Things To Do
Big Cats Café
Big Cat's Café is a coffee shop in Muscatine, IA. Family owned and operated, they are VERY involved in the community and support the small local roasters, and other small local businesses, and like to include them in their café. Most items are handmade in-house. They have a full lunch menu with healthy options.
Black Pearl Caffeine + Espresso
Stay Weird Tribe!! female run—latina owned
Contrary Brewing CO
Find adventure right along the Mississippi with 20 total taps, including Contrary beers, seltzers, and a sampling of local cider, wine, and canned cocktails. The Contrary kitchen uses premium ingredients that are served hot and fresh.
Mamma Mia Restaurante
Port City Underground
The Pearl Martini Bar & Lounge
Famous for our Bloody Mary & Iced Pearl, The Pearl is a martini bar & lounge offering a cozy setting to enjoy spirits & libations on the Mississippi River.
Bobby's Asian Cuisine
http://bobbysasiancuisinemuscatine.mybistro.online/
Guadalajara Mexican Cuisine
GUADALAJARA IS A MEXICAN RESTAURANT LOCATED IN IOWA. COME AND TRY THE REAL MEXICAN TASTE FROM THE BEST CHEFS OF THE AREA.
Salvitales Italian Restaurant
THE ORIGINAL ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN MUSCATINE SINCE 1984
Chicharo's Mexican Grill
Tacos, Shot, Nap, Repeat
Boonies On The Avenue
Best Burger and Sports Bar in Muscatine, IA!
Geo Johnz Pizza
National Pearl Button Museum
The National Pearl Button Museum at The History and Industry Center proudly tells Muscatine's story in becoming the Pearl Button Capital of the World. Known as the "Gold Rush of the Midwest," The National Pearl Button Museum produced 1.5 billion pearl buttons annually and sold them to the garment industry and around the world over 100 years ago. The second floor reveals the history of Muscatine's industrial giants which led the way for the manufacturing of products like office furniture, retread tires, and corn product processing — all of which are still thriving today.
Muscatine Art Center
Open since 1965, the Laura Musser Museum/Muscatine Art Center is many things to the community of Muscatine — Historic House Museum, Art Gallery, and Local History Museum featuring over 20 changing exhibitions. The museum displays many distinctive architectural details of the Edwardian period, The Mississippi River Collection, and collections of work by world-famous artists including Georgia O’Keeffe and Vincent Van Gogh. The Muscatine Art Center is accredited by the American Association of Museums — an honor signifying that the Art Center has undergone a rigorous and lengthy process involving intensive self-examination, peer review, and a thorough examination by the Accreditation Commission.
Historic Downtown
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Muscatine’s Historic Downtown area is a must see if you are seeking unique specialty shops, antique shops, restaurants, bars, museums, art galleries, and historic buildings. These, along with the wonderful riverfront, makes it the heart of the community. As you take a walk and wander Downtown Muscatine, you'll notice the poetry of local writers etched in concrete around the city. Wandering Words is a partnership between the Muscatine County Arts Council and the City of Muscatine featuring 29 sidewalk poems permanently installed throughout Muscatine; 19 of which can be found Downtown.
Art in Public Spaces
On a stroll through Downtown Muscatine, you will see many buildings adorned with colorful murals; Riverside Park boasts statues, plaques, and other three-dimensional artwork; and while you’re at it, notice some of the historical architectural features of the downtown buildings. Along the Mississippi riverfront you'll also find Gus, a clam fisherman standing in a clam-filled boat brandishing a pair of clamming forks over his head. Titled "Mississippi Harvest," the large bronze sculpture was created by artist Erik Blome. The Merrill Hotel itself is something of an artistic masterpiece. The vision and commitment to Muscatine is carved in a black granite tribute to Stanley Merrill Howe by Muscatine artist Joe Barnard.
West Hill Historic District
A leisurely walk up the hill on 2nd Street and back down on 3rd Street showcases Muscatine’s eclectic architecture and history. You’ll discover many treasures in the over 200 homes built as long ago as 1843 including big glorious mansions and small brick cottages, and every residential architectural style imaginable from Queen Anne Victorian to Italianate to Federal to Greek Revival.
Bayer Butterfly Garden
Explore 155-acres of prairie grasses and wildflowers, including a one-acre butterfly garden along the northern edge of the prairie planted by Muscatine's Bayer U.S. - Crop Science. The garden features numerous colorful wildflower species that attract butterflies and other pollinators, including bees, from early spring to fall. Enjoy a picnic at the tables or relax in the gazebo as a pond with dual waterfalls attracts birds and koi that swim through the water lilies.
