Burlington, Iowa
Burlington is a city of 23,728 people in Des Moines County, Iowa, founded in 1833.
Why visit Burlington
Townapedia lists 30 museums and landmarks, 26 parks and trails, 61 places to eat, 9 places to stay and 8 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Capitol Theater, Cascade Bridge, Burlington Public Library and Snake Alley.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 85°F; January lows average 16°F.
Weather in Burlington
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Burlington
Burlington is a city in and the county seat of Des Moines County, Iowa, United States. The population was 23,982 in the 2020 census, a decline from the 26,839 population in 2000. Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area, which includes West Burlington and Middletown, Iowa, and Gulfport, Illinois. Burlington is the home of Snake Alley, the crookedest street on earth.
From the Wikipedia article Burlington, Iowa (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do8
Capitol Theater
Cinema and theater · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Former movie theater and theater in Burlington, Iowa, United States
211 North 3rd Street, Burlington
Cascade Bridge
Bridge · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Bridge in Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, USA
Burlington Rail Bridge (2012)
Bridge · 1.8 mi
Historic vertical-lift railroad bridge
Great River Bridge
Bridge · 1.5 mi
Bridge in United States of America
Burlington Memorial Auditorium
Cinema and theater · 1.2 mi
200 North Front Street, Burlington
Little Theater
Cinema and theater · 2.7 mi
1500 West Agency Road, West Burlington
Museums and landmarks30
Burlington Public Library
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Des Moines County, Iowa
210 Court Street, Burlington
Snake Alley
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Street in Burlington, Iowa, USA
Abiathar and Nancy White House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Historic building located in Burlington, Iowa, United States
Aspen Grove Cemetery
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
Cemetery in Burlington, Des Moines County, Iowa, USA
Augustus Caesar Dodge House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
House in Burlington, Iowa
Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Passenger Station
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Former train station in Burlington, Iowa, USA
Burlington station
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Train station in Burlington, Iowa, US
Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Freight House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.4 mi
Historic building in Burlington, Iowa, USA
Des Moines County Court House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi
Historic courthouse in Burlington, Iowa, USA
Downtown Commercial Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Historic district in Iowa, United States
Hedge Block
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Commercial building in Burlington, Iowa
Heritage Hill Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
Historic district in Burlington, Iowa, USA
18 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds26
Crapo Park
Park · National Register of Historic Places · 2.4 mi
Urban park in Burlington, Iowa, USA
Dankwardt Park
Park · 1.9 mi
Park in Burlington, United States of America
DeEdwin & Gladys White Park
Park · 1.0 mi
The 1.3-acres in this park, adjacent to the 300 block of Angular Street, offer large shade trees, basketball courts, tables, and...
Kersch Park
Park · 0.9 mi
Picnic tables and playground equipment are tucked into this "pocket" park under 1/2 acre located in the 500 block of South Sixth Street.
Mosquito Park
Park · 1.4 mi
One of Burlington's oldest parks, Mosquito Park, located at the corner of Franklin and North 3rd Street, offers scenic views of the...
Nancy Neafie Park
Park · 0.9 mi
Dedicated to the memory of the first woman mayor of the City of Burlington, this newest "pocket" park, just one block south of Snake...
North Hill Park
Park · 1.1 mi
Located on North Fourth between Court and High Streets, this is one of the two original city parks. This park was the site of the first...
Saunderson Park
Park · 0.5 mi
The amenities of the park include an open shelter, picnic tables, playground equipment, and a basketball court.
South Hill Park
Park · 0.8 mi
This park offers an outstanding view of the downtown commercial district and the river beyond.
Starr's Cave State Preserve
Hiking and trails · 3.1 mi
11627 Starrs Cave Road, Burlington
14 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes61
Martini's Grille
Restaurant · Steak House · 1.2 mi
610 North 4th Street, Burlington
Tu-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr 16:00-22:00; Sa 17:00-22:00
RonDavoo
Restaurant · Pizza, Chicken · 0.7 mi
605 South 10th Street, Burlington
Mo-Sa 11:00-20:00; Su 11:00-14:00
All Star Maid-Rite Diner
Restaurant · 1.8 mi
112 West Division Street, West Burlington
Mo-Su 08:00-17:00
First Crossing
Cafe · 1.1 mi
Southeast Iowa's first gluten-free coffeehouse!
314 Jefferson Street, Burlington
Mo-Th 06:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 06:00-23:00; Su 15:00-21:00
Lindo Mexico
Restaurant · Mexican · 0.9 mi
622 Jefferson Street, Burlington
Napoli Pizza & Restaurant
Restaurant · Pizza · 1.1 mi
115 North 3rd Street, Burlington
49 more on the map.
History
Prior to European settlement, the area was neutral territory for the Sauk and Meskwaki peoples, who called it Shoquoquon (Shok-ko-kon), meaning Flint Hills.
In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson organized two parties of explorers to map the Louisiana Purchase. The Lewis and Clark Expedition followed the Missouri River, while Lt. Zebulon Pike followed the Mississippi River. In 1805, Pike landed at the bluffs below Burlington and raised the United States Flag for the first time on what would become Iowa soil and recommended construction of a fort. The recommendation went unheeded.
