Work took me to Dubuque last week for our annual conference. It’s a traveling show and because our board chair is from the city, Dubuque became our host community. I grew up heading to Dubuque every few weekends and during holidays because Mom’s a native. I saw Dubuque before its “reinvention” and it could be summed up (then) as your typical old river town. Not anymore. Here are five reasons you should make Dubuque a stop for your business or personal travels.
1. High Class Hotels: Even though I spent the least amount of time in my hotel room, it was definitely my favorite part. Staff stayed at the Hotel Julien, a building but in the early 1900’s, the place my parents stayed on their wedding night (no jokes please) and until a few years ago, maintained its 1970’s vibe. And then it went under at $30 million+ renovation to restore it back to its original grandeur. They nailed that one on the head. In addition to old charm, it hosted a shower I could have slept in, fluffy bathrobes to relax in, river views and a personal Keurig coffee machine for my morning caffeine pleasure. A small slice of heaven. The Grand Harbor Resort was also a conference hotel and had a divine restaurant and water park the kiddos would die for.
2. Great Restaurants: Although a majority of our meals were “conference” related, we did get to venture out a couple of times to take in some local places.• Crust
3. Entertainment Options Galore: Talk about options. Within walking distance of the Hotel Julien was the Diamond Jo Casino, an aquarium and river museum (and an enormous conference center, should you need one). Dueling pianos were playing at the casino, while the Rainbow Lounge hosted karaoke nightly and Paul’s Tavern had its fair share of taxidermy exhibits fit for Diners, Dives and Drive-Ins. We walked the river trail in the mornings for some exercise and some shopped at the cute storefronts downtown. A riverboat cruise and golf outing completed our adventures… and with all the activity, you better believe I slept all night upon my return!
4. Progressive Community: Three private colleges and a community college center. Hello education. IBM offices. Complimentary wireless throughout the downtown for business people and travelers needing a quick hot spot. No need to hit up Starbucks (or McDonalds) for an internet connection. Large festivals (Chicago and KC and the Sunshine Band were in town last weekend!) keep the music scene vibrant. They are looking to the future and it's exciting to hear about!
5. Passionate CVB: As I mentioned in a previous post, a CVB is priceless. The ladies of the Dubuque CVB were on hand throughout the conference to assist staff. Not only were they a fun group, they oozed passion for the city. It will be fun to see Dubuque continue to transpire in the coming years and with the CVB staff, the sky’s the limit.
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