Davenport And Moline’s Channel Cat Opens With New Stuff, Music

You know it’s summer when the Channel Cat water taxi has returned.

Memorial Day weekend is really the kickoff to summer, which means the Channel Cat is back!

It’s a fun way for you to get from the Village of East Davenport to the dock in Moline. And this summer, the Channel Cat is back with some new experiences and even a live music series called the Channel Cat Sessions.

According to a release from MetroLink, the Channel Cat is open for the 2026 season starting Friday, May 22nd.

Weather permitting, the Channel Cat will stay open through the end of September, then operate weekends-only through mid-October. Channel Cat’s hours are these:

• Monday-Thursday: 11:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m.
• Friday-Sunday: 9:00 a.m.-7:15 p.m.

New Stuff For Kids

One of the new features of the Channel Cat this year is expanded programming for kids. A kids’ version of River Action’s “Explore the River”, Channel Cat Youth Talks, will be on select Wednesdays (June 3, 10, 17/July 15/August 12, 19) from 9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Kids will learn about Raptors along the River, Rhythms of the River music, and an introduction to the Lock and Dam system.

For the adults, “Explore the River” Channel Cat Talks will be back on Tuesdays & Thursdays from 9:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Tours will depart from the Riverbend Commons in Moline.

Channel Cat Sessions Live Music Lineup

Channel Cat will feature live music on select rides this summer. Here’s the lineup:

• Eva Kendall: June 18, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; June 21, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Mo Carter: July 16, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; July 19, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
• Kaiden Leezer: August 13, 2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.; August 16, 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Channel Cat tickets are $8 for adults, kids 2-10 are $4, and kids under 2 are free.

You can keep up with updates from the Channel Cat on their Facebook page.