 | Dubuque Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 27 |  |
Popular Things To Do | Miscellaneous Things To Do Tips | All Tips (27) The Shot Tower in Dubuque is one of the last standing shot towers in the United States. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The tower was built in 1856 to provide lead shot for the military. Molten lead was poured from the top of the tower, where it passed through a grate. The droplets that fell from the grate had relatively uniform size, and the fall provided enough time for the liquid-metal droplet to form into a sphere before landing in the water below. The water cooled the lead to its solid state, retaining the spherical shape.
The development of newer technology for manufacturing amunition made the tower obsolete. It found a new purpose for a while as a fire lookout post to help protect a nearby lumberyard. Fires had severely damaged the city's lumber industry.
The Shot Tower was abandoned as the lumber industry declined, but in 1976 was designated a historic landmark. Today the Shot Tower is part of the ongoing renovations to the riverfront and it still stands as one of the most recognized symbols of the city. Leave a Comment Directions: The Shot Tower can be seem from the Riverwalk. It is near East 4th and East 6th Streets.
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 | |  |  | National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium | Tip Rating:    |  |  | |  |
The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is the top attraction in the entire state of Iowa and is the one place you MUST see if you visit Dubuque. Karen and I spent a very enjoyable afternoon here, and wished we had had even more time to explore all there is to see.
The Museum is excellent with all the features and displays you might expect and a few that may surprise you. We particularly enjoyed viewing many of the short films shown in various parts of the museum which graphically illustrate the natural and human history of America's greatest river. The aquarium makes no effort to bring you sharks, jellyfish and other creatures of the ocean, but you will find lots of fish and other creatures that inhabit the Mississppi river and its tributaries.
There is also a large outside viewing area where you can see old boats, machines etc, including a boardwalk around a wetlands area were we spied several birds, turtles, and a muskrat.
Summer Hours
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Daily
Memorial Weekend through Labor Day
Winter Hours
10:00 am - 5:00 pm Daily
Labor Day through Memorial Weekend
Christmas Eve 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
Admission
Adults $9.95
Seniors (65+) $8.95
Youth (7-17) $7.50
Children (3-6) $4.00 Leave a Comment Address: 350 East 3rd St., Dubuque, IA 52001Phone: (800) 226-3369Directions: At the Port of Dubuque, between the Mississippi River and Downtown DubuqueWebsite: http://www.mississippirivermuseum.com/main.cfm
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| | | | Old Jail Museum | Tip Rating: | | | | |
The Old Dubuque County Jail, built in 1857, is considered the rarest building in Iowa. Fewer than 50 Egyptian Revival structures were ever built in the United States, and the Dubuque County Jail is one of only three remaining.
The old jail, which sits beside the Dubuque County Courthouse, has been replaced by a more modern correctional facility. The Old Jail is now a museum, operated by the Dubuque Historical Society.
In the museum you will find interesting historical artifacts and interpretative displays. The museum also contains Jan's Grate Shop, which offers refreshments and souvenirs.
The Old Jail Museum is open Monday - Saturday, 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Admission::
Adults $5.00
Children $3.50
6 and under Free Leave a Comment Address: 520 Eighth Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001Phone: 1-563-557-9545Directions: Corner of E. 8th Street and Central AvenueWebsite: http://www.dubuquehistory.com/oldjail.html
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on October 12, 2006
