigrants in the 1860s. Its former use as a hotel and its current exhibitions give a visit both a historical and a museum focus.

The Fejervary Learning Center has nature-inspired play areas as well as play areas themed around nursery rhymes. If these kinds of play areas are relevant to your trip planning, they offer a different focus from trails, gardens, or exhibitions.

The Freight House Farmers Market takes place year-round at the historic Freight House Market Place on the Davenport riverfront. More than 200 vendors from Iowa and Illinois are represented, including farms, nurseries, bakeries, meat and seafood vendors, cheesemakers, and specialty food producers. The offerings therefore bring together agricultural and horticultural vendors with baked goods and other foods. The market is a separate destination if you’d like local vendors to be part of your trip planning.

Discover more destinations: Walcott, Le Claire, Eldridge, Bettendorf

See the main travel overview: Scott.