Dubuque Travel Guide

  Cathedral Spires from the Bluff
by Stephen-KarenConn
 
  • Cathedral Spires from the Bluff
      Cathedral Spires from the Bluff
    by Stephen-KarenConn
  • Dubuque Star Brewery
      Dubuque Star Brewery
    by Stephen-KarenConn
  • Karen on the Mississippi Riverwalk
      Karen on the Mississippi Riverwalk
    by Stephen-KarenConn
  • Lock and Dam #11 from Eagle Point Park
      Lock and Dam #11 from Eagle Point Park
    by Stephen-KarenConn
  • The Spirit of Dubuque
      The Spirit of Dubuque
    by Stephen-KarenConn
 

Explore Dubuque

Things to Do  

Dubuque County Courthouse

Dubuque County Courthouse, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  I've seen literally hundreds of county courthouses during my travels, but can't think of a one that is any more ornate or beautiful than that you will see in Dubuque, Iowa's first county. The current courthouse was built in 1891 to replace an earlier courthouse built in... 

Fenelon Street Elevator

Fenelon Street Elevator, Dubuque

 cbyrne Says:  For the most spectacular view of Dubuque (not to mention neighboring Wisconsin and Illinois, as well as the Mississippi River) go up the Fenelon Street Elevator off of Bluff Street and Fourth Street in downtown Dubuque. The elevator travels up a very steep hill, via cable,... 

Eagle Point Park

Eagle Point Park, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Dubuque is well know as a good place to see the American Bald Eagle, and we were told that the best place to see them is from Eagle Point Park. We the found park, situated on high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River on the north side of Dubuque. However, no eagles were... 

Shot Tower

Shot Tower, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  The Shot Tower in Dubuque is one of the last standing shot towers in the United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The tower was built in 1856 to provide lead shot for the military. Molten lead was poured from the top of the tower, where it... 

Paddlewheel Plaza

Paddlewheel Plaza, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  This enormous paddlewheel at the Port of Dubuque stands 25-feet tall and weighs an estimated 32 tons. It was once mounted to the Starboard of the Steamship William M. Black, a National Landmark Steamship.The paddlewheel was dismounted from the ship to allow it to pass... 

Mississippi Riverwalk

Mississippi Riverwalk, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  If you visit Dubuque you must take a stroll along the beautiful new Mississippi Riverwalk which opened in the summer of 2003. Along the walk you will see both old and new points of interest. Old sights include the Dubuque Shot Tower and Dubuque Star Brewery. Newer... 

Take A Riverboat Cruise on the Spirit of Dubuque

Take A Riverboat Cruise on the Spirit of Dubuque, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  One of the most fun things we did while in Dubuque was to take a cruise up and down the Mississippi River on the Spirit of Dubuque. This paddlewheel boat is a replica of a century-old Mississippi River steamboat. It has decorative smokestacks and a scalloped canopy over its... 

Hotels  

Hotel Julien Dubuque

 2 Reviews and 132 Opinions  When we arrived in Dubuque, we were able to find the Hotel Julien immediately. It's the tallest... 

Restaurants  

Sunshine Family Restaraunt: Good hometown cooking!

Sunshine Family Restaraunt: Good hometown cooking!, Dubuque

 TravelQuality Says:  This is a great local family restaurant. My extended family (13 of us!) recently visited Dubuque. We were looking for a non-chain restaurant to sample, and we came upon Sunshine. The location has a long tradition of housing fine dining. Our first visit was in the evening for... 

Alte Glocke Restaurant: Dining at the Julien Inn

Alte Glocke Restaurant: Dining at the Julien Inn, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  During our four day stay in Dubuque, Karen and I ate at this restaurant three times - twice for breakfast and once for dinner. We chose it because of convenience since it is in the hotel at which we stayed. However, we would choose it again for the quality of food and... 

DaVinci's: Very Good Experience

DaVinci's: Very Good Experience, Dubuque

 MidwestTravGuy Says:  I had a wonderful experience at this restaurant recently. Food was outstanding and the atmosphere was also great. They had an extensive wine list and the lamb dish was very good. Others in my group had the fish and pasta, which all agreed were good. My girlfriend said that... 

Davinci's Ristorante and Leo's Pub: Dubuque's Best!

Davinci's Ristorante and Leo's Pub: Dubuque's Best!, Dubuque

 killermiller56 Says:  This is the best I have had in Dubuque! The food was awesome! Italian-American food with local flair. The pasta is sensational (I've had three dishes) the Seafood is flown in form Hawaii so it really the only place in own for fresh fish. (My wife had the sea bass- which she... 

