Visit Beautiful Crapo Park Burlington Iowa

Flower Chick hits the road for a dose of summer gardening inspiration as we visit historic Crapo Park in Burlington, Iowa!

Thanks for joining us on our ongoing “Visiting Midwest Gardens” series. The Midwest offers countless locales to experience beautiful gardens and spectacular landscaping. We’re delighted to showcase one of these by introducing you to the many charms of Burlington and its crown jewel natural attraction, picturesque Crapo Park …

Burlington Iowa Overview

Tucked along the Mississippi River in east central Iowa, Burlington is a historic small river city of 25,000 residents. The city traces its roots back to 1805, when Lt. Zebulon Pike of the United States Army raised the first American flag on ground which is now Crapo Park …

Always a busy river port and railroad town, Burlington is home to Iowa’s oldest newspaper and features over two dozen listings on the National Register of Historic Places. The pedestrian friendly and inviting downtown offers many welcoming local businesses, several of which we’ll spotlight below …

To get your bearings, Burlington is located about 75 miles south of the Quad Cities and 90 or so minutes west of Peoria, IL. It’s an enjoyable overnight or weekend destination from just about anywhere in central Illinois and Iowa …

Visit Crapo Park Burlington IA

Located on the south end of town along the river’s edge, Crapo Park (pronounced “CRAY-poh”) is one of Iowa’s most historic parks. It was established in 1895 and named after prominent Burlington businessman and philanthropist Philip Crapo …

The park features more than 200 varieties of trees and shrubs along with  gardens of annuals and perennials complementing the scenery. The 85 acre site is easy to navigate. Walking and driving paths wind through the surroundings, taking you past a 1.5 acre lake, band shell, the historic Curly-Q slide, and the picturesque Foehlinger Fountain, named in honor of a former Burlington Parks Superintendent …

Crapo Park is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is beloved locally by visitors of all ages. There’s ample parking, plenty of shade during the warmer months, and the park is only a five minute drive from downtown …

The Shakespeare Garden at Crapo Park

This picture perfect garden has been the backdrop for many Burlington family weddings and other special events.  The blend of flower colors immediately caught my eye … a lovely mixture of zinnias, roses, black-eyed susans, daisies and other seasonal favorites.

There are benches for seating, a photogenic arbor, and a stone path to complete the pretty space along with a backdrop of greenery and trees.

The Crapo Arboretum

Crapo Park contains a wide variety of trees for your viewing pleasure. Over 200 species of trees and shrubs live harmoniously side by side in the park.  There are many favorites including oaks, spruce, maples, gingkos, lindens, paw paw, willow, chestnuts, and cherry.

All the trees and shrubs, located within the mowed areas of Crapo Park have been tagged, numbered and inventoried. Each specimen has a small round aluminum tag located on the west side. Large trees have a tag located approximately 8 inches above ground level for helpful identification purposes.

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Enjoy a leisurely walk around the lake or settle in for a picnic under one of the many beautiful trees. A comprehensive listing of trees in this nationally-known arboretum is available online.

Lake Starker in Crapo Park

Lake Starker, a 1.5-acre lake in Crapo Park, was completed in 1905. Interestingly, Lake Starker was originally a prairie pothole and was first designed as a compacted mud-bottom lake. Later, in the 1920’s, it was redesigned and engineered with a hard surface bottom and walls. It now contains goldfish and is frequented by Canadian Geese and mosquito eating dragonflies.

There are picnic tables and benches available so you can relax, enjoy a meal al fresco, and take in the sights around the serene lake.

We visited Crapo Park three times during our stay in Burlington. It’s a nice spot to hike, walk your dog, snap photos of the trees and flowers, take in views of the Mississippi River, or just plain relax among the beauty of nature.  There’s playground equipment and the famous Curly Q slide for the little ones (or the young at heart).

Picturesque and easy to navigate, Crapo Park is a great place to create memories in Burlington, Iowa!

