Moline, Illinois, located along the Mississippi River, is part of the “Quad Cities” area of Illinois and Iowa. Moline is home to the headquarters of Deere & Company, maker of the iconic John Deere farm equipment, and is a civic hub of the region. Here are four unexpected adventures you’ll find in this city along the river.
John Deere Harvester Works Factory Tour
Check out how John Deere’s iconic green and yellow farm machines are made at the John Deere Harvester Works Factory Tour. Tours run three times a day from Monday through Friday and reservations must be made 48 hours in advance. The tour lasts for 1.5 hours, and all participants must be over 13 years of age. Closed-toed shoes are required, and no photography is allowed.
If you enjoy the Harvester Works tour, other John Deere tours available nearby include the Seeding Group, Engine Works, and Tractor Cab Assembly. Book a hotel in Moline to take advantage of all that Deere & Company has to offer.
Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House
The Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman House were both once owned by descendants of the Deere family. Intended as a wedding gift for his youngest daughter, Charles Deere built the Butterworth Center in 1892. Visiting today includes a historic tour of the home and a look at the well-tended formal gardens. The Deere-Wiman house was home to four generations of Deere families, and its Victorian style and period furnishings allow visitors a glimpse into this famous family. Admission to both historic homes is free.
Rock Island Arsenal Museum
The Rock Island Arsenal Museum first opened its doors in 1905, making it the second-oldest U.S. Army museum in the country. Rock Island Arsenal is located on Rock Island, an active island military base between Moline and the nearby city of Davenport, Iowa. The museum is known for its impressive collection of historic weaponry, including some rare Civil War firearms. Be sure to bring your valid driver’s license and a little bit of patience, as visiting this museum requires acquiring a visitor’s pass to the military base.
Celebration River Cruises
Take a cruise on the Mississippi River in the Celebration Belle, a 750-passenger paddlewheel boat. The Celebration Belle is the largest non-gaming riverboat on the Mississippi River and offers a multitude of tours for all ages to enjoy. Tour options include a narrated sightseeing tour, a captain’s dinner-and-dance cruise, themed offerings such as a Broadway cruise and Oktoberfest cruise, and a three-day cruise back and forth to Wisconsin. The Celebration Belle is built to impress with four stories, dining rooms, observation decks, dance floors, and fully-stocked bars.
Enjoy a visit to the Quad Cities with a trip to Moline, Illinois. While in Moline, tour through the factories of Deere & Company, see one of the most impressive collections of American military weaponry at the Rock Island Arsenal Museum, visit historic homes of Deere family descendants, and take a cruise in the lovely Celebration Belle. Moline is ready to show you its lively Midwestern charm.