Dubuque Tourist Attractions
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The town of Dubuque, situated on the Mississippi on the border with Illinois, was founded in 1788, the first European settlement in what is now Iowa. Its attractions are its numerous historic old buildings, a beautiful botanical garden and above all paddlewheeler cruises on the Mississippi.Dubuque (pop. 57,000) is the eighth-largest city in Iowa.
Mississippi River Museum
The Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque features more than 300 years of river history, the National Rivers Hall of Fame, the Upper Mississippi's largest collection of historic small watercraft, and the National Landmark steamboat "William M Black."
Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Shade gardens, woodland trails, prairie flowers, ornamental trees and shrubs, and water gardens are features of the 52-acre Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.
Mines of Spain Recreation Area
The Mines of Spain Recreation Area is located on 1,380 acres of wooded and prairie land. Visitors can hike or cross country ski on the 12mi/20km of trails. The EB Lyons Interpretive and Nature Center is home to song birds, bobcats, red-shouldered hawks, flying squirrels, white-tailed deer, wild turkey and various butterflies.
Crystal Lake Cave
Crystal Lake Cave was first discovered in 1868 by lead miners. The underground passageways show the formations and an underground lake. The formations, anthodite, are also called cave flowers.
Mathias Ham House Historic Site
Mathias Ham, an early entrepreneur, built his estate in Dubuque in 1856. American and European furnishings are found within this villa. An 1833 settler's log cabin is located on the grounds.
Dubuque Museum of Art
The Dubuque Museum of Art features works by and about Grant Wood as well as other notable regional artists.
