Major city · United States
Quincy, IllinoisQuincy
One full day covers Quincy's historic districts and riverfront; add a second only for Nauvoo or Hannibal. Base downtown, drive everywhere.
Quincy is a 40,000-person river town in Adams County, western Illinois, near the state's westernmost point on the Mississippi. It is known for four historic districts with 1830–1930 architecture, an Amtrak link to Chicago, and its role as a 19th-century river port. Most travellers see it in a day, or use it as a base for Nauvoo and Hannibal.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice), Jul–Aug (heat and humidity)
- Airports
- UIN · STL
- Nights
- 1
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Quincy, Illinois911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Quincy Police non-emergency217-228-4470
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Quincy, Illinois, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyQuincy is a small, generally safe river town; the practical risks are winter ice, summer heat and driving on Broadway after dark.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 217-228-4470 Quincy Police non-emergency
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportUIN Quincy Regional Airport–Baldwin Field (East of the city off Illinois Route 104 (Broadway St.); small regional field, limited service…
- Getting aroundQuincy is best explored by car or on foot.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, per person$18–35
- Street or quick mealLoose-meat sandwich (Maid-Rite)$2–9
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–25
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or historic-house entry$5–15 (check)
- Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$140
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$130
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$220
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$130 · High US$240
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- UIN Quincy Regional Airport–Baldwin Field (East of the city off Illinois Route 104 (Broadway St.); small regional field, limited service — check current routes.) · STL St. Louis Lambert International (About 2.5 h by car via I-70 and US-61/I-72/I-172; the usual big-airport option.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Best
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Nov
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Dec
not flagged
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Jan (7). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Quincy, Illinois: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−8°C (18°F)18°F (−8°C)
7 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
7 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
9 rd
Apr
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
10 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
11 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
9 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
8 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Oct
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
8 rd
Nov
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
8 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Quincy is best explored by car or on foot. Sidewalks are good in the historic districts, but parts of Broadway are not pedestrian-friendly. Downtown Maine St. sights cluster within a short walk; the airport, mall and Amtrak station need a car or taxi.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Nauvoo, Illinois
goDoor to door: About 45 min each way
Drive north on the Great River Road (IL-96) along the Mississippi
Historic Mormon site and river views; pair with a half-day in Quincy.
Hannibal, Missouri
goDoor to door: About 45 min each way
Drive south on US-61 across the river
Mark Twain boyhood home and riverfront; a natural add-on southbound.
Door to door: About 2.5 h each way
Drive east on US-24 / I-72
Too far for a day return; make it a separate stop.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / Historic Business District
Walkable to Maine St. sights, restaurants and the riverfront; best for a short stay without a car errand.
Broadway St. corridor (east)
Chain hotels and the mall; drive to everything, but easy parking and highway access.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$130 | US$130 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$130 | US$260 |
| Amtrak Chicago–Quincy, one way2 × US$40 · check | US$80 |
| Rental car, one day1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15 | US$30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$56 |
| Trip total≈ US$308 per person per day, bed included | US$616 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights and car rental excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Loose-meat sandwich (Maid-Rite) | $2–9 |
| Casual lunch | $10–18 |
| Sit-down dinner, per person | $18–35 |
| Museum or historic-house entry | $5–15 (check) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–25 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parts of Broadway have long gaps between crossings — drive or take a taxi after dark.
- Amtrak runs a limited number of daily trains to Quincy; book ahead and check the timetable.
- Many small museums and historic houses keep short weekday hours — confirm before you go.
- Summer heat and humidity on the river bluffs; winter ice on sidewalks.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Quincy Police non-emergency
- 217-228-4470
Pocket card
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Quincy, IllinoisQuincy
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Quincy Police non-emergency217-228-4470
Embassy
No embassies in Quincy; nearest consulates-general are in Chicago and St. Louis (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Amtrak Chicago → Quincy: about 4.5 h, roughly $30–60 one way (check)
- Taxi or rideshare across town: $10–20 (check)
- Drive St. Louis → Quincy: about 2.5 h via I-70 / US-61 / I-172
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Excuse me — Excuse me
- How much is it? — How much is it?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Tipping is expected in the US: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Quincy, Illinois. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice), Jul–Aug (heat and humidity) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for UIN and STL: last connections, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Walking clusters for the four historic districts with rescue anchors (Maine St., 18th & Maine, South End, North End).
- Place pages with verified hours (Governor John Wood Mansion, Villa Kathrine, Quincy Museum, Historical Society) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures for river-bluff heat, winter ice and Amtrak timetable changes.