Day in Dubuque

A Day in Dubuque: State #33 on Our 50 States Adventure

Part 2 of our Summer 2026 50 States Adventure officially kicked off over the 4th of July week, with Wisconsin serving as our home base. But before diving into the Badger State, we decided to make a quick detour into Iowa, our 33rd state together, and spend a day exploring Dubuque, Iowa.

The Hotel Julien & The Al Capone Suite

We booked our stay at the Hotel Julien, named for Julien Dubuque, the first European settler of Iowa and the man the city is named after. For a little fun, we stayed in the Al Capone Suite, and it was definitely a memorable spot. The centerpiece of the room is an actual bank vault that was supposedly used by Capone back in the day, a detail that sparks questions and a healthy dose of skepticism. The suite leans fully into its Prohibition-era identity, and whether every claim is historically accurate or not, the atmosphere was very amusing. The boys, of course, were less concerned with the historical perspective and more focused on the pool and hot tub, both of which got two thumbs up.

Downtown Dubuque & Happy Hour at The Vault

We spent a good chunk of our afternoon wandering through historic downtown Dubuque and into the Millwork District. Downtown has a wonderfully quirky energy, part charming, part forgotten, with stretches that feel frozen in earlier decades. The local art scene has taken root throughout the area. Murals pop up throughout the downtown, adding a layer of character to streets that might otherwise feel a little overlooked.

William and I slipped away for a happy hour date at The Vault while the boys had some “free time.” We enjoyed the space and very friendly staff. Afterwards, we regrouped with the boys and walked through the Millwork District to dinner at Brazen. This was a highlight — the staff knew their stuff without being stuffy, the wine list was thoughtfully curated, and every dish was clearly made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. We could go back again tonight and expect have another excellent experience with much more to explore on the menu.

Morning Coffee & The Port of Dubuque

The next morning we took one last walk through downtown, stopping into La Venta for coffee and fresh croissants.

Before hitting the road toward Wisconsin, we took a walk along the Mississippi at the Port of Dubuque. The city has done a lovely job transforming the waterfront with indigenous wildflowers lining the paths and public art woven throughout. It was a perfect send-off for state #33.