Debunking Dubuque - Clarke University

A little guide to what’s FUN AND EASY AND
FAST AND (SOMETIMES) FREE around here!
HOOP SHOOT,
ZIPLINE AND
OTHER OUTDOORSY FUN
Do you crave a good adrenaline rush? Are
you nimble on ice skates? Do you fancy a
nice bicycle ride in the park? Then we have
some fun in store for you.
CHECK OUT THESE NIFTY SPOTS.
GO FORTH, YOUNG TRAVELER
Hiking, biking, jogging, canoeing, cross country skiing and
snow shoeing. Dubuque boasts trails aplenty. Mines of Spain,
Swiss Valley Nature Preserve, Crystal Lake Cave, Heritage
Trail and FDR Park Mountain Bike Trail are all teeming with
miles of trails through forests, grasslands and river bluffs.
ICE AND ANGRY STICK-HOLDERS
Dubuque boasts a legit USHL hockey team, the Dubuque
Fighting Saints. And nothing brings Dubuquers together like
cold conditions and excessive shouting. These Saints come
marching in with a roar each season and wow us with their
miracles on the ice.
GOLF, YOU SAY?
Golf, we have. In fact, we may even go so far as to say the
finest golfing in the Midwest. There are too many to name.
Let’s just say, award-winning, 18 holes, green space,
beverage cart. Done.
WET AND WILD
The Port of Dubuque hosts a happy sprinkling of activities
for the outdoorsy in you – walk, jog or bike the Mississippi
Riverwalk, jump aboard an authentic paddleboat, canoe
or kayak at the marinas or get slip-slidey at Grand Harbor
Waterpark.
TALK TO THE POWDER
Both Chestnut Mountain Resort and Sundown Mountain
Resort offer up enough steep topography and fresh powder
for a stellar head rush. And what else is cool? Sundown
gives discounted rates on special Clarke nights, and
Chestnut’s 2,050-foot tailored track Alpine Slide is a
guaranteed brain freeze.
ICY SLICEY DICEY
Mystique Community Ice Center offers all the amenities for
you to hone your triple axel; sequins and spandex entirely
optional. Prefer a more rustic setting? Local yokels take
to the flooded and frozen parks, which are lit until 9 p.m.
Grab your mittens and skate under the stars.
YOU ARE A CRUSADER NOW
With over 16 teams and 30 intramurals, Clarke University
athletics provide plenty of opportunity to get your game on.
So paint your face and get ready to crush it.
FOR YOUR INNER BEACH BUNNY
Finley’s Landing’s sandy beaches are a superb spot for
old-fashioned picnics, competitive sand-castle-building
and bikinied frolicking among the waves. Don’t forget the
SPF 500.
ZIPLINING?
IN DUBUQUE?
Yup. Sky Tours Zipline at
Union Park has seven lines,
some as high as 45 feet.
You haven’t experienced
delight until you’ve sliced
through the trees like a spider
monkey, hanging on to a thin
cord for dear life.
YOU VS. FISH
Psst … Dubuque is next to a really big river. Hence, we
have fishing. Whether you cast off near the Mississippi
Riverwalk, Lock & Dam 11 (where you can ogle eagles)
or the picnic-friendly Mud Lake Park, you’re sure to score
some thrilling bites and pulls.
YOU CALL IT PAINTBALL, WE CALL IT REVENGE
Your roomie will soon regret snagging that last Hot Pocket.
Steeple Paintball is the place to go if you enjoy hunting
down your roommate and shooting him or her with
bursting balls of color.
THE ARTSY
SIDE OF LIFE
If gazing at sculptures and taking in a
ballet are your cup of tea, check out some
of these PLACES TO FEED YOUR FINER
SENSIBILITIES.
SCULPTURES ARE HIP
Artists across the country compete to display their cool
creations for Art on the River, an annual outdoor exhibit on the
riverfront. New exhibits each June. Come, be inspired.
DUBUQUE + LIVE THEATER = INCREDS
For more than a century, venues such as Bell Tower Theater,
Grand Opera House, Five Flags Theater and Fly-By-Night
Productions have entertained the peeps with the best in
professional dramas, comedies and musicals. What can we
say, we’re oozing with amazing.
