Vander Veer Park

Vander Veer Botanical Park is a 33-acre public botanical garden in Davenport, Iowa, established in 1885 on the grounds of the old Scott County Fairgrounds. One of the earliest botanical parks west of the Mississippi River, it has grown into a beloved community landmark with an extensive collection of gardens, floral displays, and trees—many planted during the 1890s. At the heart of the park stands the Conservatory, a glass-roofed growing house with cold, warm, and tropical sections that rotate seasonal floral shows throughout the year. The Conservatory accommodates up to 75 guests and seats approximately 30, making it a fitting setting for intimate weddings, retirement celebrations, holiday parties, and private gatherings. Amenities include cocktail tables, rectangular tables, and access to the adjacent Enabling Garden. The park also features the Municipal Rose Garden—an All-America Rose Selections garden established in 1948—a stone fountain at the end of the Grand Allée pathway, and the Hosta Glade, an American Hosta Society Official National Display Garden. Outdoor spaces within the park, including the pergola walkway area near the Rose Garden, are available for reservations through Davenport Parks and Recreation.