Discover Dubuque: Nature, River History and Gardens

When looking for a hotel for a stay in Dubuque, you can start by considering which themes you want your trip to focus on. Mines of Spain State Recreation Area offers trails and scenery, while the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium explores stories from Dubuque and the region, as well as river history. The Sensory Garden adds plantings that change with the seasons, while the Julien Dubuque Monument provides a historic memorial.

Hiking, Biking and Scenery at Mines of Spain

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area in Dubuque is a National Historic Landmark. The area offers 15.1 miles of trails for hiking and biking, with views of striking limestone bluffs and scenic landscapes. This brings together two types of outdoor activity with a strong connection to the surrounding landscape. If you enjoy hiking or biking when you travel, these trails can provide a specific focus for your time in Dubuque. Its National Historic Landmark status adds historical context to the trails: the Recreation Area combines this designation with opportunities for hiking and biking. The limestone bluffs and landscape are as much a part of the area's character as the trails themselves.

River History at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

The main campus of the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium comprises three buildings: the Diamond Jo National River Center, the Fred W. Woodward Freight House, and the William Woodward Mississippi River Center. A path along the historic Ice Harbor connects the buildings. So the main campus consists not of a single building, but of three named buildings linked by a path along the Ice Harbor. Its subject matter ranges from stories of Dubuque, the county, and the region to the history and role of rivers such as the Mississippi. This connects a local and regional perspective with the broader subject of rivers. If you're choosing a focus for your visit, this offers a different approach from the trails at Mines of Spain: here, stories and the role of rivers—including the Mississippi—take center stage.

A Garden with Plantings That Change with the Seasons

The Sensory Garden at the Dubuque Arboretum has 16 beds and offers an experience engaging all five senses, with plantings that change with the seasons. The changing plants give the garden a seasonal character, too: its design isn't the same throughout the year. If you'd like to include a garden visit in your trip, these seasonal changes are worth considering when planning. The beds, changing plantings, and five-senses experience make the garden a distinct focus alongside the trails and river history.

The Julien Dubuque Monument on the Mississippi

The Julien Dubuque Monument honors the region's first European settler and stands high above the Mississippi River. Its dedication draws attention to a person from the region's history, while its location creates a clear connection to the river. This monument complements the museum's broader stories with a memorial site of its own. If you're choosing among these themes, the monument and its historical dedication take center stage here, while the museum covers stories of Dubuque, the county, and the region, as well as the history and role of rivers. The two places offer different perspectives for a trip focused on history and the Mississippi.

When planning your trip, you can first ask yourself whether you'd rather focus on outdoor activities, river history, seasonal garden plantings, or a monument. These interests offer a starting point for choosing Dubuque as a destination and then finding hotels for your stay.

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