Last Updated on August 17, 2022

Dubuque, Iowa lays on the banks of the mightly Mississippi River and proudly claims to be the place ‘where Iowa started’!  Just minutes from the borders of both Illinois and Wisconsin this river side town has something for everyone! Whether you are travelling as a couple or a family with kids or if you are a foodie or enjoy being in the great outdoors!  Here’s a giant list of some of my favourite things to do in Dubuque (including free things to do and things to do during winter) as told by a local!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I have previously worked in partnership with some of the businesses listed below.  As always, opinions are 100% my own. For more information check out my Privacy Policy.

Guide: Free, $ (under $10), $$ (under $30), $$$ (over $30)

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Things to do in Dubuque

Dubuque Iowa Attractions

(Free Things To Do In Dubuque IA)

Stroll Along The Mississippi River Sculpture Walk

Free

The Dubuque Riverwalk is a clever way of making the flood barrier pretty!  This is a half a mile path between the River Museum and the Dubuque Star Brewery.  There are 12 sculptures altogether, mainly by Midwest artists.  You can pick up a flyer at the River Museum end of the walk which explains some of the meanings behind the pieces!

See the Historic Shot Tower

🗺E Commercial St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

Free

If you make it all the way to the Dubuque Star Brewery, you may as well continue on to the historic Shot Tower! It was built in 1856 and is one of the last remaining shot towers in the USA.  It was used to provide lead shot to the military and then went on to be a fire watch tower for a lumberyard.  Ironically the shot tower ended up suffering from a fire itself during this time!

Hike to the Julien Dubuque Monument

🗺Mines of Spain, 8991 Bellevue Heights Rd, Dubuque, IA 52003, United States

Free

This is one of my favourite viewpoints in Dubuque and you don’t even really have to hike to it if you don’t want to, there’s actually a car park close to it!  I love it because it looks like a little mini castle!  It’s located in the Mines of Spain Recreational Area and can be enjoyed with other trails.  The monument is actually the grave of Julien Dubuque, the founder of the town!  My favourite trail at the Mines of Spain is the Horseshoe Bluff trail but the Julien Dubuque monument is another must see Dubuque Iowa attraction!

Explore the Murals in the Downtown District!

Free

Summer of 2017 saw the creation of a bunch of colourful murals around the Downtown area of Dubuque.  It was part of the Voices Project and something I have loved watching come to life!  I recently went on a guided walk of the Dubuque murals and discovered that a lot of the pictures actually relate to the businesses that are part of the wall that they are painted on as well as being inspired by Dubuque and the state of Iowa!  Even the traffic roundabouts have murals on the road around them!

Look for the Downtown Stick Men

Free

I think these are fun!  There are 2 stick men in the Downtown area, one is a man made from metal and then someone decided to create a women out of PVC pipe in response to the first one being installed!  They are placed opposite each other and it looks as though the woman is waving at the man!  *Hint* Look up HIGH, they are on the rooftops along Main St, near the Hotel Julien!

Find the Stairs in the Wall!

Free

One of my favourite viewpoints in Dubuque!  Located along Bluff and W 11th Street there is a strange staircase leading through an old stone wall.  It used to be the location of a second funicular railway (see below for the other one!). If you go up the stairs and then turn around, you get a cool view of Dubuque both through the tunnel and over the top of the wall!

Visit the Library

Free

Going to the library was a huge part of my summer break when I was growing up!  The libraries in Dubuque and Dubuque county offer free summer reading programmes and activities.  I even attend a free yoga session once a month at my nearest library, last summer they even had the class outside a couple of times!  Summer is a great opportunity to read more, get outside, away from the TV and enjoy reading a book! Take it to the park, sit near the river or simply just sit in your garden/yard!

Admire the Town Clock

🗺680 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

Free

Another piece of Dubuque architecture and history!  The original town clock was mounted on top of a building and actually collapsed, killing 3 people.  Another town clock was eventually built in a different location to where it stands now.  The top part was moved in 1971 and put on top of a giant pedestal in Town Clock Plaza where it has been ever since!

Take a Tour of Lock and Dam 11

🗺3094 Volunteer Dr #3052, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

Free

If you are looking for unique and free things to do in Dubuque, you can actually go on a tour of the lock and dam during the summer season!  There’s also a viewing platform next to the lock where you can watch the huge Mississippi River barges!

