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Burlington, IA is the county seat of Des Moines County and is located 56 miles SW of Davenport. It is a thriving community on the Mississippi River in the Southeastern part of the state and is a regional hub for employment opportunities, exciting shopping, stellar education, healthcare, and thrilling outdoor recreation. It is right in the middle of West Burlington and Middletown. Home to Snake Alley, designated “Unbelievably Crooked” and the #1 Odd Spot in Ripley’s Guide to the Curious Corners of America, Burlington is also the reason why Iowa’s nickname is the Hawkeye State.
Residents enjoy a sparse suburban feel with lots of bars, coffee shops, and parks in close proximity. It’s not too big, nor too small, and is very diverse. It is a smaller town that holds the spark of a busier, larger city. It is continually growing and evolving and is rated as #63 for the Lowest Cost of Living in the state.

Surrounded by fertile plains and lush woodland areas, Burlington is home to famous landmarks, a log cabin, museums, and a welcome center that illustrates the history and creative spirit of the city. If you’re looking to live in a place where people genuinely care about you, smile, and wave when they see you on the street, this is the place for you! Voted as one of the Top 25 Most Affordable Cities to Live, Burlington is home to unique downtown buildings, 19th century homes, and fascinating architecture. Newcomers are welcomed with open arms, daily commutes are short and sweet, and the outdoor playground provided by nature’s banks is unmatched.
From early childhood through graduation, The Burlington Community School District is commited to providing a supportive learning environment and a wide range of opportinitus designed to positivley shape each student's future and quality of life. BCSD serves over 3,200 students, across nine campuses. Including an early childhood preschool center, four K-4 elemetary schools. an intermediate school for 5th and 6th grades, a middle school for 7th and 8th grades, a 9-12 high school, as well asa K-12 hybrid virtual learning program.
Burlington offers a diverse employment base supported by manufacturing, healthcare, retail, education, and public service sectors. While it’s a smaller regional city, it serves as an economic hub for southeast Iowa and western Illinois, creating opportunities across skilled trades, professional careers, and entry-level positions.
Whether you’re looking to find a job, discover programs for your children to explore different careers paths to prepare for their futures, or would like your business to connect with area students to cultivate new generations of a prepared workforce by developing professional programs or speaking engagements, this city will set you up for success.
The Greater Burlington Partnership works to ensure that the Burlington area is consistently growing as a regional center of commerce, industry, education, healthcare, entertainment, and culture. The partnership is dedicated to ensuring that the community continues to be one of the best places to live and work in Iowa.
When it comes to connecting with others in the community about starting a business or exploring similar ventures with established businesses in the city, Burlington is a very friendly and supportive place to expand upon your goals and dreams. From downtown development groups, Business After Hours, and other community gatherings, this active support system will help you find work or position your business to thrive, whatever path you happen to be on.

Burlington and its surrounding communities have something for everyone in just about every season. Visit Heritage Hill Historic District and drive down Snake Alley, discover museums, downtown shopping, and beautiful parks. There’s the lighted holiday parade each winter and prospect league baseball at the Community Field in the spring. Enjoy an evening at the Jefferson St Farmers Market or a trip to A Very Vintage Market in the summer. No matter what you’re craving to see, do, or taste the city of Burlington will have something for everyone, even the little ones.
The area’s hardwood trees burst with color in the fall which is truly a sight to behold. The community’s many parks turn into a festival of nature’s art. You and your family can burn off all that pent-up energy at FunCity where you can try an elevated ropes course, bowl, have a laser tag competition, ride water slides, and play over 100 arcade games. For the artists, check out the Art Center of Burlington or Capitol Theatre.
River towns just have a charm and character that’s all their own. A simple walk along the Mississippi River will open your eyes to plant life emerging in just about every color imaginable. If you're looking for a little excitement, catch a minor-league baseball game, test your luck at Catfish Bend Casino inside FunCity, or experience the thrill of auto racing at 34 Raceway. Restaurants, sports, and parks galore will keep your day filled along with many outdoor festivals throughout the year. Fair.
If you are ready to start your property buying or selling journey, browse the latest homes for sale in Burlington, IA. You can also contact us, because at Ruhl&Ruhl You're Never on Your Own!
Nearest Ruhl & Ruhl Office: Burlington
403 South Gear Avenue
Suite 105
West Burlington, IA 52655
(563) 441-1776

