26 Best & Fun Things to Do in Bettendorf, Iowa

In Iowa, Bettendorf is one of the largest cities.

Scott County includes Bettendorf, among the four cities located in southeast Iowa.

Gilbert, the original name of the town, was adopted in 1895, and William and Joseph Bettendorf, the city’s founding brothers, were honored with the adoption of the 1903’s official name.

There aren’t many tourist attractions in this city, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any interesting locations to visit.

This city offers a variety of options for leisure activities and dining, so there’s something for everyone.

Things to Do in Bettendorf, Iowa

1. Family Museum

The Bettendorf Family Gallery is a haven of interactive exhibits that mix learning and enjoyment for kids ages eight and under.

Kids can simulate being a veterinarian, firefighter, mail courier, or assisting on the farm by harvesting veggies and giving animals food.

A play section designed for younger children replicates a household setting and includes a garden & virtual pond, as well as an incredible water play set that is a scale representation of a segment of the Mississippi.

A maker space and a painting room are available to encourage children’s creativity, and most of the exhibitions subtly reference the Quad Cities.

Address: 2900 Learning Campus Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States

2. Channel Cat Water Taxi

There are four landings pertaining to Channel Cat’s Water Taxi within the Quad Cities, one of which is the wharf in front of the Isle Casino.

This service, which typically starts over Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day, offers a distinctive opportunity to see the great Mississippi River as well as Quad Cities.

These outdoor boats run every day of the week between the Village of East Davenport and Moline’s Riverbend, and John Deere Commons. To access timetables and announcements, download the appropriate app, and bicycles are accepted on board.

Address: Isle Pkwy, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States

3. Visit The Mad Potter and try pottery painting, PYOP

To learn more about neighborhood activities, visit PYOP, The Mad Potter.

Try your hand at painting on glass or ceramics at this workshop, which is located on Spruce Hills Boulevard.

Sculptures and signage are among the items in the studio that you could paint.

You can also reserve a party to participate in a painting activity with pals.

You may have a good time painting by going to PYOP, The Mad Potter.

Address: 2326 Spruce Hills Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States

4. Riverfront Trail

Public access to the riverfront on the Mississippi’s Iowa side is provided through 14.2 miles of a trail from Davenport’s Credit Island to Riverdale, just to Bettendorf’s east.

The Riverfront Path takes you past adorable waterfront parks, charming historic neighborhoods, and major Attractions in Davenport, including the Modern Woodmen Park, the Figge Art Museum, the Freight House Farmers’ Market, and the Adler Theatre while providing you with energizing vistas of the entire way.

You can continue your journey on the Illinois Great River Path’s 60-mile length by crossing the new I-74 Bridge in Bettendorf, where the trail intersects with the Duck Creek Parkway Trail, which we’ll discuss next.

5. Play Golf at Palmer Hills Golf Course

The Palmer Hills Golf Course has been in operation since 1974 and is more than 6500 yards long.

Golfers can test themselves on the 18-hole course on Middle Highway.

The course has four different surface types so that you may have a lot of fun regardless of your skill level.

You could find a service patio open to use on the course if you search for it.

For lunch and dinner, a restaurant space is also offered.

In addition to golf, the Palmer Hills Golf Course offers an area for cross-country skiing.

The Palmer Hills Golf Course’s a great choice in Bettendorf, Iowa, if you’re seeking enjoyable things to do.

Address: 2999 Middle Rd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States

6. Duck Creek Parkway Trail

Before merging with the Mississippi River in Bettendorf near Devils Glen Park, Duck Creek winds its way through the cities of Davenport and Bettendorf.

Numerous parks flank the creek, and the 12.2-mile Duck Creek Parkway’s Trail allows you to travel across this tranquil, verdant area.

This multipurpose walk is paved and primarily utilized for recreation, though it is also convenient for getting around.

The trail is near a number of business areas and attractions, including the Mississippi Riverfront Path, the Family Museum, and numerous parks and other amenities-rich destinations.

Address: 225 W 35th St, Davenport, IA 52806, United States

7. Splash Landing Aquatic Center

The Splash Landing’s Aquatic Center in Bettendorf is favored during hot summer days.

A public pool called Splash Landing’s Aquatic Center is situated on 23rd Street and often operates in the summer.

The community pool has a variety of elements, such as many spray features, a diving board, as well as various slides.

The pool hosts swimming and also fitness programs in addition to these attractions.

