Adjacent to the Mississippi River in downtown Rock Island, Illinois, the Quad City Botanical Center is comprised of an indoor tropical atrium, outdoor gardens including a Children’s Garden with water feature, a G-Scale garden train exhibit (seasonal), educational greenhouse, a three-season event canopy, indoor banquet facility and gift shop.
As a public garden we maintain hundreds of plants ranging from tropical varieties to regional Zone 5 perennials. A garden for all seasons, our tropical atrium is splendid throughout the winter months and has been turned into a sandy beach on occasion, and our rare conifer collection is unique to the Quad Cities. In spring, flowering bulbs enliven the garden, including a stunning iris collection. Other special collections include day lilies, mums and ornamental grasses. Our outdoor butterfly garden attracts pollinators by the hundreds, and is lively from early spring to late fall when the monarchs start their migration.
As an educational resource we offer staff-guided tours of our gardens, grounds and greenhouse, serving 15,000 students annually. In addition, we participate in outreach programs at school campuses and set up educational booths at various community events. Our expert staff is on hand to answer questions and help interpret the garden and exhibits.
As a banquet facility we serve thousands of guests throughout the year and host events for affinity groups, service clubs, businesses, brides and grooms, birthday and anniversary party honorees, and classmates seeking a unique backdrop for a memorable event.
We support local artists by providing gallery space to exhibit works of art from various mediums and our gift shop offers many one-of-a-kind handcrafted items.
The Quad City Botanical Center is a 501 c 3, non-profit organization. We celebrated 25 years of bringing people and plants together in fun and meaningful ways in 2023 and welcome you to the gardens!
Description
NOCTURNAL NATURE QUEST: PLANTS, CREATURES AND CURIOSITIES
10.10.25 FRIDAY, 10.17.25 FRIDAY, 10.18.25 SATURDAY
5:30PM-8:00PM
General Admission Cost, Members $2 Off
MEMBERS ONLY NOCTURNAL NATURE QUEST: PLANTS, CREATURES AND CURIOSITIES
10.9.25 THURSDAY
5:30PM-8:00PM
FREE for Members
NNQ Tickets: https://bit.ly/3K84tjR
10.9.25 Members Only NNQ Tickets: https://bit.ly/42yLFR6
Rising from the grave of Not So Scary, comes Nocturnal Nature Quest. In this transformed event, guests will experience the elements of an autumnal garden, and all the creatures who make up a garden’s ecosystem. Dress up your little ghost and goblins, and don’t forget your flashlights!
Adventurers of all ages will complete the quest by exploring the gardens using all of their senses. Explore the textures of an autumnal garden, watch out for carnivorous plants and their smells, listen for sounds of the night, and taste garden flavors. Favorites like the Halloween train and Spookytown will be on display.
Engage in side quests by attending our special nightly encounters featuring the Putnam Museum (10/9), Rare Raptor Group (10/10), Nahant Marsh (10/17), and Common Chord (10/18).
The walk takes place both indoors and outdoors, so please dress according to weather and for a walk across our lawn. All children will receive a bag for treat stops throughout the gardens.
Sponsored by Bank Orion
10.9.25 Members Only Night, Putnam Museum: Dangerous Animals; 6PM, 7PM
10.10.25 Rare Raptor Group: Raptors; 6PM, 7PM
10.17.25 Nahant Marsh: Garden Creepers: The Truth About Snakes; 6PM, 6:45PM, 7PM
10.18.25 Common Chord: Halloween Concert; 6PM, 7PM
MEMBERS ONLY NOCTURNAL NATURE QUEST: PLANTS, CREATURES AND CURIOSITIES
10.9.25 THURSDAY
5:30PM-8:00PM
FREE for Members
Members get FREE admission on this special event night. RSVP to attend. Walk-ups accepted. Show membership card at check-in. *Includes FunBundle members
Become a member to get free admission all year long, discounted tickets on special events like Winter Lights, reciprocal benefits to over 360+ gardens throughout the country. Sign up for a family membership today: qcgardens.com/memberships
For more info and events, visit qcgardens.com.
Date & Time
Oct 10 - 18, 2025
Venue Details
Quad City Botanical Center
2525 4th AvenueRock Island, Illinois 61201