Stroll Around the Dubuque Arboretum

🗺3800 Arboretum Dr, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

Free

The Dubuque Arboretum is a peaceful haven on the edge of Dubuque.  Take a stroll around the gardens, sit and watch the koi in the large pond and kids will enjoy the pay equipment!  In the summer months, there are free musical performances held at the Arboretum.

(Paid Attractions)

Have a Picnic at Eagle Point Park

🗺2601 Shiras Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$

Another really nice open space in Dubuque, which has plenty of shaded space, playgrounds, toilet facilities and even a pond with a waterfall feature.  Vehicle entrance is $1 and you’re going to eat a lunch anyway so why not have a change of scenery and eat it in the park!  Eagle Point Park looks over Lock and Dam 11, so you’ll get to see the river from a different angle!

See Dot the Turtle at The Mississippi River Museum!

🗺350 E 3rd St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$$

I’m a little bit fascinated with sea turtles so I have a bit of a soft spot for Dot the Green Turtle at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium!  She has bubble butt syndrome.  Once upon a time she was hit by a boat and now has a build up of air that causes her butt to float (she basically can’t fart). It doesn’t stop her though and she swims around and dives to the bottom of the tank with the help of weights attached to her shell!  This is one of the best attractions in Dubuque!

In January they hold the ‘Ice Fest’ where, weather dependent, they have ice fishing demonstrations in the Ice Harbor and more.

4th Street Elevator

🗺512 Fenelon Pl, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$

This fun little funicular railway is on every Dubuque visitor’s bucket list.  The 4th Street Elevator (sometimes referred to as the Fenelon Place Elevator) was originally built in 1882 and is said to be the shortest, steepest, funicular railway in the world!  The view from the top station is awesome too, you can see right across the Downtown Dubuque area!

Watch a Movie From The Comfort of a Recliner at the Phoenix Theatre

🗺555 John F Kennedy Rd unit 105, Dubuque, IA 52002, United States

$$

This movie theatre is located at the Kennedy Mall.  It is slightly more expensive than the AMC theatre BUT it has the luxury of heated (which you may not need in the summer unless you hate air con as much as me) recliners!  I visited a bed cinema while in Budapest and being able to put your legs up is amazing!

Pretend to be a ‘Ninja Warrior’ at Vertical Jump Dubuque

🗺555 John F Kennedy Rd #400, Dubuque, IA 52002, United States

$$

Vertical Jump is a trampoline park with the addition of a Ninja Warrior style assault course (disclosure: it has nothing to do with the real Ninja Warrior programme), although you land in a foam pit rather than a swimming pool!  Even as an adult, we found the course tough going! Prices are totalled in 30 minute increments.  There’s a big glass window along the length of the course so you can watch it without having to go in. You also have to buy special grippy socks (which I managed to lose in the foam pit).

Visit the Ham House

🗺2241 Lincoln Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$

During the summer season, the Mathias Ham house is open for guided tours and shows what life was like in the Victorian era.  On the 4th July they hold an annual ice cream social!  There are also special themed tours during the winter season for Halloween and Christmas!  The graves of Mathias Ham and his family can be found in the Linwood Cemetery…if you like that type of thing, it’s actually a really interesting cemetery with some unique headstones!  With entrance to the Ham House you receive a free Eagle Point Park vehicle ticket which leads me on to…

Swim at the Grand Harbor Resort

🗺350 Bell St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$$

This one is aimed more for families.  The seasonal outdoor pools in Dubuque are open during the summer and offer more ‘proper swimming’, but if you are after water slides and hot tubs, the Grand Harbor Resort is your best bet.  Even I can’t resist the giant dump bucket!  Guests of the hotel get to use the waterpark for free but you can pay to get a day pass for the waterpark.  There’s also a fun arcade where the games have ticket rewards which can be switched for prizes!

Attend the Dubuque County Fair

🗺14569 Old Hwy Rd, Dubuque, IA 52002, United States

$$

There’s no getting around this one!  The Dubuque County Fair is held for one week every summer.  There’s fairground rides, music and then the farming aspect where you’ll get to see people vacuuming cows, which as a Brit is an eye opener!  I love the deep fried food stand which sell (to name a few!): deep fried ice cream cones, deep fried mushrooms and the typical fair favourite, funnel cakes!

Go bowling

🗺301 Bell St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$

It’s always good to have a rainy day option and I do love a game of bowling!  Cherry Lanes in the Diamond Jo Casino is a good bowling alley.  Despite being in a casino it’s family friendly.  Park and enter through the main undercover garage, if you park in the outside car park you’ll have to cross through ‘security’ which of course children aren’t allowed in to.

