Quad Cities Question

[CY ST8T]

My wife and I will be passing through the Quad Cities on the way back from Chicago on Saturday night and want to know where I should look to stay. Which of the four cities would be better to get a hotel with nice places to eat and such around it and a mall in case she wants to look around. I don't want to just book off the net and find that I picked the worst area. Those of you that are from or know the area well, can I get some good advice where to book a hotel. Thanks!

 

[psycln11]

My wife and I will be passing through the Quad Cities on the way back from Chicago on Saturday night and want to know where I should look to stay. Which of the four cities would be better to get a hotel with nice places to eat and such around it and a mall in case she wants to look around. I don't want to just book off the net and find that I picked the worst area. Those of you that are from or know the area well, can I get some good advice where to book a hotel. Thanks!

Brady Street exit off I-80 in Davenport.

There are several hotels, restaurants, and a mall about 2 miles south of the interstate.

 

[CY ST8T]

Any suggestions for local restaurants that are different and good. Something priced like an Applebee's that won't break the bank?

 

[ISUFan22]

There is a Ruby Tuesday's in Davenport. We've been there before with friends - good food and had a great time.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Let's see...

If you're gonna take the advice and stay at the I-80/US 61 interchange, I'd stick with the Best Western there. The other hotels IMO look kinda skeevy and I wouldn't necessarily be completely comfortable at many of those hotels. Plus that interchange is just north and east of Americana Park, a rougher area of town. Personally, I'd trust the I-74 corridor on the Davenport/Bettendorf border. Many more "nicer" hotels and restaurants as well. Hotels on this corridor include Holiday Inn (on the Locust St/Middle Rd exit), Days Inn, Super 8, The Lodge, Heartland Inn (what I'd recommend), and The Courtyard (on the Kimberly Rd/Spruce Hills Dr/U.S. 6 West exit), and Sleep Inn (on the 53rd St exit). As far as decent restaurants on that corridor, Bennigans and The Grinders (on the Locust St/Middle Rd Exit), Old Chicago (which is MUCH better than Ames), Red Lobster, Applebees, Panera (on the Kimberly Rd/Spruce Hills Dr/U.S. 6 exit), IHOP, Village Inn, Fuddrucker's, Golden Corral, Ruby Tuesday, Chili's, and Granite City (on the 53rd St. exit). Quite Honestly, there are more and much nicer choices along the I-74 corridor than anywhere on either I-80 or I-280. Plus, in Davenport, virtually all locations are 2 miles from NorthPark Mall.

I also recommend, if you have the time, checking out a Whitey's Ice Cream joint while you're in town. There's one one 53rd St and Jersey Ridge Rd. Trust me, it's quite an experience... :yes4lo:

 

[psycln11]

Any suggestions for local restaurants that are different and good. Something priced like an Applebee's that won't break the bank?

Not sure about restaurants since I'm not actually from there. My great aunt and uncle lived on Brady Street, therefore, I was familiar with the corridor.

The hotels are: Best Western, Holiday Inn, AmericInn, Heartland, Baymont, Super 8, Days Inn, Motel 6, Residence Inn, and the ever popular Casa Loma.

According to Google Earth, restaurants are: Thunder Bay Grill, Great Midwest Seafood Co., Lone Star Steakhouse ($$$$), Olive Garden, Azteca, etc.

a few miles to the east off I-74, there is a Red Lobster, Old Chicago, Chili's, Texas Roadhouse, and Ruby Tuesday

 

[psycln11]

Let's see...

If you're gonna take the advice and stay at the I-80/US 61 interchange, I'd stick with the Best Western there. The other hotels IMO look kinda skeevy and I wouldn't necessarily be completely comfortable at many of those hotels. Plus that interchange is just north and east of Americana Park, a rougher area of town. Personally, I'd trust the I-74 corridor on the Davenport/Bettendorf border. Many more "nicer" hotels and restaurants as well. Hotels on this corridor include Holiday Inn (on the Locust St/Middle Rd exit), Days Inn, Super 8, The Lodge, Heartland Inn (what I'd recommend), and The Courtyard (on the Kimberly Rd/Spruce Hills Dr/U.S. 6 West exit), and Sleep Inn (on the 53rd St exit). As far as decent restaurants on that corridor, Bennigans and The Grinders (on the Locust St/Middle Rd Exit), Old Chicago (which is MUCH better than Ames), Red Lobster, Applebees, Panera (on the Kimberly Rd/Spruce Hills Dr/U.S. 6 exit), IHOP, Village Inn, Fuddrucker's, Golden Corral, Ruby Tuesday, Chili's, and Granite City (on the 53rd St. exit). Quite Honestly, there are more and much nicer choices along the I-74 corridor than anywhere on either I-80 or I-280. Plus, in Davenport, virtually all locations are 2 miles from NorthPark Mall.

I also recommend, if you have the time, checking out a Whitey's Ice Cream joint while you're in town. There's one one 53rd St and Jersey Ridge Rd. Trust me, it's quite an experience... :yes4lo:

I'd go with his advice!!!

