on location: midwest ❖ coley nelson
A
lthough it is situated smack dab in America’s heart-
Graves to get home for lunch and a nap each day. (travel-
land, travelers should not forget that Iowa is over-
dubuque.com)
flowing with waterfront cities. Located around the
Davenport and Bettendorf make up Iowa’s portion of the
mighty Mississippi and other streams, Iowa’s river cities have
Quad Cities. Figge Art Museum is a large glass structure over-
plenty to offer group travelers, from casinos and museums to
looking the Mississippi River in Davenport. The Putnam Mu-
souvenir shopping and apple picking.
seum of History and Natural Science, also in Davenport,
Dubuque, the oldest city in Iowa, is home to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, made up of several
provides exhibits about the river’s ecosystem and area history, offering an IMAX theater as well.
facilities including Old Jail Museum, Woodward Wetland and
For some soulful sounds, The River Music Experience is a
the Pfohl Boatyard. Groups will enjoy a river cruise on the Spirit
non-profit performing arts center that allows visitors to learn
of Dubuque paddle wheeler and Miss Dubuque, a sleek
about Mississippi River-inspired musicians who influenced
motor yacht. And there are plenty of gaming opportunities in
blues and jazz. Relax in the Redstone Room and hear local
Dubuque. Diamond Jo Casino has conference rooms for group
musicians perform, and have a cup of coffee at RME Café.
meetings during the day and over 975 slot machines for
For a relaxing time on the water, consider a cruise on
evening entertainment. Mystique Casino is a French-inspired
the 800-passenger Celebration Belle, the largest non-gam-
establishment offering big jackpot slots, poker tables, a grey-
ing riverboat on the Upper Mississippi. This Quad Cities
hound race track and three fine dining restaurants.
favorite offers sightseeing, lunch and dinner/dance sailings.
For the best view in town, take a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator. Billed as “the world’s steepest, shortest railway,” it was originally built as a way for businessman J.K.
Also available are day-long cruises between the Quad Cities and Dubuque. Quad Cities River Bandits, a farm team of the St. Louis
IOWA RIVER From the Mississippi to the Missouri, thriving towns abound with group-friendly attractions
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