Dubuque

Around Dubuque

Photo: Corey Coyle · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Metro area · Iowa · 99k people

Dubuque

“Key City”, “Masterpiece on the Mississippi”, “City of Bluffs”

Local rooms for Dubuque.

Fighting Saints redMississippi blueBluff green

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Welcome to Dubuque, where the bluffs meet the river and the pace is a little slower. Whether you're here for the fish fry or the view from the elevator, you'll find a town that knows how to enjoy a good story and a better meal. Settle in, ask around, and you'll soon feel like a local.

Clubs for Dubuque

No clubs for Dubuque yet.

The room

One room for everyone around Dubuque. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.

Ask the neighbours

All

A good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.

Coming up

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Marketplace

Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Dubuque. Sign in to sell something.

Things to do

  • Mississippi Riverfront A scenic promenade with parks, docks, and river views.
  • The Bluffs Dramatic limestone bluffs overlooking the river and city.
  • Historic Downtown District 19th-century architecture with shops, galleries, and eateries.
  • Fenelon Place Elevator A steep funicular railway offering panoramic views.
  • Eagle Point Park Bluff-top park with picnic areas and river overlooks.
  • Mines of Spain Recreation Area Hiking trails, historic lead mines, and the Julien Dubuque monument.
  • Outdoors Hike the bluffs
  • Outdoors Bike the Heritage Trail
  • With kids Visit the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
  • With kids Ride the Fenelon Place Elevator
  • Evenings Supper club dinners
  • Evenings Downtown bar hopping
  • Locals love Supper clubs
  • Locals love Bluff-top parks

Through the year

  • Dubuque County Fair July A classic county fair with livestock, rides, and food.
  • Dubuque Farmers Market May–October Weekly market with local produce, crafts, and live music.
  • Julien Dubuque International Film Festival April Independent films and filmmaker Q&As in downtown venues.
  • Dubuque Blues Festival August Live blues performances along the riverfront.
  • River Days at the Mississippi River Museum June Hands-on activities and riverboat rides for families.

Humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Hot, humid summers and cold, snowy winters; spring and fall are mild and pleasant. Best: Spring and early fall are ideal for outdoor activities.

Talk like a local

“The Key City”
Nickname for Dubuque, from its early days as a trading hub.
“The Port”
Refers to the historic downtown area along the river.
“The River”
The Mississippi River, always just 'the river'.
“The Bluffs”
The hills that rise above the city.

Getaways

Local flavour

Teams

  • Dubuque Fighting Saints USHL

Also rooting for Iowa Hawkeyes, Chicago Cubs, Green Bay Packers

Eat and drink

  • Bratwurst
  • Pork tenderloin sandwich A Midwestern staple
  • Dubuque-style pizza Thin crust with a sweet sauce, a local specialty

Where people go

  • Mississippi Riverfront The heart of the city, with riverboats and parks
  • Bluffs The dramatic limestone bluffs that frame the city
  • Historic downtown district 19th-century architecture and a walkable Main Street
  • Fenelon Place Elevator A historic funicular railway offering panoramic views
  • Supper clubs A Midwestern tradition of casual fine dining

Heritage and traditions

Dubuque is proud of its Mississippi River heritage, its historic bluffs, and its deep German and Irish roots, along with being the oldest city in Iowa.

This time of year in Dubuque

  • Oktoberfest October German-style fall festival.
  • Dubuque Oktoberfest October German-style fall festival with brats and beer.

Say it like a local: “Supper” — Dinner

Festivals

  • Dubuque German American Heritage Festival June Celebrates German culture with music, food, and dancing.
  • Dubuque Celtic Festival September Celebrates Irish and Celtic traditions.
  • Dubuque Oktoberfest October German-style fall festival with brats and beer.
  • Dubuque St. Patrick's Day Parade March A big community parade with green attire.

Landmarks with a story

  • St. Raphael's Cathedral The oldest cathedral in Iowa, mother church of the Archdiocese of Dubuque.
  • Dubuque County Courthouse Historic courthouse with a distinctive dome.
  • Shot Tower A historic tower used for making lead shot, a remnant of the mining era.
  • German American Heritage Center Museum celebrating German immigrant history.
  • Mathias Ham House Historic mansion from the 1850s.
  • Millwork District Historic industrial area with renovated warehouses.

Food traditions

  • Lenten fish fries Many Catholic parishes host fish fries on Fridays during Lent, a tradition brought by German and Irish immigrants.
  • Catfish dinners Fresh Mississippi River catfish, often fried, a local favorite.
  • German-style sausages Local butchers make a variety of sausages, a nod to German heritage.
  • Apple cider and donuts From local orchards in the fall.

Music and arts

  • Polka music Brought by German immigrants, still played at festivals.
  • Blues The Dubuque Blues Festival highlights a local blues scene.
  • Visual arts The Dubuque Museum of Art and local galleries.
  • Theater The Dubuque Community Theatre.

A little history

  • 1785 1785
  • 1850s 1850s
  • 1860s 1860s
  • 1980s 1980s

Rivalries

  • Fighting Saints vs. Cedar Rapids RoughRiders USHL hockey rivalry with passionate local fans.
  • Iowa Hawkeyes vs. Iowa State Cyclones College football bragging rights across the state.
  • Packers vs. Bears NFL rivalry between Green Bay and Chicago fans.
  • Dubuque vs. Davenport Friendly competition over which river city is better.
  • Game day Dubuque Fighting Saints hockey
  • Game day Friday night high school football
  • Outdoors Eagle watching in winter
  • Outdoors Cross-country skiing on the bluffs
  • With kids The Dubuque County Fair
  • With kids The Dubuque Public Library

Residents speak with a typical Midwestern accent, with some German and Czech influences in place names and family traditions. Common phrases include 'pop' for soda and 'you bet' for yes.

Only here

  • Dubuque is the oldest city in Iowa.
  • The Fenelon Place Elevator is one of the world's steepest and shortest funicular railways.
  • The Shot Tower is one of the few remaining in the United States.
  • The Field of Dreams movie site is in nearby Dyersville.
New here? A few tips
  • Pronounce it 'duh-BOOK' with a short 'u' as in 'book'.
  • Winters are cold and snowy; summers are warm and humid.
  • Try the pork tenderloin sandwich and Dubuque-style pizza.
  • Take a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator for a great view.
  • Explore the Millwork District for local shops and restaurants.

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Nearby

Every area
PlattevilleWisconsinWhere the bluffs meet the prairieMaquoketaIowaWhere the river meets the bluffsLafayette CountyWisconsinWhere the hills are green and the cheese is fresh.Prairie du ChienWisconsinRugged beauty, small‑town warmth.GalenaIllinoisWhere the river meets the bluffsClintonIowaRiver town, heartland home.FreeportIllinoisPretzel pride in the heart of the MidwestCedar RapidsIowaWhere the river meets the prairie, and the kolaches are warm.

Dubuque, IA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.

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