Ask a Local: Iowa Transcript
Kevin Scharpf:
We are located right on the river, and so when you’re coming in, you’re surrounded by a lot of prairie land and it’s super flat, so as you approach Dubuque, you’re not sure what you’re gonna get. And when you enter and see the beautiful river and the bluffs and all the different hills that we have, it’s very breathtaking. The Mississippi Riverwalk offers the perfect daytime setting to take your family and see all the sites and views that we have to offer while you’re walking along the Mississippi.
We have a lot of amazing things that we’ve preserved. You can check out the Shot Tower. There’s the Julien Dubuque Monument. One of the first things that you’re definitely gonna want to check out when you get in to Dubuque is the Fourth Street Elevator. It is steepest and shortest elevator in the world. It’s gonna give you your first real overlook of how special Dubuque is and how special the Mississippi is to us.
The Millwork District is very, very old, and it was the producer of windows and different wood working. To know 10 years ago, the Millwork District was just this abandoned area is crazy. To know where we are today is something really special and something that I think Dubuque should be very proud of.
My restaurant is located right in the heart of the Millwork District. Brazen is a modern American restaurant that doesn’t focus on cuisine, more so technique. It’s kinda fun because it’s almost theatrical. You don’t expect what you’re going to get on your plate.
7 Hills is definitely another must-try when you’re in the Millwork District. It’s a local brewery that offers incredible food, great beer and a food hall setting. And what’s better than just being able to go enjoy yourself with good friends?
If you come in the summer, you’re gonna catch us right in the heart of our Farmers Market. There’s nothing better than taking a stroll down Iowa Street and seeing so many unique booths, but what’s more rad is how many farmers we actually have in this community that come together to show their product and how proud they are.
Dubuque is just incredible with its sightseeing, with everything it has to offer. I couldn’t be happier anywhere else.
Quinton McClain:
I think the hike to the top of Mount Trashmore is very unique. From 150 years ago, it’s this old dump that’s been turned into kind of like a hiking and trail destination. You know, It’s kind of a silly thing to some people, but I think it’s a great asset to the city. You wouldn’t even know – it’s just a big grassy, green hill at this point.
Ana Escalante McClain:
It kind of holds a special place of heart of Cedar Rapidians.
Quinton McClain:
But it’s beautiful. The view from the top is pretty, pretty amazing. You see the river going past. You see all the bridges. You get a really a beautiful scope of the areas that we’re talking about.
It’s kind of fun just to walk up and down especially when there’s festivals; the street is closed. It’s really fun to cross from Czech Village over the bridge and go to the Newbo neighborhood – sitting on the bridge for a minute just kind of like looking around at the beautiful scenery
I would say the most unique thing would be our connection to the Czech and Slovak heritage here. You should visit the National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library because the immigrant home they have there that they preserved is a really wonderful glimpse into the past of what the people immigrating here would have lived in, the housewares they would have had, how a family would have lived in, you know like, a 400- or 500-square-foot house.
Ana Escalante McClain:
It really celebrates a culture of immigration that we’ve had here in this area.
Quinton McClain:
That history has kind of developed the way the neighborhoods look, the way the housing looks, to some extent the food.
Ana Escalante McClain:
I think it’s a beacon of something that Cedar Rapids should feel very proud that we’re the host of a National Museum.
Quinton McClain:
So, the Indian Creek Nature Center is a place that is near and dear to our hearts. To get a little glimpse of what Iowa looked like a few hundred years ago is pretty fascinating. It’s a wonderful space. You kinda commune with nature but also like enjoy nature with other people.
Ana Escalante McClain:
I think the pace of life is a little bit slower than in big cities, which is nice. Like you get to have a little bit of a breather, but you can also enjoy the things a big city has to offer. The energy that you feel in this community, it’s something that I haven’t felt elsewhere.