There's plenty to see and do along the banks of the mighty Mississippi in Rock Island. The City has undergone a renaissance in recent years with extensive restoration and renovation of homes and businesses. In Rock Island, the built and natural environments are undergoing continuous improvement to enhance the community's quality of life.
 
The District in downtown Rock Island is the hub for arts and entertainment in the Quad Cities. The District has a comfortable, pedestrian-friendly plaza surrounded by historic architecture and a casual ambiance. Downtown, you can enjoy a Broadway musical, mystery, comedy, or children's play at Circa 21 Dinner Theatre, now in its 23rd year of professional production. Visit the Quad City ArtsCenter, home to the area's visual arts. Stroll through the Quad City Botanical Center, one of the largest in the Midwest. Take part in the gaming excitement of Jumer's Casino Rock Island. Enjoy live music at downtown establishments. Shop for gifts, clothing, music, books, furniture, and much more. Sit back with a good book and sip fresh-roasted java at one of the cozy coffeehouses. Dance the night away in jazz, rock and dance clubs. Attend a live comedy performance at one of two comedy clubs in The District. Dine at one of the dozen or so restaurants offering a world of tempting cuisine. Whatever your tastes, simple or eclectic, you're bound to find an afternoon or evening of fun in downtown Rock Island. Make it a weekend and stay over at the charming Victorian Inn, Top-o-the-Morning bed and breakfast or at the Four Points Hotel by Sheraton in downtown.
 
Besides the numerous entertainment options in downtown, Rock Island has a number of venues for family enjoyment. The Quad City Symphony, founded in 1915 and one of the oldest symphony orchestras in the country, performs its Sunday Series at Centennial Hall on the campus of Augustana College. The Augustana Centennial Art Gallery features both permanent and visiting collections of fine art. The Genusius Guild presents classical drama each summer in an open-air theatre in Lincoln Park, sponsored by the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department.
 
The Backwater Gamblers Water Ski Show performs free from May through September at its home site on the Rock River and Sunset Park. From May through August, the Rock Island Parks and Recreation Department sponsors musical performances in Lincoln and Longview Parks.