FILM FEST GALORE
Throw on your cardigan and black-framed glasses. The hip
hang out at the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival,
which showcases emerging filmmakers from around the
world with a strong emphasis on discovering new talent and
supporting cause-related films. It’s so very mod.
MESSY, BUILDY FUN
“We build creativity.” Matter Creative Center is awesome. So
awesome, in fact, that last year their programming provided
more than 5,900 creative experiences to people in the
community. Make a bowl, paint a ceramic or lose yourself
building something, well, awesome, in a giant room of Legos.
ART AT CLARKE
Clarke University’s resplendent Quigley Gallery is where
the crème de le crème exhibit their creations for your
viewing pleasure. In addition, mosey on over to our very
own historical Terence Donaghoe Hall to watch Clarke’s
award-winning theater department.
TUNES, MAN
Strings and horns and drums, oh my. The Dubuque
Symphony Orchestra has been enchanting the musically
inclined since 1957 with their classical, popular and opera
concerts. Students receive a discounted rate. So break out
the pencil skirts and fedoras and go, listen and love!
KILLER KARAOKE
The Rainbow Lounge. Also known as the best karaoke bar.
Ever. With its unique 1930s art deco motif and fiesty staff,
it’s the place to be. Tie on your crazy and sing it proud.
There is no judgment here.
HIT THE DOWNTOWN SCENE
Dubuque’s revitalized downtown area is home to new
pubs, coffee houses and nightclubs. Monk’s Kaffee Pub
offers live jazz and organic, fair-trade coffees and teas as
well as craft beers and top-shelf spirits. And just upstairs
from Monks, you’ll find the eclectic Nash Gallery. Art,
coffee and spirits, all under one roof. Brilliant.
WE HEART ART
The awesome folks at Dubuque Museum of
Art have created an artful, peaceful, vibrant
environment with a permanent collection
that concentrates on regional artists such
as Grant Wood (you know, the guy who did
the pitchfork painting) as well as trendy
traveling exhibits.
CULTURE,
HISTORY
AND OTHER GOODIES
DUBUQUE IS A MECCA OF HISTORICAL
TIDBITS. Take them in to feed your mind.
THIS IS MONUMENTAL
The city is named after the dude. The Julien Dubuque
Monument stands on the edge of the bluff above Catfish
Creek in the Mines of Spain Recreation Area and is a required
tourist destination.
TAKE PICNIC TO A NEW LEVEL
As Dubuque’s premiere picnic spot, Eagle Point Park’s name
doesn’t lie. Perched high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi
Lock & Dam 11, enjoy the majesty of nature as you wolf down
your barbecued masterpiece on a bun.
WHAT IS A SHOT TOWER, YOU ASK?
Well, it’s a place where they made shots (or bullets) for
muskets, which are really old guns. The Dubuque Shot Tower
stands 120 feet tall and is one of the last remaining shot
towers in the United States.
WANT TO BE CARTED AROUND?
Hop on a trolley to take in the sights or tour the town by horsedrawn carriage via Dubuque By Carriage. Dubuque also hosts
several walking tours featuring architecture, art galleries and
landscapes. Or for the more adventurous, Tour Dubuque offers
fun and informative treks on a Trikke. Just say yes!
PRETTY SPARKLY GLASS
St. Luke's United Methodist Church’s collection of Tiffany
stained-glass windows has been called "one of the five finest
religious Tiffany collections in the world." The church is on the
National Register of Historic Places and can trace its origins
back to the founding of the city of Dubuque, when Methodist
ministers arrived and began work with the miners in the city.
STOP AND SMELL THE YOU-KNOW-WHATS
Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens is growing a more
beautiful world. The grounds feature more than 60 stunning
gardens, ponds, waterfalls, bridges and gazebos. And even more
beautiful? It’s all volunteer-created and volunteer-maintained.
Don’t miss Music in the Gardens in the summertime. It’s all free.
MAKE FRIENDS WITH SOME SNAKES
So much to see at the Smithsonian-affiliated National
Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium! Otters, giant
fish, snakes, octopus, sharks, rays, sea stars, ducks and
turtles galore. Touch a waterfall, get wet in the Riverworks
playground, wander through river caves, explore vintage boats
and commune with big birds in the raptor aviaries.
