Spring + Summer Adventure Guide 2023

Adventure Guide

Find your adventure.

The spring and summer seasons in Dubuque, Iowa mean warmer weather, longer days, and the opportunity to get out and explore.

Dubuque was founded in 1833. That is 13 years before the state of Iowa. With our claim as #WhereIowaStarted comes a unique mash-up of old & new, quirky & quaint, traditional & unconventional.

Explore the world’s shortest steepest railway, the mighty Mississippi River, Iowa’s iconic Field of Dreams Movie Site, and more on your adventure in Iowa’s oldest community.

THE HIGHLIGHTS

With so much to do this spring and summer, we’ve put together a snapshot of our favorite seasonal adventures.

Mighty Mississippi River

Get to know the ‘Great River’ that flows through our front yard. p. 2

Natural Wonders

From state parks to the largest volunteer-run arboretum. p. 5

Self-Guided Street Art Trail

Discover the art that adorns the walls of Dubuque. p. 6

Baseball and Movie Magic

Cue the nostalgia. Relive moments from baseball and movie history. p. 4

Fenelon Place Elevator

Ride up the world’s shortest, steepest railway for inspiring views. p. 6

Foodie Favorites

Need inspiration for your next culinary experience? Let us help. p. 7

Meet curious critters.

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is a must-see with new exhibits. The museum opened in 2003 and is celebrating 20 years of river education, interaction, and fun along the banks of the Mississippi River. While there, meet river otters, an alligator, a bald eagle, turtles, and more. Enjoy hands-on experiences with live animals during interactive programs at the aquarium, including a 2,250-gallon stingray touch pool. You can watch the rays swim along the tank, and if you are feeling adventurous, get to touch them as they go by.

In the newly opened Rivers to the Sea 2.0 exhibit, you will experience a variety of environments, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Sea of Cortez, the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, and the Caribbean. The aquatic life on display includes sea horses, jellyfish, lionfish, coral reefs, an octopus, and more. You can even pop your head into a viewing bubble with a 360-degree ocean-like view! For more exploration, visit the William M. Black and a belt-driven machine shop within this Smithsonian affiliated museum.

Walk along the 5th best riverwalk in the country (according to USA Today), take a Mississippi River ride, admire the eagles soaring above, or watch large excursion riverboats as they stop in the community.

MORE ON THE FIELD OF DREAMS

Filming locations were scouted for the movie in 1987 and the white house, red barn, corn fields, and valley along Hewitt Creek formed the perfect backdrop. During the filming of the movie, Dubuque filled in for Boston, while nearby Galena posed as Chisholm, MN. Hollywood actors, crews, and locals spent the summer of 1988 in Iowa’s heat finishing the project. Since its premier 25 years ago, the field has not lost its magic.

Experience the magic.

The Dubuque area has several places to help you connect with your inner baseball fan.

Dyersville, Iowa, is home to the field and house featured in the Academy Award-nominated Field of Dreams. Released in 1989, this film has remained a fan favorite, and many flock to see the movie site each year. When visiting, you can walk out of the iconic corn, run the bases, have a catch, and perhaps see a ghost or two. With events and opportunities occurring throughout the warmer months, it’s worth checking their calendar of events before visiting. Dyersville is also home to the If You Build It Exhibit, which features the history of the Field of Dreams, how it came to be, how it has continued to impact this rural Dubuque County town, artifacts from the movie, and baseball memorabilia from all eras. For any fan of Field of Dreams, this is a must-see attraction and is open through the summer.

Located in the same building is the Baseball Hall of Dreams. From the unsung stories of little leaguers to the legends of Major Leaguers, this museum features interactive displays and memorabilia that explore the artistry, morality, history, joys, and heartbreaks of baseball.

While in this community of 4,500, visit the Ghost Players Mural located at 101 2nd Street SE. Featuring the image of six players walking out of the corn, this is a perfect selfie spot. The Tri-County Historical Society is located just down the road in Cascade, Iowa. Inside you’ll find an exhibit highlighting the life and career of Baseball Hall of Famer Urban “Red” Faber. Red played during the “deadball” era of the early twentieth century for the Chicago White Sox. This exhibit has been described “as good if not better than any display in Cooperstown” by many baseball authorities. This exhibit is a must-see for any true White Sox fan or true lover of America’s favorite pastime.

DUBUQUE COUNTY

Take a road trip.

Make plans to visit one-ofa-kind attractions found around Dubuque County.

Journey west through small towns like Farley, Iowa. This town of 1,500 is home to the 300 Raceway, Eastern Iowa’s premier 3/8 mile dirt track and motorsports facility.

Head south to visit Crystal Lake Cave. Discovered in 1868, this cave has been a tourist site since 1932.

For a northern adventure, head to Mud Lake Park for beautiful views, river access, and fishing in both the lake and river.

Attend an event.

The Dubuque area is excellent for year-round entertainment, from outdoor concerts to reoccurring weekly markets. Check out these events happening this spring and summer.

Dubuque Farmers’ Market Iowa’s oldest market takes place every Saturday morning.

Millwork Night Market

Hosted in the historic Millwork District during golden hour each second Thursday of the month.

Ultimate Country Hits from the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra will take place on May 19. Hear your favorite tunes in a whole new way.

Summer Farm Toy Show is perfect for the collector in everyone. Check out the event June 3-4 in Dyersville, Iowa.

Dubuque County Fair celebrates 70 years of summer fun with good food, live music, and thrilling rides July 25 - 30. Irish Hooley celebrates the area’s Irish roots and is always a summer fave. Make plans to attend on August 26.