Cafe Manna Java: Pizza from a Wood Fired Oven

Cafe Manna Java: Pizza from a Wood Fired Oven, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  The Cafe Manna Java, in operation since December of 2002, was across the street from our hotel so we decided to try it for dinner one evening in Dubuque. It would have been worth the trip if the restaurant had been all the way across town. Cafe Manna Java initially offered... 

Transportation  

Dubuque Regional Airport

Dubuque Regional Airport, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  You won't find big crowds and long lines at the Dubuque Regional Airport. Here there is only one ticket counter, one gate, and one commuter airline - American Eagle. When we went to Dubuque, I drove out early and Karen flew out later to join me. I parked, free of charge,... 

City of Dubuque Trolley

City of Dubuque Trolley, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Those who are staying in Dubuque without are car, or those who would just prefer not to drive, may still see many of the sights and attractions of the city by riding the trolley. One hour narrated tours are available. Also, the trolley may be used as a shuttle between... 

Fenelon Place Elevator

Fenelon Place Elevator, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  The Fenelon Place Elevator is the cheapest thrill in Dubuque, and it is a "Must" for those who visit the city. For only $2.00 (round trip) you can take a unique ride on "the world's shortest, steepest, scenic railway." The Elevator was originally built in 1882 by local... 

Local Customs  

Meeting the Mayor

Meeting the Mayor, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Our trip to Dubuque in August, 2006, was for the purpose of exhibiting my book, "Growing up Pentecostal," at the Christian Book Fair International. The highlight of the fair to me was when my book was named recepient of the "Family Friendly Book Award."The award was... 

Off The Beaten Path  

Chief Peosta's Grave

Chief Peosta's Grave, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  When Julien Dubuque was exhumed, several other skeltons were found in the site with him. One skeleton was believed to be that of Dubuque's friend and father-in-law, Peosta, chief of the Mesquakie. The remains of Chief Peosta were reburied in a new grave a short distance from... 

Julien Dubuque Monument

Julien Dubuque Monument, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  When Julien Dubuque died in March of 1810 the Mesquakie Indians buried him with tribal honors beneath a log mausoleum at the site of this monument. The Julien Dubuque monument was built in 1897, on a high bluff with commanding views of the Mississippi River. It overlooks the... 

Favorites  

Julien Dubuque

Julien Dubuque, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  Dubuque is named for Julien Dubuque(1762-1810), a French Canadian from Quebec, who in 1788 became the first person of European descent to settle on what is now Iowa. Julien Dubuque received a land grant from the Governor of Spain, giving him permission to work the land which... 

The Mississippi River

The Mississippi River, Dubuque

 Stephen-KarenConn Says:  No matter where you are in Dubuque you are never far from the all pervasive Mississippi River. And the Mighty Mississippi is never far from the hearts and minds of the people of Dubuque.The Mississippi is the largest river in the United States and one of the great rivers of... 

The Place

Plan a Dubuque vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Dubuque locals

Experience Dubuque
  •   57 Tips and Reviews
  •  130 Photos
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The People

31 Members Live Here
 
Our Members Say
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 One of the beautiful old homes in Dubuque. 

31 members live in Dubuque

 

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Top Dubuque Writers

1

Dubuque: Iowa's First City

Stephen-KarenConn profile photo

 I've got some interesting experiences in Dubuque. I'd love to share with you the 26 tips I've written, the 92 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created. 

2

Dubuque, IA

OnTheSiouxFallsSub profile photo

 Dubuque, IA has alot to offer and something that is hard to find anywhere else- a tram that takes you strait uphill and offers an amazing view of the city at the top. They also have a nice riverfront... 

3

I love Dubuque!

Eaglesnest profile photo

 I love the arquitecture in Dubuque! 

4

Let's Do Dubuque!

yooperprof profile photo

 Lock and Dam # 11: a view from the appropriately named Eagle Point Park. Unfortunately, I didn't see any eagles when I was there. Maybe I'll be lucky next time. The Mississippi River is a major flyway... 

5

The Eagle Has Landed

where2next profile photo

 I stopped in Dubuque on my way between Cedar Rapids and Wisconsin. The person at the tourist info desk recommended seeing the eagles near the lock. Upon arriving, I was very surprised to see many Bald... 

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