Discover the Best Day Trips around the Quad Cities

Looking for fun places near the Quad Cities? QC.LocalDayTrips.com is your local guide to unforgettable adventures across Iowa and Illinois — all within easy driving distance. Plan a spontaneous weekend, a family road trip, or a day away without going far!

🎃 Experience the Quad Cities’ Scariest Virtual Reality Haunted House!

Don’t miss your chance to step inside a terrifying haunted house — in full virtual reality!
For a limited time, Virtual Ventures is offering this 25-minute horror experience for ONLY $10!

🕓 Walk-in hours: 4–6 PM, starting FRIDAY NIGHTS ONLY
📍 Location: Virtual Ventures, Davenport, IA
No reservations needed — just show up and survive.

👻 Learn More on Booking Site »

Morton Arboretum

The Morton Arboretum is an internationally recognized tree-focused botanical garden and research center. Its 1,700 acres of beautiful tree-filled landscapes are a place of enjoyment, a vibrant hub for nature education, and a world-renowned center for scientific research that studies trees and how to sustain them. Its vision is a greener, healthier, more beautiful world where people and trees thrive together. As a nonprofit organization, the Arboretum’s mission is to collect, study, display, and conserve trees and other plants from around the world to inspire learning, foster enjoyment, benefit communities, encourage action, and enhance the environment.

Educational
Food Nearby
Great for Photos
Kid Friendly
Large Group Activities
Outdoor
Over 2 Hours Away
Paid Admission
Scenic Views
Seasonal

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Lincoln’s Trail Mini Golf

Lincoln’s Trail Mini Golf

Follow in the footsteps of Abraham Lincoln—literally—at Lincoln’s Trail Mini Golf in Lincoln, IL. This family-friendly course weaves fun and history together with themed holes that highlight Lincoln’s legacy. A perfect stop for road-trippers or families looking to enjoy a casual, budget-friendly game in a scenic outdoor setting.

Kid Friendly
Less Than 1 Hour Away
Outdoor
Paid Admission
Seasonal

Valley Falls Adventure Golf

​​​​​​ ​Experience scenic waterfalls, bridges, and rock gardens at Valley Falls Adventure Golf in Coal Valley, IL. This locally loved 18-hole mini golf course offers affordable fun for families, casual players, and birthday parties. A relaxed, kid-friendly destination just minutes from the Quad Cities.

Birthday Party Venue
Great for Photos
Kid Friendly
Outdoor
Seasonal

Volcano Falls

Step into a world of family fun at Volcano Falls Adventure Park in Loves Park, IL. This vibrant destination features two 18-hole mini golf courses, go-karts, laser tag, and an expansive arcade—perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages. Whether you're planning a group outing or a spontaneous weekend stop, it’s packed with excitement.

Birthday Party Venue
Food Nearby
Indoor
Kid Friendly
Large Group Activities
Over 2 Hours Away