Planning a Moline, Illinois, Vacation With Kids

Located on the banks of the Mississippi and Rock rivers, Moline, Illinois, is best known for its connection to John Deere. As one of the five Quad Cities, Moline has become a bustling, vibrant city with something to offer everyone, including kids. Moline Centre in the downtown area provides many sites, restaurants, and places to stay, but it can be difficult to choose options that are kid-friendly ones. Discover the following four tips for planning a fabulous, kid-centric vacation that will allow your family to have a blast making lasting memories.

Plan Activities With Kids in Mind

All the Quad Cities have kid-friendly activities that can also appeal to the rest of the family. In Moline, for example, kids can climb into the cab of various tractors when visiting the John Deere Pavilion. This attraction offers free admission and an eight-section interactive Discovery Zone for kids. Catch a game or concert at the TaxSlayer Center. Play a round of laser tag or go bowling at the QC Family Entertainment Center.

Open from April to October, the Niabi Zoo is a crowd pleaser. Check out a variety of animals and two rides before hitting the petting zoo. Want to experience the Quad Cities from the water? Take a narrated lunch cruise aboard the Celebration Belle riverboat to learn more about the area.

Discover Tasty Dining Options

While Moline Centre features 22 restaurants, you’ll want to look for the kid-friendly options. Eat a healthy lunch at Cafe Fresh, which includes a “little sprouts” menu for children 10 and younger. In addition to its delectable chocolate, Lagomarcino’s offers a variety of soups, salads, sandwiches, and sundaes in its Soda Fountain & Deli.

If your family is looking for a fantastic pizza place, check out Tony’s Chicago Style Pizzeria. Miss Mamie’s has a wide selection of dishes, including seafood and meat, so even the pickiest eater can find something to enjoy.

Travel in Style

Now that you’ve decided upon some places to visit and eat, you’ll need to think about getting to and around the city. If you decide to fly, the Quad City International Airport (MLI) is only 5 miles away from Moline Centre. You can pick up a rental car so that you can cruise around the city at your leisure. You can also try ride-sharing, but this option may be more difficult if your kids need car seats or booster seats.

If you prefer public transportation, buy bus or water taxi tickets at the Centre Station. While you can use the Metro bus service year-round seven days a week, the Channel Cat, an open-air boat, typically operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Remember, you can always take a road trip to Moline and use your car to get around the city.

Find a Kid-Friendly Place to Stay

Finding the best place to stay in Moline shouldn’t be a hassle. Be sure to look for family-friendly options when you perform your search to compare top Moline accommodations. Include additional filters based on what attractions you want to see, where you want to eat, and what type of transportation you want to use. Weather permitting, camping may be an option. Nearby campgrounds include the Rock Island/Quad Cities KOA.

What are you waiting for? Book your trip to Moline today.