Rock Island: River Trails, Water Skiing and History

Rock Island combines water skiing on the Rock River with riverfront trails, public art and distinctive architectural history. Experiences range from a seasonal evening event to a long trail between Rock Island and Savanna. This lets you choose different priorities as you plan your trip—from an active day on the river to architecture and culture in the city.

River and outdoor activities at your own pace

The Backwater Gamblers put on free water ski shows on the Rock River. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, they take place on Sundays and Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m., with additional shows on Memorial Day and Labor Day. For trips with children, the stated time provides a specific point of reference for the evening. The seasonal schedule may change; check the current times before your trip.

Those interested in waterside trails will find a section of the Great River Trail in Rock Island: the city’s riverfront trails are part of the 62-mile route from Rock Island to Savanna, Illinois. This offers a different travel focus from attending a show scheduled for a specific time.

Downtown: Art, performances and the market

Schwiebert Riverfront Park is in the Downtown Rock Island Arts & Entertainment District. Downtown also offers live performances, rotating art exhibitions, a farmers market featuring producers only, and handcrafted cocktails. In Arts Alley, large murals define a pedestrian-friendly outdoor event space. Public art and rotating exhibitions offer a different focus from the performances and market. Which of these offerings you want to shape your stay most can be a helpful starting point for planning your days.

Architecture and history

Hauberg Estate is a Prairie-style mansion. It has been listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places since 1972 and was recognized as a local Rock Island landmark in 2016. Weekly tours of the mansion are scheduled for Fridays at 3 p.m. Check whether the tour is taking place before you visit.

The Broadway Historic District offers a different scale: also listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the district includes more than 550 homes with Queen Anne, Italianate and Colonial Revival architecture. The oldest homes date to 1865. In Rock Island, a single Prairie-style mansion and an expansive district featuring several architectural styles offer different points of interest for history enthusiasts.

Nearby, the Rock Island Arsenal Museum is the second-oldest U.S. Army museum and opened to the public on July 4, 1905. It adds another historical point of interest in the area to Rock Island’s architectural history.

Rock Island as a starting point for your trip

When choosing your vacation rental, you can first consider whether downtown art and performances, the route of the Great River Trail or architectural history will shape your stay most. The water ski shows offer a seasonal event to consider adding to your itinerary, while the trail’s length and direction provide a different scale for planning. Tailor your search to your travel interests, then choose a specific location that suits the routes you actually want to take. That way, you can start with the experiences that interest you rather than assuming a fixed daily schedule.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Moline, Coal Valley, East Moline.

Back to the main travel overview: Rock Island.