Great River Road
Moline-to-Nauvoo Tour of Illinois` Great River Road
| Departure: | Moline, Illinois |
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| Destination: | Nauvoo, Illinois |
| Time to allow: | 1 day |
See historic towns, well kept parks, and diverse museums. Visitors can learn about military, Native, and isolated local history in relation to the general story of America.
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Start: Moline
Enjoy riverboat casinos,cultural experiences, and the many museums and galleries. Wander through the Quad City Botanical Center where nature lovers will find tropical plants and trees surrounding a 14-foot waterfall.
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Stop 1: John Deere & Company Commons
Directions from previous place: Go southeast on 16th St. and turn left onto 7th Ave. Merge onto I 74 going east for 2.6 miles. Merge onto IL 5 and go through exit 4B. Follow this road for 3.6 miles. Turn left onto John Deere Pl and go until you see the John Deere World Head Quarters.
Distance from Previous Site: 7.05 miles / 11.3 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour Visitors can catch historic trolleys to other Deere sites, tour the John Deere Pavilion with interactive displays of historic and modern farm equipment, and visit the John Deere Store. The grounds are considered master works of landscape architecture.
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Stop 2: Rock Island Arsenal
Directions from previous place: Go southwest on John Deere Pl and turn right onto John Deere Rd, going west. After 3 miles merge onto I 74 W and go 2.4 miles. Take the exit to 7th Ave and turn left onto it. Turn right onto 19th St. and then left onto IL 92. Follow IL 92 west for 3.5 miles and then turn left onto 17th St. Turn right onto 3rd Ave and then right again onto 24th St. Follow 24th across the bridge to Rock Island. Turn left when you come to Fort Armstrong Ave. and then right onto Rodman Ave. Follow this road until you reach building 60 of the Rock Island Arsenal.
Distance from Previous Site: 10.38 miles / 16.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 18 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 20 minutes The museum tells the history of the area and holds artifacts from the early days of America until now.
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Stop 3: Black Hawk State Historic Site
Directions from previous place: Go west on 3rd Ave. and turn left onto US 67 going south. Stay on this road for 3 miles and then turn left onto 46th Ave. Follow this road until you see the Blackhawk State Historic Site.
Distance from Previous Site: 3.61 miles / 5.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 9 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 30 minutes Learn about early Native American people and culture.
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Stop 4: Big River State Forest
Directions from previous place: Go west on 46th Ave. and turn right onto US 67. Turn left onto 31st Ave. and then merge onto IL 92 going west. Follow this road for 18.9 miles and then turn left onto 224th St and go west. Turn right when you come to IL 17 and follow it for 3.7 miles. Signs will direct you to the park's entrance.
Distance from Previous Site: 39.32 miles / 62.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 6 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 40 minutes Visitors can climb the forest fire tower and see the sixty miles of firebreaks interlacing the Big River State Forest. The firebreaks are used by hikers, horseback riders, and snowmobilers. Tent, trailer, and equestrian camping sites, boat launch, picnic areas, toilets, hunting, stables, and scenic drives are available.
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Stop 5: Delabar State Park
Directions from previous place: Go south on 16th St and turn right onto Washington St. Turn left onto CR 25 and follow it for 2 miles until it becomes CR 3. Follow this road for 9.7 miles and turn right onto IL 164 north. Follow this road until you see the park on your right.
Distance from Previous Site: 11.24 miles / 18.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 23 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 40 minutes This 89-acre state park offers quality outdoor experiences for anglers, hikers, campers, and picnickers.
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End: Nauvoo
Directions from previous place: Take IL 164 south and follow it for 6 miles. Turn right onto US 34 and go 6.1 miles. Turn left onto Carman Rd and follow it for 9.6 miles. Turn right onto IL 96 and follow it for 21.5 miles. Turn right onto N. Wells St. and end in Nauvoo.
Distance from Previous Site: 43.5 miles / 69.6 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 17 minutes Nauvoo is one of Illinois' Historic Towns and offers 30 restored buildings and sites for visitors to explore.
