Collecting in Clinton

It’s no secret – the Midwest is a haven for collecting and antiquing.  Clinton has a great variety of shops and curiosities for the collector in all of us!  For a one-of-a kind experience, be sure to stop by the Smith Brothers General Store, Broken Spoke Antique Mall and Tom & Audrey’s Antiques & Collectible Mall. You’re sure to find what you’ve been searching for, along with some items you didn’t even know you needed. Check out our shopping page for locations, hours, and even more ideas!

Step Back in Time

Do you travel for a taste of the past or really want to understand the heritage of a location? Clinton has seen and been around for a lot. Come and uncover hidden gems and more with a historical journey that will enrich your mind and create experiences you won't soon forget. Walk in the footsteps of some of Clinton’s historic visitors with the trip ideas below. Learn about how Clinton was once known as the “Lumber Capital of the World” at The Sawmill Museum and then swing by the George M. Curtis Mansion for a tour of the home of our very own millionaire lumber baron. Your children are sure to enjoy a trip to the Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center, a tribute to the world famous clown and Clinton native, Felix Adler. Be sure to stop by next door in Fulton, Illinois at their Heritage Canyon where they’ll take you back in time as they recreate history in the mid-1800’s. Also, don’t miss their most prized possession, De Immigrant Windmill. Standing nearly 100 ft. tall, this Dutch Windmill was manufactured and pre-assembled in the Netherlands. 

Date Night in Clinton

Whether you are passing through Clinton for the evening or ready to uncover hidden gems in your backyard, we have a date night suggestion for you!

Just Playing Around: Engage in some friendly competition with a game of bowling at Plaza Bowl. The perk of this date? The loser buys ice cream from Happy Joes.

A Romantic Rendezvous: Impress your date with traditional Italian cuisine at Rastrelli’s followed by a movie at the Clinton 8 Theatre.

Enjoy the View: A short hike through Eagle Point Park will reward you and your date with an inspiring view of the Mississippi River.  Pack a romantic lunch to enjoy at the picnic areas.

Lover’s Lane: Enjoy dinner at the Candlelight Inn before relishing in a performance at the Showboat Theatre. Afterwards, lace your fingers together for a walk down Riverview Drive.

Batter Up!: Long summer nights call for the all-American date. Delight in beer and hotdogs served at a Clinton LumberKings game.

Girls' Getaway

Ready to revel in a weekend with your favorite ladies? You want it, we’ve got it! So leave the men behind, and plan your own great escape to Clinton.

Begin your adventure with a soothing seaweed facial at Skin Dimensions Day Spa and a mani-pedi at Asian Nails. Located on the bluffs of the Mississippi at its widest point, the Wide River Winery is a must visit for any Girls’ getaway. Enjoy award-winning wines in the tasting room or take a picnic outside on the deck and enjoy the view of the river over a wooded ravine. Did you know Clinton boasts a nationally-recognized fourteen-acre outdoor museum of select-labeled trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials and annuals? The Bickelhaupt Arboretum is a great place to relax and see nature at its best. Open to the public year round from dawn to dusk. Make sure to check out our events calendar to see if you can catch the Gateway Contemporary Ballet. They offer a full-length ballet in the spring, free riverfront concerts in summer and a showcase of guest artists in the fall, among others. What is a girl’s getaway without a little shopping? Stroll the streets of Downtown Clinton and visit a variety of shops. For those shoe lovers, make sure to visit Brown’s Shoe Fit. Looking for fine jewelry? Albert’s Jewelers is your place. If gifts and decorations is what you are looking for then you’ve found the spot. Gift’s Galore, The Painted Rooster, and Sweet Woodruff are a few places to stop in and check out. Take a look at the shopping page to see what else Clinton has to offer. Located on the Mississippi River, Candlelight Inn is the perfect restaurant to wind down from a fun-filled day with the girls. Indulge yourself in fine food and wine while overlooking the beautiful Mississippi.

Guys' Night

Start the day off with a visit to the Mississippi River Distilling Company in neighboring city, LeClaire, IA. Here you can take a tour to view their entire process of spirit making and finish up with a tasting of their sample products. Your next stop should be R&R Sports, Inc., where they offer archery lessons for beginners and individuals who would like to take their skills to the next level. If you're not a hunter, how about golf? The Oaks golf course features a complete 18 hole golf course and a 9 hole par 3 course. Afterwards, grab a drink and hit a few pins at Plaza Bowl of Clinton. If you’re not tuckered out yet, head over to the Wild Rose Casino & Resort. Refuel with a burger from Coaches Corner and then visit the casino for a game of Ultimate Texas Hold ‘Em. At the end of the night, be sure to stay in one of their newly remodeled suites. 

Family Friendly Fun

Family vacations are for creating family memories. Pack up the kids and don't forget the camera for these unforgettable experiences. Whether you're the kind of family who loves to play in the outdoors, learn something hands-on or take a historical journey, these trip ideas are a great way to get planning.

Visit the Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center and experience interactive exhibits, educational displays, special events, and weekly programs.  Don’t forget to visit the Discovery Center’s gift shop! The Sawmill Museum features dynamic exhibits, programs, and events that are sure to occupy the family. Whether it’s visiting the lumberjack camp to live as a lumberjack or taking a train ride on the Midwest lumber train, there is plenty to enjoy for kids of all ages! Take a walk or ride along Clinton’s scenic riverfront and enjoy the nature along the Mississippi River Valley. Ready for a bite to eat? Stop in at Happy Joes to enjoy a fresh hot pizza. While waiting, the kids can play in the Fun Zone game room. Clinton offers many parks for a variety of play. Visit Emma Young Park for an area that includes: ball fields, golf hitting area, tennis courts, cross-country skiing, fitness trails, hiking, bike trails, playground equipment, a pond, picnic tables & grills, shelters. For another outdoor adventure, visit Eagle Point Park. Numerous activities here include: basketball, cross-country skiing, playground equipment, picnic tables & grills, shelters, and the most spectacular view of the Mississippi you could ever hope to see.

