Burlington Travel Guide

Trek Zone

City

Facts and practical information

Located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, Burlington is a charming city in Iowa that offers a wealth of attractions and activities for visitors. Known for its rich history, vibrant arts scene, and stunning natural beauty, Burlington is a hidden gem that is waiting to be explored.

History buffs will be delighted to discover the city's historical sites and landmarks. One of the must-see attractions in Burlington is the Snake Alley, often referred to as the "Crookedest Street in the World." This unique street, with its steep incline and tight turns, is a favorite spot for photographers and offers stunning views of the city. Another historical landmark is the beautiful Burlington Memorial Auditorium, a grand building that has hosted countless events and performances since its construction in 1937.

For those interested in the arts, Burlington has plenty to offer. The Art Center of Burlington is a hub for local artists, featuring rotating exhibits and workshops. Visitors can admire a wide range of artworks, from paintings to sculptures to jewelry. The Gallery Lounge is a great place to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee while appreciating the local talent.

Nature enthusiasts will fall in love with Burlington's scenic beauty. Crapo Park is a sprawling green space that offers walking trails, picnic areas, and breathtaking views of the Mississippi River. The park is also home to the Snake Alley Criterium, a thrilling annual bike race that attracts participants from all over the country. Another natural gem is Starr's Cave Park and Preserve, where visitors can explore limestone caves, hike through wooded trails, and observe wildlife in their natural habitat.

Food lovers will be delighted by Burlington's culinary scene. From cozy cafes to upscale restaurants, the city offers a diverse range of dining options. Visitors can savor delicious farm-to-table dishes, sample local craft beers, or indulge in sweet treats at one of the charming bakeries.

Alternative names: Founded: 1833 (191 years ago)Population: 25.4 thous.Area: 15.22 mi²Elevation: 561 ft a.s.l.Coordinates: 40°48'38"N, 91°6'14"W

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IowaUnited States

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Burlington Top Attractions

Burlington Attractions - What to See and Explore

Burlington offers many attractions and places to visit. Here are the most important ones: Community Field, Great River Bridge, German Methodist Episcopal Church, Church of St. John the Baptist. Below you will find a complete list of places worth visiting.

Arenas and stadiums • Baseball • Sport venue
Community Field
Community Field is a stadium in Burlington, Iowa. It is primarily used for baseball and is the home field of the Burlington Bees collegiate summer baseball team of the Prospect League.
Bridge
Great River Bridge
The Great River Bridge is an asymmetrical, single tower cable-stayed bridge over the Mississippi River. It carries U.S. Route 34 from Burlington, Iowa to the town of Gulf Port, Illinois.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
German Methodist Episcopal Church
The German Methodist Episcopal Church, also known as St. Paul's German Methodist Episcopal Church, is a historic church building in Burlington, Iowa, United States. The German Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Burlington in 1845.

