Burlington: Nature, Culture and Unique Paths

Burlington combines impressive natural experiences with an unusually diverse cultural history. When planning your trip, you can choose between trails along the Flint River, park landscapes along the Mississippi River, historic museums, evenings at the theater and distinctive buildings. A vacation rental in Burlington can serve as a possible base if you want to combine different interests in one trip without limiting yourself to just one type of experience.

Nature Between the Flint River and Mississippi

The Flint River Trail offers a wide range of permitted activities: hiking, walking, jogging, cycling, cross-country skiing, rollerblading, skateboarding and birdwatching are among them. Motorized wheelchairs are permitted exclusively to support accessibility. A seven-mile section of the trail runs from Flint Bottom Road to Big Hollow; this section was officially opened to the public in October 2013.

A different landscape is presented by Starr’s Cave Park and Preserve. The 184-acre state nature preserve and park area belongs to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and is managed by Des Moines County Conservation. Along Flint Creek are rock formations that are unique worldwide. In addition, two miles of trails lead through quiet woodland and along Flint Creek. Anyone wanting to accommodate different daily interests on a multigenerational trip will find a nature-focused complement to Burlington’s cultural destinations here.

The 85-acre Crapo Park on the Mississippi River also has its own focus. The park includes an arboretum, a botanical garden and walking paths through the arboretum. The arboretum contains more than 200 varieties of trees and shrubs. Lake Starker, the Hawkeye Natives Log Cabin, the Pike Memorial, the Foehlinger Fountain and the Band Shell expand the range of noteworthy park features.

Museums, Theaters and Historic Places

The restored Capitol Theater is an Art Deco venue from 1937 with 367 seats. It hosts independent and classic film screenings, community events and weddings; local, regional and national artists also perform there. The Capitol is a historic nonprofit performing arts venue in Burlington’s downtown arts and culture district. Depending on your travel plans, it can complement time spent outdoors with an evening of culture.

The Heritage Hill Historic District was designated in 1982 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. For a deeper exploration of the region’s past, the Heritage Center Museum offers another option: It opened in 1898 as Burlington’s public library. The DMC Heritage Center presents the history and creative spirit of the people who lived in Des Moines County, Iowa. Through exhibits on local industry, transportation and everyday life, the Des Moines County Heritage Museum provides insights into the history of Burlington and the surrounding communities; it is located in a former public library.

Smaller museums also have their own special focus. The Burlington Fire Department Museum displays the original doors of the hose tower, installed in 1907, as well as photographs documenting the history of the fire department and special firefighting equipment, including a restored hose wagon.

Snake Alley and Events

Snake Alley was built in 1894 with an experimental street design. Over a length of 275 feet, the street consists of five half-circle and two quarter-circle turns and rises 58.3 feet from Washington Street to Columbia Street. Visitors can test their driving, walking or cycling skills there. Every June, the Snake Alley Art Fair takes place; it presents works by dozens of juried artists and craftspeople.

Another special perspective is offered by the Great River Bridge Race. The competition includes an approximately 1.5-mile Bridge Walk with views of the Mississippi River and downtown Burlington. This makes it possible to create varied travel plans combining nature, urban history, events and physical activity. As another destination option, you can also view West Burlington.

For the overarching travel overview: Des Moines County.