Dubuque: The Oldest Gem along the Mississippi River
Explored by Europeans Father Jacques Marquette and Louis Jolliet in 1673, Dubuque, IA is one of the earliest towns of the county and named after the first settler Julien Dubuque who arrived in 1785. Sitting at the confluence of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin, a region locally known as the Tri-State Area, Dubuque is the county seat of Dubuque County, Iowa, United States. Geographically, Dubuque is a section of the Driftless Area, a part of North America that avoided all three phases of the Wisconsinian Glaciation. Today, it serves as the main commercial, industrial, educational, and cultural center for the region as seen in the development along the Port of Dubuque. The local economy's rapid growth can be seen in its job growth, ranking as the 22nd fastest-growing economy in the US. Besides manufacturing, the city now hosts deluxe hotels, luxury shops, and boasts of a large health care system and the state-of-the-art Dubuque Regional Airport.
Best Time to Visit
Dubuque's tourism peaks from December to January when travelers head on to the town for winter-time activities and stretch on until summer and early fall. This comes with astronomically high room rates. For best deals, a visit to Dubuque, Iowa is recommended during the month of June when temperatures are mild but lodgings are $5 less than what you would have paid in December. Median temperatures hover in the mid-70s, a lot warmer than the average 30°F you would get during high season.
What to Do & Area Attractions
Dubuque has transformed its Mississippi River waterfront as an invigorating stop for both locals and tourists. The Smithsonian-affiliated National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium offers fresh-water aquariums and cool hands-on exhibits that travelers should include in their itineraries. When in town during summer, guests can drop by the riverside amphitheater, the River's Edge Plaza for concerts, or visit Crystal Lake Cave, and Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Garden. Alternatively, visitors can head on to Mathias Ham House Historic Site for a taste of the region's history. Notable hotels to consider staying at are Hotel Julien Dubuque on Main Street or at Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark on Bell Street.