A wonderful weekend getaway!
by Angela C. 3/20/2023
Every year around March 2, we plan a trip to celebrate our anniversary. With both of us starting new jobs recently, we were unsure if we could take a vacation like we normally do. So instead, we thought of places we could go for the weekend. There are some great destinations within a few hour drive from us, but we settled on a weekend trip to Dubuque, Iowa, and it turned out to be an excellent choice!
Dubuque, Iowa sits on the banks of the Mississippi River (we love our Great River Road trips!) and is Iowa’s oldest city. It’s in our beloved Driftless Region, with bluffs that tower over downtown and give you a view of three states (Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin). It’s not a bustling city, with a population of 57,000, but it offers some great hiking trails, historical buildings, delicious eats, and an exciting night life.
Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city. The area was originally occupied by the Mesquakie Indians, and in the 1700s a French-Canadian named Julien Dubuque came to trade furs and make friends with the Mesquakie. After become close with the natives, they told Dubuque of the lead mining in the area, and Julien Dubuque was eventually given control of the mines. The Mines of Spain are now part of a state recreational area and home to the Julien Dubuque monument. Dubuque as a city was founded in 1833, two decades after the death of Julien Dubuque and 13 years before the state of Iowa was founded.
While early industries in the area were fur trading and lead mining, the city eventually grew economically on industries such as boat building, mill working, and button making. Dubuque is also home to the first brewery in the state. The city was hit with a massive flood in 1965, which impacted the residents economically. Another hard hit was the recession in 1980, where Dubuque had Iowa’s highest unemployment rate at 23%. Crime became a problem in the city for years, but recent projects have helped lower the crime and poverty rate and bring new life to this beautiful, historic city. Dubuque is a pleasant little city, there is not too much traffic and we felt very safe walking the streets of downtown.
Dubuque is a perfect place for a weekend trip. There is plenty to do in this small city on the river.
Museums
Dubuque is home to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, and we spent hours exploring it on a busy Saturday. This museum has numerous exhibits including a boat shop and launch, erosion and flood tables, RiverWorks Splash Zone, wetlab, and conservation lab. We saw many neat animals, including fish, turtles, birds, an alligator, and they even have an otter habitat and you can pet and feed sting rays. There is so much to see and learn about at this museum, you can easily spend the day walking around. The museum also features a 4D theater for a small additional fee. Hours and rates vary by season, but they are open daily. After learning everything you can about the Mighty Mississippi, take a stroll on the River Walk outside the museum.
The Dubuque Museum of Art is in downtown and has works by Iowa native Grant Wood (think American Gothic), as well as Edward S. Curtis and Arthur Geisert. There are rotating exhibitions as well. The museum is closed Monday and Tuesday.
If you have a DD and are up for a 25-minute drive from downtown, the small Wisconsin town of Potosi offers a real treat. The ABA National Brewery Museum is located within the Potosi Brewing Company building that used to operate from 1852 to 1972. This museum includes an enormous collection of bottles and cans, trays, coasters, matchbooks, advertisements and various other brewery related collectibles. The museum is open daily and admission is $5 (all profits go to charity), which includes a voucher for a Potosi beer at the Grill Pub downstairs. There is also a free Transportation Museum downstairs. We hit Potosi on our way back home, and this place did not disappoint. There was so much to see here, and the food was absolutely amazing (the French fries are a must!). You can’t help but walk out with a 6-pack of good ole Potosi beer when you leave.
Outdoor Activities
Mines of Spain
Mines of Spain Recreation Area and E.B. Lyons Interpretive and Nature Center are free and located on 1437 acres of land next to the Mississippi River. There are multiple hiking trails and self-guided interpretive walks. The area is home to the Julien Dubuque Monument. The E.B. Lyons Interpretive and Nature Center offers several exhibits relating to the Native American history of the area, the history of Julien Dubuque, birds and other animals. Hike the Horseshoe Bluff trail for some breathtaking views of the cliffs on either side of you. Or visit the Julien Dubuque Monument which is also a National Historic Landmark. Includes handicap accessible trails.
Mississippi River Walk
Walk along the Mississippi River on this paved walkway. Includes sculptures and interpretive signs See the historic Shot Tower and Dubuque Star Brewery building. The Shot Tower is a tall narrow brick tower where lead was melted and poured from the top of the tower through screens, where it rounded into lead shot on its way to the bottom. Dubuque Star Brewery is Iowa’s oldest brewery and is a beautiful Romanesque style building. It features live music and festivals occasionally and is home to the stone Cliff Winery.
Special Attractions
Fenelon Place Elevator
Known as the World’s Shortest and Steepest Railroad. Features a cable car that you can ride up and down the railway on the bluff. At the top you get an incredible view of downtown Dubuque and the Mississippi River. Open 8am to 10pm daily April 1 through November 30 (closed on Thanksgiving). Round trip is $4 for adults and $2 for children 5-12.
Field of Dreams
A 25 minute drive from Dubuque, the Field of Dreams movie site sits outside of Dyersville, IA. Open to the public from April 1 through October 31. Is this Heaven? Come check it out.
Murals
Walk or drive around the city and check out some awesome art. Murals are sprinkled all around the city on various brick buildings. With over 40 murals, you are bound to see a few without even really looking.
Buildings
Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city, so you know there’s going to be some cool old buildings in this town. The Dubuque County Courthouse was completed in 1893 and is topped with a 14 foot tall Lady Justice statue. Clock Tower, Grand Opera House, Steeple Square.
Food and Drink
Gino’s East
Native to Chicago, this pizzeria has a few locations, including one in the Millwork District of Dubuque. Set in an old warehouse, you can grab a legendary Chicago style deep dish pizza here. Cheesy, meaty, yummy. If you haven’t tried Chicago deep dish, you’re missing out.
Knockout Melts
Hot melt sandwiches and delicious mac & cheese! Started as Dubuque’s first food truck in 2013, the brick and mortar location now offers signature sandwiches and mac & cheese, but you can also create your own. Try their best seller, the Mississippi Queen sandwich and give a side of their mac & cheese a taste. Woman owned business.
Breweries
Dubuque is home to a few different breweries, and you gotta try them all! Backpocket Brewery is in the same building as Gino’s East, and offers delicious beers as well as a full on arcade in the basement, including pinball, Mario Kart, air hockey and skee ball. Quarter operated machines that will take you back to your childhood! 7 Hills Brewery is down the block and offers a nice variety of beers. Jubeck New World Brewing has a cute airplane theme and some good choices of brews. Dubuque is a proud beer town, you will be able to find what you’re looking for at one of their many breweries.
Maid Rite
Maid-Rite is home of the loose meat sandwich. Grab an original or the Cheese-Rite and see what all the fuss is about. It’s a simple sandwich but oh so good.
Foodie Garage
Cute little car and garage themed nook that offers ginormous pancakes and some of the best burgers in the state.
Conclusion
The Mighty Mississippi offers a lot of great towns and cities with gorgeous views, interesting history, and plenty to do. Dubuque is a friendly city on the river, and is perfect for a weekend getaway!