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Experience the “Local” in Burlington – 11 Downtown Favorites

Port of Burlington Iowa Welcome Center: Crossing over the Great River Bridge from Illinois into Burlington, you’ll see this inviting welcome center to your left. It’s the perfect first stop on your visit …

In addition to a plentiful array of travel information, the Port of Burlington Iowa Welcome Center also hosts The Iowa Store. This Hawkeye State themed outlet offers all sorts of Iowa and Burlington gifts, including wine from local area Linden Winery. Pick up a bottle of Burlington Blush or Burlington Mist for your next picnic outing …

Did You Know? Iowa is quite a prolific wine producing state. You’ll find nearly 100 Iowa wineries and eight distinct wine trails in The Hawkeye State. Grapes grown here include cold hardy varieties like La Crescent, Brianna, Marquette, Frontenac, and many more …

Of course, if you have any questions about where to go or what to do, the friendly on site staff is at the ready to help. From here, you’re just a two block walk into the heart of downtown Burlington …

Insider Tip: Be sure to pick up a current copy of the Burlington Visitor Guide. It’s chock full of useful information and offers helpful details about current events in the area …

The first three local businesses on our list are all within steps of one another … just off the corner of 3rd and Jefferson. Jefferson Street is downtown Burlington’s main artery. You’ll find most of the downtown’s retail shops and attractions on Jefferson between 3rd Street (on the east) and Central Avenue (past 8th Street on the west). Park the car and stroll!

Burlington By The Book: We love local bookstores and are so pleased to share them with you …

More than just a bookstore, Burlington By The Book offers a nice selection of local art, greeting cards, gifts, puzzles, and current magazines. We were particularly impressed with the wide array of books authored by local and regional writers …

Flower Chick loves independent bookstores!  When I’m visiting a new town, I enjoy exploring their local author sections. My favorite discovery is a good mystery / suspense novel set in the town we’re staying.

I found a gem of a book that I’m still reading … “Keepers of the River” by Burlington native Keith Schulz.  So far it’s a riveting page turner (ala Stephen King novels) referencing local sights along the Mississippi River.  Right up my alley!

Art Center of Burlington: Situated adjacent to Burlington By The Book, the Art Center of Burlington features monthly gallery exhibits and is the catalyst for the city’s artist community.

The Center is dedicated to sparking interest in the creative arts in the community’s younger citizens. Art classes are offered for toddlers and youngsters all the way through adult age, and frequent special events are hosted and sponsored …

If you enjoy buying locally created art as a souvenir of your travels like we do, be sure to visit the onsite Artists Market. Here you’ll find original art, jewelry, photography, pottery, sculpture, metalwork, and more all created by local and regional artists …

Red Screen Door:  The Red Screen Door offers a beautiful array of cottage vintage accessories for your home and garden, handmade soaps, candles, unique signs, plus kitchen and gourmet food items!  The perfect place to shop for a neat gift.

Napoli Pizza and Restaurant: Napoli Pizza is downtown Burlington’s destination for pizza, Italian cuisine, and Greek specialties since 1972. You’ll find it a block south of Jefferson on 3rd Street …

When you visit, you’ll notice the “to go” orders humming along at a brisk pace. Burlington locals know where to get a fantastic pizza! We ordered a cheese and green pepper to go and this photo only hints at how good it tastes …

Insider Tip: If you’re ordering take out at Napoli and need somewhere to spend a few minutes until your order is ready, head around the corner to our next featured spot, Valley Monster Pub …

Valley Monster Pub: Less than 1/2 block away from Napoli Pizza and Restaurant, you’ll find this new eclectic entry to the downtown Burlington scene …

Valley Monster Pub is Burlington’s craft beer bar. But if you’re not the craft beer type, don’t worry … this fun gathering spot has all your tried and true brands too. As an example, we were delighted to find the iconic Grain Belt Lager on tap, a long standing Upper Midwest classic now brewed by Schell’s Brewing of New Ulm, Minnesota. In fact, Grain Belt is Valley Monster’s house beer, and we’re told it’s one of the bar’s best sellers …

In addition to the great beer selection, Valley Monster Pub’s decor is worth a special trip. It’s the perfect combination of comfortable tavern with modern touches, with a bit of beer history mixed in. Head to the back room with friends for a parlor type setting, complete with a retro shuffleboard machine and more …

You need to see it to believe it! This pub generates a lot of positive local buzz, and they’re a very nice addition to the downtown mix …

Hopefully Yours: We love the clever name of this thrift store full of bargains located near 6th and Jefferson …

Hopefully Yours is operated by Hope Haven, a non profit agency providing job training and support for less fortunate community residents. The shop offers donated new and like new items for sale like fashion, home decor, furniture, holiday themed items, accessories, books and more …

Everything is displayed by category so you can zero in on what you’re looking for plus inventory changes frequently … you never know what deals await!