The American Fur Company of John Jacob Astor established a post in the area in 1829. Settlement began in 1833, shortly after the Black Hawk Purchase, when Samuel (aka Simpson) White, Amzi Doolitle, and Morton M. McCarver crossed the Mississippi River from Big Island and staked claims there. According to an account A.T. Andreas wrote in 1875, White erected a cabin in the area, later platted to be Front Street between Court and High streets. Andreas called White and Doolittle the Romulus and Remus of their settlement, referring to the mythic heroes who founded Rome, a city surrounded by hills. A few weeks later, William R. Ross joined them and established a general store. In November and December, he surveyed the settlement for White and Doolittle.
From the History section of Burlington, Iowa on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay9
AmericInn by Wyndham West Burlington
Motel and hotel · 2.4 mi
628 South Gear Avenue, West Burlington
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Burlington
Motel and hotel · 1.5 mi
2759 Mount Pleasant Street, Burlington
Churches and places of worship64
First Congregational Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi
German Methodist Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi
Christ Episcopal Church
Church · Christian · 1.1 mi
623 North 5th Street, Burlington
Zion United Church of Christ
Church · United Church Of Christ · 1.1 mi
412 North 5th Street, Burlington
Shopping24
Gas and EV charging9
Schools, colleges and libraries38
West Burlington Arnold Jr./Sr. High School
School · 2.1 mi
408 W Van Weiss Blvd, West Burlington
Healthcare11
Community Health Center West Burlington Medical & Dentaol Clinic
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.8 mi
1706 West Agency Road, West Burlington
Heritage Partner Pharmacy
Clinic and pharmacy · 2.6 mi
1221 South Gear Avenue, West Burlington
Map of Burlington
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F | 16°F | 1.4 in |
| Feb | 37°F | 20°F | 1.7 in |
| Mar | 50°F | 31°F | 2.4 in |
| Apr | 63°F | 42°F | 3.9 in |
| May | 73°F | 53°F | 4.9 in |
| Jun | 82°F | 63°F | 4.9 in |
| Jul | 85°F | 66°F | 4.0 in |
| Aug | 84°F | 64°F | 3.8 in |
| Sep | 78°F | 56°F | 3.5 in |
| Oct | 64°F | 44°F | 3.1 in |
| Nov | 50°F | 32°F | 2.3 in |
| Dec | 37°F | 22°F | 1.9 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Burlington Muni Ap 72542 (2 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Des Moines County has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.
- 2024-06-24: Severe Storms, Flooding, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes (Severe Storm)
- 2023-08-25: Flooding (Flood)
- 2020-03-23: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
- 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
- 2019-03-23: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
- 2016-10-31: Severe Storms And Flooding (Flood)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Southeast Iowa Regional Airport (BRL) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 2 miles away.
- West Burlington 3 mi west, about 5 min by car
- Beaverdale 5 mi northwest, about 8 min by car
- Middletown 7 mi west, about 12 min by car
- Lomax 9 mi south, about 15 min by car
- Danville 11 mi west, about 17 min by car
- Stronghurst 12 mi east, about 19 min by car
- Dallas City 12 mi south, about 19 min by car
- Macomb 33 mi southeast, about 53 min by car
- Galesburg 40 mi east, about 1 h by car
- Rock Island 54 mi northeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- BurlingtonIA Skyline cropped, Loco Steve (original), Yassie (derivative work), CC BY 4.0
- New Fellowship Christian Church, Burlington, Nyttend, Public domain
- Lady Liberty of Burlington, Tina Starnes /Reflected Memories Photography, CC BY 2.0
- Judge David Rorer house, Burlington, IA; first brick house built in Iowa, Unknown photographer, Public domain
- Darwin House - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Burlington SD admin building - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Perkins Park fieldhouse - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St John Catholic Church - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- The Old Murray Iron works factory @ Burlington Iowa - panoramio, Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0
- Murray Iron works buildings Burlington - panoramio, Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0
- Perkins Estate Apple Trees - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Moehn Brewing Co. Burlington, Iowa. - panoramio (1), Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0
- 20160614 005 Burlington, Iowa (36427119286), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Moehn Brewing Co. Burlington, Iowa. - panoramio, Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0
- 20031003 42 BNSF Burlington, IA (6513906311), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Burlington Iowa Church for sale - panoramio, Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0
- German Methodist Episcopal Church - Burlington Iowa, Steve Wilson ( Loco Steve at Flickr ), CC BY 2.0
- Forney & Mellinger Block West - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Burlington Fire-Police Station - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Blaul and Sons Bldg - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Fordney House - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Burlington Turnverein, Nyttend, Public domain
- Burlington Iowa... Fire Department - panoramio, Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0
- 20031003 45 BNSF Burlington, IA (6513906473), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Bouquet House - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Passenger Station - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Snake Alley brickwork - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Masonic Temple-Gregg Building - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Phelps House - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Snake Alley Windings - Burlington Iowa (44272223182), formulanone from Huntsville, United States, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Snake Alley, Burlington Iowa, Coalfather, CC BY-SA 4.0
- First Methodist Episcopal Church - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Snake Alley, Burlington Iowa - panoramio, Loco Steve, CC BY 3.0
- First Presbyterian Church door - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- McConnell Bldg - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Churchill Drug Co Bldg - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Capitol Theater - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Crapo Park pond reflections - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
- SnakeAlley BurlingtonIA, Unknown author, Public domain
- First Congregational Church - Burlington Iowa, Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0
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