Quincy: local rooms, events and more

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Town and around · Illinois · 73k people

Quincy

Locals say Tri-State area · “Gem City”

Where the Mississippi bends and history lingers.

Mississippi River BlueHistoric Brick RedBluff Green

Welcome to the Tri-State area! Whether you're here for the river views, the history, or just passing through, you'll find a friendly community that loves its hometown. Grab a pork tenderloin and enjoy the bluff-top sunsets.

Clubs for Quincy

No clubs for Quincy yet.

The room

Quincy Quiet now Where the Mississippi bends and history lingers.

One room for everyone around Quincy. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A 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 Quincy. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

Villa Kathrine Moorish-style mansion and visitor center.
Historic riverfront and downtown Cobblestone streets and 19th-century architecture.
Bluff-top overlooks Scenic views of the Mississippi River.
Quincy Museum Local history and natural science exhibits.
Gardner Museum of Architecture and Design Showcases regional architectural heritage.
Oakley-Lindsay Center Performing arts and events venue.

Outdoors Walk or bike the Riverfront Trail
Outdoors Fish or boat at Quincy Bay
With kids Visit the Quincy Museum
With kids Cheer on the Quincy Gems
Evenings Catch live music at the Oakley-Lindsay Center
Evenings Enjoy craft beers at downtown brewpubs
Locals love Bluff-top overlooks
Locals love Riverfront parks and trails

Through the year

Quincy Riverfest July Summer music, food, and river activities.
Adams County Fair July Carnival rides, livestock shows, and local exhibits.
Midsummer Arts Faire June Juried arts and crafts festival in the historic district.
Quincy Farmers Market May–October Local produce, baked goods, and crafts.
Christmas on Washington Street December Holiday lights, parade, and community celebration.

Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, summers hot and humid, and spring and fall are pleasant. Best: Spring (April–May) and fall (September–October) for mild temperatures and lower humidity.

Talk like a local

“Q-Town”: Nickname for Quincy.
“The Bluffs”: The elevated areas overlooking the river.
“Tri-State”: Local term for the area where Illinois, Missouri, and Iowa meet.
“Muddy”: The Mississippi River when it's high and muddy.

Getaways

Hannibal Mark Twain's boyhood home and riverfront.
Fort Madison Historic fort and Mississippi riverfront.
Macomb Western Illinois University and nature areas.
Mexico Historic downtown and Audrain County.

Local flavour

Teams

Quincy University Hawks NCAA Division II
Quincy Gems Prospect League

Also rooting for St. Louis Cardinals (MLB), St. Louis Blues (NHL)

Eat and drink

Pork tenderloin sandwich A breaded, fried pork cutlet on a bun, a Midwest staple.
German-style bratwurst
Loose meat sandwich Seasoned ground beef on a bun, popular at local diners.

Where people go

Historic riverfront and downtown 19th-century architecture, brick streets, and a walkable riverfront.
Bluff-top overlooks Parks and viewpoints along the high bluffs offering sweeping views of the river.
Villa Kathrine A Moorish-style mansion, a local landmark and museum.

Heritage and traditions

Quincy is proud of its rich German heritage, historic riverfront, and role as a stop on the Underground Railroad, along with its nickname 'The Gem City'.

This time of year in Quincy

Oktoberfest Fall German food, music, and beer in September.
Historic Homes Tour Fall Open houses in historic districts in October.
Fall foliage viewing Fall The bluffs and parks turn colorful in October.
Historic Homes Tour October Open houses in the South Side German Historic District and other vintage neighborhoods.

Say it like a local: “downstate” — Southern Illinois (including Quincy)

Festivals

Quincy Oktoberfest September A German-style celebration with bratwurst, polka music, and beer.
Historic Homes Tour October Open houses in the South Side German Historic District and other vintage neighborhoods.
Riverfront Jazz Festival June Live jazz performances along the Mississippi riverfront.

Landmarks with a story

John Wood Mansion Home of Quincy's founder, now a museum showcasing 19th-century life.
St. Boniface Church A historic German Catholic church with stunning stained glass and a strong ethnic heritage.
South Side German Historic District A neighborhood of brick homes and churches built by German immigrants in the 1800s.
Woodland Cemetery A historic burial ground with graves of Illinois governors and Civil War generals.

Food traditions

German potato salad A vinegar-based potato salad served warm at picnics and German events, a heritage from German settlers.
Fried catfish Fresh from the Mississippi, catfish is breaded and fried, often served with hushpuppies.
Sauerkraut soup A hearty German soup with sausage and sauerkraut, popular in winter.
Apple cider donuts Local orchards make these in fall, a favorite at farmers markets and pumpkin patches.

Music and arts

Quincy Symphony Orchestra A community orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
German polka bands Local bands play at Oktoberfest and heritage events, keeping German music alive.
Historic downtown murals Murals on buildings depict the city's river and German heritage.

A little history

1858 Lincoln-Douglas debate
1830s–1850s Quincy becomes a major river port and rail hub
1840s–1860s German immigration shapes the city's culture and architecture
Antebellum era Quincy was a stop on the Underground Railroad
1993 Great Flood of 1993 devastated the riverfront

Rivalries

Quincy High School vs. Notre Dame High School Crosstown football rivalry.
Quincy Gems vs. Hannibal Hogs Summer baseball rivalry across the river.
Quincy University vs. Hannibal-LaGrange University Friendly college sports competition.
Quincy vs. Burlington Regional high school and community sports rivalry.

Game day Quincy Gems baseball games
Game day High school football rivalries
Outdoors Walk across the Quincy Memorial Bridge
Outdoors Hike the bluffs at Siloam Springs State Park
With kids Visit the Quincy Children's Museum
With kids Go apple picking at local orchards

People in Quincy speak with a Midwestern accent, often saying 'pop' for soda and 'you guys' for a group. They pronounce the city name 'KWIN-see' and may use German-derived names for local dishes and streets.

Only here

Quincy is known as the 'Gem City' because of its sparkling riverfront and historic architecture.
The Villa Kathrine is a Moroccan-style mansion in the middle of the Midwest.
Quincy has one of the largest historic districts in Illinois, with over 2,000 buildings.
The city is a former stop on the Underground Railroad, with several safe houses still standing.

New here? A few tips

Get used to humid summers and cold, snowy winters.
Explore the South Side German Historic District to appreciate the city's roots.
Try a pork tenderloin sandwich and a bratwurst at a local spot.
Cross the Mississippi to visit Hannibal, Missouri for Mark Twain sites.
Pronounce the city name 'KWIN-see' and know that 'the river' always means the Mississippi.

Make this page better

Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.

Part of Quincy area

Nearby

Every area

HannibalMissouriWhere the river rolls and Twain's tales live on.PittsfieldIllinoisWhere the river meets the prairie, and everyone knows your name.Bowling GreenMissouriWhere the river meets the heartland.CarthageIllinoisWhere the river bends and the corn grows tall Fort MadisonIowaRiver town warmth on the Mississippi BeardstownIllinoisWhere the river meets the heartland MacombIllinoisPrairie warmth, Leatherneck pride.MexicoMissouriWhere the prairie meets the saddle

Quincy, IL-MO. 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.