Here we are – already getting to the end of vacation season. Many fellow library workers and customers are talking about all the fun trips they have planned before school starts (the New Windsor rodeo, Tabor Home Vineyards & Winery, the windmill in Fulton, Illinois, the Iowa State Fair) or the fun things they’ve done on their days off. If you’re one of them, we’d like to hear from you; the best ideas will win a prize. The following rules apply:
The destination must be within a 1-day drive (round-trip) of the Quad-Cities.
Ok, there’s only the one rule.
Submit a comment to this post by August 21st , and you may be a winner! The Putnam Museum and IMAX Theatre have generously donated 2 tickets to Kilimanjaro: To the Roof of Africa (showing through October). A perfect choice for all you travelers, armchair and otherwise. The winner will be announced August 25 – good luck!
Someone has to be first, so it might as well be me! I’m a native of Dubuque County, so while I was thrilled to get away when I was ready for college, Northeastern Iowa area has a lot to offer and makes for a perfect staycation. I’d recommend taking Highways 67/30/52 up for the trip. Sure, it’s slower than speeding up 61, but this is a contemplative journey. Stop in LeClaire or Bellevue for a morning pastry and enjoy the Mighty Mississippi. When you get to Dubuque, make sure you take time to visit the Fenelon Place Elevator http://www.dbq.com/fenplco/index.html better known to the locals as the 4th Street Elevator. The view is breathtaking. The National Mississippi River Museum http://www.mississippirivermuseum.com/ is also a must. If you have kids, you might just want to spend the whole day at Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark http://www.grandharborresort.com/ They will love you for it! That’s not my thing, so let me take you west down Highway 20 to lovely Dyersville. There you can visit St. Francis Xavier Basilica http://www.xavierbasilica.com/ Even if you aren’t Roman Catholic, the building is quite impressive. After that, please don’t miss a trip to the Field of Dreams http://www.fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com/ ! Kevin Costner put Iowa on the map with this fabulous movie, so take some time to throw a few balls and run the bases. It’s probably past lunch by now, and while it may be a little out of the way, I would recommend Breitbach’s Country Dining in Balltown. You may have read about this popular restaraunt since in the past two years the place burned to the ground twice and was rebuilt with community help each time. It was featured on the FoodNetwork, and Bill Wundram loves it too! I’m all about having a leisurely trip, so I would start back home now since it’s well into the afternoon. Take Highway 52 back down the river and visit the Trappistines at Our Lady of the Mississippi River http://www.mississippiabbey.org/ You might want to stay for Vespers (chanting of the evening prayer) if you hit the time right, but DON’T miss out on buying some of their caramels. THE BEST!! A stop at for river viewing in Bellevue might be a possibility if you have bypassed some of the other sites. If like me you are a real foodie and NEED another meal, please take the time to visit The Faithful Pilot Café http://www.faithfulpilotcafe.com/ in LeClaire on the way home. They make amazing meals with local produce.
Okay, it’s not New York City, or even Chicago, but you just gotta love the wonderful offerings of Eastern Iowa. Enjoy!