If you’re planning a trip to Dubuque, Iowa and you’re traveling with your whole crew, you’ll be looking for fun things to do with the kids. And thankfully, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Dubuque! Not too far from Cedar Rapids, Chicago or even Minneapolis for that matter Dubuque has really upped its game to provide a ton of family fun things to do. Check out a list of things to do in Dubuque with kids below.

The Mississippi River Museum

Why You Should Go

Okay, this is the obvious one! Everyone loves the Mississippi River Museum, and it’s definitely designed with kids in mind. There’s so much to do here that you could easily spend an entire morning or afternoon. When we go to the River Museum, my kids always like to start out with petting the stingrays, and I have to admit it’s pretty cool! On weekends, there can sometimes be a little crowd gathered around the stingray exhibit, and you may have a small wait.

On this side of the museum, you will also see a plethora of turtles and ducks, crayfish (locally called crawdads), and hundreds of species of fish native to the Mississippi River. There is a “touch” room as well, where kids can pet crayfish and feel the pelts of different kinds of local wildlife. On the second level, there’s a science station set up for little kids. It changes all the time, but once it was a  “Sid the Science Kid” theme. Another time it was everything dinosaur.

Creative Adventure Lab

Why You Should Go

This place is full of legos, giant building blocks, a rock climbing wall, and a pottery painting station (the pottery painting costs extra!). If you have kids who love legos, they could be entertained for hours at this place. There’s also a huge light-up wall where they can make their own art using the different colors of light and translucent objects they place in the holes in the wall. There’s a small enclosed area for babies and toddlers as well. 

Hike at the Mines of Spain

Why You Should Go

If you’re family is looking for something active to do, and the weather is decent, you can’t miss out on hiking at the Mines of Spain. Along the trail, you’ll find plaques with historical facts, stories, and legends about the founding of Dubuque. You will read stories of Dubuque’s earliest lead miners and their connections to the Mesquakie tribe as you walk through a preserved area of the very land they occupied. These breathtakingly beautiful trails span across miles of Dubuque.

Some trails might require rainboots, depending on the time of year. Others tend to stay dry. The trails with creeks running alongside them are great places to see wildlife, especially in the spring. The best time to hike these trails is early spring before the bugs are out and while there are tadpoles and frogs in the creeks and birds making their nests. You may very well see a bald eagle or two flying overhead. There are plenty of trails easy enough for kids of all ages to hike. 

Grand Harbor Hotel and Water Park

Why You Should Go

Dubuque’s Grand Harbor hotel and waterpark is a perfect way to spend the day. It’s not a huge water park, but it’s perfect for families with little kids. It’s small enough that you can keep an eye on everyone, and there are plenty of areas with very shallow water for toddlers to splash in. There is one, big, slide that is fun for even the older kids. This would be a great place to stay with the whole family. 

Take a ride on the Fourth Street Elevator

Why You Should Go

This is the shortest and steepest railway in the world, and Dubuque has kept it operating as a valuable piece of Dubuque’s history, and every summer, people come from all over to ride it. It’s just a short ride up the bluff, but it’s fun for kids! The story goes that a man worked below the bluff but lived above the bluff. It took him a long time to get to work every day, and it bothered him, so he built the railway to take him back and forth. 

Go on a Farm Crawl

Why You Should Go

There are all kinds of farms in and around Dubuque, and there are often yearly farm crawls. You’ll have to do a quick internet search to see if there are any happening around your visit. This is a great way to learn about agriculture and food production in the midwest. The kids may even be able to feed a baby calf! 

Eat at The Yard Arm

Why You Should Go

Whenever we travel with the kids, we’re always looking for great places to eat with the whole family, and locally owned places are always best! The Yard Arm is located at Dubuque’s Marina at the Port of Dubuque, and it is open seasonally because of the outdoor seating. They have some of the best food in town, and the atmosphere is very easy-going, making it a great place to take the whole family. You’ll have a great view of the Mississippi.

If you’re looking for another great place to eat that has both indoor at outdoor seating, check out 7 Hills Brewing Company. They have long tables with bench seating, perfect for big families or for meeting up with a group of friends, and their menu is delicious. 