Gypsi on Jefferson:  Located on Jefferson in the heart of the shopping district, Gypsi has a huge assortment of ladies accessories and apparel.  Everything is color coordinated in a very pleasing manner so it’s easy to coordinate an attractive ensemble.

Flower Chick picked up two interesting necklaces on my shopping visit.  One’s for me (a tree of life charm on a chain – Crapo Park inspired me ; ) and the other is a delectable silver and purple creation I bought for a friend’s upcoming birthday.

The selection is wonderful and prices are reasonable.  Gypsi has everything you need to look fashionable from head to toe!

The Collective Food Hub: Situated on Jefferson just past 8th Street, The Collective Food Hub is a shared use kitchen with attached retail space that’s available to local vendors and producers. This new and welcomed addition to downtown Burlington offers shoppers an opportunity to purchase and enjoy products produced by small independent purveyors …

Walk in and you’ll find freshly baked goods, “just picked” local farm produce, and specialty food products you can’t live without like a delicious locally produced caramel corn …

We picked up a scrumptious strawberry coffee cake baked on site by one of the shared space vendors – it was just one of the many available bakery style items. Everything here is fresh – items change almost daily depending on availability. The space is bright and cheery and it’s a wonderful showcase for all that’s local in the Burlington food scene …

Snake Alley: Snake Alley, along with Crapo Park, are Burlington’s best known attractions. This “alley” is really a winding block of 6th Street a block north of Jefferson between Washington and Columbia Streets.

This unique thoroughfare was constructed in the 1890’s as a shortcut from Burlington’s higher ground to the downtown area below. The winding curving design made it easier for horses and wagons to get downhill, as opposed to a “straight shot” which would have led to higher uncontrolled speeds …

The bricks of Snake Alley were purposely positioned on angles to allow horses firmer footing on the way up or down. If you walk the Alley, you’ll appreciate the craftsmanship involved, as well as the beautiful landscaping along the route …

Snake Alley stretches 275 feet and presents a 21% incline. It’s constructed of limestone and blue clay bricks with five half curves and two quarter curves from top to bottom …

Insider Tip: You’ll get the best Snake Alley experience by walking its length – it’s a nice short (but challenging!) workout …

Maintained by Burlington’s Park Department, Snake Alley is home to annual events including an uphill bike race and the renowned Snake Alley Art Fair …

Farney’s on Jefferson: Farney’s is downtown Burlington’s most popular gathering spot … this fun local tavern is well known for cold drinks and a convenient location at 7th and Jefferson …

Billed as “Burlington’s Finest Dive Bar”, affable owner Rich Adams informed us Farney’s was established in 1990, though there’s been a tavern at 702 Jefferson since the mid 1930’s. Walk in and you’ll immediately feel the hometown historic tavern vibe, from the long wooden bar on your right to the impressive pressed tin ceiling above …

We stopped in on a Friday night which coincided with one of downtown Burlington’s Cruise Nights. Farney’s adds to the merriment by hosting Classic Beer Night – stop in for an ice cold “retro beer” (Hamm’s, PBR, Coors Banquet, etc.) and admire all the cool cars outside …

The perfect place for a nightcap, fun evening out, or even a little day drinking, you haven’t experienced downtown Burlington until you stop in at Farney’s!

Venturing Just Beyond Downtown Burlington

Mosquito Park: First, let’s explain the name of this historic Burlington park. It’s not because the park is swarmed by mosquitoes, rather, the park draws its name from the small footprint it occupies overlooking the Mississippi River …

Mosquito Park is located high on a bluff just a few blocks north of downtown. It’s a popular locale for wedding party pictures, photo shoots, and in the winter, eagle watching. This is the best location in Burlington for scenic views of the river far below, and there’s a viewer stand to help magnify views in the distance …

Insider Tip: Looking for a Burlington locale to picnic with a view? Mosquito Park offers a shaded picnic table a few yards down from the main observation area …

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The park, which dates back to Burlington’s earliest days, is also a great place to relax and enjoy the summer breezes. Bring your camera!

Recycled 2 You: Managed by a branch of local county government, Recycled 2 You is one of the most unique gift shops we’ve ever experienced …

As the name suggests, products for sale at the small store are items which have been recycled into something fun and useful. You’ll be amazed at what old pop and liquor bottles, computer parts, tires, milk jugs, and other household items can become via the recycling process … along with a little creative ingenuity!

