Clinton
Around Clinton
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Town and around · Iowa · 46k people
Clinton
“The River City”, “The City of Progress”
River town, heartland home.
Deep Mississippi River blueRiver-bluff green
Welcome to Clinton, where the Mississippi runs wide and the sweet corn is always fresh. Whether you're here for the LumberKings or the river views, you'll find a friendly small-city vibe.
Clubs for Clinton
No clubs for Clinton yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Clinton. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Clinton. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Mississippi Riverfront Scenic walking paths and views of the river and barges.
- Lock and Dam 13 Watch barges lock through on the Mississippi.
- Maquoketa Caves State Park Cave exploring and hiking on limestone bluffs.
- Eagle Point Park Riverside park with playgrounds and picnic areas.
- Bickelhaupt Arboretum Free public gardens with native plants and trails.
- Clinton County Courthouse Historic 1890s courthouse in the downtown square.
- Outdoors Fish the Mississippi
- Outdoors Hike Maquoketa Caves
- With kids Play at Eagle Point Park
- With kids See a LumberKings game
- Evenings Catch a show at the Showboat Theatre
- Evenings Grab a drink at a downtown pub
- Locals love Riverfront parks
- Locals love Small-town diners
Through the year
- Clinton Jazz Festival summer Summer jazz performances along the riverfront.
- Clinton County Fair July Livestock, carnival rides, and local food in July.
- Art in the Park summer Local artists and crafts in a riverside park.
- Clinton Area Showboat Theatre season summer Live theater on a historic showboat moored on the river.
- Clinton Christmas Walk December Downtown holiday lights, carolers, and shopping.
Clinton has a humid continental climate with cold winters and warm, humid summers. The best time to be out is spring or fall. Best: Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to be outside.
Talk like a local
- “River City”
- Nickname for Clinton, referencing the Mississippi.
- “LumberKings”
- The local minor league baseball team.
- “Tenderloin”
- A fried pork tenderloin sandwich, a local staple.
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Clinton LumberKings Prospect League
Eat and drink
- Iowa pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet served on a bun – a statewide staple.
- Maid-Rite loose meat sandwich A seasoned ground beef sandwich from an Iowa-based chain.
- Sweet corn Fresh Iowa sweet corn, especially in late summer.
- Mississippi River catfish Fried catfish from the river, often served at local supper clubs.
Where people go
- Mississippi riverfront Parks, trails, and views of the river and its barges.
- Locks and dams The river's navigation structures, visible from the shore.
- Historic downtown districts Brick streets and century-old buildings in Clinton and Maquoketa.
- Maquoketa Caves State Park A scenic park with caves and hiking trails, a short drive away.
- Small-town main streets The classic Iowa main street with local shops and diners.
Heritage and traditions
Clinton is proud of its riverfront heritage, from its lumber-baron past to its lively Showboat Theatre, and its small-town Iowa friendliness.
This time of year in Clinton
- Fall Fall Apple picking and harvest festivals.
Say it like a local: “You bet” — You're welcome, or yes.
Festivals
- Sawmill Days August Celebrates Clinton's lumber history with sawing contests and music.
- Jackson County Fair July Traditional fair in Maquoketa with livestock and carnival rides.
- Camanche River Days June Riverside festival with food, music, and boat rides.
Landmarks with a story
- The Sawmill Museum Tells the story of Clinton's lumber era.
- Hurstville Lime Kilns Remains of lime kilns near Maquoketa, a National Register site.
- George M. Curtis House A Victorian mansion in Clinton, now a museum.
Food traditions
- German-style bratwurst Brought by German settlers, often served with sauerkraut at festivals.
- Persimmon pudding A fall dessert made from wild persimmons, a local treat.
Music and arts
- Jazz scene Home to the Clinton Jazz Festival, with local jazz performances.
- Community theater The Showboat Theatre offers year-round productions.
A little history
- 1855 Clinton founded and named after DeWitt Clinton.
- 1860s Railroads arrive, boosting river trade.
- 1880s Lumber industry peaks with many sawmills.
- 1930s Great Depression impacts the river economy.
- 1960s Manufacturing decline, later riverfront revitalization.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Little League baseball
- Outdoors Watch bald eagles in winter
- Outdoors Hunt for morels in spring
- With kids Visit the Sawmill Museum
- With kids Watch the barges on the river
People speak with a Midwestern accent, often saying 'pop' for soft drinks and using 'you guys' for a group. You might hear 'ope' when someone bumps into you.
Only here
- The Clinton Area Showboat Theatre is one of the last operating showboats in the U.S.
- The Sawmill Museum celebrates the city's lumber history.
- Lock and Dam 13 is a major Mississippi River dam with a visitor center.
New here? A few tips
- Learn to love the river: spend time on the riverfront.
- Try a Maid-Rite loose meat sandwich.
- Be ready for hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
- Get a fishing license and try your luck on the Mississippi.
- Check out the local farmers markets for sweet corn.
Make this page better
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Part of Quad Cities area
Nearby
Every areaSterlingIllinoisWhere the Rock River flows through a hardworking heartland.GalenaIllinoisWhere the river meets the bluffsMaquoketaIowaWhere the river meets the bluffsQuad CitiesIowaTwo states, one river, endless heart.DixonIllinoisWhere the river runs through small-town heart.FreeportIllinoisPretzel pride in the heart of the MidwestDubuqueIowaLocal rooms for Dubuque.MuscatineIowaWhere the river meets the melon patch.
Clinton, IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.