Would like to visit Moline, IL

[NC State]

My family is wanting to take a trip to visit the John Deere Company in Moline, IL. It's a 16 hour drive or we can fly out of Raleigh/Durham Airport. I do know that the closest airport is Quad City International. How far is it from QCI to the JD Pavillon/Collectors Center?

 

[DisneyTeacher]

It's only a few miles from th airport to JD. Don't miss the Isable Bloom gallery, it's right by John Deere.

I haven't lived in the Quad Cities in years so I am not good with directions, I just sort of feel my way around when I go back.

 

[NC State]

Since there's no flight directly to QCI from RDU, do you recommend another airport we could connect?

 

[RabbitFood]

Rockford Airport is about 2 hours away, Chicago Ohare about 3. There's a great children's museum out in the Quad Cities. My kids and FIL liked the John Deere stuff.
I'd say make it a vacation and see Chicago, too!

 

[NC State]

Thank you for the information, anyone else?

No small children here, just adults; however Chicago maybe a little scary for us country folks.

 

[RabbitFood]

No Chicago, huh? Well then, try the Galena area--about an hour and a half from the Quad Cities. Galena has some historic sites (Grant's home) and lots of quaint shops. Plus great bed and breakfasts.
And don't miss the Mississippi Palisades State Park--although it may have experienced some flooding. Check before you go.

 

[NC State]

Anyone else about Moline, IL area?

 

[bananiem]

I'm sorry. I first saw this post about 3 hours ago and I'm STILL trying to come up with something. I grew up across the river in Davenport and go back frequently to visit.
There are several John Deere related sites to visit. See http://www.visitquadcities.com/site/page.php?page_id=64&section=forvisitors

If you like baseball, Davenport has a farm team that plays right on the river. It's a beautiful setting for an outdoor ball game.
I suggest going to www.quadcities.com, www.quadcitychamber.com/visitor or www.visitquadcities.com to get some ideas. There are river excursions on the Mississippi, gambling boats, historic tours, dinner theatre, symphony, museums... It depends what your interests are.
Oh, and if you like jazz the Bix Fest is a must!
Having collected Isabel Bloom statues for years, I have to say DO NOT GO TO THE ISABEL BLOOM place suggested in another post. The owners have destroyed what Isabel started and everything is now manufactured overseas, versus being handcrafted in the Quad Cities for decades. The manufactured ones are not as nice, IMO. There... off my soapbox now.
Oh, and the Des Moines, IA airport is 2.5 hours away from Moline and Cedar Rapids is about 1.5-2 hours. They are about the same size as the QC airport.

 

[NC State]

Since there's no stop in QC airport from RDU, which air port would you suggest to take? Plus a hotel that will not break the bank. My family only wants to visit John Deere places, we bleed green.

 

[bananiem]

Since there's no stop in QC airport from RDU, which air port would you suggest to take? Plus a hotel that will not break the bank. My family only wants to visit John Deere places, we bleed green.

You'll have a layover no matter which airport you use- QCI, Des Moines, or Cedar Rapids. If you don't want a connecting, I'd go Chicago O'Hare. To rent a car and drive from O'Hare will be about the same distance as using Cedar Rapids.
Ok, if it were me I'd fly into: (In order of preference)
1. Quad City airport- get in your rental car and you're there. Or your hotel probably has a shuttle service, then use cabs to get around.
2. OHare airport
3. Cedar Rapids airport

As for hotels... There are a TON. It would be better if you picked some, then I can tell you if they're in a good neighborhood or not.

 

[bananiem]

www.destinationquadcities.com is another good site.

 

[NC State]

Thanks Ann, I think we're going for a late Spring '09 trip (May). Would the weather be good?

 

[bananiem]

The weather would be great! Probably in the 70's or 80's with a chance of rain.

 

[Cindy's Mom]

I'm sorry. I first saw this post about 3 hours ago and I'm STILL trying to come up with something. I grew up across the river in Davenport and go back frequently to visit.

I had the same reaction....I actaully said "MOLINE??" out loud

 

[bananiem]

Oh, and watching the barges and boats go through the Lock and Dam is kind of a "Gotta do it once in your life" type thing.

 

[Piglet]

Hey, Thanks for asking this. Our family is heading to Moline for a conference in September. We live in PA.

Melinda

 

[NC State]

I had the same reaction....I actaully said "MOLINE??" out loud

I guess I would say the same thing if someone wanted to visit my home town. Four Oaks/Smithfield, NC.

 

[bananiem]

I guess I would say the same thing if someone wanted to visit my home town. Four Oaks/Smithfield, NC.

That's what I was thinking. When you grow up with something you tend to take it for granted.
I had a great uncle that lived in California near the ocean his entire adult life. In his 80's he'd come to visit us and ALWAYS had to go see the Mississippi. My Dad would say "You've got the Pacific Ocean. Why would you want to look at this muddy river?" Uncle Walter would say, "But this is the Mississippi!"

 

[ChloroFiend]

I went to college in Iowa, grew up and still live outside of Chicago....i'm in shock people would want to willingly go to Moline

Flights into Quad Cities or Cedar Rapids could both be kind of hard to get. Des Moines might be a bit easier, but that'll be a 3 hour drive. Might as well do ORD or MDW (Chicago O'Hare and Chicago Midway, respectively) at that point.

Other things to do in the Quad Cities...riverboat gambling, the bar district in Rock Island (Rock Island Brew Company, aka RIBCO, is pretty fun)...umm...i think they have some minor league sports teams too. Aside from that, clueless.

Oh, and bananiem......Go Cyclones!

 

[bananiem]

Oh, and bananiem......Go Cyclones!

Oh no you didn't!