Fun Activities To Do In The Snow

Here's a few ideas to help keep the kids entertained after a snowfall.

Frozen Bubbles: If it is very cold (below minus 7 degrees Celsius) you can blow bubbles into the air. Otherwise, you can blow bubbles gently so they form on the bubble wand and stay there. You should see ice crystals forming over the bubble.

Snow Graffiti: Give kids spray bottles full of water that’s tinted with food coloring to decorate the white canvas in your backyard.

Tic-Tac-Snow: Two players go for the championship in this classic game. Use crisscrossed sticks and pinecones as game pieces.

Practice Your Pitch: Paint a bull's-eye target on a piece of cardboard, giving each colored ring a point value. Attach it to a tree, and keep score as the kids try to hit the target with snowballs.

Cool Critters: You can build more than a snowman in this weather. Use bits of nature to embellish animals sculpted from snow.

A Winter Holiday: Fun in Clinton When You Have Guests in Town!

As the holiday season approaches, many of us are making preparations for family to come to town, as well as planning activities for days off from school and work– to travel, relax, eat, drink and be merry! Don’t get stuck with nothing to do on the days that you are at home; share Clinton’s many fun activities with your out-of-town family and friends.  Let us help you with some ideas!

Take a driving tour to show your family the sights. Drive along the beautiful Mississippi River, one of Clinton’s best-known attributes. Also, visit the Bicklehaupt Arboretum, a nationally-recognized fourteen-acre outdoor museum of trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials and annuals, among other collections. On your tour, make sure to include a drive through Eagle Point Park to see the incredible Symphony of Lights. Symphony of Lights is Clinton’s own holiday lights festival. This is the modern day family sleigh ride, and with a little planning it will be fun and memorable. Pack a blanket to put across your laps and prepare some hot cocoa or cider to come home to, after meandering through the paths of the park where the light displays have been carefully curated for your holiday delight!

Take in a movie with the family. The Clinton 8 Theatre has a diverse selection of movies showing on one of their nine screens. Some theater amenities include 3D digital projection, stadium seating, digital sound, handicap accessibility, among more. 

Hit the lanes and go bowling, a great Midwestern winter sport. Plaza Bowl is located in Clinton and proudly serves all bowlers. Plaza Bowl offers 20 lanes, with a great Cosmic Bowling light show when featured. They also offer a food and drink menu.

Want to experience exciting casino action, great entertainment, and personalized guest service? Then make sure to visit the Wild Rose Casino and Resort, you are guaranteed to have a great time. The Wild Rose has 10 of your favorite table games, including Texas Hold ‘Em, Blackjack, and Roulette, and more than 580 slot machines. It also offers Coaches Corner Sports Bar & Grill and the Sawmill Buffet; along with the Iowa store where you will find unique items.

If you haven’t been to downtown Clinton recently, you will be pleasantly surprised at the variety of shops and attentive service. Clinton’s 5th Avenue South is lined with independently owned shops that offer gifts that would be perfect stocking stuffers. There is sure to be the right gift for everyone on your holiday list. Park and walk around for a bit to fully appreciate the window merchandise.

When you’ve reached the point where you can’t look at another cookie or appetizer, it’s time to get out and enjoy the fresh air. It will do wonders for your spirits if you get outside and get some exercise. A great year-round resource is the sports equipment rentals at Rock Creek Marina and Campground, and winter sports are no exception. Rent cross country skis, ice skates and snowshoes.

The exhibits at the Children’s Discovery Center are a great option for entertaining visiting children during the holidays. The Children's Discovery Center is a member of the Association of Children's Museums (ACM), offering interactive exhibits, educational displays, special events, and weekly programs. The Center honors the memory of Clinton native, Frank Adler (“Funny Felix, King of Clowns”), who was a famous clown with Ringling Brothers Circus. The Discovery Center has a gift shop and two special events rooms available. It is an exceptional field trip destination and unique tourist attraction!

Visit the community event calendar at www.clintoniowatourism.com for upcoming events in the Clinton area! We will continue to update the calendar as events are submitted, so check back frequently as you make your plans for this December and beyond!

Please share your winter experiences in the Clinton area with us online– find us on Facebook and Twitter at Visit Clinton, Iowa!

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Clinton

Plan an unforgettable Valentine's Day in Clinton, Iowa with a weekend away, a one-of-a-kind date night or the perfect gift for your special someone. Let us help you plan an unforgettable day...

Ladies, try the Painted Rooster to discover that perfect scene-stopping dress for the evening. Men, head over to Boegel’s Men’s Wear and find your ensemble for the night. Visit our shopping page to see what stores may hold that special gift you are looking for. Whether you are looking for the traditional candy and flowers or something completely different for your loved one this February, Clinton has you covered! Check out the fine jewelry selection at Don’s Jewelry and the delectable treats at Sweetheart Bakery, both located in the Lyon’s District. If it’s flowers you need, be sure to stop by Clinton Floral Shop or Flowers on Fifth. Drop into the Wide River Winery for award-winning wines and learn about the art and science of wine making. If you’re looking to unwind with a facial or a peel, Skin Dimensions Day Spa is the place to go. Need a table for two? Find fine dining at the Candlelight Inn, traditional Italian cuisine at Rastrelli’s, or steak and seafood at Mckinley Street Taverne.  At the end of the day, turn in at our bed and breakfast or at one of our hotels.