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Dubuque is a city of about 59,000 people on the Mississippi River in eastern Iowa, where Iowa meets Illinois and Wisconsin. Named for Julien Dubuque, a French-Canadian lead miner who settled here in the 1780s, it is the oldest city in Iowa, and its downtown is set between steep limestone bluffs and the river.
Victorian brick buildings fill the downtown and the Cathedral Historic District around St. Raphael's Cathedral, while the Historic Millwork District has turned old woodworking factories into lofts, restaurants and event spaces. The Fenelon Place Elevator, a tiny funicular, climbs the bluff from Cable Car Square for sweeping views.
On the riverfront, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium explores the river's life and history. Eagle Point Park and the Mines of Spain Recreation Area offer bluff-top trails and views, the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens is free to visit, and the Dubuque Museum of Art and the Five Flags Center add culture.
A short, steep funicular railway built in 1882 so a local banker could get home for lunch, often called one of the world's shortest and steepest railways. Two small cars climb the bluff from Cable Car Square, with views over downtown and the Mississippi into Illinois and Wisconsin. Open seasonally; bring cash.
A tall brick and stone tower built in 1856 on the riverfront, where molten lead was dropped from the top to form lead shot as it fell into water below. It is one of the few surviving shot towers in the United States. It stands near the river museum and is a good stop on a riverwalk stroll.
The Gothic Revival cathedral of the Archdiocese of Dubuque, home to one of the oldest Catholic parishes in the upper Midwest. Its tall spire, stained glass and painted interior anchor the surrounding Cathedral Historic District of brick homes and churches. Visitors are welcome outside Mass times.
A large riverfront museum and aquarium, affiliated with the Smithsonian, exploring the Mississippi River's wildlife, history and culture. See river otters, catfish and turtles, hands-on exhibits and the historic dredge William M. Black moored outside. Plan three to four hours, especially with children.
Founded in 1874 and considered the oldest cultural institution in Iowa, this downtown museum shows American and regional art, including works by Grant Wood and other Iowa artists, alongside changing exhibitions. It is a manageable visit of about an hour, and it hosts family programs and talks.
A bluff-top city park on the north side of Dubuque with Prairie School-style stone pavilions built in the 1930s, gardens and sweeping views of the Mississippi, Lock and Dam No. 11 and three states. It is a lovely spot for a picnic and for watching barges pass through the lock. A small fee applies to cars in season.
A volunteer-built botanical garden in Marshall Park with dozens of themed gardens, including roses, hostas, a Japanese garden and a children's garden, plus a large collection of trees. Admission is free, and summer evenings often bring outdoor concerts. Late spring and summer are the best time for blooms.
A large state recreation area just south of downtown, protecting wooded bluffs, prairies and wetlands along the Mississippi where Julien Dubuque mined lead. Trails lead to overlooks and Catfish Creek, and the E. B. Lyons Interpretive Center explains the natural history. Good for hiking, birding and cross-country skiing.
A small castle-like limestone tower built in 1897 on a bluff in the Mines of Spain over the grave of Julien Dubuque, the city's namesake, who mined lead here with the permission of the Meskwaki people. The site offers one of the finest views of the Mississippi in the area. Reach it by a short walk from the parking lot.
A former industrial district where huge brick buildings once produced doors, windows and woodwork for the nation. Many have been restored as lofts, restaurants, breweries, galleries and event spaces, with cobbled streets and festivals in summer. It is a short walk from downtown and good for an evening out.
A charming shopping district at the foot of the bluff beside the Fenelon Place Elevator, with Victorian storefronts housing boutiques, antique shops, galleries and cafes. It is a pleasant place to browse before or after riding the elevator. Many shops close early on Sundays, so plan your visit accordingly.
Dubuque's downtown entertainment center, combining a restored early 1900s theater with an arena. The ornate theater hosts touring shows, concerts and local productions, while the arena holds sports and events. Named for the five flags that have flown over Dubuque, it is near downtown restaurants for dinner.
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