Go Zip Lining!

🗺Sky Tours, 11764 John F Kennedy Rd, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$$$

Dubuque does indeed have a zip lining course and it’s a really good one!  It’s actually one of my favourite Dubuque Iowa attractions!  There are 9 zip lines including a dual racing zip line.  The history of this area is fascinating and the guides make the tour a really fun experience!  You can read my full review of Sky Tours Zip Lining here!

Explore Crystal Lake Caves

🗺6684 Crystal Lake Cave Rd, Dubuque, IA 52003, United States

$$

Dubuque is home to an underground cave system which was discovered back in the 1860’s!  Guided tours of the caves last around 45 minutes.  They maintain a steady temperature year round so can be a little chilly in the summer compared to the outside temperatures!  Crystal Lake Caves is located near the Mine’s of Spain Recreational Area, on the outskirts of Dubuque!

Play a Round of Mini Golf

🗺Dubuque Driving Range, 10740 US-52, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$

The Dubuque Driving Range, located along HWY 52, does in fact have a mini golf course! It’s by no means big or fancy but does offer an option for something different to do!  I played at night and got eaten alive by mosquitos so remember to take bug spray!

Things To Do In Dubuque For Adults

Try Your Hand at Anti Gravity Yoga

🗺Float and Fly Wellness Studio, 1344 Locust St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$$

Aerial yoga at Float and Fly Wellness Studios is a fun experience!  I’ve become obsessed with yoga (I even took part in goat yoga) and so I really want to give aerial yoga a shot!  I wasn’t sure how flexible I’d be but I managed to pick it up really quickly!  If you don’t fancy hanging upside down by your legs, they offer a ‘cocooning’ session where you get wrapped up in hammock and get to chill for 45 minutes!

Float in a Floatation Tank

🗺Float and Fly Wellness Studio, 1344 Locust St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$$$

This was such an interesting experience and can be found at the same location as the Anti Gravity Yoga class at the Float and Fly Wellness Studio!  You can spend 60 or 90 minutes floating in a pod filled with epsom salt water, similar to the Dead Sea!  It gives you the sense of zero gravity and is really relaxing and great for joints.

You do have to be fairly good at zoning out and putting yourself in a mediative state, because you are just laying in a fancy floaty bath for an hour!  After a short introduction with mood lighting and relaxing music, these will turn off so you are laying in total silence and darkness.  An hour in a floatation tank is the equivalent of sleeping for 5 hours!

BustinAxe Throwing Range

🗺BustinAxe, 576 Central Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$$

Axe throwing seems to be exploding right now! For $20 per person per hour you can let off some steam by throwing axes at a wooden target. I tried it in the Wisconsin Dells and I was TERRIBLE! BustinAxe also has a ‘smash rooms’ which does exactly what it says on the tin…for $30 for 30 minutes you can smash things up with a sledge hammer or a bat! Closed Mondays and Tuesdays and open to league throwers only on Wednesdays.

My Sneaky Hack For Free Live Music & Free Coffee

Free

The Diamond Jo Casino will often have free live music shows or events in their Mississippi Moon Bar…yay free!! But if you sneak across to the other side of the casino, they have free coffee and soft drinks…yay double free!  If you’re designated driver this is great because you can have a night out and not spend a penny! Ironically the Diamond Jo is a casino so you could also end up spending a lot of money if you like gambling! The Q Casino is another casino in Dubuque.

Winter in Dubuque

Things to do in Dubuque in Winter

Go Skiing at Sundown Mountain!

🗺Sundown Mountain Resort, 16991 Asbury Rd, Dubuque, IA 52002, United States

If you’re looking for things to do in Dubuque in winter, you’ll find one of Iowa’s ski resorts!  Sundown Mountain Resort is located 20 minutes from the Dowtown district. It has 21 ski runs for both beginners and advanced skiers and 2 terrain parks.

Get In The Christmas Spirit

During November and December you’ll discover a range of Christmas events in Dubuque, perfect to get you in the Christmas Spirit! A popular favourite is the Reflections In The Park drive through Christmas light display!

