Charming River Town
What happened to the American Dream? It’s tucked away in Dubuque, Iowa like that Norman Rockwell painting stashed in your attic. Dubuque rhymes with Duh Puke, but feel free to give the locals a laugh with Dooboo-cue. This small-but-not-too-small town has a cozy, charming, feel good, family sitting by the fireplace vibe. For some excellent dining and a little nightlife, head downtown toMain St (aka: a scene from It’s a Wonderful Life). Voted Best Place to Bar Hop in Sub-Zero Temperature. All the bars are like 5 feet from one another so you don’t have to freeze your German Schnitzel off while darting for the next door during winter. Some excellent drinks and dining options on Main Street include (but not limited to) Manna Java, Pepper Sprout, Crust, and Vinnie Vanucci’s. So you’re the type who’s dying to find the little out-of-the-way quirky locals hangout? The Twisted Pickle is hidden away on Elm Street. Bring your best pickle jokes. Go on a Wednesday and ask Zack for a Rootbeer Float. It’s way yummy! Don’t even bother ribbing the locals about the funny accent; they don’t know they talk like that.
If you move to Dbq my best advice is to find a way to be active even in wintertime. There IS skiing in the area. Not only cross country, but also downhill. Yes there is. It has to do with receding glaciers and the Mississippi Rivercreating some steep @ss hills in the area. Or if you prefer not to freeze your keester, a sports bar called Courtside has some indoor courts for volleyball, dodgeball, kickball, etc if you dig.
Got a bunch of kids all cooped up and bouncing off the walls? Round ‘em all up and head to Jumpin Janes. It’s a huge building filled with inflatable jumpy stuff. Yeah! Jump up, jump up and get down…jump…..jump…..jump!
Dubuque has a very good local minor league hockey team, The Dubuque Fighting Saints. They built a beautiful new facility for the ice rink and their games are a pretty darned good time!
Want to go on a cool hike along the Mississippi River? A gorgeous recreational nature area is The Mines of Spain. 1 1/2 miles down 52 South and turn left on Olde Massey Rd. About a mile on your left is Mines of Spain Road. Explore.
