Once the butt of jokes, the town of Dubuque, Iowa, has emerged as an unlikely hub of Midwest cool.⁠ ⁠ David Farley's family fled Dubuque for Los Angeles in 1978, just before manufacturing took a nosedive. In the early ’80s, the population dropped by 10% and unemployment shot up to 23%. One popular T-shirt at the time asked “Will the last one leaving Dubuque please turn out the lights?”⁠ ⁠ A few years ago, Farley's sister returned from a high school reunion singing Dubuque’s praises. The lights were not just back on but shining bright, she claimed. Farley had to see for himself, and on a recent trip, his first in 25 years, he was shocked by what he found.⁠ ⁠ The once-derelict Downtown neighborhood buzzes with energy. Thanks to enterprising locals and more than a few newcomers, the city has transformed into an ideal long-weekend destination. Travelers looking to step away from the usual escapes will find much to love. But so will anyone looking to see how a largely abandoned industrial hub can reinvent itself. ⁠ ⁠ At the link in our bio, discover how to make the most of three days in town.⁠ ⁠ 📷: @rly_riel for @wsjphotos