The basket pictured above caught my eye.  It’s made of recycled pop and water bottles and even has a drainage hole.  I’m going to plant flowers in this pretty and practical basket.  They come in several shapes and sizes and can be used for a variety of things.

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The store is located west of downtown and just north of Route 34, which cuts through Burlington. It’s a fun place to shop and you’ll feel good about your purchases …

Dolores’ Resale: Dolores’ Resale has been well known by thrifty shoppers for over 30 years as a fun, well organized shopping experience. You can find numerous trendy and designer labels including Lucky, Abercrombie, Hollister, BCBG, Vince, 7 for All Mankind, Coach and many more.

They have a great selection of denim jeans and jackets, as well as shirts, dresses, shoes, sweaters, and accessories.  All clean, and nicely arranged by size / type. Find quality items at bargain basement prices at this Burlington gem, located on Leebrick Street about a mile southwest of downtown.

Jerry’s Main Lunch: A Burlington staple since 1946, Jerry’s Main Lunch is located a short five blocks south of downtown on Main Street …

Open at 5 a.m. daily, this is the place to go in Burlington for a great inexpensive breakfast. Settle in at the counter and choose from eggs, omelets, french toast, biscuits and gravy, and more. Stop in at lunch for burgers, pork tenderloin sandwiches, or a delicious BLT. Everything here is made from scratch … be sure to try a slice of pie!

Insider Tip: If you’re really hungry, order Jerry’s Main Lunch famous “Hot Mess” scramble. As the name implies, you’ll get a little of everything and more than likely, you’ll be good to go until dinner time …

Parkside Brewing Company: This inviting brewery / brewpub draws its name from their location across from Crapo and Dankwardt Parks on Burlington’s south side …

Working up a thirst from your Crapo Park explorations? Parkside is ready to cool you down with an expansive selection of house brewed beer and full menu of appetizers, sandwiches, and pizza. We particularly enjoyed their Crooked Street Cream Ale, named after Burlington’s Snake Alley …

Even if you’re not much into craft beer, Crooked Street Cream Ale will suit your palate. It’s clean, smooth, and easy to drink. Perfect on a warm summer’s day!

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Prefer something more adventurous? It wasn’t available when we stopped in, but we heard great things about Parkside’s 9 Pound Hammer, a rich, smooth, malty beer with a bit of chocolate sweetness. 9 Pound Hammer is a Porter, a traditional dark colored ale brewed with brown malt. This has been one of Parkside’s best selling beers – settle in and enjoy!

Did You Know? Porter originated in England in the 1700’s. Early American Presidents George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both home brewed Porters at their estates …

Ray’s Specialty Meats: There’s nothing quite like a great butcher shop …

The Burlington area has just that in Ray’s Specialty Meats, located a short 15 minutes west of town off Rt. 34 in the small town of New London, IA …

Well known in the area for processing wild game, Ray’s also offers a large variety of fresh meat, including interesting cuts you won’t find in traditional stores. We were ultra impressed with Ray’s Meats selection of smokehouse seasoned chicken breasts, fresh deli salads, pork tenderloins, and a whole lot more …

If you’re a fan of fresh bratwurst, look no further … Ray’s Specialty Meats prepares several varieties in house, just waiting for you to fire up the grill. Boneless and bone in pork chops are another house specialty, and you can also pick up fresh smoked snack sticks in a wide spectrum of flavors …

Staying in Burlington? Bring a cooler and head west on Rt. 34 to Ray’s Specialty Meats … you’ll experience friendly helpful service and anything you might need to grill up a feast …

Burlington’s Time Honored Taverns

If you’ve read our other “Visiting Midwest Gardens” features, you know how much my husband enjoys seeking out long established local taverns …

Well, it turns out Burlington is quite a destination if you’re on the tavern trail!

We’re definitely impressed with Burlington’s respect for their long rich history. It’s not a town stuck in the past by any means, but roots and a sense of community are very important here. Whether it’s architecture, city parks, or historic bars, Burlington embraces its past while steadfastly looking toward the future …

Here are three locally owned Burlington establishments that have been around a long, long time. As a bonus, all three serve really good food. We were warmly welcomed as first time visitors and it’ll be our pleasure to return for subsequent visits. Be sure to put these three local businesses on your to-do list when you visit Burlington …

Roederer’s Pit Stop: Offering a fun outgoing clientele and a large outdoor patio out back, you’ll find Roederer’s Pit Stop a few blocks north and west of downtown just off Mt. Pleasant Street.

