What to do
Cable Car Square Victorian buildings house unique shops, galleries and restaurants in a two-block area. (815) 747-2504.
Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens The largest all-volunteer arboretum in the country features award-winning gardens. dubuquearboretum.net
Eagle Point Park Above Lock and Dam No. 11, 164 acres provide picnic spots and Mississippi views. cityofdubuque.org
Fenelon Place Elevator Enjoy a short ride on the world's steepest scenic railway to magnificent city and tri-state views on a bluff. dbq.com/fenplco
Fenelon Place Elevator
Field of Dreams movie site A century-old farm in Dyersville (28 miles west) made movie history. People still come to sit in the bleachers and run the bases. Free. fieldofdreamsmoviesite.com
Great River Wine Trail The nine wineries on the trail are located in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin; you’ll find them all within 30 minutes of the Julien Dubuque Bridge. thegreatriverwinetrail.com
Mines of Spain State Recreation Area A 1,387-acre National Historic Landmark encompases limestone cliffs and bluffs, stands of old timber and Catfish Creek along miles of hiking trails. Free. minesofspain.org
National Farm Toy Museum This Dyersville fun house displays thousands of scale-model farm toys. nationalfarmtoymuseum.com
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium The experience at the riverfront museum includes an immersion theater, Mississippi snail touch tank and 12 big aquariums full of river creatures. rivermuseum.com
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. Courtesy of the Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau
Where to eat
Catfish Charlie’s River Club In a casual setting, enjoy Cajun cornmeal catfish along with Mississippi River views. catfishcharliesdubuque.com
Chocolaterie Stam Stop in for handcrafted Dutch chocolates or homemade Italian gelato. Chocolaterie Stam on Facebook
Mario’s Italian Restaurant Try the panzerotti, a doughy pizza turnover, at a long-standing favorite. mariosofdubuque.com
Pepper Sprout Make reservations to taste the gourmet, seasonal Midwestern cuisine prepared with upscale flair. Atmosphere and service are top-shelf. peppersprout.com
Stone Cliff Winery The live music on weekends makes a perfect pairing for Iowa wine. stonecliffwinery.com
Where to stay
Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark The seven-story hotel and indoor water park stands on the Mississippi riverfront. grandharborresort.com
The Hancock House Some of the nine rooms in this Queen Anne Victorian bed-and-breakfast have whirlpools. thehancockhouse.com
Hotel Julien Dubuque Experience the splendor of a bygone era at this luxury boutique hotel. hoteljuliendubuque.com
Hotel Julien Dubuque.
Four Mounds Bed and Breakfast The rooms are handsome at this inn overlooking the Mississippi. The Majestic River suite, with a sleeping porch, is a stunner. fourmounds.org
For information: Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau (800) 798-8844; traveldubuque.com