Visiting Dubuque Iowa

dubuque iowa skyline

Things to See and Do Visiting Dubuque, Iowa

History of Dubuque

Located on the Iowa side of the Upper Mississippi Great River Road Scenic Drive, Dubuque holds claim to Iowa’s oldest city. Named after French-Canadian fur trader Julien Dubuque, who arrived in the area in 1785 and set up a trading post on the Mississippi River. Learning of the existence of lead deposits in the area he began mining operations cooperating with the Mesquakie Indians who had lived in the area for years. The mining community he established was known as the Mines of Spain. This later spawned the settlement of the city of Dubuque, which was chartered in 1837.

While lead mining and trade as a key port on the Mississippi were key to its early development, it later added other industries like button making, boat building, logging, mill working, meat packing, and other heavy industries. After experiencing a downturn in its local economy in the 1970s through the 1990s, the city initiated an economic revival that had “. . . five anchor components: the Mississippi Riverwalk, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the Grand River Center, the Grand Harbor Resort, and the Star Brewery.”

Dubuque River Walk
Dubuque River Walk and Art on the River

In addition to offering these visitor and tourist attractions, Dubuque has become a major retail, medical, education and employment center for the tri-state area.

Top Dubuque Visitor Attractions

Whenever we visit Dubuque, we always find time to take in the Riverwalk with its panoramic views of the Mississippi River, isolation from the hustle and bustle of the city, and its interesting artistic sculptures sprinkled along the walk. The Grand River Center, a unique architectural creation, is a prominent center-piece along the Riverwalk. At the end of the Riverwalk is the restored historic Star Brewery building which now houses a mini-brewery museum, a fine restaurant, and the tasting room of the Stone Cliff Winery, among other attractions.

stone cliff winery outdoor cafe
The Stone Cliff Winery Bar is located in the historic Star Brewery Complex.
Dubuque Clock Tower
Dubuque Clock Tower with the 1891 County Courthouse in the background.
Dubuque Mississippi River Museum
At the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Jo and the kids look at the turtles. Interactive exhibits on the river in the background.

Another favorite Dubuque attraction is the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. It anchors the other end of the Riverwalk built along the lagoon called the Ice Harbor. Filled with interactive exhibits and educational displays, it is easy to spend several hours exploring all that it has to offer. In fact the admission ticket is good for two consecutive days as for some people they would need two days to see everything.

mississippi river museum
Gulf of Mexico tank at the National Mississippi River Aquarium

And still another regular part of visiting Dubuque is taking a walk downtown past the historic Julien Dubuque Hotel, past the Bell Tower, and a stroll along Bluff Street to Cable Car Square visiting boutiques and specialty shops.

Once at Cable Car Square, taking a ride up the hill on the Fenlon Place Elevator is a must for any Dubuque visitor (see our slide show below). Originally built in 1882 by a downtown banker who lived on the top of the bluffs in order to save an hour buggy ride round trip to work and back. Years later the Fenlon Place Elevator Company was formed and the cable car served all the neighbors who lived on top of the bluff.

The incline railway takes you up to the top of the Bluff where the station deck offers terrific views of downtown Dubuque and the Mississippi River. We usually take the bluff trail walk down from the top of the bluff for the exercise, but if you buy a round trip ticket you can take the incline railway back to the Square and avoid the walk.

Slide Show: Riding the Fenlon Place Incline Railway


  • fenlon railway dubuque
    Here is where passengers board the incline railway to the top of the hill
  • fenlon cable car dubuque
    Jo and the kids getting excited for the ride up the hill.
  • fenlon place elevator
    The Cable Car goes both directions, you can ride up or ride down.
  • dubuque overlook fenlon station
    The kids enjoying the view from the bluff-top station deck.

Scenic Overlooks

You get a great view of the downtown and river from the top of Fenlon Place. Another great view of the river and the Dubuque River Front is from the top of Eagle Point Park.

Campgrounds

Another park, Miller Riverview park, is located adjacent to the river and offers a picnic area and RV and tent camping. More RV camping is offered at the Dubuque Yacht basin. Both of these RV campgrounds can be difficult to snag a site at so we more often camp across the river at the Grant River Corps park near Potosi.

Golfing.

The city has a municipal golf course, Bunker Hill, which offers 18 holes suitable for beginning through intermediate golfers. Across the river, Lacoma Golf Course offers 36 holes of regulation and championship golf plus a nice little par 3 course. It is one of our favorite golfing spots in the area. (See our reviews of Dubuque Golf Courses)

Gaming and Cruises

Other Dubuque recreational attractions include two Casinos, a Greyhound Race Track, and Riverboat Cruises.