Gothic Revival architecture • Church
Church of St. John the Baptist
The Church of St. John the Baptist is an historic church building located in Burlington, Iowa, United States. Together with St.
Park
Crapo Park
Crapo Park is a city park with arboretum and botanical garden, alongside the Mississippi River at Parkway Drive, Burlington, Iowa. Those who are not familiar with the park often mispronounce it as "crap-oh" Park, with the correct pronunciation being Park.
40°48'32"N • 91°5'60"W
Burlington Memorial Auditorium
Concerts and shows • Theater
Bridge
Cascade Bridge
The Cascade Bridge is a historic structure located in Burlington, Iowa, United States. In April 1896 the Burlington City Council approved a proposal to have city engineer S.D.
Playground • Park
Dankwardt Park
Dankwardt Park is a 72 acres municipal park in the southeast section of Burlington, Iowa. It is located adjacent to Crapo Park and is bordered by Shoquoquon Drive, and by South Main Street and Madison Avenue. The park was established in 1937 on land donated to the city by Lydia Dankwardt as a memorial to her family.
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
First Congregational Church
First Congregational Church is located in Burlington, Iowa, United States. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. The church is also a contributing property in the Heritage Hill Historic District.
Historic walking areas • Street
Snake Alley
Snake Alley is a street located in Burlington, Iowa, which was built in 1894. In 2017, Ripley's Believe It or Not! recognized the street as "Unbelievably Crooked" and the #1 Odd Spot in their Odd Spots Across America Campaign.
Bridge
Burlington Rail Bridge
The Burlington Bridge is a vertical-lift railroad bridge across the Mississippi River between Burlington, Iowa, and Gulfport, Illinois, United States.
40°48'44"N • 91°6'4"W
Des Moines County Court House
The Des Moines County Court House located in Burlington, Iowa, United States, was built in 1940. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003 as a part of the PWA-Era County Courthouses of Iowa Multiple Properties Submission. The courthouse is the fourth structure to house court functions and county administration.
Church • Romanesque architecture
Christ Episcopal Church
Christ Episcopal Church, or simply Christ Church, is an historic church building located in Burlington, Iowa, United States. It is a part of the Episcopal Diocese of Iowa, and is a contributing property in the Heritage Hill Historic District listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Concerts and shows • Theater
Capitol Theater of Burlington Iowa
The Capitol Theater was a 700-seat theater in Burlington, Iowa. Opened in 1937, with the first showing being Mark Twain's classic "The Prince and the Pauper". The theater was both a movie theater and an auditorium used for performances. The theater closed in March 1977, the final showing was the Stephen King horror classic "Carrie".
Gothic Revival architecture • Church
St. Paul's Catholic Church
St. Paul's Catholic Church is an historic church building located in Burlington, Iowa, United States. Together with the Church of St. John the Baptist in Burlington and St Mary's Church in West Burlington it forms Divine Mercy parish, which is a part of the Diocese of Davenport.
Library
Burlington Public Library
The Burlington Public Library is a public library located in Burlington, Iowa, United States. It dates back to 1868. The library is currently located on Court Street.
Gothic Revival architecture
Hedge Block
The Hedge Block, also known as Johnson-Rasmussen Building, is a historic commercial building located in the central business district of Burlington, Iowa, United States. It was individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
40°48'33"N • 91°6'9"W
Hotel Burlington
Hotel Burlington, now known as The Burlington Apartments, is a historic building located in the central business district of Burlington, Iowa, United States.
40°48'6"N • 91°6'51"W
Mary Darwin House
The Mary Darwin House is a historic house located at 537 Summer Street in Burlington, Iowa. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 24, 1980.

Day trips

Burlington – popular in the area (distance from the center)

In the vicinity of Burlington, it's worth seeing attractions such as: Nauvoo Illinois Temple (Nauvoo), Nauvoo House (Nauvoo State Park), Church of All Saints (Keokuk).

23 milesSW
Church, Sacred and religious sites, Temple
Nauvoo Illinois Temple, Nauvoo
The Nauvoo Illinois Temple is the 113th dedicated temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the third such temple that has been built in Illinois.
24 milesSW
History museum, Museum
Nauvoo House, Nauvoo State Park
The Nauvoo House in Nauvoo, Illinois, is a boarding house that Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, began constructing in the 1840s.
32 milesSW
Church, Gothic Revival architecture
Church of All Saints, Keokuk
The Church of All Saints is a parish of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Davenport. The church is located in Keokuk, Iowa, United States. The church building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as St. Peter Church, the name of the congregation that built it.
32 milesSW
Bridge
The Bridge, Keokuk
The Keokuk-Hamilton bridge is a steel girder, 4-lane bridge from Keokuk, Iowa to Hamilton, Illinois. It carries U.S. Route 136 across the Mississippi River. It also has fully fenced off pedestrian walkway.
40 milesE
Specialty museum, Museum, History museum
Galesburg Railroad Museum, Galesburg
The Galesburg Railroad Museum is a railroad museum in Galesburg, Illinois, United States. The Museum is located at 211 South Seminary Street, Galesburg, IL 61401.

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Best Time To Visit Burlington

Learn when is the best time to travel to Burlington weather-wise and what to expect in each season.

Popularity among visitors

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July is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in June and August.

Average temperatures in °F

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The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January.

Monthly rainfall in inches

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The lowest rainfall is recorded in February. Most of it rains in April, May, June, July, August and September.

Length of day in hours

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We can expect the longest days in June, while the shortest in December.

Sunrise

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the top attractions to visit in Burlington?

The top attractions to visit in Burlington are:

What is the best time to visit Burlington?

July is the most popular and therefore the most crowded month to visit this location. Slightly fewer tourists decide to visit in June and August. The highest air temperature is in June, July and August. While the coldest is in January.