Muscatine Arboretum
While exploring Discovery Park, take a walk on the paved trails that wind throughout 13 acres of over 1,000 native and ornamental trees, shrubs, and plants in the Muscatine Arboretum that is described as a “living tree museum.” In addition to the beautiful trees and plants, you'll enjoy a Veterans Memorial Area, a medieval-style brick labyrinth, a gazebo (perfect for picnics), and many benches to sit and enjoy the surroundings.
Pine Creek Grist Mill and Melpine Schoolhouse
Built in 1848, the Pine Creek Grist Mill is thought to be the oldest working mill on its original site between the Mississippi River and the Rockies. Muscatine County’s first official resident, Benjamin Nye, constructed the mill in response to the growing demand of pioneering families to have their crops ground into usable products like flour and meal. Discover the 170-year-old working mill and one-room schoolhouse that is now used as a museum of rural school memorabilia, located in Wildcat Den State Park.
Environmental Learning Center
The Environmental Learning Center offers numerous natural history exhibits, including two 1,200-gallon aquariums with native fish, live reptiles, amphibians, and more than 100 mounted animals, and is the home to the Muscatine County Conservation Board office. Walk or bike the 1.5 miles of paved trails, fish stocked ponds, or stop by the outdoor raptor enclosure, all within the 85-acre Discovery Park.
Ardon Creek Vineyard & Winery
Founded on a 164-year-old family farm with a rich Irish Heritage, Ardon Creek Vineyard & Winery is family owned and managed. The vineyard is 4.1 acres in size and includes five varieties of hard-hardy grape vines: Concord, Noiret, Chancellor reds and Edelweiss and LaCrosse whites. All Ardon Creek wines are vinted, cellared, and bottled in their winery in Letts, Iowa.
Deep Lakes Park
Fish, canoe, kayak, hike, and roam this 435-acre park including 130 acres of fishable water from numerous small lakes and ponds.
Disc Golf
Find this 18-hole disc golf course at Fuller Park, accommodating players of all skill levels from first-timers to those seeking a more challenging game.
Kent Stein Park
This well-lit 66-acre park includes nine softball diamonds, eight baseball diamonds, and nine horseshoe courts. This park hosts events sponsored by national, state, and local associations with participants of all ages.
Mairet's Garden Center
Home to the famous Muscatine Melon, Mariet's is one of the last remaining area growers. Here you'll find a bounty of fresh produce and flowers grown throughout the summer, and plentiful pumpkins in the fall.
The Mississippi Mist
Find this interactive splash pad right on the Mississippi Riverfront. This fun water-time play area is a riverboat smokestack design that shoots water up to 30 feet in the air, and has four mist jets and four outer water cannons.
Muscatine Aquatic Center
Located inside Weed Park, have summertime fun with five slides (two drop slides, one family slide, and two long slides), a zero-depth entry area, and an interactive play structure with kid slide and spray features.
Muscatine Municipal Boat Harbor & Marina
Holding 18 slips for houseboats and 64 slips for pleasure/speed boats, the Municipal Boat Harbor is the perfect place to fill up with gas before spending the day fishing or enjoying water sports.
Muscatine Municipal Golf Course
Hit your golf ball over the water on No. 13 when you take the challenge at this 18-hole traditional course. Complete pro shop, concession area, cart rental, and driving range.
Muscatine Skate Park
Located at Musser Park, this park lets enthusiasts hone their skills on skateboards, roller blades, and BMX bikes in an area suited for their needs. It also features a flat track, obstacle/stunt area with a variety of steel ramps, and an in-line hockey rink.
Muscatine Soccer Complex
This award-winning, 3.8-million-dollar complex consists of 41 acres featuring eight full-sized premiere soccer fields. The Muscatine Soccer Complex plays host to events sponsored by national, state, and local associations with all ages of participants.
Norbert F. Beckey Bridge
As the only bridge over the Mississippi River featuring LED lights, the Norbert F. Beckey Bridge stretches 1,500 feet and displays fabulous light shows at night. The iconic bridge is also featured in original artwork in The Merrill guest rooms!
Riverside Park
Across from The Merrill Hotel & Conference Center you will find Riverside Park recreational activities like the interactive Mississippi Mist Fountain Splash Pad, basketball courts, playground, and boat launch.
Running River Trail System
With over 10 miles of paved and unpaved trails, walkways, and parks, the city of Muscatine has more than 550 acres of land where you can run, walk, or bike.
Weed Park
Home to the Muscatine Aquatic Center, this 72-acre park features a Zoo Garden, Rose Garden, playgrounds, bandstand, picnic areas, fishing for children, tennis courts, and volleyball courts.
Wildcat Den State Park
One of the most unique state parks in Iowa located 10 miles east of Muscatine, Wildcat Den State Park has a trail system, rock outcroppings, creeks, and is home to one of Muscatine's original mills, Pine Creek Grist Mill.