 

[iowastateclone94]

I'm originally from Bettendorf. Go with the 1-74 corridor.....Spruce Hills Drive area. There is shopping somewhat close for the wife, gambling boat if you're interested, etc. Great places to eat..... whether sit down or fast food....like Happy Joes, Rudy's Tacos, etc. Go with a trip to Whitey's Ice Cream as well....best in the nation.

 

[cyQlone]

Get Whitey's Ice Cream!!!

 

[jdoggivjc]

Not sure about restaurants since I'm not actually from there. My great aunt and uncle lived on Brady Street, therefore, I was familiar with the corridor.

The hotels are: Best Western, Holiday Inn, AmericInn, Heartland, Baymont, Super 8, Days Inn, Motel 6, Residence Inn, and the ever popular Casa Loma.

According to Google Earth, restaurants are: Thunder Bay Grill, Great Midwest Seafood Co., Lone Star Steakhouse ($$$$), Olive Garden, Azteca, etc.

a few miles to the east off I-74, there is a Red Lobster, Old Chicago, Chili's, Texas Roadhouse, and Ruby Tuesday

That Holiday Inn is a great choice, except it's not a Holiday Inn anymore - it's a Clarion Inn. I think.

I forgot about the Heartland and Baymont on Brady St., those are decent hotel as well.

I also forgot about Texas Roadhouse and Red Robin (I knew I was forgetting some, and T.R. is one of my faves) , that's on the 53rd St. interchange.

Helps that I've lived in the area for the last 25 years and I've seen the I-74 corridor explode over the last 15 years.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Too bad I'm on my way to New Orleans to help with Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts on Saturday or I'd give you a personal guided tour! :wink0st:

 

[ISUFan22]

Can't go wrong with the Texas Roadhouse. We've been to the one in CR a couple of times and the one in DSM a lot. Love their prime rib.

And...if 16oz of prime rib isn't enough, they'll cut ya a bigger slab. :wink0st:

 

[jdoggivjc]

Also, if you get in early and are a little on the "bored" side, Showcase Cinemas are on the I-74/53rd St. interchange. It's on the pricey side ($9 a ticket), so if there's a movie you're dying to see that's an option.

 

[intrepid27]

If you want to avoid the chain restaurants there is a great place right off of the Highway 61 and I-80 intersection. It's called Thunder Bay Gril an dit has great food. Maybe a tadd higher priced than an Appelbees or Chilis but great entrees. Lots of hotels in the area. If you you wan tot score points with mom there is a steakhouse right next to the President casino. I can't remember the name but it is just north of casino and is easy to see. The food there is first rate. Good luck.

 

[jdoggivjc]

If you want to avoid the chain restaurants there is a great place right off of the Highway 61 and I-80 intersection. It's called Thunder Bay Gril an dit has great food. Maybe a tadd higher priced than an Appelbees or Chilis but great entrees. Lots of hotels in the area. If you you wan tot score points with mom there is a steakhouse right next to the President casino. I can't remember the name but it is just north of casino and is easy to see. The food there is first rate. Good luck.

Thunder Bay restaurant is a really good restaurant, but technically it is a Midwestern chain. It's part of the same owner group that owns the Machine Shed and Johnny's Steakhouse. By the way, if you're dying for the Machine Shed, we have one of those just off the I-80/Northwest Blvd interchange. It's a really great restaurant, but it's clear across town and unless you're dying for it or are staying on the U.S. 61 corridor or have quick access to I-80 it's not really worth the trip, especially since there's one in Des Moines.

 

[CyinCo]

Can't go wrong with the Texas Roadhouse. We've been to the one in CR a couple of times and the one in DSM a lot. Love their prime rib.

And...if 16oz of prime rib isn't enough, they'll cut ya a bigger slab. :wink0st:

I normally hate chain restaurants but I will admit that I can't find better ribs in my area than what Texas Roadhouse has. Nothing even comes close.

 

[CY ST8T]

Thanks a ton for all this advice! I definitely think I'll hit the I-74 corridor as suggested and let the wife pick the restaurant from there.

 

[jdoggivjc]

Thanks a ton for all this advice! I definitely think I'll hit the I-74 corridor as suggested and let the wife pick the restaurant from there.

Let me know (probably by PM) what you end up choosing. Just curious so I can give "recommendations" besides my own to any and all other askers :wink0st:

 

[puckwarrior]

If you like mexican food, Habanero's is located at the North Park mall. Italian food you can try out Lunardis located in a strip mall just east of North Park mall. If you have kids the Clarion Inn has a very nice pool area. And is only 1/2 mile to the mall.

 

[68clone]

Your might try LeClaire. It's just on the west side of the Quad Cities. There is a Comfort Inn ((563) 289-4747) that is decent and a Holliday Inn Express. The Comfort Inn costs about $70 and is the better one IMO. Also there are several local eating establishments in the Le Claire area. For breakfast, I like to eat at a non upscale resturant called Brothers. It's back east, across the river from Le Claire. Lots of food and not very expensive - a local favorite.