Le Claire can be explored from two different perspectives: on foot through a historic district or on the Mississippi River aboard a hovercraft. Museums, historic buildings, and shops add further insights into the town to a stroll.
Architecture and History in the Cody Road Historic District
About 60 buildings make up the Cody Road Historic District. The district, which spans nine blocks, runs along a section of U.S. 67 and can be explored on foot. Visitors can also stop at shops and restaurants along the way. A walk through the neighborhood thus connects the buildings with a look at the offerings along the road, without requiring any one building to define the entire visit.
The Buffalo Bill Museum explores the history of its namesake. The museum also covers education and innovation, the contributions of Indigenous peoples, agriculture, home life, and the Mississippi River. These topics broaden the focus beyond a single historical figure and include both everyday life and river history.
The River Pilot Houses provide a tangible link to the historic district: they were recognized as part of the Cody Road Historic District on May 7, 2019. The district is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another maritime attraction is the Lonestar Steamer in Le Claire. It is the only surviving wooden steamboat of its design in the country and was built using the traditional construction methods of the western rivers. Together, the district, the pilot houses, and the steamboat highlight different aspects of architecture and river history.
Le Claire on the Mississippi River
Fly Hovercraft river cruises depart from Le Claire. They travel north as far as Princeton, across the river to Cordova, Illinois, and south past Port Byron, Illinois. Experiences on the water include transitions between land and water, 360-degree turns, and sideways slides. The ride offers a different perspective from a walk through the district: there, the focus is on the buildings and the road; here, it is on movement across the river.
If you want to plan a ride in advance, check the provider’s current availability beforehand. This lets you fit the activity into your plans without assuming a particular schedule.
Shops and Libations Lane
Antique Archaeology is located in a former manufacturing workshop. The two-story building serves as the base for the show American Pickers and houses a shop with selected finds and fan merchandise. If you plan to visit the store, check the latest information beforehand, as the merchandise and operator details may change.
Le Claire’s Libations Lane has a brewery, a distillery, and a winery within two blocks of one another. These three different types of establishments provide another clearly defined focus for a visit, alongside architecture, the museum, and river history.
Discover more destinations: Davenport, Eldridge, Walcott, Bettendorf.
Go to the main travel overview: Scott.
