Iowa is full of historic towns that were established even before the state itself! The history of settlement along the mighty Mississippi created plenty of quaint historic towns in Iowa along the water, but Dubuque in Iowa might be the most charming of them all. Come explore the many fun things to do in Dubuque. A day trip to Dubuque is always worth it.
Incorporated in 1833, Dubuque is Iowa's oldest city. The first settler, Julien Dubuque, arrived in 1785.
The oldest section of town, Port of Dubuque, was one of the first settlements along the Mississippi River!
Now, it's a charming downtown area filled with shops and cafes. You can still see the evidence of history here, with landmarks and memorials being well-designated.
The National Museum of the Mississippi River is right in the heart of Dubuque, and it's worth a visit.
The museum offers tours of the "William M. Black," a 1930s-era steamboat that was one of the last of its kind. It was used by the Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the river for navigation.
The Mathias Ham House is one of the most gorgeous buildings in the town.
Located at 2241 Lincoln Ave., it's known for being a fine example of a mid-Victorian mansion. Ham was one of the first settlers in Dubuque, and during Mathia Ham's life, he was a farmer, lumberman, brickmaker, shipper, and even a local politician.
The Shot Tower is another historic landmark right in Dubuque.
The tower was built in 1856 to provide lead shot for the military. Molten lead would be poured from the top of the tower, and the droplets that fell were spherical when they landed in water that cooled them into a solid shape. Though it fell of out use during the Civil War, the tower was fully abandoned in 1911 after a fire damaged the tower's interior.
Present-day Dubuque is a vibrant town! You can dine at delicious restaurants or relax in quaint cafes, where you'll often find live music.
The town's downtown Millwork district is one of the more charming neighborhoods. Stop in to Wayfarer Coffee for a great cup of coffee and to enjoy the sounds of acoustic coffeehouse music.
Try a meal at Vinny Vanucchi's, where you'll feel like you've been whisked away to old-world Italy.
Not only can you enjoy some of the best chicken parmesan in Iowa, but you can actually dine in an old jail cell, from when this building used to be a local jail.
Whether you stay for a day or for a week, you'll love everything about your visit to Dubuque.
If you decide to stay a few nights, you might want to stay at the haunted and elegant Hotel Julien, which is close to everything you'll want to explore.
Have you ever had the chance to explore Dubuque in Iowa? Would you be brave enough to stay at the Hotel Julien? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. While you're visiting Dubuque, find out more about the town's most haunted hotel:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/iowa/most-famous-historic-hotel-ia/
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