Skip to content
Voykit
Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. How we verify
Source checked
A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
Field checked
Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
Plan calculated
Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.

Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Major city · United States

Rock IslandRock Island, Illinois

Give Rock Island one full day as part of a Quad Cities stay: Arsenal Island and Black Hawk park in the morning, The District for dinner. Skip it as a standalone base.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Rock Island is one of the Quad Cities, on the Illinois side of the Mississippi across from Davenport, Iowa. It is a compact, grid-planned river city: a downtown arts district, a wooded state historic site, and Arsenal Island, a working US Army installation you can partly visit with photo ID. Most travellers see it as a day inside a 2–3 night Quad Cities trip, sleeping in Moline or Davenport where the airport and more beds are.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice), late Jul–Aug humidity
Airport
MLI
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 ▾

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
Emergency numbers for Rock Island911 ▾
  • Police, fire, ambulance911

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 Rock Island, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Beerdraught in a bar / six-pack$6–9$9–14
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data plan, about a week$10–25
  • Museum or sight ticketBotanical Center adult entry$6 (check)
  • Budget bedFamily room (up to 4), a night, per roomUS$150
  • Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomUS$150
  • High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per roomUS$260

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$70 · Mid US$140 · High US$260

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.

Rock Island Arsenal and its museumBlack Hawk State Historic SiteThe District (downtown arts and nightlife)Lock and Dam 15 on the Mississippi
Airports
MLI Quad City International Airport (Moline) (About 15–20 min by car from downtown Rock Island; nonstop flights mainly within the Midwest, South and Southwest.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Avoid

    0°C (32°F)

  2. Feb

    Avoid

    3°C (37°F)

  3. Mar

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  4. Apr

    not flagged

    17°C (63°F)

  5. May

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  6. Jun

    Best

    28°C (82°F)

  7. Jul

    Avoid*

    30°C (86°F)

  8. Aug

    Avoid

    29°C (84°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    25°C (77°F)

  10. Oct

    Best

    18°C (64°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    10°C (50°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    2°C (36°F)

Best: May–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (30°C (86°F)), coolest Jan (−9°C (16°F) low), wettest May (11 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Rock Island: 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

0°C (32°F)

−9°C (16°F)

8 rd

Feb

3°C (37°F)

−7°C (19°F)

7 rd

Mar

10°C (50°F)

−1°C (30°F)

9 rd

Apr

17°C (63°F)

5°C (41°F)

10 rd

May

23°C (73°F)

11°C (52°F)

11 rd

Jun

28°C (82°F)

16°C (61°F)

10 rd

Jul

30°C (86°F)

19°C (66°F)

9 rd

Aug

29°C (84°F)

18°C (64°F)

8 rd

Sep

25°C (77°F)

13°C (55°F)

8 rd

Oct

18°C (64°F)

7°C (45°F)

8 rd

Nov

10°C (50°F)

0°C (32°F)

8 rd

Dec

2°C (36°F)

−7°C (19°F)

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

A car is the practical choice: sights are spread out and buses are limited. Streets run in a numbered grid (avenues east–west, streets north–south). MetroLINK runs Illinois-side buses and connects to Davenport's CitiBus downtown. The Quad Cities wayfinding signs are colour-coded by quadrant — Rock Island is red.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Moline

go

Door to door: About 20 min

Drive or MetroLINK bus, 10–15 min

Airport, riverfront and more dining; the two downtowns share a border.

Davenport, Iowa

go

Door to door: About 20 min

Drive over the Centennial Bridge, 10–15 min

Across the river; the St. Patrick's Day Grand Parade crosses both states.

Nauvoo

caution

Door to door: About 2 h

Drive south on IL-92 and IL-96, about 2 h

Historic Mormon site on the river; long for a same-day return.

Cherry

caution

Door to door: About 1.5 h

Drive east on I-80, about 1 h 15 min

Small village; pair it with another stop rather than a dedicated run.

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 / The District

Walkable to galleries, theatres and restaurants; a full-service hotel and a B&B sit here.

Near the casino, off I-280

Casino hotel with pool and restaurants; car needed for everything else.

Moline or Davenport (across the river)

More rooms and the airport; 10–20 min drive into Rock Island.

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

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$60–100 excl. bed
Mid
$110–180 excl. bed
High
$200+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Mid-range double room1 × 1 night × US$150US$150
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$140US$280
Rental car, one day1 × US$60 · checkUS$60
MetroLINK day pass2 × US$4 · checkUS$8
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$15US$30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$53
Trip total≈ US$291 per person per day, bed includedUS$581

2026 estimate in US dollars; prices are shown before sales tax. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Diner or pub main$12–22
Beer: draught in a bar / six-pack$6–9 / $9–14
Rideshare across the Quad Citiescheck$12–25
Botanical Center adult entry$6 (check)
eSIM or data plan, about a week$10–25

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Rock Island is a normal US river city: daytime sights and downtown are fine, but use standard city sense after dark and lock the car. The bigger practical risks are winter ice, river wind and Arsenal Island gate rules.
  • Arsenal Island is a military base: adults 16+ show photo ID at the gate and say where they are going; some areas are off-limits.
  • The Government Bridge is low with a swing span for river traffic, so it can delay you.
  • Winter brings ice and wind off the river; summer is humid.
  • Downtown is quiet on some weeknights — check show times before you build an evening around one venue.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

Rock IslandRock Island, Illinois

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Give the driver the street number and avenue.To this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911

Embassy

No embassies in Rock Island; most countries have consulates in Chicago. US visitors: 911 and local police.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • MLI airport → downtown Rock Island: about $20–30 by taxi or rideshare, 15–20 min (check)
  • MetroLINK single ride: about $2, day pass about $4 (check)
  • Rock Island → Davenport over the Centennial Bridge: 10–15 min by car (check)

Say or show

  • The District visitor center, 226 17th St. — Where is the visitor center?
  • Adults 16+ show ID at the gate. — I need a photo ID for the Arsenal gate
  • Cards are widely accepted; carry a little cash. — Card or cash?
  • Common at bars and diners. — Is this seat taken?
  • Ask for the check; tipping 18–22% is expected. — Check, please
  • Rideshare apps also work here. — Can you call me a taxi?

Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% 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 Rock Island. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jan–Feb (cold, ice), late Jul–Aug humidity · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 4 day-trips, door to door
  6. 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for MLI: taxi and rideshare bands, drive times to each sleep area.
  2. Four walking clusters with anchors: The District, Arsenal Island, Black Hawk site, the riverfront.
  3. Place pages with verified hours and gate rules (Arsenal Museum, Mississippi River Visitor Center, Botanical Center).
  4. Festival and parade fixtures so seasonal pages can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources