Top 15 Must-Do Activities in Muscatine, Iowa

A few miles downstream from the Quad Cities, Muscatine is a location rich in history, dating back to the early days of Euro-American settlement in Iowa.

Notably, one resident in the 19th century was Mark Twain, who revered the sunsets over the Mississippi River, a sentiment you can appreciate at the picturesque Riverside Park and Mark Twain Overlook.

Muscatine is commonly referred to as “The Pearl of the Mississippi,” a title reflecting its historical pearl button industry, which catalyzed rapid growth at the turn of the 20th century.

The downtown area is characterized by numerous historical buildings from this era, allowing visitors to delve into the city’s engaging history at various museums and heritage sites.

1. Wildcat Den State Park

Integrating historical elements with breathtaking natural scenery, Wildcat Den State Park is an essential destination, located a short drive up the Mississippi from downtown Muscatine.

The park is situated along Pine Creek as it navigates through a wooded gorge en route to the Mississippi.

Trails within the park guide visitors along sandstone bluffs, rising over 75 feet above the creek, leading to remarkable formations such as Steamboat Rock and the Devil’s Punch Bowl.

This area was settled by Euro-Americans as early as the 1830s, with two notable structures, Pine Creek Mill (1848) and the Pine Mill Bridge (1878), listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The park features a rustic campground with 28 sites and two open shelters available for reservation.

2. Downtown Muscatine

Located on the river plain, with residential neighborhoods on the slopes, the central commercial district of Muscatine has remained unchanged since the 19th century.

This downtown area showcases architecture that reflects the era when companies like the Musser Lumber Company and Weber & Sons Button Co. were dominant players in the industry.

A notable landmark along the riverfront is the seven-story Hotel Muscatine (1914-1915), which stood as the tallest building in the city until the 1970s.

With nearly 100 contributing buildings in the Downtown Commercial Historic District, Muscatine’s center buzzes with vitality, featuring a variety of restaurants, bars, craft breweries, independent shops, events, and beautiful public spaces.

3. Muscatine History and Industry Center

A pivotal stop in the downtown area, this attraction showcases the significant companies that have operated in Muscatine throughout the years.

One such company is Weber & Sons Button Co., whose captivating history is narrated within the National Pearl Button Museum. Since the 1880s, this company positioned Muscatine as the world’s foremost producer of pearl buttons, crafted from freshwater mussel shells.

By 1905, Muscatine produced 1.5 billion buttons annually, accounting for over a third of global output.

The museum chronicles the dramatic rise and gradual decline of an industry that attracted multitudes of migrants to the Midwest.

Visitors will learn about clamming (harvesting), the art of button cutting, and the labor disputes that impacted the sector, culminating in the Strike of 1911, which had nationwide implications.

4. Riverside Park

Adjacent to the Mississippi, there is a long linear park located in downtown Muscatine. Riverside Park is a captivating space, particularly during the early morning or late evening in summer when the skies are striking.

The scenery is enhanced by the limited development on the Illinois side, consisting primarily of wooded areas, which imparts a sense of timelessness to the views.

During the day, visitors can observe the bustling waterway, as numerous boats and barges navigate their lengthy journeys along the river.

Riverside Park also features a newly established splash pad for children, alongside a playground, boat ramp, picnic shelters, multi-purpose trails, and basketball courts.

5. Muscatine Art Center

A multifaceted establishment, the Muscatine Art Center seamlessly integrates an art gallery, history museum, and intricately furnished historic residence.

The structure is a Colonial Revival mansion, completed in 1908 for lumber heiress Laura Musser.

The main floor boasts a collection of period rooms replete with Edwardian details, including fixtures, furniture, tableware, sculptures, textiles, photographs, and paintings belonging to Musser.

Additionally, the center houses a notable collection of artifacts relating to the entire length of the Mississippi, featuring prints, maps, ephemera, and more.

The adjacent two-story Stanley Gallery displays the center’s extensive art collections, showcasing works from renowned artists such as Renoir, Chagall, van Gogh, Pissarro, Picasso, Matisse, as well as Regionalists like Grant Wood and Marvin Cone.

6. Pine Creek Grist Mill

A significant landmark within Wildcat Den State Park is the Pine Creek Grist Mill, established in 1848. Remaining on its original site and still operational, it may be the oldest working mill of its type between the Rockies and the Mississippi.

The mill was one of three constructed by Benjamin Nye (1796-1852), who hailed from Vermont and became one of the area’s first Euro-American settlers in the 1830s.

The mill welcomes visitors from May through September, allowing them to observe the production of buckwheat flour and learn about the various milling processes utilized between the 1840s and 1920s.

7. Weed Park

Slightly set back from the riverfront, northeast of downtown Muscatine, Weed Park originated from a land donation made by Mr. and Mrs. James Weed in 1907.

