Rock Island, Illinois is the largest city on the Mississippi River between Minneapolis and St. Louis. Located at the intersection of three states, it has a population of nearly 40,000 inhabitants and an area of about 16 square miles. As one of the Quad Cities in northwestern Illinois, Rock Island offers numerous cultural opportunities for its residents to explore.
Inhabitants can take advantage of outdoor activities such as walking along the hiking trails that traverse through Black Hawk State Park or enjoy fishing and boating on Lake George. To appreciate the history and culture of Rock Island, visitors can visit various attractions like The Hauberg Indian Museum which showcases Native American artifacts from throughout North America and Europe; or John Hauberg Indian Museum & Pioneer Village which includes historical buildings dating back to 1835 including a blacksmith shop and a gristmill; or Colonel Davenport House – a stately mansion built in 1845 by philanthropist Colonel George L. Davenport.
Additionally, there are several other interesting sites to explore such as Fort Armstrong Military Site – part of a larger fortification system during the War of 1812 – the Rock Island Arsenal National Historic Landmark District – home to manufacturing facilities used since 1863 – and Lincoln Park with its Civil War Memorials, monuments dedicated to veterans who died serving their country.
Rock Island also hosts many annual festivals and events for all ages such as Two Rivers Festival held every June which celebrates local music, artisanship, food vendors, and much more; Oktoberfest which features German-style beer tastings accompanied with live entertainment; Craft Beer Fest featuring beers brewed locally at nearby breweries; Karpenteers Car Show Parade put together by enthusiastic car enthusiasts each August; Children’s Day held annually in September where families can join in carnival games, face painting competitions and bounce houses; plus Art In The Park showcasing works from over 100 artists representing fine arts and crafts from all over the Midwest region.