Unique Dining in Dubuque Area

Catfish Charies Restaurant
Catfish Charlies Seafood Restaurant overlooks the Dubuque Yacht Basin.

When we are staying in the Dubuque area there are two other places we try to include on our visit. One is dining at the historic Breitbach Country Tavern in little Balltown, Iowa about 16 miles north of Dubuque on Iowa’s highest bluff overlooking the Mississippi River. Breitbach is Iowa’s oldest continually operating tavern and restaurant, being run by the Breitbach family for six generations. The other significant attraction is across the river in the little river town of Potosi: The historic Potosi Brewery and Brewery Museum. Fascinating tour of the brewing facilities, the outstanding artifacts and memorabilia in the Brewery Museum, and excellent food and fresh brewed beer in the brewpub tap room.

Dubuque Attractions – Visitor Links:

Nearby Dubuque Attractions

Traveling the Upper Mississippi Great River Road

Breitbach Tavern Balltown Iowa

Breitbach Country Tavern – Restaurant Review

Billing itself as “. . . Iowa’s oldest food & drinking establishment” Breitbach’s was originally built in 1852 and has been run by six generations of the family since 1862. Current owners Mike and Cindy Breitbach have several of their children on site working in the kitchen, waiting tables, washing dishes, or tending to the bar ensuring that in time there will be a seventh generation continuing the family tradition.

The dining area is spacious and comfortable with a few antique touches.

We first discovered Breitbach’s in 2006 while taking our first trip along Iowa’s Great River Road north of Dubuque. At that time the original structure, built in 1852, still existed. (See photos below). It was a neat old building filled with 150 years of antique furnishings and memorabilia collected over the years. Besides a step-back-in-time to a genuine old fashioned country tavern, the food itself was genuine home-cooking. In addition to the delicious Iowa Pork Chops, I recall the most extensive and flavorful salad bar I’d ever experienced.

Since that original visit we’ve returned several times. Unfortunately, in 2007 the original Breitbachs burned to the ground in a gas explosion and fire. Almost all the antiques and collections from several generations were destroyed. A new Breitbach’s now occupies the original foundation. The dining area is much larger and is finished in beautiful oak beams and trim with some nice touches of antiques here and there. But nothing could replace the charm of the old 1800s era building and its contents.

All you can eat Buffet draws people from long distances to tiny Balltown Iowa.

However what hasn’t changed is the Breitbach family is still there running the place. Great small town service and excellent home cooking featuring famous Iowa Beef and Pork. On our most recent visit in October 2017 we caught their fantastic all-you-can-eat Dinner Buffet. We had a choice of beer battered cod, beef tips, popcorn shrimp, and broasted chicken. All excellent tasting, hot and moist. Jo particularly loved the homemade noodles, reminding her of those her grandmother used to make. Mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn rounded out the main course. But then there’s the exceptional soup and salad bar completely homemade by Cindy Breitbach and her kitchen crew. Still the best and most varied salad bar I’ve ever had. So much delicious food and even though I stuffed myself I couldn’t sample everything. Well that leaves more for next time.

From the Balltown scenic overlook, looking towards the Mississippi River bluffs. Wisconsin in background at top of picture.

Next to dining at Breitbach’s Balltown’s most notable attraction is the scenic lookout over the Mississippi River valley. At 1185 feet in elevation it is the second highest point in Iowa. Our latest visit was mid-week so we missed the music and Octoberfest celebration in the beer garden behind the restaurant. We caught that one year and it was lots of fun. In October you can also catch some good color and scenic river overlooks along the Iowa River Road Scenic Byway from Balltown to Guttenberg.

Link: Breitbach Country Dining


Here’s some photos of the original Breitbach Country Tavern that stood on the same site for 150 years as the current more modern version.

 

Two months before the big Dec 24, 2007 fire. The current restaurant sits on the same site as the original.

The old dining room was very cozy and chock full of antiques and memorabilia everywhere!

My wife Jo loved this antique quilt hanging on the wall in the dining area off the bar.

The Beer Garden out back was the only structure that survived the fire.

Traveling the Great River Road Scenic Drive. We have several articles featuring travel along the Great River Road Scenic Byway(s) from Rock Island, Illinois to Red Wing, Wisconsin.

Golf Courses Dubuque Iowa

I’ve had a chance to visit and play three golf courses in the Dubuque, Iowa area: Bunker Hill, Lacoma, & The Meadows. My goal is to play all of the 18 hole public golf courses along the Upper Mississippi Great River Road from Fulton, Illinois to Taylor Falls, Minnesota. Bunker Hill Golf Club We found … Read more