Look into the Life Fitness Center’s pass options on 222nd Middle Road if you want simple access to the pool.

Address: 2220 23rd St, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States

8. Drink Specialties from Coffee Hound

You should look at Coffee Hound if you’re seeking caffeine.

There are two locations of the coffee shop called Coffee Hound within the city.

Competition Drive’s TBK Sports Arena is one of them, and Devils Glen Drive’s base coffee cafe is the other.

This coffee shop offers a wide variety of coffee flavors in addition to traditional coffee brews.

Coffee Hound provides a selection of a variety of teas, smoothies, energizing drinks, and several kinds of coffee.

Coffee Hound’s among the best places to get a morning beverage, whether you desire something sweet or caffeinated.

9. Isle Casino

Immediately adjacent to the Channel Cat port in Bettendorf’s, a casino that debuted in 1995 and had a makeover in 2016. With the makeover, the Isle Casino, which had previously been a riverboat, moved to land and was joined by a hotel with 514 rooms.

There are currently 935 slot machines, table games, roulette, blackjack, craps, and sports betting atop the casino’s floor thanks to Caesars Sportsbook, which has 35,000 square feet of gaming space.

Additionally, this Isle Casino offers live performances at the neighboring Quad Cities Waterfront’s Convention Center and the Isle Center Ballroom, as well as three restaurants under one roof.

Address: 1777 Isle Pkwy, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

10. Visit Cat’s Eye Distillery and sample their whiskey

For every whiskey enthusiast, Cat’s Eye Distillery’s the place to go.

The micro-distillery, situated within Bear Tooth Court, offers samples of a variety of old whiskey.

The microdistiller offers whiskies you should try, despite not having as many selections as other places to buy alcohol.

Additionally, you’ll discover a program at Cat’s Eye Distillery that allows you to make whiskey bottles that are uniquely yours.

Whiskey is chosen by the customer, who can choose the label they want.

Cat’s Eye Distillery offers an enjoyable whiskey experience.

Address: 3232 Bear Tooth Ct, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

11. Middle Park

The Family Museum is a short distance south of Bettendorf’s most prominent park and is located near Duck Creek’s northern bank.

This location, which is significant to the town and serves as the backdrop for Bettendorf’s Fireworks on July Fourth, is better suited for walking and bicycling than for sporting activities.

The disc golf course’s 18 holes, which are located here and are largely in a wooded area with some intriguing elevation variations, are the main feature.

The children’s play area at Middle Park may be the greatest within the city, and the little pond nearby the Duck Creek Pathway Trail draws waterfowl in the summer.

You may visit the Frozen Landing ice rink in the winter, and the Splash Landing water park is accessible in the summer. We’ll cover both of these attractions in more detail later on in this piece.

Address: 2220 23rd St, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

12. Visit Hemispheres Bistro for a Meal

Hemispheres Bistro is one of the many restaurants within the city worth checking out.

The menu of Hemispheres Bistro, a restaurant on 53rd East Avenue, includes world cuisine.

While this restaurant typically serves dinner, you may also sample a variety of wines and beverages.

Additionally, Hemispheres Bistro provides a location for various events.

Even though The Hemispheres Restaurant doesn’t have any unusual features, it has a number of dishes you should try.

Address: 2504 53rd Ave, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

13. Crawford Brewing Works

There is an “ale trail” connecting all 13 independent craft brewers in the Quad Cities.

The acclaimed 3,500 square feet of freshly constructed area house the microbrewery & taproom known as Crawford Brewing Works, the lone stop in Bettendorf.

A Porter, two IPAs, Kölsch, Lager, a Stout, a Sour, Fruit Beer, Brown Ale, and Pale Ale were among the ten beers available on tap at any given moment.

A rotating timetable of the brewery’s food trucks is posted on its website. The brewery also hosts a lot of events, including live music events, beer premieres, and broadcasted QC Storm games.

Address: 3659 Devils Glen Rd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

14. The TBK Bank’s Sports Complex is a place to play games and sports

The best location at Bettendorf for recreation and physical fitness is the TBK Bank Sports Complex.

This center has several amenities, including various game rooms and spaces for fitness activities.

There are bowling lanes, laser tag fields, and escape rooms in the complex’s entertainment area.

You may locate an arcade part and test the VR region if you enjoy playing video games.

The complex’s fitness area has classrooms for exercise sessions and fields for sporting events.

The facility also has a bar and restaurant where you may relax after all of this.