USS LST 325, the last remaining landing ship tank, returns to Dubuque for public tours September 7 - 11.

The fun doesn’t stop there. Check out a calendar of events on traveldubuque.com/events.

Explore mother nature.

Whether you’re looking for a hike, bike ride, or some fun on the water, there are plenty of things to do outside.

The White Water Canyon is an outdoor recreation area that is a favorite among hikers, wildlife watchers, and anglers. Located near Bernard, Iowa, it has 419 acres featuring one of only three true canyons in Iowa. The walls of Whitewater provide a lesson in the state’s geology, taking you back 450 million years to a time when this area was under the sea.

White Water Canyon ...................

Heritage Trail Mines of Spain

The Heritage Trail is a 26-mile trail that connects the Mississippi River in Dubuque to the corn fields of Dyersville. The trail follows the old Chicago and Great Western Railroad line and offers beautiful views of rural Dubuque County.

The Mines of Spain is located just a few miles south of Dubuque and includes the historic Julien Dubuque Monument, EB Lyons Interpretive Center, and miles of hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and instaworthy opportunities for visitors.

With its home port of Evansville, Indiana, the LST leaves port each year to sail the nation’s inland rivers. Her crew shares the history of these incredible vessels, the people who built them, and those who served on them.

+ OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR TOURS 9 AM - 5 PM SEPTEMBER 7-11

+ DOCKED IN THE PORT OF DUBUQUE

+ 16,000 VISITORS TOURED DURING HER LAST VISIT IN 2018

DON’T BREAK THE BANK

Adventure on a dime.

Getting out and exploring doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some of our favorite places to visit on a budget during the spring and summer.

The Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to visit if you’re traveling on a budget, as admission is free! The 56-acre and 60-garden arboretum is volunteer-created and volunteer-maintained, with its grounds continuing to grow and expand yearly.

If you’re looking for something more adventurous, try riding to the top of the Fenelon Place Elevator. This historic cable car elevator takes visitors up to the top of the limestone bluffs, where

they can enjoy spectacular views of the city, Wisconsin, and Illinois. The elevator has been operating since 1884 and is the world’s shortest and steepest, rising 189 feet in elevation in just a few minutes.

Walk through the vibrant landscape and explore expansive murals with the Street Art Trail. Over 50 murals have popped up around Dubuque since 2016, thanks to the work of the volunteer-run non-profit organization Voices Productions. With the trail you can explore them all! Check in to each mural, or break them apart into one of eight challenges to work towards your goal of visiting them all.

The Street Art Trail, winner of the 2023 People’s Choice Award from Travel Iowa, is a great way to explore historic downtown Dubuque. Get started by grabbing a map in the Iowa Welcome Center or scanning the QR code.

Join the foodie scene.

Pub & Grub

At 7 Hills Brewery, a brew pub and restaurant in the Historic Millwork District, a wide selection of craft beers is ready to pair with your hand-crafted meal. You can’t go wrong with pretzel bites, a selection of sandwiches, or their juicy burgers. This locally-owned restaurant, and its locations in Platteville and Dyersville, won’t disappoint. For more like this, check out Dimensional Brewing Co., Backpocket Brewing, & Dark Bird Taphouse.

Sweet Treats

With many options to explore, we polled our audience for the best places to get a sweet treat, and the top of the list is also the perfect pairing for a warm summer day. Sopresa Gifts on Historic Main Street offers homemade gelato (along with European chocolates) with gluten and dairy-free options, along with a lineup of classic flavors that rotate weekly. For more sweet spots like this, visit traveldubuque.com/10best.

Family Friendly

Looking for a place to take the family while exploring Dubuque? Check out Magoo’s Pizza! This place has quickly become a local favorite for wood-fired pizzas. Choose from various options on their menu, or create your own. Dine in-store or take your pizza creation to a local park and let the kids burn off some energy while refueling for the next adventure. For more family spots like this, visit traveldubuque.com/10best.

Road Trip

Breitbach’s Country Dining in Balltown, Iowa is an iconic Dubuque County stop. Worth the 15-mile drive north to this town of less than 60, you’ll find a one-of-akind experience at Iowa’s oldest restaurant. Still family owned by the sixth generation of Breitbach’s, you’ll find an award-winning pork tenderloin and a selection of homemade pies. For more like this, check out Potosi Brewing Company in Potosi, WI & Park Farm Winery in Bankston, IA.

Date Night

Located on the beautifully restored 1000 block of historic Main Street, L.May Eatery is known for its friendly and comfortable atmosphere with particular attention to customer service. With creative plates served in upscale-casual environs with cocktails, wine, or craft beer, it’s no wonder L.May Eatery came in at the top of our ‘10 Best Night Out’ list. For more spots like this, visit traveldubuque.com/10best.

Patio Sitting

When we asked our audience for the ‘10 Best Patios’ in the Dubuque area, they delivered, and the #1 spot lives up to its name. River Ridge Brewing is located on the Mississippi River in Bellevue, Iowa (25 miles south of Dubuque). With an expansive riverside patio, food menu, and craft brews, this makes for the perfect summer evening right along the river. For more patio spots like this, visit traveldubuque.com/10best.

Travel Dubuque’s 10 Best Lists are voted on by Travel Dubuque’s followers on Facebook and Instagram. This series covers various topics to help you plan your visit to #WhereIowaStarted. Check out these lists, which include the ten best patios, burgers, sweet treats, coffee shops, and more. Scan the QR code to learn more.