These 3 Hidden Spots in Gramercy Park Feel Like a Secret

 If you live in Illinois, you might not know about an adorable, lesser-known green space in East Dubuque. It’s a peaceful urban park tucked into the bluffs, and I can’t wait to tell you about the hidden gems in Gramercy Park. Here, you’ll find ancient, Native American burial mounds, picnic pavilions with scenic views, and over a mile of hiking trails, too.

Why These Hidden Gems in Gramercy Park Are Worth Finding

Gramercy Park is the perfect mix of nature and culture, with scenic views of the Mississippi River. It’s also an ideal slice of calm and quiet along the eastern banks of the Mississippi River. It’s a secret place in Illinois, and a favorite of mine for combining a Mississippi River Road Trip with the Driftless Area at one small, under-appreciated park.

What To Expect at These Secret Locations in Gramercy Park

East Dubuque has all the charm of a small Illinois town, and it starts from the bluffs at Gramercy Park. This area is quiet, even on a weekend morning during the warmer seasons. The park is one of the true hidden gems in Illinois, featuring several secret places. It’s also a poignant spot for reflecting on the importance of preserving our heritage and conserving nature.

Dunleith Mounds Are Secret Burial Mounds in Illinois

Although not quite a secret place in Gramercy Park, the ancient Hopewell site, dubbed Dunleith Mounds, is certainly secret in the grand scheme of things. Overshadowed by similar Native American burial sites, like nearby Effigy Mounds in Iowa, and five other ancient mound sites in Illinois, these at Gramercy Park are often overlooked. The Illinois city park is home to 26 ancient ceremonial and burial mounds attributed to the Hopewell Native American culture. They are in full view from the parking areas and can easily be explored via paved trails and interpretive signs. The mounds were uncovered in the 1880s and may be up to 2,000 years old. Although partially excavated at the time of discovery, these mounds are mostly preserved and remain primarily intact. In 1970, it was declared a Natural Heritage Landmark by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Gramercy Park Overlook Pavilions in East Dubuque

Although the mounds are obvious upon arrival, there are a few hidden spots in Gramercy Park. Despite being in a residential area above a business district, the park sprawls over 10 scenic acres of woodlands on the Mississippi River bluffs. The trails are unnamed, but paved, and despite feeling like I might get lost in the woods, I was relieved to discover they loop back to the parking area with ease. I entered the trail near the seasonal restrooms, and after a few minutes of walking, I found myself standing in a beautiful picnic pavilion with grilling areas and pagoda shade. It sits at the top of the hill and offers impressive views of the Julien Dubuque Bridge over the Mississippi River, in the distance. 

Secret Paved Woodland Walking Trails in Illinois

Speaking of trails, there seems to be a mile or two of paved trails, with a mix of hilly and flat sections. I believe they loop together, but a section was closed for repairs during my visit, so I explored them in two segments. After returning to the parking lot from the picnic pavilion, I picked up another trail west of the playground. This paved trail immediately dipped into a shady, wooded ravine before veering south and opening up to a prairie-like trail along the hill of mounds. At the top, you’ll realize you are scaling the highest part of the bluffs, overlooking the city with a steep drop below.  You can’t see the Mississippi River from this point, but there’s another set of pavilions, more primitive in style with fire rings set between concrete benches.

Get a Chili Dog at 100-Year-Old Mulgrew’s Tavern

Just below the park, on the corner of Sinsinawa Avenue and Montgomery Avenue, you’ll find Mulgrew’s Tavern. It’s not officially within the park, but it’s iconic to the neighborhood, and counts as a thing to do in Gramercy Park. We’re not exactly bar folks, but we were convinced to give it a try when locals told us it was famous for its footlong chili dogs. Mulgrew’s has been serving them here since 1921, and it was indeed pretty tasty!

Best Time To Visit These Hidden Spots in Gramercy Park

The best time to explore Gramercy Park is when you can add it to an Illinois road trip that brings you to the area. It fits well with an itinerary that passes between Dubuque, Iowa, and Galena, the Hallmark town of Illinois. We visited before attending Crusin’ Thursdays, a classic car show that runs weekly from May through September on Sinsinawa Avenue, within walking distance of Gramercy Park.  Use Only In Your State's AI-powered itinerary planner to add more Illinois stops to your road trip.