Spot Bald Eagles

Between December and March is peak time to spot bald eagles in Dubuque! They migrate south from Canada to hunt for food. Lock and Dam 11 is a great place to see them as this part of the Mississippi doesn’t freeze.

ice Skating & Ice Hockey

🗺1800 Admiral Sheehy Dr, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

Head to the Mystique Community Ice Center to go ice skating during public skating times or watch the Dubuque Fighting Saints ice hockey team. Ice Hockey season tends to go on until around April.

dubuque on ice brewfest

Dubuque on Ice Brewfest is held every February. It’s a craft beer event which celebrates micro breweries in Iowa and the surrounding area. An entrance ticket comes with a free glass and you can try as many samples as you please. It was ‘on ice’ because it used to be held at the Mystique Community Ice Center, however in 2022 it is moving to the Grand River Conference Center.

theisen’s snocrosss national

Another winter event in Dubuque is the Theisen’s Snocross National held at the Dubuque County Fairgrounds. This is a weekend event with snow mobile races, held in January.

Food & Drink

Check Out The Millwork District & Have Coffee at Wayfarer Coffee

🗺955 Washington St #105, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$

The Inspire Cafe is one of my favourite coffee shops in Dubuque!  They are often coming up with new and exciting flavours of drinks!  The Millwork District is such a cool area to check out, with lots of new businesses popping up!

Pretzel Crust Pizza at 7 Hills Brewery

🗺1085 Washington St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$$

I don’t actually eat pizza (SHOCK HORROR) because I don’t eat cheese (DOUBLE SHOCK HORROR), but my goodness, I will go out of my way to have a pretzel crust pizza (cheese-less) at 7 Hills Brewery in the Millwork District!  It tastes like a big soft pretzel but with pizza toppings!  They only come in one size but I find it to be VERY filling!  It’s one of my favourite restaurants in Dubuque!  If it’s the beer you’re after, there are several different breweries in Dubuque that are worth checking out!

Attend Trivia Tuesday or Visit The Beercade At The Backpocket Taproom

🗺333 E 10th St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

Free (unless drinking)

Every Tuesday the Backpocket Taproom and beercade hold a free trivia night where you have the chance to win free beer and prizes.  The company that run the trivia are awesome.  I went to their Harry Potter special and it was so much fun!  Backpocket even created Harry Potter themed drinks!

Downstairs is a beercade full of retro arcade games! Children are allowed in the arcade until 9pm and then it’s adults only (+21). The games are reasonably priced, many average around two quarters.

Ice Cream at Betty Jane Candies

🗺1785 JFK Road, Dubuque, Iowa 52002

$

Betty Jane Candies have been making chocolate in Dubuque since 1938 and are well known for their Gremlins (pecans and caramel, topped with chocolate).  When it gets to the summer months, the Asbury Road location produces and sells homemade ice cream! My personal favourite is the ‘Gremlin-Nilla’, vanilla ice cream with smashed up Gremlins! They also have a version made with chocolate ice cream!

Dairy Queen on Rhomberg Ave

🗺2300 Rhomberg Ave, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$

It’s just a Dairy Queen I hear you say! WRONG! The Dairy Queen on Rhomberg Ave has been an independently run, family owned Dairy Queen since 1950.  It’s only open seasonally and has an outdoor serving hatch rather than the regular indoor counter service.  All their food is cooked on demand (not stored on a hot plate) and they even serve fried bread with jam/jelly which is not on the regular DQ menus!

Eat Yummy Food at the Farmer’s Market

$

The Dubuque summer Farmer’s Market is held every Saturday morning, as well as a night market once a month on a weekday evening.  Of course you can buy locally grown fruit and vegetables but there’s also yummy treats such as lavender lemonade and homemade cakes and pies!  On my visit I even had a breakfast sandwich where the bun was actually a donut!  In the colder season the Winter Farmer’s Market is moves indoors (currently at the Kennedy Mall).

The Millwork District also hosts a Night Market once a month during the warmer season!

The Spot

🗺356 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$$

I’ve listed it as $$ because they are expensive for a drink, costing around $8. The spot sell lit teas and protein shakes that have added vitamins and minerals that do various things like boosting metabolism and giving you increased energy. Each day they have two special ‘flavours of the day’. I tried both the Berry Margarita and Mango Passionfruit. Definitely pay extra for the ‘boba’. These are slightly different from regular bubble teas that have tapioca pearls, the ones at The Spot are liquid filled!

The Yardarm Riverfront Bar & Grill

🗺1201 Shiras Ave Ext, Dubuque, IA 52001, United States

$$

The Yardarm is a great spot for open air river-side dining! Often during the summer months they have live music and events. Just be warned that when the fish fly swarm season hits the river, being outside isn’t quite as enjoyable!

