Sutliff bar is a great little dive bar in the middle of nowhere next to the river and historic bridge. Half hour or less from where you're at I'd think. 

Kinze if you want to see equipment, or John Deere in the QC for that matter. If you can get on the Rock Island Arsenal now that security is up, the museum is very cool with a thousand plus guns on display. 

Mississippi River museum in Dubuque if you like river history and aquariums, good for all ages but esp kids

Golden Delight bakery north of Kalona for homemade anything. Amish/Mennonite country there so you'll also get the bulk foods, country store type spots too within a mile or two