Take a Cruise on the American Lady

Why You Should Go

This little cruise ship offers a buffet and a cash bar for drinks. You can walk around on the deck and watch for wildlife, enjoy the views of the river, and have dinner all at the same time. This is a great way to get out on the river with the whole family. 

Chill out on Finley’s Landing Beach

Why You Should Go

This is a hidden gem, and technically, it’s in a little rural town just outside of Dubuque called Sherill. While still in Dubuque County, it’s about a 20-minute drive to get there. The drive itself is gorgeous. You’ll see rolling hills of farmland on either side. When you arrive, you’ll cross some train tracks to get to the beach. This is where the locals like to swim in the river. The sandy beach and cool river breeze make it the perfect place to take the family on a hot summer day. 

 Step back in time at The Mathias Ham House

Why You Should Go

If you have history lovers in the family, this is a must-see! The Ham House has been kept in its 19th-century form. When you walk in here, you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Even the furniture and toys in the children’s rooms look as if it was left just as it was in the 19th century. On the premises, there is a one-room schoolhouse and cabins which were servants’ quarters.

If you schedule a tour, your tour guides will be dressed from that time period and will explain all kinds of interesting things about life back then. Depending on when you go, they may have activities for the kids to do. The last time we went, the kids got to practice doing laundry the way they did it in the 19th century. They also made candles by hand. You can contact the Dubuque historical society to find out when they are hosting interactive tours. 

Explore at E.B Lyons Interpretive and Bird Watching Center

Why You Should Go

This is one of our favorites because we can go any time of the year. There’s more to do here when it’s warm enough to walk the trails, but there’s enough to do inside that it is worth the trip any time of year. In the interpretive center, there are some different kinds of reptiles and amphibians in aquariums. There are some interactive games and puzzles for the kids to do. On the upper level, there is a bird-watching room. Outside, there are beautiful trails. These trails are short enough for young kids to walk, but they are not stroller-friendly, so bring a baby carrier if you have an infant! 

Ski at Sundown Mountain Resort

Why You Should Go

If your family is into skiing or snowboarding, this is a great place to take the kids! There are plenty of small hills for first-timers. You can even call ahead and schedule a lesson. 

Camp at Swiss Valley Campground and Park

Why You Should Go

If your family loves camping, you can’t miss out on Swiss Valley. It’s one of the most gorgeous places I have ever been, and sometimes I can’t believe it’s right here in Dubuque. The park area has a wide, shallow creek running through it, where kids can play in the water and catch crayfish and frogs. There are picnic tables available, so pack a lunch and spend the day! There is also a beautiful disc golf course. There are trails to hike, parks to play at, a creek to swim in, a disc golf course to play, and beautiful scenery all around you. You can’t get bored here! 

Visit Storybook Hill Children’s Zoo

Why You Should Go

This little zoo has a few farm animals, park equipment, and a little tractor train that the kids can ride around the zoo in. It’s usually open from Memorial Day until Labor Day. This is a perfect place for smaller children who love animals. It’s entirely enclosed, so it’s nice for parents with active little ones who need a safe place to run! They’ll see ducks, chickens, horses, and a pig! You’ll want to follow their Facebook page to see when they are open and when they are operating the train! 

Play at Four Mounds Ropes Course

Why You Should Go

If you’re looking for some team-building activities for your family, schedule a tour with Four Mounds Rope Course! There is rock climbing, zip-lining, and other activities designed for building relationships. This may not be suitable for very young children, but it’s a perfect place to go with your older children and teenagers. 

Dubuque, Iowa is a very kid-friendly place. It’s especially gorgeous in the fall when you can see the fall colors of all the trees around the river. If you visit in the spring, there is no shortage of wildlife coming to life! And if you come in the winter, you can see bald eagles on the river or enjoy some winter sports. Whenever you come, Dubuque is a great place to visit with the whole family.

Map of Things to Do in Dubuque with Kids

Frequently Asked Questions about things to do in Dubuque

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