The facility is located at Competition Drive, and any facilities can be reserved online.

In addition, you could see activities and contests hosted at the Sports Complex of TBK Bank.

Address: 4850 Competition Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

15. At Tangled Wood, Drink and Have fun

The Tangled Wood is a must-visit if you are interested in exploring the neighborhood dives at Bettendorf.

There are approximately a hundred different kinds of beers to sample at The Tanglewood, a Tavern on Tanglewood Road.

There are cocktails and wines available at the pub, so there is no need to worry.

The Tangled Wood has a variety of attractions unlike other bars in the neighborhood, including a live performance venue and a game room.

The bar has an outside amphitheater to catch live entertainment and discover events online.

Game areas with activities like bean bag throw and bocce ball are near the outdoor stage.

The pub offers bingo and trivia nights where you may participate while having a meal and a drink in addition to live entertainment.

This bar is a prominent destination to check out if you want to learn more about the city’s nightlife.

Address: 3636 Tanglewood Rd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA.

16. Leach Park

This recently manicured park along the Riverfront Trail is a place to unwind and think about one of the world’s great rivers.

Leach Park is well-liked by geese and contains a boat launch, a few patches of grass, recently planted trees, picnic tables, benches, and flower and shrub beds. A unique time to visit this park is just before sunset because of its southwest orientation.

It will be even simpler to travel from Bettendorf to Moline thanks to the new I-74 through-arch Bridge, which is on the east side and will be finished in four years in 2022.

Address: 100 12th St, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

17. Davenport

In close proximity to Bettendorf, near the Mississippi River’s Iowa side, is Davenport, a vibrant city home to many of the main tourist destinations in the Quad Cities.

The Figge Art Gallery, which has an incredible collection that includes works by Dürer, Goya, Renoir, Reynolds, Toulouse-Lautrec, Ansel Adams, Jasper Johns, and Warhol, should be on your radar.

Putnam Museum and Science Center, one of the Western hemisphere’s first museums, opened its doors in 1867 and has since evolved into a cutting-edge, interactive hub for learning about science and history.

Over 200 farmers, craftspeople, bakers, and specialized food merchants are housed at the Freight House Farmers’ Market year-round. But, as one of the best botanical gardens located west of the Mississippi, the Vander Veer Botanical Park (1855) stands out.

18. Moline

Moline, which boasts a picturesque downtown worth exploring, is located across the Mississippi.

The agricultural conglomerate John Deere, whose founder moved the company to the town in the year 1848 and which is still the biggest employer in Moline, has its global headquarters in Moline.

A 90-minute guided tour of each facility is available. In addition, the company constructs harvesters nearby within East Moline as well as planters here.

There is a ton of modern and antique machinery at the John Deere’s Pavilion downtown, and there is plenty of interactive play space that appeals to kids.

The TaxSlayer Centre, a venue for the Quad Cities’ major events, is also the home ice of the junior hockey team Quad City Storm, which has a passionate local fan base.

The Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House, which is on the affluent side of things, maintain two homes inhabited by four generations of the Deere family.

19. Discover New Things with Scuba Adventures QCA

By scheduling a lesson with Scuba Adventures QCA, you might have the opportunity to gain knowledge of scuba diving.

Divers can take scuba training at various levels at Scuba Adventures QCA, a dive store on State Street.

The store features a wide range of products to suit everyone, from beginners to diving enthusiasts.

The businesses also teach instruction when photographing underwater in addition to scuba diving.

You could still look over the equipment at the shop if you aren’t interested in the lessons.

Address: 1104 State St, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

20. Visit Crow Creek’s Dog Park with Your Dog

The Crow Creek Dog Park is a must-visit location for anyone looking to enjoy their dog’s company.

There are numerous attractions for your dog throughout the 7 acres of area that make up the park.

After leaving Crow Creek Park, turn north to find the dog park.

The SPOTT is where older or timid dogs can unwind and have fun apart from more boisterous dogs if you have a chance to have one.

There are benches for resting and a water fountain among the amenities present in this park.

The sports fields and a trail are located in Crow Creek’s Park, which might be of interest to you.

Crow Creek Dog Park is a destination for anyone looking to spend the day alongside their dog.

Address: 4800 Devils Glen Rd, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

21. Veterans Memorial Park

This open space, connected to Middle Park along the Duck Creek’s Parkway Trail, is located at the southern Middle Park, across the creek.

