Dubuque district, Iowa, United States

Places to visit near Dubuque

Dubuque is a town in Dubuque district, Iowa, United States, home to about 58,799 people. Within 50 km by road there are 183 places to visit — 66 forts & heritage, 23 museums, 13 lakes, dams & reservoirs and 24 hill stations & viewpoints. The must-see places are Town Clock (1 km), Dubuque Museum of Art (1 km) and Washington Park (1 km).

Updated · Distances are road estimates · Open Dubuque on the map

Dubuque at a glance

Location
Dubuque district, Iowa, United States
Population
about 58,799
Coordinates
42.5006° N, 90.6646° W
Places within 50 km
183 (32 must-see)
Best time to visit
October to February for forts & heritage; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for museums

Top places to visit near Dubuque

Ranked by how worth the drive they are from Dubuque: must-see places and the closest well-loved spots first. Open a place for photos, today’s visitor status, timings and directions.

More places near Dubuque

Things to see near Dubuque, by type

Forts & heritage near Dubuque

76 forts & heritage within 100 km of Dubuque. The closest is Dubuque County Jail (1 km); the best-known is Old Main Street Historic District (1 km). Best time: october to february.

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Museums near Dubuque

35 museums within 100 km of Dubuque. The closest is Dubuque Museum of Art (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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Lakes, dams & reservoirs near Dubuque

29 lakes, dams & reservoirs within 100 km of Dubuque. The closest is Lock No. 11 (6 km); the best-known is Dam No. 11 (6 km). Best time: august to december when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

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Hill stations & viewpoints near Dubuque

29 hill stations & viewpoints within 100 km of Dubuque. The closest is Kellys Bluff (1 km); the best-known is Couler Valley (9 km). Best time: october to february for cool, clear air.

All hill stations & viewpoints in Iowa →

Wildlife, forests & gardens near Dubuque

24 wildlife, forests & gardens within 100 km of Dubuque. The closest is Town Clock (1 km). Best time: november to march for sightings.

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Churches near Dubuque

19 churches within 100 km of Dubuque. The closest is Saint Raphael Cathedral (1 km). Best time: year-round.

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A one-day trip from Dubuque

5 of the best places within 60 km, in driving order so you don’t double back: about 6 km on the road.

  1. Start in Dubuque
  2. 1 km Town Clock · nature spot, Dubuque
  3. 1 km Dubuque Museum of Art · museum, Dubuque
  4. 1 km Washington Park · park, Dubuque
  5. 1 km Old Main Street Historic District · heritage site, Dubuque
  6. 1 km National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium · museum, Dubuque
  7. 1 km Back to Dubuque

Plan a longer trip from Dubuque — the planner adds a place to stay each night and keeps the route to one loop.

From travellers near Dubuque

No traveller has reported from around Dubuque yet. Been to one of these places recently? Open it and post what you found — is the waterfall flowing, how crowded was the temple, is the beach safe — so the next visitor knows before they drive.

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How to reach Dubuque

    All places near Dubuque by distance

    Within 15 km of Dubuque

    15–50 km — half-day trips

    50–100 km — one-day trips

    Count by type (within 100 km)

    Places near Dubuque by type
    TypeWithin 50 kmWithin 100 kmNearest
    Forts & heritage6676Dubuque County Jail (1 km)
    Museums2335Dubuque Museum of Art (1 km)
    Lakes, dams & reservoirs1329Lock No. 11 (6 km)
    Hill stations & viewpoints2429Kellys Bluff (1 km)
    Wildlife, forests & gardens1124Town Clock (1 km)
    Churches1319Saint Raphael Cathedral (1 km)
    Parks1114Washington Park (1 km)
    Rivers, islands & mangroves811Ninemile Island (13 km)
    Caves17Crystal Lake Cave (10 km)
    Other attractions66Fenelon Place Elevator (1 km)
    Waterfalls46Tennyson Falls (27 km)
    Beaches & coast33Dubuque Harbor (1 km)
    Treks02Bear Creek Nature Trail (66 km)

    Dubuque: questions travellers ask

    What are the best places to visit near Dubuque?

    Town Clock (nature spot, about 1 km), Dubuque Museum of Art (museum, about 1 km), Washington Park (park, about 1 km), National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium (museum, about 1 km), Old Main Street Historic District (heritage site, about 1 km), Fenelon Place Elevator (attraction, about 1 km).

    How many tourist places are there within 50 km of Dubuque?

    183 places on Spotwander: 66 forts & heritage, 23 museums, 13 lakes, dams & reservoirs, 24 hill stations & viewpoints, 11 wildlife, forests & gardens.

    Which is the nearest fort to Dubuque?

    Dubuque County Jail, about 1 km by road; Multilingual Peace Pole (0 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest museum to Dubuque?

    Dubuque Museum of Art, about 1 km by road; Mississippi Mud Studios (1 km) is next.

    Which is the nearest lake to Dubuque?

    Lock No. 11, about 6 km by road; Dam No. 11 (6 km) is next.

    What is a good one-day trip from Dubuque?

    Start in Dubuque, visit Town Clock, then Dubuque Museum of Art, then Washington Park, then Old Main Street Historic District, then National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, and drive back — about 6 km by road in all.

    What is the best time to visit places near Dubuque?

    October to February for forts & heritage; August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open for lakes, dams & reservoirs; year-round for museums.

    Towns near Dubuque

    Sources: places from OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata and GeoNames; Dubuque’s location and population from GeoNames. Data sources & credits.