Winter Biting in the Quad Cities? Explore the Region’s History and Culture Virtually
The Putnam Museum & Science Center is at 1717 W. 12th St., Davenport.
It’s cold outside, and the first snow of the new year has already fallen in the Quad Cities region. As the mercury plummets, it can often be difficult to decide what to do for entertainment. Sure, many of us will brave the inclement weather to
Yet, it’s interesting to note that many of the area’s museums and cultural institutions offer virtual tours. Many of these tours were put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s not quite the same as seeing it in person, but it might surprise you how well-rounded these tours can be.
We all scroll through our phones for a variety of experiences, like checking out photos on Instagram, putting out strategies to the test with a daily fantasy sports game, or answering work emails. But why not check out the Quad Cities cultural heritage, too? Perfect when it’s cold outside.
All virtual tours are available on each institution’s website, but you can find a list of virtual tours here.
Niabi Zoo
We should start by pointing out that Niabi Zoo is running a series of classes across January and February. The classes will take place at the Discovery Center, running from 10 am to 4 pm on January 25, February 8, and February 22. The classes’ focus is on endangered animals and conservation. Nonetheless, if you want to check out the zoo from the comfort of your home, you can take the virtual tour. It works much like Google Maps Street view, allowing you to wander the paths and check out the animals and habitats.
Butterworth Education Center
One of the most beautiful buildings in the region, Moline’s Butterworth Center, is worth a visit, come rain or shine. Yet, the organization has done a great job with its virtual tour, allowing you to explore the building and learn a bit about John Deere and the manufacturing heritage of the region. We especially like the information points that are dotted along the tour, allowing you to learn more with just a click. The virtual tour is perfect if, for example, your child is covering Butterworths for a history project or similar exercise.
Putnam Museum and Science Center
Look, we all know that it can be difficult to get kids interested in science and history. So, what we love about the Putnam Museum and Science Center’s virtual tour is that they have made it quirky and humorous, throwing in plenty of jokes as you learn about everything from the Quad Cities region’s history to Ancient Egypt.
German American Heritage Center
German American Heritage Center and Museum
Willkommen! The GAHC is an underrated attraction in the area, providing a fascinating insight into the German heritage of the Quad Cities. Arguably, the GAHC’s virtual tour is the most in-depth of all of those on the list, offering information in both German and English, as well as the ability to zoom in and enlarge certain exhibits. There is an audio tour, too. Top tip: just click on the yellow boxes as they appear on the tour, as they will let you interact with specific exhibits.
Mississippi River Visitors Center
This is a good option for anyone interested in learning about either the river’s history in the region or geography. The virtual tour works on the same Google Maps Street view premise as others on this list, although you can jump ahead to different exhibits. What we enjoyed about this one is the interactive quizzes that pop up to make sure you are paying attention.
