Don’t Worry About Big Airports, Fly to Dubuque, IA!

NOTE: My Dubuque post may contain links for which I receive a commission if you make a purchase through those links.

Dubuque, Iowa (IATA: DBQ, ICAO: KDBQ: FAA: DBQ). Dubuque Regional Airport is a towered airfield, elevation 1077′ located 8.5 miles SSW of Dubuque. The tower is manned from 6:00a.m. to 10:00p.m. The airport, owned by the city of Dubuque, consists of two concrete lighted runways, 13/31 and 18/36,. 13/31 is 6,052′ x 100′ and 18/36 is 6,327′ x 150′. There is both AVGas and Jet A available on the field. Dubuque Jet Center FBO is there to assist with your general aviation needs from 5:00a.m. to 10:00p.m. with 24 hour service available upon request.

The only non-stop commercial flights are provided by Avelo Airlines. You can fly directly to Orlando or Las Vegas with this airline. Charter services are available from Sun Country Airlines as non-stop to Biloxi, MS, Laughlin, NV, and Atlantic City, NJ.

Transport

There are hotel shuttles available from Grand Harbor Resort, Hilton Garden Inn, Hotel Julien, Holiday Inn-Downtown and Best Western. There are also rental cars available from Avis and Hertz inside the terminal. Enterprise isn’t on site but will drop off a car at the Jet Center if you are an Enterprise Plus member. Hertz will also deliver to the Jet Center if you have a gold membership. Also, you can call Bell Taxi, A1 Taxi, #1 Green Cab, or Midwest Luxury Limo. Lyft and Uber both have pick up points in front of the terminal and terminal parking is free when traveling out of this airport.

Where to go for the Finer Things!

The Dubuque terminal does have it’s own restaurant but it’s only open when there’s a commercial or charter flight scheduled. Alas, I arrived in a Dodge Ram 1500 instead of a Boeing 737 so I missed out. However, there are plenty of great places to eat, drink, and play in Dubuque.

First up is the Yardarm Riverfront Bar and Grill. I think it’s probably one of the best views of the Mighty Mississippi at sunset. They have live music, at the least, every Friday and Saturday, right down on the waterfront at the Dubuque Marina. They also have great food and drink.

Next up, almost every search engine I came up with had L.May Eatery as a rock solid #1. It’s the first place I’m going when I get back through there. It’s listed as being a restored historic main street building and has a menu that goes from pizza and homemade pasta to steak and seafood. This looks like the kind of place you go when your crowd has very different tastes.

The next three come in second, third, and fourth in those same review sites although never in the same order. So, for the most recommended dining in Dubuque I’d try the Brazen Open Kitchen, The Copper Kettle, or the Pepper Sprout. There is also The Caroline’s Restaurant mentioned quite often as a little more upscale. It’s inside the Hotel Julien.

Local Pubs and Nightlife in Dubuque!

Jubeck New World Brewing, The Lift, and Backpocket Dubuque all rank pretty high on the best pub scale. The Mississippi Moon Bar (inside Diamond Jo’s) and 7 Hills Brewing (in three different locations) are also mentioned quite frequently. The Lift is a little hidden basement spot featuring live music on the weekends and beloved by the locals. Located under the old world Italian Restaurant Vinny Vannuchi’s Little Italy and featuring a No TV zone.

Concert venues and live theater in Dubuque are at The Heritage Center, Five Flags Center, Q Casino, and the Diamond Jo Casino. You can also opt for a little levity with The Comedy Bar downtown.

The Heritage Center is a performing arts theater at the University of Dubuque while Five Flags is a concert and event venue downtown. Q Casino is attached to the Hilton Garden Inn and there are different restaurants there to choose from. The grounds are beautiful!

The Diamond Jo Casino is downtown where the night comes alive! It contains the Mississippi Moon Bar, an awesome bowling center and a variety of restaurants.

Willing to travel a ways? Calling all fans of one of the best baseball movies ever. The “Field of Dreams” movie site has a guided tour in Dyersville. Dyersville is about a 30-40 minute drive from Dubuque. Enjoy the tour or just sit by the field and dream!

Notable Aviators From Dubuque

Captain Robert L. Martin was born and raised in Dubuque. He graduated from Dubuque Senior High in 1936 then attended Iowa State University. He graduated with an electrical degree and a pilot’s license. After acceptance by the U.S. Army Air Corps he transferred to the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama and become one of the original Tuskegee Airmen at the ripe old age of 23.

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Once again I wish you safe travels,

jo@jettreks.com