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Explore Moline, Illinois

Moline, Illinois, has strong ties to John Deere and serves as the global headquarters for Deere & Company. John Deere moved his operations to Moline in 1848 to take advantage of the Mississippi River's waterpower and transportation.  John Deere even served as mayor for two years. With this strong connection, Moline is home to the John Deere Pavilion and Butterworth & Deere-Wiman historic mansions. You can even visit Deere & Company's headquarters grounds.

Downtown Moline is easily walkable with the John Deere Pavilion, hotels, restaurants, microbreweries, shops, nightspots, and the Vibrant Arena at The MARK (the QC’s 12,000-seat arena) that draws top national touring concerts, sporting events, Disney on Ice, Monster Truck shows, and serves as the home for the Quad City Storm professional hockey team and the Quad City Steamwheelers arena football team. The Vibrant Arena is also home to the Missouri Valley Women’s Basketball Tournament, annually played in March. The Plaza at Bass Street Landing is the perfect place to enjoy outdoor concerts performed throughout the summer. The downtown serves as the entry point to the Rock Island Arsenal.

With its riverfront access, the Channel Cat Water Taxi makes stops in Moline seasonally. You can board the Celebration Belle riverboat for lunch, dinner, or a sightseeing cruise in the spring through the fall.  Follow the paved Great River Trail along the riverfront—great for walking or biking. Moline’s Ben Butterworth Parkway section of the trail is a local favorite. 

Bring your lawn chair or blanket to Stephens Square Park to enjoy live music and dancing during the free summer concert series.  Riverside Park is home to the Riverside Family Aquatic Center. Greenvalley Sports Complex, with its acres of baseball and softball diamonds, soccer fields, and cricket field, provides a hub of activity for youth and adult sports tournaments.

Notable festivals and events include the TBK Bank Quad Cities Marathon, Bass Street Summer Concert Series, Mercado on Fifth and it's end-of-season Dia de los Muertos Parade, and Lighting of the John Deere Commons in November, which officially kicks off the holidays in the Quad Cities.

Be sure to make a stop at Lagomarcino’s. This business has been serving old-fashioned soda fountain drinks, famous hot fudge sundaes, and homemade candy for over 100 years. The Syndicate, located within the Axis Hotel, offers a sophisticated cocktail menu and is a great location for a breakfast meeting. You’ll need to check out the Faye Dunaway painting in the lobby. The QC has deep German roots so have a little schnitzel at the Bier Stube – they also have an amazing imported beer selection and patio if you want to hang outside. For craft beer enthusiasts, we recommend a stop at Bent River Brewing Co. for an Uncommon Stout.

SOME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

  • John Deere Pavilion & Store
  • Vibrant Arena at The MARK
  • Western Illinois University – Quad Cities
  • Black Hawk College
  • Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman Homes
  • Celebration Belle
  • Channel Cat Water Taxi
  • Black Box Theatre and Spotlight Theatre

NEIGHBORHOODS TO EXPLORE

Floreciente – This mostly Hispanic neighborhood of first, second, and third-generation families has undergone revitalization to show off its cultural roots. Mercado on Fifth livens up Friday nights from May through September with an outdoor market of multicultural vendors, food, and entertainment. The Mercado on Fifth building provides a beautiful gathering place.

Overlook – On the hilltop overlooking downtown Moline, this neighborhood has beautiful historic homes built in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including the Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House.  It’s located near Old Towne where you can find nods to Moline’s Belgian heritage with the Center for Belgian Culture and Stephens Park with rolle bolle courts.

City of Moline – Website

Downtown Moline – Website