When traveling to a new destination, it is easy to get wrapped up into rushing through sites. Too often, we are trying to pack as much as possible into our time. The idea of missing out on even one attraction leads to a hurried pace. To help prevent us from falling into this mode, I will arrange our schedule to include a couple of stops designed to change our speed. The Dubuque Arboretum is one of those places that is designed to slow your pace.
We want to thank Travel Dubuque and the Dubuque Arboretum for their hospitality. Rest assured all opinions are our own.
Slow Your Pace
What began in 1980, has grown to become a favorite of the community. The gardens were created by volunteers and is still maintained by an all-volunteer staff. Admission is FREE, but they do accept donations to help keep the gardens growing. We started our visit by passing through this charming Japanese Garden gate. Immediately, we could feel the peacefulness flow over us. Just inside the garden is a bench, where we made a short stop to just take it all in.
Tranquil Settings
We made our way down the hillside and arrived at a small pond. The sound of falling water drew our attention to a nearby bridge. Stopping along the way across, we let the sound wash away any tension that we had leftover. Beneath the bridge, a school of Koi fish darted in and out of the shadows. The summer day promised to be hot, but for now, the gentle breezes made the weather delightful.
Getting a Little Formal
Farther into the Dubuque Arboretum, we came across an English Garden. Set in a formal design, it is lined with rows of neatly trimmed boxwood bushes. The repeating patterns are certainly pleasing, but not quite our cup of tea.
Inspiring Ideas
When we happened upon the Cactus Garden, we had to slow our pace a little more. Being from the Midwest, it surprised us to see so much variety in this bed. We have considered adding cacti to our own landscape but wondered how they would handle the unpredictable winter weather. It was reassuring to see that they were able to survive in an ecosystem north of our own.
Something For All Ages
After stopping in the gift shop for a break, we made our way back into the garden area. Just a few steps away, we came upon a Children’s Garden. It held multiple smaller beds, that each had an interesting story to tell. Actually, there was a theme that ran through all of the beds, which was children’s nursery rhymes and tales. Everything from Hickory, Dickory, Dock to the Princess and the Pea were found. It was fun figuring out what each flower bed was supposed to represent.
Slow Your Pace
Discovering that the Dubuque Arboretum is completely volunteer-run, made the place a little extra special. Checking out all of the beautiful gardens will certainly cause you to slow your pace. Perhaps you will even want to join the locals, and enjoy painting one of the scenes found around the space. If you have plenty of time, there are spots to rest for a bit and just take in the scenery. No matter how you decide to take in the sights at this attraction, we are confident that you will finish your visit in a relaxed state of mind. How many of you enjoy visiting arboretums?
A lovely peaceful piece. Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens are a wonderful place to visit anytime of year.
Here is a gardening secret. Cacti do not winter over in our zone. What you see are potted plants that are lovingly stored in our greenhouses each winter. Some of them have gotten larger and heavier and must be moved with care. We do this to give the visitors who come north in the summer something to help them remember the landscape they will be returning to.
Mel, thanks for the tip about the cacti. It explains why they look so healthy when they are residing so far from their native zone. We appreciate all of your labor and giving at the gardens.
What a wonderful article that sums up all that is the Dubuque Arboretum. Thank you.
It was our pleasure. Such a wonderful place to visit.