Quincy (Illinois)

Quincy is best explored by car or on foot. There are many sidewalks in some of the historic districts, but parts of Broadway are not so pedestrian-friendly.

Quincy has four major historical districts. The Quincy Historic Business District displays a wide variety of architectural styles and shows the wealth of the years 1850-1930 when Quincy was the most important river town in Illinois. Quincy’s East End Historic District contains every formal style of architecture found in the Midwest from 1830-1930. This East End area has a collection of Italianate, Greek Revival, Romanesque, Queen Anne and Prairie designs. Quincy’s South End Historic District was the home of Quincy’s German population. The sturdy homes, some ornate and others very simple, stand as reminders of Quincy’s German heritage. The fourth major historical area is Quincy’s North End, containing a collection of Italianate, Queen Anne and Renaissance Revival designs found in the Midwest from 1858-1930.

• 🌍 Governor John Wood Mansion, 425 S. 12th St, ☏ +1 217-222-1835. M-F, 10AM-2PM. A Greek Revival mansion built in 1835. 
• Villa Kathrine, 532 Gardner Expressway, ☏ +1 217-666-0802. M-F, 8:30AM-4:30PM. A Moorish-style castle on the bluffs of the Mississippi. 
• Granite Bank Gallery, 428 Maine, ☏ +1 217-228-2354. One of Quincy's architectural gems, this spot is definitely worth a stop. The bank interiors have been preserved, right down to the massive safes. A coffee shop (Washington Perk) offers beverages, pastries, and sandwiches, and is a great place to hang out and relax (free Wifi, too). The gift shops offer mostly overpriced knick-knacks. Fun to browse, but keep your wallet closed. 
• Dr. Richard Eells House, 415 Jersey, ☏ +1 217 223-1800. View a documented Underground Railroad station. 
• Historical Society of Quincy & Adams County, 332 Maine St., ☏ +1 217-214-1888. Tu-Sa 10AM-4PM. Be sure to visit the second floor stained glass gallery. The museum houses a collection of stained glass masterpieces salvaged from area churches. 
• Quincy Museum, 1601 Maine, ☏ +1 217-224-7669. Tu-Su, 1PM-5PM. The corner of Maine and 16th streets, where the museum lies, once made the cover of National Geographic as one of the ten most architecturally significant corners in the United States. 
• All Wars Museum, 1707 North 12th Street (Illinois Veterans Home), ☏ +1 217-222-8641. 
• 18th and Maine Streets. Described as one of the top ten architecturally significant intersections in the U.S. by "National Geographic", this spot in one of Quincy's historic districts showcases four distinctive residential architecture styles. A walk through the surrounding neighborhood provides additional examples of late 19th and early 20th century architecture. Free. 

• 🌍 Woodland Cemetery, 1020 South Fifth St, ☏ +1 217 222-2412. Created in 1857, Woodland Cemetery boasts magnificent views of the Mississippi River, mature trees and landscaping, and ornate grave markers and mausoleums. The cemetery is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and contains the graves of many early Quincy and Illinois civic and business leaders. Free. 

Downtown Quincy is where many locally-owned restaurants are. Most of the restaurant chains have a location on Broadway Street, the main drag that cuts straight through the middle of the city.

• Gem City Pizzeria & Mexican, 1801 State Street, ☏ +1 217-228-0550. 4PM - Midnight. A Quincy institution that has been around for decades, Gem City Pizzeria is a favorite of the locals. In addition to pizza and other Italian dishes, the menu also offers Mexican specialties. If you go on the weekend, be prepared to wait for a table. Carry-out and delivery are also offered, however. 

As with restaurants, the Broadway area is also a great place to find a hotel.

• Stoney Creek Inn, 3809 Broadway St, ☏ +1 217-223-2255. Nice indoor/outdoor swimming pool. Wilderness themed suites. 72 rooms. 
• Holiday Inn, 4821 Oak St. Newly constructed hotel on the eastern side of Quincy. There is not much to walk to in this part of town, unless you like car dealers or Walmart. The Holiday Inn is probably Quincy's best. On site dining is available in Tony Too restaurant, which is OK, but not great. $90. 

On the way out, you can follow the Great River Road north of Quincy towards Nauvoo, Illinois, and visit the sights there. Alternatively, you can drive south to Hannibal, Missouri, and see the Mark Twain sights