Sky Tours Zipline :: Area Attractions

Dubuque, Iowa, USA.

Location: On the Mississippi River. At the junction of three states: Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Population (2010): 57,637.

Home to a large tourist industry. Unique architecture. One of the few large cities in Iowa with hills.

Area attractions. Some things to see and do.

The museums.

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. The Museum and Aquarium is accredited by the American Association of Museums (a distinction held by only 9 percent of American museums); was named an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in August 2002; and was accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums in 2009.

Dubuque Museum of Art. Iowa's oldest cultural institution established in 1874 located in the heart of downtown Dubuque's cultural corridor. The larger-than-life Grant Wood-inspired sculpture (at left) is located on the grounds of the Dubuque Museum of Art.

The performing arts.

Dubuque Symphony Orchestra.

The Grand Opera House.

The parks.

Eagle Point Park | Lock & Dam #11. Eagle Point Park’s 164 acres overlooking the Mississippi River and Lock and Dam #11 provide a spectacular tri-state view of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin.

Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens. [Located next to Sky Tours @ Union Park.] Staffed entirely by volunteers, more than 300 dedicated individuals maintain the trees, plants and shrubs, and seed-gifts which are all labeled throughout the garden. Formal English Garden. Japanese Garden in process. Sunday at Six-Thirty concert series all summer long.

More.

SWAT River Tours. Explore the Mississippi River aboard a high-performance RHIB (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat), the same style of boat used by elite military and law enforcment! This exciting, fast-paced 75-minute river ride departs from the Port of Dubuque Marina. Tour times available throughout the day. Call for details and to reserve your seats. 563.590.6300

Field of Dreams. Site of the 1989 film. About 25 miles west of Dubuque in Dyersville, Iowa. The century-old Lansing family farm with its quaint, and recognizable house from the film. And, of course, the famous baseball diamond bordered by the cornfield.

Fenelon Place Elevator Company. Described as the world's shortest, steepest scenic railway, it is 296 feet in length, elevating passengers 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place (atop the bluff), offering a magnificent view of the historic Dubuque business district, the Mississippi River and three states.

Heritage Trail. A 26-mile route that follows a once bustling railroad into a 450-foot deep valley past old mining and mill towns. Well-suited for bicylists, runners, and walkers.

Chestnut Mountain Resort Alpine Slide. East of Galena, IL. Ride a sled down 2,050 feet of tailored track to the banks of the Mississippi. Then take a scenic lift back to the top.

Fever River Outfitters. 525 South Main Street, Galena, IL | 815.776.9425. For outdoor destinations in northwestern Illinois and for advice about the best places to hike, bike, paddle, snowshoe, cross country ski, and even scooter, within the Midwestern tri-state region.

Area shopping. Some places to go.

Dubuque: Cable Car Square. Historic area with 30 shops. Trolley rides. Horse-drawn carriage rides to view the area. Location: Fourth and Bluff Streets.

Galena: Main Street. A short 15-minute drive east of Dubuque on Highway 20. Galena's historic Main Street, named "Best Main Street in the Midwest" by Midwest Living magazine, curves past more than ninety 19th-century storefronts offering locally made products, antiques and collectibles, local wines, confectionary, books, apparel, jewelry, home and garden items, art and more.