For many years, this picturesque 72-acre park was home to Muscatine’s Zoo, which ceased operation in 1980. Its legacy is honored by a garden adorned with carbon steel animal sculptures.

A key attraction for families today is the three-acre lagoon, which draws ducks, geese, and various waterfowl.

Additionally, visitors can enjoy a beautiful rose garden, alongside ten tennis courts, seven picnic shelters, two sand volleyball courts, and an outdoor swimming pool.

8. Muscatine Aquatic Center

Ideal for those hot summer days, there exists a public water park in Weed Park that opened in 2004.

The Muscatine Aquatic Center features five water slides, including two drop slides, complemented by a lap pool connected to a large zero-depth entry area, equipped with sprays, jets, and climbable features for children.

The center operates from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, providing ample space for parents to relax in the shade.

Amenities at the center include full concessions, family restrooms, a rentable multipurpose room, and self-service lockers.

9. Mark Twain Overlook

A short distance from downtown lies a small bluff that offers a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River. In the summer, this elevated location provides an excellent vantage point for witnessing the sunsets that Mark Twain fondly recalled.

The Mark Twain Overlook is a quaint, scenic park situated on the site of Muscatine’s original radio station, KTNT (Know the Naked Truth), operated by the broadcaster and entrepreneur Norman G. Baker (1882-1958) between 1925 and 1931.

A historical marker quotes Twain’s admiration for Muscatine’s sunsets, humorously expressing ignorance regarding the sunrises, stating, “The sunrises are also said to be exceedingly fine. I do not know.”

10. Deep Lakes Park

Located near the riverbank south of Muscatine is a 435-acre park that was formerly a quarry. Over a quarter of Deep Lakes Park is water, making it a prime destination for fishing, boating, paddling, or simply unwinding in the sun during the summer.

Canoes and kayaks are available for rent, and Lake Chester features a beach that is open from 6 AM to 9 PM in the summer months. On land, there is a 1.2-mile paved walking and biking trail that winds through woods, dunes, and grasslands.

For those interested in an overnight stay, four different cabins are available for rent, accommodating up to four individuals.

11. Running River Trail System

In Muscatine, one can appreciate the full splendor of the Mississippi River via a trail system that spans the entire length of the city’s riverfront.

Beginning north of the lagoon at Weed Park, the Running River Trail System leads through Riverside Park and down to Musser Park.

Much of the pathway is illuminated, and if you rise early enough, catching the sunrise along this east-facing riverscape is truly a memorable experience.

The 5-mile path is open to walkers, bicyclists, and joggers, connecting to various other trails throughout the city.

12. Discovery Park

Located just five minutes west of downtown Muscatine, the 100-acre Discovery Park encompasses reclaimed farmland.

This area emphasizes nature appreciation and leisurely activities rather than sports: the Environmental Learning Center features natural history displays and two 1,200-gallon aquariums filled with native fish, amphibians, and reptiles.

Discovery Park is also well-liked by fishing enthusiasts due to its two stocked ponds, complete with docks. Echoing the land’s agricultural past, the Old Barn is opened on the second Saturdays of summer, featuring children’s crafts and exhibitions about Muscatine’s agricultural heritage.

13. Muscatine Arboretum

Accessible from the Muscatine Environmental Learning Center within Discovery Park, the 13-acre arboretum displays a diverse array of native and exotic trees and shrubs, all surrounding a reconstructed prairie wetland.

This is arguably the premier location for a tranquil stroll in Muscatine, featuring paved and unpaved paths that meander past splendid tree collections and delightful floral displays.

During spring and summer, the arboretum is vibrant with bees and butterflies, providing ample spots to relax and appreciate the beautiful scenery.

14. Muscatine Municipal Golf Course

Located off Highway 38 in northern Muscatine, the city’s highly-rated municipal golf course offers an 18-hole layout along with a professional shop, cart rental, concession area, and an extensive practice facility with a driving range.

The course is well-maintained, boasting a lengthy and open front nine, contrasted by a back nine that requires careful strategy and precision.

Water hazards come into play starting on the 13th hole, featuring a challenging tee shot over water. Moreover, an amenity you might not expect is an 18-hole “footgolf” course, merging elements of soccer and golf.

15. Contrary Brewing Company

Situated in a picturesque area near Riverside Park, there exists a flourishing microbrewery featuring no fewer than 25 beers on tap.

The owner and head brewer at Contrary Brewing Company possesses extensive experience in brewing, having developed a passion for the craft after spending time in Germany with the Armed Forces in the 1980s.

The selection available at the taproom is diverse, including IPAs, Stouts, Porters, Brown Ales, a Pilsner, and a Düsseldorf-style Altbier, among other offerings.

To complement the beverages, the brewery includes a kitchen with a frequently changing menu centered around flatbread pizza and sharable appetizers.