Dubuque Regional Airport: where to stay, areas and recommended hotels

Dubuque's airport is small and doesn't force any drastic choices: every part of the city is 15-25 minutes away by car, with no direct public transit. Travelers who want the historic downtown choose Main Street, among nineteenth-century buildings and the Mississippi, with a hotel that also offers an airport shuttle. The Port of Dubuque, a few blocks further north, is geared toward families thanks to its indoor water park. Travelers driving or on business find simpler hotels on the west side of the city, along Route 20, near the Kennedy Mall shopping center.

Historic downtown, Main Street

City centre · About 15 minutes by car from the airport; some hotels offer their own shuttle

Best for: For those who prefer the historic downtown on the Mississippi, within walking distance of restaurants and the river museum

Pros

Historic downtown buildings, within walking distance of the Mississippi riverfront
Some hotels offer a free airport shuttle

Cons

Parking is often paid on the downtown streets
Rooms fill up fast on weekends with events at the Five Flags Center

Recommended hotels in this area

Hotel Julien Dubuque: A historic hotel dating to 1800 on the corner of 2nd and Main Street, with an indoor pool and an in-house restaurant.
Holiday Inn Dubuque/Galena by IHG: Connected to the Five Flags Center in the historic downtown, with a free local shuttle and an indoor pool.
TownePlace Suites by Marriott Dubuque Downtown: Full-kitchen suites on Washington Street, a few blocks from the historic downtown.

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Port of Dubuque

Neighbourhood · About 15 minutes by car from the airport, same as the historic downtown

Best for: Travelers with children who want the indoor water park just steps from the room

Pros

Indoor water park open all year, convenient with children
A few steps from the National Mississippi River Museum and the casino

Cons

Higher rates on weekends due to water park crowds
A less central area, you need a car for the rest of the historic downtown

Recommended hotels in this area

Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark: An indoor water park of over 2,000 sqm, just steps from the National Mississippi River Museum.

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West side, Route 20 and Kennedy Mall

Neighbourhood · 20-25 minutes by car from the airport, longer than the historic downtown

Best for: Travelers driving who want simple hotels near the shops, away from downtown traffic

Pros

A couple of steps from the Kennedy Mall shopping center and restaurants along Route 20
The Best Western has a free airport shuttle

Cons

The trip from the airport is longer than from the historic downtown
A commercial area, not very suited to sightseeing on foot

Recommended hotels in this area

Best Western Plus Dubuque Hotel & Conference Center: A large atrium with an indoor pool on Route 20, with a free airport shuttle.
Hampton Inn Dubuque: Across from the Kennedy Mall shopping center, with an indoor pool and free hot breakfast.

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