Dubuque
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Dubuque [1], founded in 1833, is the oldest city in Iowa. A port on the upper Mississippi River, it is situated along scenic bluffs facing the river, and has its roots in a mining and trading settlement established in the area by Quebec-born entrepreneur Julien Dubuque in 1788. The city's population is 57,686 (2000 Census).
[edit] Understand
Dubuque grew rapidly during the 19th century, due to its lead-mining, lumber-milling, brewing, metal-working, and river-trade-related industries. It was Iowa's largest city for most of the 1800s, and as a result contains many historically significant structures, many of which have been carefully maintained or restored.
Much of the city's character was established by heavy German and Irish immigration from the 1840s to the 1890s, with the Germans tending to settle in the "North End" and the Irish in the "South End." Large Catholic parishes associated with each group were established, and large, impressive 19th-century church buildings remain to this day. The large Catholic presence caused Dubuque to be elevated to the status of a Catholic archdiocese in 1893, and it is still the smallest US city to hold this distinction.
Noteworthy church buildings include St. Raphael Cathedral, St. Mary (with its jewel-like Bavarian stained-glass windows), Sacred Heart,Holy Trinity, Holy Ghost, St. Columbkille, and the Basilica of St. Francis in nearby Dyersville. St. Luke's Methodist Church contains a significant collection of Tiffany-designed stained-glass windows in a striking Romanesque Revival structure.
Dubuque, as a small industrial center, saw its economy falter in the 1980s as industries downsized or relocated. The city has made a concerted effort to attract tourists, with the establishment of historic districts, museums, a greyhound racing park, a casino, a riverside hotel and conference center, and a new (2003) Smithsonian-affiliated museum devoted to the history and biology of the Mississippi River.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
Dubuque is served by the Dubuque Regional Airport (IATA: DBQ) [2], located 7 miles south of downtown. Air service is provided by American Eagle [3] and Northwest Airlink [4], connecting to and from Chicago O'Hare and Minneapolis/St. Paul respectively. American Eagle has 4 flights per day to and from the city, Northwest Airlink has 2. To get downtown, just stay on U.S. Hwy 61 all the way in (a 15 min trip). There are 2 car rental agencies (Avis and National) with offices in the airport terminal.
[edit] By car
Dubuque is connected to most of the surrounding cities by 4-lane highways.
- From the NORTH (Twin Cities/Minneapolis): Take U.S. Highway 52 (2-lane)
- From the NORTHEAST (Madison/Milwaukee): Take U.S. Highway 151 (4-lane)
- EAST (Rockford/Chicago): Take U.S. Highway 20 (mostly 4-lane, some 2-lane)
- SOUTH (Quad Cities/Davenport): Take U.S. Highway 61 (4-lane)
- SOUTHWEST (Cedar Rapids/Iowa City): Take U.S. Highway 151 (4-lane)
- WEST (Waterloo): Take U.S. Highway 20 (4-lane)
[edit] By bus
Dubuque is 183 miles west of Chicago via I-90 and US 20, 90 miles southwest of Madison, Wisconsin, via US 151, 70 miles north of the Quad Cities via US 61, and 189 miles northeast of Des Moines via US 65, US 30, and US 151. Although Dubuque is not on the Interstate Highway System, US Highways 20, 61, and 151 are modern, four-lane, divided highways which connect the city to the interstate web.
Dubuque is served by American Airlines' American Eagle service at the Dubuque Regional Airport [5]
[edit] Get around
Once in Dubuque, most people travel by car as public transport is limited. There are a handful of major car rental offices in the city.
The City of Dubuque also operates a public bus system. KeyLine Transit operates 4 bus routes and a trolley route (in the summer) downtown. The buses generally operate in a east-west orientation, with major transfer stations downtown (W 9th and Main Sts.), midtown (N Grandview and University Aves.), and on the west side (Kennedy Cir./John F. Kennedy Rd.). Most buses operate on 45 min-1-hour long loops.
Bus fares are between 50¢-$1. Discount tickets are available for students, elderly, and the handicapped, available at +1 563 589-4196 or KeyLine office at 2401 Central Ave.
When driving downtown watch for one-ways because they are poorly marked. Also many turn lanes can become confusing with lanes just ending or turning into turn lanes without warning.
[edit][add listing] See
- National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium [8]
- Ham House Museum [9] Preserved Italianate mansion of early river baron, with period furnishings.
- Fenelon Place (4th Street) Elevator [10] Historic cable-car ride from Dubuque's river level to top of bluff.
- Eagle Point Park [11] City park high on bluff overlooking the Mississippi River, renovated in the 1930s with many Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired structures.
- Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens [12] 52-acre garden with emphasis on irises, dahlias, lilies, dwarf and unusual conifers; rose and herb gardens.
- Mines of Spain State Recreation Area [13] Nature trails and an interpretive center.
- Crystal Lake Cave [14] Limestone cavern first discovered by early lead miners.
- Field of Dreams [15] Movie site 19 miles west, near Dyersville.
- National Farm Toy Museum [16] 30,000 toy tractors and other farm toys, 19 miles west in Dyersville.
[edit][add listing] Do
- Chestnut Mountain Ski Resort 8700 W Chestnut Rd., Galena, IL +1 800 798-0098 [17].
- Dubuque River Rides [18] Sightseeing and dinner cruises on the Mississippi River.
- Heritage Trail [19] Scenic 26-mile bike/snowmobile trail from Dubuque to Dyersville, built on old Chicago Great Western railroad bed.
- Sundown Mountain 17017 Asbury Rd., Asbury, +1 563 556-6676, [20] Ski resort just outside of Dubuque.
- Diamond Jo Casino [21]
- Dubuque Greyhound Park and Casino [22]
[edit] Learn
There are thousands of students who attend colleges in Dubuque. The largest are the city's 3 "liberal arts" colleges: Clarke College, Loras College, and the University of Dubuque. Collectively, the schools are known as the "Tri Colleges" and enjoy a friendly rivalry with one another. Other students attend the various religious institutions in the city, or Northeast Iowa Community College, which has campuses in Peosta, Iowa, and Downtown Dubuque.
- Capri Cosmetology College [23] cosmetology college
- Clarke College [24] 4-year Roman Catholic college
- Divine Word College [25] Roman Catholic missionary college (Epworth, IA)
- Emmaus Bible College [26] Evangelical seminary, college
- Loras College [27] 4-year Roman Catholic college
- Northeast Iowa Community College [28] 2-year community college
- University of Dubuque [29] 4-year Presbyterian university
- Wartburg Theological Seminary [30] Lutheran seminary
[edit] Work
[edit][add listing] Buy
[edit][add listing] Eat
- Cafe Manna Java [31], 269 Main St., +1 563 588-3105. Opened in 2002, Cafe Manna Java has been serving up authentic European style artisan style breads, pastries, espresso and drip coffee, Panini grilled sandwiches, wood-fired thin crust pizza using only premium ingredients, as well as a wide array of wine and beer. Set in the historic downtown area across from the Julien Inn.
- Breitbach's Country Dining, As of 25 Dec, 2007 the restaurant was destroyed by fire. Re-opened 14 Jun, 2008 but again destroyed by fire 25 Oct, 2008.
[edit][add listing] Drink
[edit][add listing] Sleep
- MainStay Suites, 1275 Associates Drive, ☎ 1-563-557-7829, [35]. We are an extended stay hotel with fully equiped kitchens in every suite. edit
[edit] B & B's
- Clarke Manor, 216 Clarke Drive, (563) 588-1182, [36].
- Hancock House, 1105 Grove Terrace, (563) 557-8989, [37].
- Mandolin Inn, 199 Loras Boulevard, (563) 556-0069, [38].
- Redstone Inn, 504 Bluff Street, (563) 582-1894. [39].
- Richards House, 1492 Locust Street, (563) 557-1492, [40].
[edit] Stay safe
Dubuque is a very safe city with a below-average crime rate. By and large, all areas of the city can be enjoyed day or night without fear of robbery or attack. Visitors are very common to the area, with the high number of tourist attractions and the presence of multiple colleges, and attacks on tourists are rare. The main tourist destinations and hotel locations are well-traveled and safe. However, as with any city of a certain size, there are some pockets of crime and a few predatory individuals are present.
- For emergencies, call: 911
- For non-emergencies, call the Dubuque Police Department: (563) 589-4410
[edit] Get out
Trips along the Great River Road [41] afford an appreciation of the upper Mississippi River valley's natural splendor, as you travel through dairy and corn country, down into tree-lined valleys, along limestone bluffs, all the while getting glimpses of the majestic river itself. This is not prairie Iowa - there's a great deal of scenic variety and interest. The drive north of Dubuque to McGregor, Iowa, via Sherrill, Balltown, and North Buena Vista, and the drive south through St. Catherine's, St. Donatus, Bellevue, and Sabula, are especially commendable.
Heading 19 miles east on US Highway 20 to Illinois takes the traveler to Galena, the "town that time forgot" and worth at least a day to soak up the atmosphere of a small town that attracts thousands of visitors each year. The historic former lead-mining and commercial center features numerous antique shops and restaurants, and the Ulysses S. Grant Home.
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