Bandshell at Bill Bowe Park, where Bettendorf’s series of summer concerts is held, makes Veterans Memorial Park famous.

The ensembles performing in these Friday performances, which take place in June & July, are from throughout the Quad Cities. The Bettendorf’s Park Band, a cherished local group, was founded in 1967.

Address: 1645 23rd StBettendorfIA52722

22. Visit the Art Academy & Beréskin Gallery to view artwork

Visit the Art Academy & Beréskin Gallery on State Street to see what artwork is available in Bettendorf.

At the academy, different types of artwork are available in various media, from photography to watercolor.

Along with housing a number of items, the academy also offers a number of occasions where art lovers can view additional presentations and works.

There are seminars you may enroll in at various times of the year if you’re interested in knowing more about painting.

Address: 3954 Parkdale Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

23. Frozen Landing

The outdoor skating rink, which arises in Middle Park each year, is a beautiful place to spend an enjoyable hour or 2hrs in the winter.

In spite of the fact that the timetable is naturally dependent on the weather, Frequently, Frozen Landing is accessible every day of the week from late November to early February, which includes Christmas and also other holidays.

On Fridays & Saturdays, the hours are extended to 10 p.m. In addition, beginner “Introduction to Skating” classes are scheduled. The current admission price is $3, while skate rentals are $2, making skating here a reasonably priced activity.

Address: 2222 Middle Road Corner of Middle Road and 23rd St, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

24. July Fourth Festival

With a packed calendar of events, Bettendorf honors the country’s independence in a stylistic manner.

The downtown procession, attended by local businesses, clubs, and other organizations, starts on State Street, continues over a few blocks, and ends at 21st Street.

The festival begins earnestly with live music, food for all tastes, rides, and a petting zoo; finally, at dusk at Middle Park, fireworks cap off the day by celebrating our country.

25. Visit Central Standard Beer & Craft Burgers to sample some Craft Burgers

Visit Falcon Avenue’s Central Standard Beer & Craft Burgers to sample a different kind of burger.

What distinguishes this eatery from others?

It offers a variety of aged beef burgers and a collection of beers that go well with food.

This restaurant offers a selection of two dozen beers, and in case you don’t like beer, you could choose smoothies with flavors like conventional strawberry and s’mores.

You can sample the restaurant’s tacos, snacks, and other dishes in addition to the artisan burgers.

You should go to Central Standard Beer & Craft Burgers if you want a filling meal.

Address: 2239 Falcon Ave, Bettendorf, IA 52722, USA

26. Family Science and Art Museum

A division of Bettendorf city, Iowa, is the Family Museum. The Museum, constructed in 1997, is situated on the Bettendorf Learning Campus, close to the library and information center in Bettendorf and Faye’s Field.

The Family Gallery takes pride in providing children and families with memorable and informative experiences. The major target for the exhibits & programs is youngsters aged eight and under who an older caregiver accompanies.

The Family Gallery has a total of 44,000 square feet dedicated to programming, which includes an interactive display hall measuring 10,400 square feet, three multifunctional dance studios for classes and performances, two preschool classrooms, two studios for art and science, a party room, Fox and Bee, as well as a private playground are all included.

The Museum has played host to a number of captivating traveling exhibits; a few examples are Blue Man Group’s “Making Waves,” the Grossology:

The Impolite Science of the Human Body, and Hubble Space Telescope’s “New View of the Universe.” Doc McStuffins, Jim Henson Vision, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and Bob the Builder’s Project: Build It:

The Exhibition Along with exhibits, The Museum has hosted special performances by renowned productions such as The Tap Dogs, Cirque du Soleil, and Grammy nominees like Justin Roberts & Trout Fishing in America.

Address: 2900 Learning Campus Dr, Bettendorf, IA 52722, United States

Conclusion

The ideal place to go is Bettendorf in, Iowa for a variety of activities.

There are multiple locations where you may test out various possibilities, whether you wish to participate in sports or appreciate them.

Bettendorf boasts a variety of bars where you may sample a big choice of drinks and other amenities in addition to various activities.

In terms of Bettendorf’s nightlife, there are many options to explore.

There are places where you could learn about art and engage in other activities if you wish to take a more relaxed approach.

Additionally, you can sample various regional delicacies or take some time playing sports or with your pet at the park.

Whether you prefer something energetic or relaxed, Bettendorf has a ton of possibilities.

Think about going to Bettendorf next time you want to have fun and be occupied.