Things To Do Near Dubuque Iowa

Ghost Sundays at Field of Dreams

🗺28995 Lansing Rd, Dyersville, IA 52040, United States

Free

Ghost Sundays at the Field of Dreams movie site in Dyersville is a great free, family event.  I’ve only seen the film a couple of times but even I got chills when the players came out of the corn field!  You can even meet the players, get their autographs and have pictures take with them after the show!

Visit the Antique Shop in Dyersville

🗺Plaza Antique Mall, 1235 16th Ave Ct SE, Dyersville, IA 52040, United States

Free (unless you buy!)

While you’re in Dyersville, the antique shop is fun to wander around!  The outside looks like an old theatre and there are a couple of old classic cars on the inside!  There are lots of antiques and old toys…some of which I remember playing with when I was a kid…not too sure how I feel about them being considered antiques now!  There is also a farm toy shop nearby and Dyersville also host the National Farm Toy Show twice a year.

Go Geo Caching at Swiss Valley

🗺Swiss Valley Nature Preserve and Nature Centre, 13606 Swiss Valley Rd, Peosta, IA 52068, United States

Free

I’ve been to Swiss Valley just outside of Peosta, but I’ve not been geo caching there yet!  For those that don’t know what geo caching is, it’s like a nature version of a treasure hunt, where little capsules are hidden and when you find it via coordinates, you write your name on the list hidden inside, replace it and log on your personal records that it’s been found! Swiss Valley have geo cache kits that you can borrow for free!  It’s often frustrating trying to search for something that a lot of the time is so tiny but it’s SO EXCITING when you finally find it!

During the winter try snow shoeing! Swiss Valley have free snow shoes that visitors can borrow (limited supplies).

Find The Abandoned Graffiti Tunnel in Peosta

Free

If you enjoy photography, there’s a tunnel in Peosta that is a bit of a ruin and is covered in graffiti. It was once upon a time a tunnel that passed under the train line, however the road has no subsided. From Hwy 20, take either Cox Springs Rd and turn right onto Chesterman Road, this end is hard to access though. Otherwise head to Thunder Hills Rd and turn left onto Chesterman Road and it’ll put you at the opposite end of the tunnel. If you jump over rocks you can get half way into the tunnel.

Whitewater Canyon Wildlife Management Area

🗺Curoe Rd, Bernard, IA 52032, United States

Whitewater Canyon is a really nice quiet place to go hiking near Dubuque. You’ll find several different trails, viewpoints and access to Whitewater Creek river. Unlike some of the other hiking areas, there aren’t any toilet facilities, so make sure you go before you arrive!

Have a Beach Day/enjoy the Mississippi River!

Free/$$

Yes, there are beaches in Iowa!!  The Mississippi River is full of sandbars that can only be reached by boat.  If you hunt around you can find your own private spot!  However, if you haven’t got access to a boat, Finley’s Landing Park in Sherrill has a large beach that can be reached by car!

(This SAND DUNE is further north up the Mississippi River between Guttenberg and McGregor…but there it is, proof that there’s a lot of sand along the Mississippi!)

If the beach isn’t your thing, you’ll find several companies that run Mississippi River Cruises from Dubuque.  The most frequent is the American Lady, which is based in Dubuque and therefore runs on a daily basis.  There are a couple of other companies with larger, more traditional, river boats which have cruises departing from Dubuque, scattered through the summer season.

(Riverboat Twilight)

Visiting Dubuque from out of town?

WHERE TO STAY in Dubuque

7 Best Hotels In Dubuque Iowa USA

I recommend staying at the Hotel Julien in Downtown Dubuque.  (Disclosure: I have worked with this hotel but there’s no denying that it’s a Dubuque icon and it’s LOVELY).  Those with kids may perfer to stay at the Grand Harbor for the free waterpark access and Mississippi River views!

DRIVING DISTANCES

Chicago, IL – 165 miles (3hrs)

Milwaukee, WI – 170 miles (2hrs 40)

Des Moines, IA – 195 miles (3hrs)

Minneapolis, MN – 250 miles (4hrs 40)

St Louis, MO – 335 miles (4hrs 55)

Dubuque also has a regional airport with 3 daily flights to Chicago (served by American Eagle, part of American Airlines).

If you’re planning on visiting Dubuque and would like anymore information from a ‘local’, please feel free to message me or comment below and I’ll be more than happy to point you in the right direction!

Related Reading: America’s Longest Highway: Awesome Events & Roadside Attractions Along Highway 20 in East Iowa!

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