The Ultimate Bucket List Of 100 Best Things To Do In The Quad Cities

The Quad Cities is not a bad place to live.  In fact, some might call it a great place to live.  It's all about perspective.  And for one local reporter who has been here since 1995, he'd not only call it a great place to live, but he'd give 100 things you need to do in the Quad Cities before you die.

Jonathan Turner wants you to get out and explore the city.

Jonathan Turner is a reporter at WHBF Local 4 here in the Quad Cities.  Jonathan has lived and worked in Wisconsin, Indiana, and Connecticut but has called the Quad Cities home since 1995.  During that time he explored the city between Des Moines and Chicago and has found not only a wide variety of things to do, but quality things to do and see as well.

"The QC is truly a unique, beautiful region.  Not only because it's the only part of the nation where the Mighty Mississippi runs east to west, rather than north to south," Turner says.  It's as if the river needed to stop for a bit to take in the wondrous magnificence of the area.

So what are some of these 100 things to do in the QC?

Jonathan breaks down the 100 things in his book into sections.  So if you are looking for food and drink, music and entertainment, sports, and more you'll be able to quickly look through and find great places to keep you entertained year-round.

While to see all 100 of them you'll need to get Jonathan's book "100 Things To Do In The Quad Cities Before You Die" here are some examples of things you may, or may not have done yet.

Let's start with the easiest and perhaps best one.

The Quad Cities craft brewery scene is one for beer lovers from around the country.  But we have a full route for you.  Take some time on the QC Ale Trail.  The book has all the breweries (as of now as it's growing!) on the Ale Trail.  And Jonathan gives tips in the book.  For the Ale Trail he says "You can create a mobile passport and join the Facebook group to share your favorite beers on the trail."

The music scene in the QC is one of the best for a city this size.

While you might already know this, it's nice to just say it and spread it some more.  But the music scene in the Quad Cities rocks.  It was recently ranked as one of the best places for local music in the country.  One highlight Jonathan talks about in his book is the Genesius Guild which offers outdoor theater most summer weekends.

No pro teams but plenty of sports to enjoy.

Yeah, you can travel to see all the pro teams in Chicago, but there are plenty of sports to watch here in the QC and even more that you can take part in.  Jonathan also puts on his bucket list for you to check out Credit Island.  Disc Golf, hiking, biking, tennis courts, and more on the island which is also filled with sculptures.

There is a lot of culture and history in the Quad Cities.

There are numerous museums in the Quad Cities but if that isn't on your bucket list, you can also check out the World's Largest Truck Stop.  Something for everyone in the Quad Cities!

Shop local in the Quad Cities.

Once again, you don't need to drive to Chicago and Michigan Ave to go shopping.  Check out the unique local shops in the Quad Cities like Abernathy's, Fred & Ethel's, Ragged Records or just go find it all at the Freight House Farmers Market.  And don't forget about Isabel Bloom and the Village in Bloom festival held in the Village of East Davenport.

Want to fill that bucket with everything to do here in the Quad Cities, then check out the book "100 Things To Do In The Quad Cities Before You Die" and get out and explore what makes the Quad Cities a cool place to call home.