Burlington (Iowa)

Burlington is a city in Southeast Iowa. It is on the Mississippi River and has a population of about 27,000. From the raising of the American flag here in 1805 by Zebulon Pike to becoming a post of the American Fur Company in 1829 and then Iowa Territory's first territorial capital in 1838, Burlington has been a place of considerable historical value. Intriguingly, it is the source for the name Hawkeye State (from the name of a newspaper honoring Chief Black Hawk) and the name Burlington Railroad.

See

 * Crapo Park, 2800 Madison Ave. A riverfront park featuring a scenic overlook, arboretum, and the Hawkeye Cabin.
 * Starr's Cave Nature Center, 11627 Starrs Cave Park Rd. Nature reserve encompassing the Flint Creek ravine and other craggy topography, with a sealed-off "cave". Hiking and exploring opportunities. Sa-Su Noon-4pm.
 * Crapo Park, 2800 Madison Ave. A riverfront park featuring a scenic overlook, arboretum, and the Hawkeye Cabin.
 * Starr's Cave Nature Center, 11627 Starrs Cave Park Rd. Nature reserve encompassing the Flint Creek ravine and other craggy topography, with a sealed-off "cave". Hiking and exploring opportunities. Sa-Su Noon-4pm.

Do

 * Catfish Bend Casino, 3001 Winegard Dr. Casino with an attached Hampton Inn, buffet, gift shop, and even a water park.
 * FunCity Resort, this outdoor/indoor water park has a number of slides, not to mention a go-kart track, bowling alley, and arcade.
 * Wildlife Lakes Elk Farm Inc, 13810 Washington Rd, West Burlington. For when you've ever had an interest in petting or just watching an elk. +1 319-759-7548
 * 34 Raceway, 10463 S Prairie Grove Rd, West Burlington. This is a country style race track where you can watch OHV dragsters and such compete.
 * 34 Raceway, 10463 S Prairie Grove Rd, West Burlington. This is a country style race track where you can watch OHV dragsters and such compete.

Sleep
Catfish Bend Casino/FunCity Resort has a Hampton Inn as mentioned above as well its own hotel property.

Or, for a more quaint experience with views of the river, you could try:
 * Squirrel's Nest Bed & Breakfast, 500 North St, Burlington. +1 319-752-8382

Safety
Burlington has a touch of crime, so take heed when heading out, especially at night. Unfortunately, there was a traumatic LGBT hate crime death here in 2016, not wholly unlike what happened in Laramie, only this time the victim was only 16 years old.