Think: soulful Blues bands in a storied park where Abe Lincoln once debated, mouth-watering food & drinks by creative local chefs, and cruising the hidden coves of the Mississippi at your leisure. 

Downtown Quincy, Illinois, is midwestern spirit incarnate. The central hub of the historic area is Washington Park, the nucleus of community festivals, fantastic eateries & bars, and only four blocks from the river. One of the most anticipated events of the year is the Midsummer Arts Faire, a community celebration of visual, musical, and culinary arts, June 27-29. The three-day event features a fine and fresh art festival, a street concert and a food court. The faire draws regional and national artists, showcasing a juried fine art exhibition and sale alongside incredible entertainment and hands-on art activities for all ages.

June also welcomes the hottest Friday night blues around. For three months on the second and fourth Fridays of the month, regional blues bands crank up the volume in Washington Park to satiate crowds with four hours of dynamic entertainment. From Delta to R & B and Classic to Country Blues, Blues in the District is always free. Enjoy onsite food trucks and retire for a nightcap at a nearby cozy wine bistro or cocktail bar. 

To complete the perfect weekend lineup, hop on a delicious Summer Flavor Tour late Saturday morning. SeeQuincy’s guided Foodie Tours delight visitors and locals all summer long, offering the best way to experience the culinary culture of Quincy. Passionate chefs of six locally owned downtown eateries share prized food and drink menus each Saturday. The 3-hour adventure stroll through the historic streets around Washington Park, the Farmers Market, and boutique shops. Tour-goers see world-class architecture and hear entertaining nuggets of the city’s past with stories from knowledgeable guides along the way.

The morning begins with coffee at The Pour Haus, which serves double duty as a coffee house by day and a cocktail lounge by night (translation: boozy coffee at the ready). Tours proceed to fresh brunch & lunch courses with the sweetness of house-made Tiramisu at the city’s beloved Italian ristorante bearing the same name.

The adventure concludes at Quincy Brewing Company, complete with a relaxing beer garden and specialties like The Great Debate, in homage to the 1858 Lincoln-Douglas Debate that happened just a block away, a pale, light-bodied, well-attenuated lager with a neutral flavor profile and low bitterness.

Downtown Quincy Illinois holds a prime position on the Great River Road, one of America’s greatest drives, following the Mississippi River for nearly 3,000 miles through 10 states, from northern Minnesota to far southern Louisiana. A spectacular way to experience this portion of the sights surrounding the historic byway is via kayak.

Explore the nature-filled waterways of Quincy Bay, described as a backwater lake complex measuring approximately four miles long. The area is composed of interconnected channels and bottomland forest and is one of the largest natural bays in the Upper Mississippi River, providing habitat for wildlife species and native fish. Kayak Quincy is open from sun-up to sundown, offering self-checkout kayaks at affordable hourly rates.

For more Great River Road inspiration, stop by the Villa Kathrine, a Great River Road Interpretive Center. The Villa is a true Mediterranean castle built on the Mississippi River bluffs in 1900. The two-story home with striking sunset views features a Mosque of Thais minaret & interior courtyard replica with marble mosaic reflecting pool & balcony. Now serving as Quincy’s Tourist Info Center, the Villa is open for tours seven days a week. Free two-hour bike rentals are also available here, compliments of SeeQuincy.

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  • Visit SeeQuincy.com to reserve Summer Flavor Tours and Kayak Rentals 
  • Flavor Tours are Saturdays, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m., June-Aug and require 24-hour reservations (accommodate up to 20 people per Saturday and sell out quickly)
  •  For more travel inspiration, download or request the 2025 Quincy Area Travel Guide

 800.978.4748 | seequincy.com