Even if you’ve never heard of lightscaping, you’ve definitely seen it before. Take this as your sign to make your evenings more vibrant with a Quad Cities lightscaping experience.
Iowa’s diverse landscapes and architecture have always relied on lights to give a little more glow to local settings. The most recent addition to the Quad Cities’ lightscaping scene is the I-74 River Bridge. This levitating highway is beautified with color-changing lights that illuminate the road at night. But the bridge itself is open to more than just vehicles. Visitors can explore the pedestrian walkway on foot or by bike. About halfway across the bridge, guests are invited to peer out over the Mississippi River from a glass overlook. Thanks to the lightscaping, Iowa’s glistening skyline becomes even more vivid once its dark.
Lightscaping also gives natural settings a makeover. Believe it or not, one of the best times to visit Vander Veer Botanical Park is during sundown. The shining symmetry of the park’s Grand Allée will wow you as you wind through the glowing maze. You’ll know you’ve reached the end of the pathway when you see a fountain show that resembles bursting fireworks. And with the holidays just around the corner, the Quad Cities’ lightscaping will undoubtedly set the stage for merry memories. Vander Veer Botanical Park will be decking the halls with twinkling bulbs and poinsettias. Additionally, Quad City Botanical Center will be embellished with more than 160,000 lights this year.
As the sun sets sooner, gather up your family and friends for a evening walk through the Davenport Skybridge. On the bridge’s observation deck, you can see a stunning view of Mississippi waves and a kaleidoscope-like tunnel made of over 200 colorful bulbs. And just minutes away from the Skybridge, you can make a second stop at Kaiserslautern Square, home to lighted walls and water shows. The bright lights tint the fountain’s mist as it rises from the square into the sky.
Last but surely not least, the Ferris wheel at Modern Woodmen Park is another must-see on your sightseeing excursion. You can catch a baseball game before stepping on the ride as it spins and shines down on the riverfront’s reflection.
For more information, visit visitquadcities.com.