Another great February weekend was in the forecast and we jumped on the opportunity to explore. This time we ventured less than hour away from our Hills headquarters and made our way east to the mighty Mississippi once again. This time we landed in LeClaire. The temps held up just enough to allow us to walk up an down LeClaire’s historic main street and pursue some much needed fact finding missions for summer events. But, winter time in LeClaire yields plenty of entertainment for all it’s tourists and locals. Especially the seasoned band of travelers know as Team Goodvin!
We rolled into town around noon and the grumbling we heard, while driving, wasn’t the transmission going out. It was the collective roar of Team Goodvin’s stomachs craving some of Scott County’s finest stops for a meal. LeClaire has several places to help just this particular phenomenon. Today we dine at…….Sneaky Pete’s!
With the river flowing just past our window, we settle down to mull over Sneaky Pete’s lunch options. The lunch menu was loaded with great sandwiches, wraps, appetizers, and popular southwestern dishes that we were pleasantly surprised to see, especially Charlie, our resident expert on tacos, enchiladas, burritos and quesadillas. However, we were still taking a little extra time to decide. A few things caught our eyes as we walked in.
Tracy, our server at Sneaky Pete’s, took our orders and told us that she would be right back with the scissors. That’s when Charlie realized that the $1.88 tie that his dad bought him at Goodwill that morning was doomed.
Another successful belly filling mission was complete. Now it’s time to check out the history of LeClaire. Just down the hill, towards the river, is the Buffalo Bill Museum. Marsha and Bob greeted us at the entrance and took time to show us all around the interior of the museum. We are absolute suckers for regional historical museums and LeClaire has one of the best in the state. These places are a crucial part of local economies and tell the story of their proud cities better than anyone can. We always recommend taking the time to stop at these great places wherever you’re traveling to.
Now it’s time for us to hit Cody Road- LeClaire’s main business district.
For some reason, we’re craving something pickled, salted, cured, spicy and possibly canned, jarred or dried. Lucky for us, LeClaire Canning Company has us covered!
Adam, the owner of LeClaire Canning Company, was very helpful and professional when it came to shopping at his store. But, the sweet tooth was jealous and wanted us to move one. The pulsating sugar beacon led us up the hill from Cody Road to a place that many of LeClaire’s locals told us that was a must visit.
Ok, folks. Take time to enjoy yourselves with the family and take time to break away and have a little grown up treat. Sample your way thorough LeClaire when you can. And luckily for us, the Mississippi River Distilling Company (MRDC) has us covered.
We Iowans are very patriotic when it comes to homegrown talent making it big. Iowa feeds the world and you would think that would be enough international publicity for us. However, we’re currently very proud to see that the History Channel showcases one of the premier antique showrooms in the great state of Iowa. Team Goodvin “picks” its way up the hill to the heart of LeClaire and discovers Antique Archaeology and all of its historical splendor.
The day is nearing an end for us in LeClaire. Before leaving we must explore the riverfront. No matter what time of year, the mighty Mississippi will draw you to its banks like it has to many curious fun having families and adventurers before us. Just south of town is Lock and Dam 14 Recreational Area. We make our way to it’s inviting trails…
Our day is done and we can’t thank the fine people of LeClaire enough. The cooks, servers, shop keepers, pickers, antiquers, and distillers keep this old river town vibrant and primed for good times all year long. The summer plans keep filling up and we hope we can make a return visit to LeClaire in 2015, 2016, 2017………
11 thoughts on “Sneaky-Cody-Pickers: Late February in LeClaire”
Thank you, Goodvin family, for visiting LeClaire! Please come back any time… maybe for Tug Fest (August 13-15). We have a kid’s tug-of-war – your kids would love that!
Thank you for visiting Le Claire and including Wide River Winery as one of your stops! Please visit again soon. We have live music in the courtyard every Friday evening beginning May 22.
Sounds great! We have live music on some Sunday’s in Clinton at the winery beginning May 24 – October from 2-5pm. Check Facebook or wideriverwinery.com for schedule.
Thank you, Goodvin family, for visiting LeClaire! Please come back any time… maybe for Tug Fest (August 13-15). We have a kid’s tug-of-war – your kids would love that!
Thank you for visiting Le Claire and including Wide River Winery as one of your stops! Please visit again soon. We have live music in the courtyard every Friday evening beginning May 22.
We can’t wait to go back someday. We may stop by in Clinton on our next trip to Sabula!
Sounds great! We have live music on some Sunday’s in Clinton at the winery beginning May 24 – October from 2-5pm. Check Facebook or wideriverwinery.com for schedule.