What to do in Dubuque, IA

Activities, attractions and tours

Fourth Street Elevator featuring landscape views and a small town or village
Fourth Street Elevator featuring landscape views and a small town or village
Dubuque featuring a sunset, a river or creek and a bridge
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium showing marine life
Dubuque

Dubuque Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Dubuque has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Dubuque is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Dubuque to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Dubuque Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Dubuque.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Dubuque attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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What to do in Dubuque

Discover the most popular places to visit in Dubuque

Casino hotel and convention center by Upper Mississippi on calm misty morning at Dubuque Iowa

Q Casino

Why not roll the dice with a visit to Q Casino during your visit to Dubuque? Make time to visit the area's casinos, or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Q Casino
Casino hotel and convention center by Upper Mississippi on calm misty morning at Dubuque Iowa

Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark

Bring your family to Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark and enjoy this exciting amusement park in Dubuque. Wander the area's riverfront or simply enjoy one of its top-notch restaurants.

Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark
National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium showing interior views

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Learn about the region’s history and its aquatic life in one location. The role of this important river becomes apparent through the many interactive exhibits.

National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
Hotel, Conference and convention center by Upper Mississippi on calm evening in Dubuque Iowa

Grand River Center

Grand River Center is just one of the places to see in Dubuque, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Stroll along the area's riverfront, or simply savor its top-notch restaurants.

Grand River Center
Mines of Spain Recreation Area featuring a garden

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area

Walk through this protected area of historical and natural interest. One trail has state trees from the entire 50 states along with lookouts over a major river.

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area
Crystal Lake Cave which includes caves

Crystal Lake Cave

The subterranean world can be an exotic and spellbinding environment. Visit this exquisite cave that has been carved by nature over millions of years.

Crystal Lake Cave
Eagle Point Park which includes a garden

Eagle Point Park

Have a picnic while overlooking one of America’s great rivers and three states on a visit to this park that is popular among residents and travelers.

Eagle Point Park
Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens featuring a pond and a garden as well as an individual female

Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens

While nature puts on a show all year, this spot capitalizes on its natural beauty. Spend some time going through the serene and immaculately maintained grounds.

Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
Fourth Street Elevator showing landscape views and a small town or village

Fourth Street Elevator

It’s a quick and short ride, but the exhilaration you’ll experience is considerable. See why this attraction has remained so popular over many years.

Fourth Street Elevator

Explore areas of Dubuque

Downtown Dubuque showing a river or creek and modern architecture as well as a large group of people

Downtown Dubuque

Take a trip through time as you stroll down the historic streets of this eastern Iowa city. Visit cafés, shops and galleries in revitalized heritage buildings.

Downtown Dubuque
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Historic Millwork District

While Historic Millwork District isn't home to many top sights, Five Flags Center and National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium are some notable places to visit nearby.

Historic Millwork District

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Dubuque

Galena which includes a city

Galena

Frequently asked questions

Is Dubuque worth visiting?
One of the most popular things to do in Dubuque is explore Sundown Mountain. Check this leading sight off your to-do list, then discover more of this area's bars and pubs and watersports.
How do I spend a day in Dubuque?
Once you've visited leading attractions like Crystal Lake Cave and Mines of Spain State Recreation Area, spend the rest of your day exploring the retail and food options in Dubuque.
What is the top tourist attraction in Dubuque?
Don't leave without checking out Sundown Mountain, ranked the top tourist attraction in Dubuque.
Is three days enough to stay in Dubuque?
You can easily visit top attractions like Crystal Lake Cave, Bell Tower Theatre and Dubuque Museum of Art with a three-day getaway in Dubuque. On average, most travellers book two days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a while longer and head to Galena.
Is Dubuque a walkable city?
With leading attractions like Bell Tower Theatre nearby, Dubuque is very much a place to see on foot. Want to visit some vibrant neighbourhoods a walkable distance from the city centre? Downtown Dubuque is about 0.32 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Dubuque with kids?
If you're looking for attractions and activities for all of your group, we've got some excellent ideas for what to do in Dubuque with kids.

What to do in Dubuque for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Dubuque, with activities for adults of all ages. End the day with a visit to Mines of Spain Cemetery or National Rivers Hall of Fame.
Are there free things to do in Dubuque?
One of the simplest ways to learn about free things to do in Dubuque is to ask a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on exciting neighbourhoods, parks and other top attractions you can enjoy without reaching for your wallet. Mines of Spain State Recreation Area is one place that doesn't charge an entrance fee.

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