Featuring an automotive / NASCAR theme, Roederer’s is a popular locals choice for cold beer, friendly hospitality, and comfort food. The menu features shareable appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, and daily specials …

The Roederer family name has a long historical connection to Burlington. The business now known as Roederer’s Pit Stop first opened as a confectionery in 1900 and then as a bar in 1907 …

Touches of “old historic bar” still abound at Roederer’s, but it’s the “here and now” that make this spot worthy of your patronage. Ask around town about the best cheeseburgers in the area and Roederer’s is sure to get mentioned …

These 1/3 pound beauties are hand formed from meat ground fresh daily … nothing frozen. Perfectly grilled and served on a soft fresh bun, a Roederer’s cheeseburger is a must for anyone visiting Crapo Park and Burlington …

There’s plenty of parking directly across the street from the bar, and if the weather is cooperative, grab an outside table at Roederer’s patio in the back. Just two minutes from downtown, this Burlington favorite continues to stand the test of time …

Buffalo Tavern: You’ll find the popular Buffalo Tavern south of downtown on Main Street, a few blocks north of Crapo Park. This is the oldest bar in Burlington (dating back to 1900), so naturally it was a must visit on our agenda!

The Buffalo Tavern (affectionately known locally as “The Buff”) was for decades mostly a bar, with a limited food menu. A full kitchen was added several years ago and now this area favorite is well known for their wings, burgers, pork tenderloins, and weekend special steak nights …

We started our evening here with one of Buffalo Tavern’s special Old Fashioned cocktails, made with Iowa’s own Templeton Rye Whiskey. It paired perfectly with a tender char grilled top sirloin and baked potato!

Did You Know? An Old Fashioned is made with bourbon or rye whiskey, a sugar cube, bitters, and garnished with a maraschino cherry or slice of fruit. Less commonly, an Old Fashioned is made with brandy rather than whiskey …

Active and lively from open to close, Buffalo Tavern is popular with patrons of all ages, including couples, singles, and families. Service is prompt, friendly, and efficient and there’s plenty of room to spread out and be comfortable …

Haller’s Bar and Grill: The underrated and unassuming Haller’s Bar and Grill is located about ten blocks north of downtown. Haller’s has quite the history … serving Burlington since 1938 and locally owned their entire existence. Haller’s prides itself on offering good food and a comfortable local corner bar experience …

Check out Haller’s daily food specials or opt for their renowned breaded pork tenderloin sandwich. The state of Iowa, as you may know, is quite passionate about pork tenderloin sandwiches. There are groups dedicated to seeking out the very best in the state and Haller’s is very well known on the pork tenderloin circuit …

Did You Know? A traditional breaded pork tenderloin sandwich is made from a flattened center cut of pork loin. The pork loin is typically dipped in batter (often buttermilk based batter), breaded and deep fried. It’s served on a fresh burger type bun, with the tenderloin usually dwarfing the bun. Purists garnish the sandwich with pickles, onions, and perhaps a bit of mustard, but any toppings are fair game … add whatever you like.

You’ll find pork tenderloin sandwiches at most bar & grills in Iowa … they’re available at Roederer’s and Buffalo Tavern as well as here at Haller’s. We’ll let the picture tell the story – suffice it to say the word “fantastic” comes to mind …

When you visit Burlington’s Crapo Park, make it a point to stop at one (or all three!) of these local tavern gems to soak in the history, experience the camaraderie, and enjoy a satisfying meal …

Summary – Crapo Park Burlington

The beautiful Crapo Park is a must see if you are in or near Burlington.  It’s fabulous for getting exercise, enjoying a picnic, and sightseeing. Take in the wonderful variety of flowers, shrubs and trees … or just take a break for some restorative peace and quiet.

Downtown Burlington and the surrounding area has a lot to offer! We thoroughly enjoyed our stay  … savoring great food, discovering many interesting finds in the stores, and delighting in local events.

Be sure to check out our ever expanding selection of “Visiting Midwest Gardens” features! You’ll see several in the “Related Posts” section below, or click on the drop down menu in the header …

Many thanks to Chelsea Lerud of the Greater Burlington Convention & Visitors Bureau and Cindy Henry of the Greater Burlington Partnership for their help in planning our visit to Crapo Park and Burlington. For more visitor information and to plan your own excursion, see the Visit Burlington website …