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
76 June 2012
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ONLINE EXCLUSIVE: Read about the cozy Mississippi River town of LeClaire, Iowa. Log on to http://leisuregrouptravel.com?p=24584.
Cardinals, play at Modern Woodmen Stadium on the riverfront in downtown Davenport. Other good bets: Rhythm City
Alphonse Mucha:
Casino in Davenport and Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf. (visitquadcities.com)
Inspirations of Art Nouveau
Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s second largest city, lies on both banks of the Cedar River. Since the devastating flood of 2008,
July 14 – December 31, 2012
the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library has been relocated and elevated, with a grand opening set for July 14. amphitheater and a permanent display area doubled in size. Brucemore is a 26-acre estate boasting a 21-room mansion and several gardens. Take a guided tour, stroll through the gardens or plan to attend an outdoor theater show. (cedar-
Five stunning exhibitions on campus European treasures in museum store Heritage programs,
rapids.com) The Upper Iowa River flows through Decorah, home to the largest and oldest museum dedicated to a single immigrant population—Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum. The museum tells the story of Norwegian immigrants in America
tours, folk craft classes
through artwork, replicas of homes and historical artifacts. The Porter House Museum was the home of artist Bert Porter and
319.362.8500 • www.NCSML.org 1400 Inspiration Place SW Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
CITIES
Quad Cities CVB
Rhythm City Casino is one of many attractions that draws visitors to the Mississippi riverfront in Davenport.
LeisureGroupTravel.com
© Mucha Trust 2012
Features 230 piece exhibition with paintings, jewelry, sculptures and lithographs direct from Prague & London
The new 50,000-square-foot museum will feature an outdoor
on location: midwest ❖ features a mineral-studded rock wall out-
historic houses. Another group favorite is
side and an exotic butterfly collection, In-
the John Deere Tractor Assembly. (wa-
dian relics and art treasures inside. For
terloocvb.org, cedarfallstourism.org)
accommodations, consider the Hotel
To experience a hip downtown area
Winneshiek. Having just undergone a
with shops galore, head to Des Moines,
$14-million renovation, the former opera
named for its location near the Des
house offers a luxury day spa. (decora-
Moines River. Two of the most popular
harea.com)
landmarks in Iowa’s largest city are the
Waterloo and Cedar Falls are ad-
State Capitol and State Historical Mu-
joining cities on the Cedar River. Enjoy
seum. Downtown’s recent addition, Pap-
gaming at the Isle Casino in Waterloo
pajohn Sculpture Park, was created in
and dine in style at downtown’s Galleria
2009 as an outdoor art museum and has
De Paco to observe a true masterpiece.
works valued at $40 million.
The restaurant features a Sistine Chapel
The Iowa Cubs, Triple-A affiliate of
ceiling replica created by artist Paco
the Chicago Cubs, play at riverside
Rosic using 5,200 cans of Krylon spray
Principal Park. The Iowa Hall of Pride in
paint. The Grout Museum District in-
the Iowa Events Center features famous
cludes five distinct museums: Grout Mu-
Iowans such as Olympic gymnast Shawn
seum of History & Science, Sullivan
Johnson and inventor George Wash-
Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum, Bluedorn Science Imaginarium and two
78 June 2012
Obtain Iowa visitor guides and itineraries and contact groupfriendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info
LeisureGroupTravel.com
72 (;3/25( ,1 0,11(627$
ington Carver in interactive exhibits. Groups also love Historic Valley Junction, six blocks of fashion boutiques, specialty shops, antique stores, art galleries and funky eateries in West Des Moines. In August do not
9,6,7 ::: 75$9(/75$'( (;3/25(0,11(627$ &20
Ask About Great Group Specials!
Opens October 5!
miss the Iowa State Fair, which attracts over a million visitors with food, carnival rides and the world’s largest livestock show. (seedesmoines.com)
Opens June 1!
Council Bluffs, located on the east bank of the Missouri River, is where the Mormon Trail began. The city also has a deep-rooted history in the railroad industry, which is highlighted at three museums: Union Pacific Museum, Grenville Dodge Home and RailsWest
Featuring the music of ELO and Olivia Newton-John
Railroad Museum. A quirky, somewhat spooky attraction worth visiting is the Pottawattamie County “Squirrel Cage” Jail. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, it is three stories of pie-shaped cells on a rotary
Midwest Premiere!
HILARIOUS!
turntable, making it the only one of its kind. Take a guided tour to hear tales of the jail’s past. Depending on the season, stop by Ditmars Orchard to pick your own apples, cherries, peaches, strawberries or pumpkins. (councilbluffsiowa.com) Sioux City, also on the Missouri River, is a popular destination because of Lewis and Clark’s unexpected stop there during their expedition. Visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center to see larger-than-life statues and enjoy interactive displays and exhibits. On display at the Southern Hills Mall are 38 mural scenes of the trail. In more recent times, Sioux City is known for the United Airlines crash that occurred in 1989. The Flight 232 Memorial commemorates the tragic event and heroic actions of rescuers. The Loess Hills stretch from north of Sioux City to south of the Missouri state line and are considered a geological wonder. The hills formed from deposits of silt, found only in Iowa and northern China, and display marvelous ridges and valleys. The Dorothy Pecaut Nature Center focuses on Loess Hills’ unique geology. Stop by Argosy Casino for weekly shows and slots galore. (visitsiouxcity.org) All across the state, Iowa’s river cities are bursting with crowd-pleasers that will fit into any group itinerary. LGT LeisureGroupTravel.com
Tony Award winning musical classic!
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Come Later Be Casual Laugh Like Crazy Thu—Sat nights! $20 & $25
800-355-6273
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