OLD JAIL MUSEUM
Some of Dubuque’s Old Jail Museum’s artifacts include the
Julien Dubuque family cradle, the ACME Life Saving Device
that saved 27 people from the 1946 Hotel Canfield fire and
a Civil War flag. You can also watch a light and sound show
about the hanging of a condemned murderer which took place
right outside the jail. Wander inside the old jail cells. And
there’s a ghost. Seriously.
REAL HAUNTED HOUSE
The Ham House is a gothic mansion that looks out over the
Mississippi River, built by shipping tycoon Mathias Ham in
1840. Costumed interpreters provide guided tours through
the museum and share the rich history of Mathias Ham,
Dubuque, the Mississippi River and the Victorian era. And
there’s another ghost. Allegedly.
AN ELEVATOR, BUT NOT THE
KIND YOU ARE PICTURING
In the olden days when roads were dirt and horsepower
had more meaning, Fenelon Place Elevator was
constructed to navigate Dubuque’s bluffs. The elevator is
touted as the world’s shortest, steepest scenic railway.
After you’ve experienced the oddly terrifying trip up and
down the bluff, get your sea legs back and amble around
Cable Car Square, where you’ll find specialty shops, coffee
pubs, art and cultural entities.
PACK YOUR BAG,
WE’RE DAY-TRIPPIN’ IT
If you happen to be so lucky as to have a mode
of transport, tie a scarf around your neck, whip
out the large sunglasses and VENTURE OUT TO
THESE HIP DESTINATIONS.
BREW AND VIEW
Potosi Brewing Company & National Brewery Museum: beer
garden, historical museum, restaurant, pub, transportation
museum, interpretive center and gift shop, all under one
roof. And for you dewey-eyed youths, they also brew
Princess Potosa root beer, made with pure cane sugar for
that good old-time sugar rush.
DYERSVILLE IS COOL, IT’S TRUE
A quaint community in eastern Iowa, Dyersville is a happy
little destination. Visit Field of Dreams (yep, where they
filmed the movie) and run around the bases. You might
even see Kevin Costner. Or a version of him, anyway. And
how about the National Farm Toy Musuem? It’s chock full of
toys and hands-on exhibits for the kid in you. Then return
to the grown-up world and order yourself a pretentiously
long-named beverage at Groovy Grounds Coffee Shop. Once
you’re fueled up on caffeine, hit the 26-mile long Heritage
Trail, the Upper Midwest's most scenic all-season trail.
DRIVE-IN MOVIES!
Grab your lawn chair, blanket and portable radio. If you’ve
never experienced a drive-in movie theatre, you MUST visit
Maquoketa’s 61 Drive-In Theatre. This is not your scratchy,
garbled drive-in of yesteryear. Today’s drive-in is equipped
with digital projection and stereo sound. And one final note:
Snack. Bar. Gluttony.
250 MILES OF SCENIC WONDER
Who doesn’t need that in their life? The Great River Road
and Balltown Scenic Overlook are the most splendid ways to
connect with our grandiose countryside. Grab your camera and
crank up the Kid Rock. This is what a drive in the backwoods
boonies is all about.
WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU’VE NEVER BEEN ON A FERRY?
The Pride of Cassville Car Ferry connects two National Scenic
Byways — the Great River Road and the Iowa Great River
Road. This ferry has chugged the same path back and forth
across the Mississippi River since 1833. Go. Now.
GROOVY MADISON
The progressive state capital of Wisconsin is home to five
lakes with miles of sunny, sandy beaches, 260 pristine parks,
wondrous shopping, mean restaurants, State Street and Willy
Street block parties, a FREE! zoo, hipster museums, a flood of
festivals and a humungous farmers market complete with sick
live bands. And there’s more. We’re just out of room.
GALENA
Galena was home to Ulysses S. Grant, who was
the 18th U.S. president. You can tour through his
home on the hill and see how tiny his bed was.