Burlington was founded in 1833 and was originally inhabited by the Sac and Fox Indians. The area was called Shoquoquon, meaning Flint Hills at the time. In 1805, Lt. Zebulon Pike arrived and hoisted the United States flag for the first time in what would be known as Iowa. It was incorporated as a town twice, once in 1837 and then again in 1838. History is all around Burlington—from Victorian homes on the river bluff to dramatic steepled churches and historic buildings downtown.
The mighty Mississippi river serves as a focal point for the Burlington Area and provides breathtaking beauty and a multitude of recreational opportunities. It is also a regional center for employment, education, healthcare, recreation and shopping. Whether you are taking a drive through town or visiting for the weekend, Burlington has everything you need. You can start your weekend shopping in the historic downtown area, or you can catch a minor league game at Community Field.
Annual Burlington Steamboat Days American Music Festival: Since 1963, this multi-day outdoor music festival occurs on the Mississippi riverfront every June. It attracts crowds in excess of 50,000 visitors every year! This is the most prominent annual festival in the area and has played host to some of the finest entertainers in the United States.
Community Field: The Burlington Bees invite you and your family to the Community Field to experience the excitement of minor league baseball. The Bees play in the Midwest League and are the only professional sports team in the region. When you visit, you can join in the fun and be part of the action with promotions, a playground and inflatable bounce house for kids.
Burlington Regional Rec Plex: The RecPlex features tournament facilities for soccer, baseball, softball and volleyball. There is also a guest service building that includes concessions and spectator plazas. They have an area with batting cages that are open to the public. Every week, the Rec Plex has league play and practices and various tournaments.
Capitol Theater: Located in the heart of downtown Burlington, the restored Capitol Theater takes you back in time to an era when live entertainment and movies were enjoyed in beautiful theaters.
Parks: The main parks in the area include Dankwardt Park and Crapo Park. Dankwardt Park has an 18-hole disc golf course, municipal pool, playgrounds, ball fields, off-leash dog park and a variety of other different amenities. Crapo Park, an 85-acre park that spreads along the mighty Mississippi River, includes an arboretum, Lake Starter, and walking paths.
Burlington Public Library: Services began in 1868 when Senator James Wilson Grimes formed the first subscription library on the second floor of a downtown building. The first building was opened in 1898 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The older building is now home to the Des Moines County Historical Society museum. The Library Board of Directors broke ground for what is now the present library in October 2004, which opened in 2006. It won the Main Street Iowa Award for Best Community Initiated Development Project in 2007.
FunCity Resort: A Midwest entertainment and casino vacation destination, perfect for families, couples and groups. This facility is home to a hotel, Catfish Bend Casino, FunCity (Huck’s Harbor Water Park, arcades, gocarts, laser tag, bowling, and more!), and nine restaurants, bars, and snack shops.
Port of Burlington Welcome Center: The welcome center has a vast amount of information on the surrounding communities. One side of the port showcases the Mississippi riverfront and the other side of the building is the home of Burlington Steamboat Days stage.
Starr’s Cave Nature Center & Preserve: A 184-acre state nature preserve and park area that features two miles of scenic hiking trails and Starr’s Cave. Part of the State Preserves System, this forested area contains limestone bluffs, three caves, prairie remnants and some endangered plant species. The Nature Center offers hands-on displays and scheduled activities including folk concerts and environmental education programs.
Snake Alley: A street located in Burlington, which was built in 1894, was at one time recognized by Ripley’s Believe it or Not as the Crookedest Street in the World. The Alley consists of five half curves, two quarter-curves, and drops 58 feet over a distance of just one city block.
Spirit Hollow Golf Course: Located by the Mississippi river, this golf course is ranked by Golf Week and also Golf Digest as one of the best courses to play in Iowa. Spirit Hollow is a place where you can go to get away and receive warm hospitality that honors the tradition of the game of golf.
Kenny’s Roller Ranch: Your one-stop-shop for family fun! Kenny’s is an indoor roller skating entertainment facility that’s open year-round. It's also home to mini golf, batting cages and basketball bankshot.
Art Center of Burlington: Located in the heart of historic Downtown Burlington, the Art Center showcases the works of local and regional artists with monthly exhibits in the Gallery and one-of-a-kind artwork in the Artists Market. Art classes and workshops are offered along with other special events throughout the year.
Westland Mall: An enclosed shopping mall in West Burlington that is home to many tenants ranging from Marshalls to Bath & Body Works and even home to the CEC Movie Theater.
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