Clinton IA (Iowa)

Clinton IA is a Mississippi River cruise port and town in Clinton County (Iowa USA) with a population of around 27,000. Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge (total area 970 km2 / 375 mi2) pass through the town along the river.

Cruise ships to Clinton dock near the Marina adjacent to the Historic Lighthouse (at The Dike / Clinton Iowa Riverfront). The nearest port cities are Dubuque IA and Hannibal MO.

As cruise port, Clinton is included in the schedule of AQSC-American Queen Voyages/Steamboat Company and visited by the AQSC's riverboats American Queen and American Duchess. The dedicated cruise dock (wharf) is surrounded by forests. Nearby are located dining and entertainment venues and outdoor playgrounds.

The town (as Lyons / initially named after Lyon France) was officially established in 1837. The first business enterprise was a ferry service across the river (between Lyons and Fulton IL). Lyons and Clinton quickly developed the lumber industry. Huge log rafts from Wisconsin and Minnesota were floated down the Mississippi River. At Clinton IA's sawmills, they were cut into lumber and shipped or transported by railroads. Clinton City was incorporated in 1857. Lyons and Clinton officially merged in 1895.

The best-known tourist attractions include the nature parks in The Clinton Iowa Riverfront (the most visited being Eagle Point, Riverview, Dewitt, Root, Southside, Edwin Neubauer, Four Square), Bickelhaupt Arboretum (which has one of USA's largest dwarf conifers collections) and Felix Adler Discovery Center (themed on science, culture, and arts). Popular tourist activities during summer include biking (dedicated bikeway), playing tennis, swimming (Riverview Pool), fishing, boating, camping (dedicated campground), watching shows at Clinton Showboat Theater (traditional steamboat). walking (Discovery Trail, length 5 mi / 8 km), Mississippi River Trail also passes through the town.

Best-known architecture landmarks (late 19th-early-20th centuries buildings) include Clinton County Courthouse, Clinton Public Library, Lafayette Lamb House, Howes Building, Moeszinger-Marquis Hardware Co Building, George M. Curtis Mansion, Saint Irenaeus Church. The city is served by 3 highways (30, 67, 136) and 3 airports - Quad City International Airport (approx 40 mi / 65 km away), Chicago O'Hare International Airport (approx 140 mi / 225 km away) and Clinton Municipal Airport.