Once you’ve done that, head on over to Fever River
Outfitters and rent a canoe or kayak to paddle along
the tranquil Galena River. Fever River Outfitters also
rents adorable Vespas and tandem bikes for tooling
around. If you’re feeling even more adventurous,
Galena On The Fly Inc. will whisk you up and away
in a hot air balloon. Rides offered daily at sunrise
and sunset. Dreamy.
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leave you with a pretty fabulous tip from the Mississippi
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61 Drive-In Theatre
www.61driveintheatre.com
Fenelon Place Elevator
www.dbq.com/fenplco
Mines of Spain
www.minesofspain.org
Art on the River
www.cityofdubuque.org
Fever River Outfitters
www.feverriveroutfitters.com
Mississippi Riverwalk
www.cityofdubuque.org
Bell Tower Theater
www.belltowertheater.net
Finley's Landing Park
www.mycountyparks.com
Mud Lake Park
www.mycountyparks.com
Cable Car Square
www.partners.dubuque365.com/cablecarsquare
Five Flags Theater
www.fiveflagscenter.com
Mystique Community Ice Center
www.mystiqueicecenter.com
Calico Bean Market
www.calicobeanmarket.com
Fly-By-Night Productions
www.flybynightdubuque.com
Nash Gallery
www.dcfas.org
Chestnut Mountain
www.chestnutmtn.com
Galena, Ill.
www.visitgalena.org
Clarke University
www.clarke.edu
WISCONSIN
Galena on the Fly Inc.
www.buyaballoonride.com
National Mississippi River
Museum & Aquarium
www.mississippirivermuseum.com
Clarke University Athletics
www.clarkecrusaders.com
Golf courses in Dubuque
www.golflink.com
Crystal Lake Cave
www.crystallakecave.com
Grand Harbor Resort
www.grandharborresort.com
Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Gardens
www.dubuquearboretum.net
Grand Opera House
www.thegrandoperahouse.com
Dubuque By Carriage
hwww.dubuquebycarriage.com
The Grant Home
www.granthome.com
Dubuque Farmers’ Market
www.dubuquemainstreet.org
The Great River Road
www.experiencemississippiriver.com/
Dubuque Fighting Saints
www.dubuquefightingsaints.com
Heritage Trail
www.dubuquecounty.org
Dubuque Food Co-op
www.dubuquefood.coop
Julien Dubuque International Film Festival
www.julienfilmfest.com
Dubuque Museum of Art
www.dbqart.com
Kennedy Mall
www.kennedymall.com
Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
www.dubuquesymphony.org
Lock & Dam 11
www.mvr.usace.army.mil
Dubuque Welcome Center
www.traveliowa.com
Madison, Wis.
www.visitmadison.com
Dyersville, Iowa
www.dyersville.org
Mathias Ham House Historic Site
www.mississippirivermuseum.com/historicsites
Eagle Point Park
www.dubuqueeaglepointpark.com
Matter Creative Center
www.mattercreative.org
ILLINOIS
White
Main
Vista
Alta
Hillcrest
DIRECTORY
Julien Dubuque Drive
FDR Park Mountain Bike Trail
www.singletracks.com
Old Jail Museum
www.mississippirivermuseum.com/historicsites
Parks in Dubuque
www.cityofdubuque.org
Port of Dubuque
www.americasriver.com
The Pride of Cassville Car Ferry
www.cassville.org/ferry
Quigley Gallery
www.clarke.edu
The Rainbow Lounge
www.tristatesnightout.com
Sky Tours Zipline
www.skytourszipline.com
Steeple Paintball
www.tristatesnightout.com
St. Luke’s United Methodist Church
www.stlukesumcdbq.org
Sundown Mountain Resort
www.sundownmtn.com
Swiss Valley Nature Preserve
www.mycountyparks.com
Tour Dubuque
www.tourdubuque.com
Town Clock Inn Restaurant & Bar
www.townclockinndbq.com
CONTACT CLARKE
Admissions Office
1550 Clarke Drive
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-3198
(800)383-2345
(563)588-6316
(563)584-8666 (fax)
admissions@clarke.edu
www.clarke.edu
www.facebook.com/clarkeuniversity
www.twitter.com/ClarkeU