Walking Day Trip Dubuque

Start your day by parking in the Five Flags Ramp on 4th Street and walking out to Main Street. On-street metered parking is also available nearby—just make sure to pay attention to posted time limits. On-street parking is free on Sundays.

Head south on Main and take your time—this first stretch is where you’ll spot murals on building sides and in alleys. It’s worth slowing down and looking around a bit rather than just walking straight through.

As you make your way down, stop into the Hotel Julien Dubuque for a quick look at the lobby.

Continue south on Main to 1st Street, then head west toward Bluff Street. Along the way, stop into Planted (plant shop with houseplants, rare tropicals, orchids, succulents, and small gift items).

Once you reach Bluff Street, this is a good spot to pause for coffee—either at Monks Kaffee Pub (eclectic coffeehouse and bar in a cozy house setting with a laid-back, artsy vibe, good for sitting and relaxing) or La Venta Coffee (specialty coffee café focused on farm-to-cup Colombian coffee, with a clean, simple atmosphere and pastries).

While you’re up there, browse a couple shops: Calico Bean Market (specialty bulk food store with spices, coffee, candy, mixes, and unique pantry items) and Shamrock Imports (Irish imports, clothing, jewelry, and specialty goods).

From there, walk over to the Fenelon Place Elevator. Ride it up, take in the view, then head back down.

After coming down, go north on Bluff Street. You’ll pass the Redstone Inn and the historic post office building. Continue to Washington Park—walk through the park, check out the gazebo, and take a short break.

Leaving the park, cross Locust at 7th Street and continue toward the Town Clock area. On the way, you’ll pass the new art museum construction site and the Roshek Building before dropping back into Main Street. This stretch is more of a transition—there aren’t really shops around the Town Clock itself.

For lunch, you’ve got a couple easy options. Adobos Mexican Grill offers quick, build-your-own burritos, tacos, and bowls, and Pickle Barrel Subs is just another block north with classic deli-style subs and sandwiches. If you want to sit down, head a little farther north to Swagat Indian Restaurant (traditional Indian dishes like curries, tikka masala, and naan), Las Margaritas (full-service Mexican with fajitas, enchiladas, and margaritas), or L May Eatery (New American fare with steaks, seafood, and rotating specials). River Lights Bookstore is right in that same area if you want to add a quick stop.

After lunch, head back south on Main. Take a look at the historic Five Flags Theater at 5th and Main as you pass by.

Continue down Main to 3rd Street, then head east across toward the riverfront.

Spend some time at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium if you want to go inside. It’s a Smithsonian-affiliated museum with a mix of indoor and outdoor exhibits focused on the Mississippi River—live aquariums with river species, hands-on science exhibits, and historic riverboats and artifacts that highlight the region’s river culture and ecology. Even if you don’t go through the whole museum, the grounds and nearby riverfront are worth exploring.

From there, continue on to the riverwalk. Walk along the Mississippi and follow the path north. At the north end of the riverwalk, check out the restored Dubuque Star Brewery Building. From there, continue under the railroad tracks to see the historic Shot Tower.

Head back across 3rd Street to Main for dinner. Options are all close together, so you can decide based on what sounds good:

• The Vault Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge (upscale dining with steaks, seafood, and craft cocktails in a historic bank setting)
• Barrel House (casual American fare—burgers, sandwiches, and a wide beer selection)
• Vinny Vanucchi's (classic Italian—pasta, red sauce dishes, and a cozy old-world atmosphere)
• Baraboo's on Main (pizza, sandwiches, and laid-back pub-style food)

From there, it’s just a short walk back to the ramp.