Plan your late summer road trip.
As the sun rises over the Iowa Great River Road in the heart of LeClaire, start your morning with a trip down to the LeClaire Levee, featuring some of the best views over the Mighty Mississippi. The Levee is home to many exciting events throughout the year — including Vettes on the River held the last Saturday of August, recurring Cars and Coffee events, and LeClaire Fall Fest on the second Sunday of October — but the Levee is also a perfect spot to soak in the natural majesty of America’s largest river whether you are paddling along in your kayak or taking in the sites as you relax on its banks. If you prefer a faster pace without getting your feet wet, take a bicycle cruise along the Great River Road in Port Byron, IL — located directly across the river from LeClaire, the well-manicured bike path provides stunning views of our river town and the natural wonders that surround it. Then after your ride, head back to the LeClaire Levee and take in the Buffalo Bill Museum or take a ride on Riverboat Twilight, which offers weekend sightseeing cruises from Memorial Day weekend through August.
Peculiar pies.
How about a slice for lunch? Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream, a LeClaire staple and home of the original taco pizza, offers all the traditional pizzas you’d expect alongside bold, original flavors like BBQ, BLT, and of course, the taco pizzas that put them and founder Happy Joe Whitty on the map. Up for a cool treat? Happy Joe’s serves some tasty ice cream too!
Iowa’s beverage capital.
In between sightseeing and exploring the many unique and fun shops in LeClaire, you are going to want to keep yourself hydrated. Lucky for you some of the best beverages are crafted right here in LeClaire — and sampling them all is just a short walk from one to the other! Libations Lane is home to Wide River Winery Tasting Room & Courtyard, Mississippi River Distilling Company & Cody Road Cocktail House, and Green Tree Brewery, all located within a two-block radius of each other. Sample the flavors you won’t find anywhere else in the world and find your new go-to drink.
Cool riverside treats.
Craving a mid-afternoon snack? With tasty treats and wide river views, Big Dave & Holly’s Dairy Sweet is the perfect spot to stop and treat yourself. Save room for their award-winning tenderloin!
Dinner with a view.
There’s nothing quite like enjoying a meal in the cool summer breeze. As the sun goes down, enjoy dinner with a view at Steventon’s Riverfront Food & Spirits, serving some of the hottest food in LeClaire with a patio overlooking the Mississippi River — plus live tunes most Friday evenings — promising a dining experience like no other.
Strike up the band.
LeClaire is your home for live music — what are you in the mood for? Check out Friday Night Live and Sunday Funday, part of the Summer Music Series at Mississippi River Distilling Company, or stick around Steventon’s for live music on the patio. Wide River Winery Tasting Room & Courtyard, Crane & Pelican Café, and Green Tree Brewery are also frequent hosts of live music events – check our calendar of events for specific dates. No matter what strikes a chord, you’re sure to have a night you’ll be talking about for years to come.