Oktoberfest

October is the time for apple picking, fall colors, and Halloween preparations. Parades, tours, costumes, and travelling are major occasions where we all can have some outdoor fun before winter sets in.

Apple Picking

Apple is the most favorite fruit and is ready for picking during the fall. Here are some local famrs where you can pick your own apples for a minimal cost.

  1. Tanners Orchard, Speer IL
  2. Stone’s Apple Barn, East Moline IL
  3. HappyHollowUpick, Port Byron, IL
Check with the farm for the timings and special events.

Fall Colors

Fall is the time when leaves stop producing chlorophyll gradually. The carotenoids which were always present now make the leaves turn yellow, purple, red, crimson before they finally fall. Follow a river in your local area to get the best view of the fall colors.

  1. Mississippi Palisades National Park, Savanna, IL
  2. Galena, IL
  3. Spoon River Scenic Drive, Fulton County, IL

Check the weather and routes before setting off to enjoy the nature.

Halloween: Parades and Trick or Treat

  1. Rock Island District – Oct 27th 5pm to 8pm
  2. Le Claire – Parade on Oct 29th 11am to 1pm,  Trick or Treat on Oct 30th 6pm to 8 pm
  3. Davenport – Oct 28th 5pm to 7pm
  4. Bettendorf – Oct 31 5pm to 7pm
  5. Moline – Oct 31 5pm to 7pm
  6. South Park Mall – Oct 29th 4pm to 6pm
  7. Quad City Botanical Center – Oct 30th 1pm to 4pm

Follow the safety rules during Halloween parades to make it more enjoyable and memorable.

Weekend Getaways in Quad cities: Savanna, IL

Savanna is around 60 miles from Quad cities and can be reached within one and half hour. It is located along the Mississippi river and at the mouth of the Plum river.  It is a small city also known as Sportsman’s paradise.


Road trip

During summer drive you can see many bikers racing on the road to Savanna and Galena. The road trip is pleasant with abundant greenery by the road side. You can see Albany and Thomson on the route and Exelon nuclear power plant in Clinton and 3M manufacturing plant in Cardova. The bridge between Savanna and Sabula in Iowa was constructed in 1932.

Activities

The Mississippi Palisades State Park is a major attraction in Savanna. The State park facilitates different activities such as boating, camping, hiking, biking, hunting, picnicking and fishing during summer. Cross-country skiing, sledding and ice fishing are the sports possible during winters.

Wildlife

The park gives a dense forest-like environment and is home for birds, wild turkeys, shore birds and eagles. Other animals that could be traced include deers, squirrels, muskrats, skunks and weasels.

Must See

The layout in the park is clearly marked and is self-directed. The lookout points and other points are oak point, Louis point,  Ozzie point among other site seeing platforms. The Indian head and Twin sisters are the rock formations which can be found there. The park is home for hiking trails which are clearly marked.

You can hear only the singing birds in the park and has peaceful and quite environment. It is ideal for children to experience different atmosphere in the forest. The train whistle and the tracks can be heard which is also amazing to watch. It is worth driving and visiting the park. 🙂

Nearby Attractions

Savanna Train Car Museum contains railroad artifacts and Monument park and Marquette park are some of the other attractions in Savanna. You can drive further ahead on the highway to reach Galena in Illinois which is a scenic road trip.