Quad City Botanical Center — Attraction in Rock Island

This review is specifically related to events/weddings at the botanical center. After an extensive months-long search, my fiancé and I found a reception space in the Moline area (we live in the Chicago suburbs) that really suits us, it’s more of a casual “party” space than a traditional wedding venue. However, the space really isn’t suitable/set up to host a ceremony. I do understand that most options are a package deal for convenience and financial reasons. I had seen in a photographer’s blog that the Quad City Botanical Center has done small ceremonies only in the past and since I’m an avid plant lover, I was excited about the opportunity to get married surrounded by plants. After calling I was told to reach out to Brit, the events manager. My experience communicating with her through email was very unpleasant. I got the feeling from the very beginning that since I was looking for a ceremony only space, I was wasting her time and she wanted to get rid of me as quickly as possible. Her emails were curt and somewhat unprofessional. Every other events planner I had reached out to was kind and at the very least, congratulated me on our engagement, and shared their package information upfront. It took several emails for me to finally get the ceremony options/pricing for the botanical center. Granted, the date we had originally picked out wasn’t available, but I indicated we were flexible. I even mentioned to Brit that we were also celebrating our 20-year anniversary this year to which she said absolutely nothing. I completely understand being busy but extending a congratulations, or just being cordial, would’ve taken seconds/little effort. It’s really disheartening how dismissive she was. There were pictures I had found online of a micro ceremony set-up in their indoor atrium space which is what I was mainly interested in. There were chairs in the pictures, but Brit informed me that the executive director recently decided to change this area to “standing room only”. Regardless of how short the ceremony is, expecting guests to stand the entire time is ridiculous and just bad wedding etiquette, I have never heard of this before. In all honesty though, even if it had worked out, I don’t know that I would’ve wanted to work with Brit, our entire interaction left me feeling upset...

Indulge in the breathtaking beauty of nature at the most magnificent botanical gardens in the Quad Cities area! This place is a true haven of wonder, with a plethora of indoor and outdoor exhibits that are bound to leave you impressed.

Step into a world of tranquility at their indoor waterfall area, a serene paradise adorned with vibrant koi fish and lush tropical plants. Lose yourself in the peaceful ambiance and let your mind wander to a place of serenity.

The outdoor area is a treasure trove of adventure and enchantment, with a fairy garden that boasts a charming child-sized cabin, an inviting play area, and a water feature that is home to a colossal stone alligator. You can explore the vast expanse of the grounds and marvel at the stunning trees that tower above you, each one a magnificent work of art.

The greenhouse is a true delight. Simply stepping inside is like entering a wonderland of exotic and tropical plants. You'll be captivated by the spectacular array of pitcher plants, flycatchers, and an extensive collection of cacti and succulents. Whether you're seeking a family outing or a stroll with your loved one, this place has it all.

And if you're a plant lover, the gift shop is a must-visit destination, offering a diverse range of plants for sale. We took home a small Jade plant as a keepsake for just $3! So, if you crave the beauty of nature and want to experience something truly remarkable, this is the...

This was our first visit here; we are members of the MO Botanical Gardens and this garden is included under the American Horticultural Society reciprocal gardens program. For the regular admission of $6.00 per adult ($5.00/senior) its a decent price to pay for a nice little community garden. We were a little surprised by it's compact nature but there are some lovely specimens and exhibits. We loved the children's gardens. Lots of creativity that isn't quite as obvious as it might seem. Definitely recommend for a couple hour/several hour visit. This year with the drought conditions I suspect some of the plants might have suffered, but even a botanical garden can't waste resources, so the state of the gardens weren't peak but they were better than we expected for the dry season we have had. Go. It's a fun place, with pleasant and helpful staff, and a break...