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1850 Cabin Home - Large Backyard- 22' Movie Screen-Family-Event - Travelers

Photo gallery for 1850 Cabin Home - Large Backyard- 22' Movie Screen-Family-Event - Travelers

An outdoor seating area with stone walls, a patterned rug, and leather chairs.
A wooden cabin with a stone foundation, a wooden staircase, and a large window.
A set of stone steps leading up to a wooden deck, with a metal handrail.
A room with a large window, a wall-mounted TV, a fan, and a bookshelf.
A kitchen with a large island, wooden cabinets, and a window with blinds.

Reviews

9.4 out of 10
Exceptional

Highlights

  • Firepit available
    One of the few properties with a dedicated outdoor firepit.
  • Centrally-located
    You're never far from where you need to be with this convenient location.
5 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Ski lift privileges
  • Onsite parking available
  • Dogs and cats allowed
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning

Explore the area

View map
East Dubuque, IL
  • Place, Julien Dubuque Bridge
    ‪1 min drive‬
  • Place, Diamond Jo Casino
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Place, National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
    ‪2 min drive‬
  • Airport, Dubuque, IA (DBQ-Dubuque Regional)
    ‪15 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

5 bedrooms (sleeps 8)

Bedroom 1 (2nd floor - 1 Queen bed)

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2 (1 - King Bed)

1 King Bed

Bedroom 3 (living room)

1 Queen Sofa Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Queen Sofa Bed

Bedroom 5

1 Queen Sofa Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Office
Outdoor play area
Dining area

About this property

1850 Cabin Home - Large Backyard- 22' Movie Screen-Family-Event - Travelers

Updated 5- 30 -2026

Please read ALL info below.

This home is a rustic cabin type built in 1850. It sits on a wooded 1 acre lot. There are 2 bedrooms and 3 other converted rooms for sleeping quarters as listed below.

Bedroom 1: located on the first floor (master bedroom) has a high quality hotel King Bed, it has a window AC, a 44" TV and DVD player.

Bedroom 2: is located on second floor, it has a high end Queen bed and has a beautiful view of the Mississippi River valley and historic downtown East Dubuque. The room has new carpet, a small closet, 50" TV with dvd player., microwave and mini-fridge with freezer and a window unit AC.

Bedroom 3: is the converted living room and is located on first floor. It has a steel door and deadbolt lock. It has a pull out sofa bed which is in excellent condition and has a good mattress. A blow up mattress can be used in this room since there is enough room in front of the TV. It sports a 55" flat screen Smart TV and dvd player.

Bedroom 4: Is the converted dining room, which sports a 40" flat Screen and dvd player, it's a small room but cozy. There is a high end pull out queen hide-a-bed for sleeping or guests may use a blow up.

Bedroom 5: Nice and cozy wooden porch. It has a nice pull out hide-a-bed. It has a 55" flat screen TV and dvd player.

We do have 1 queen blow up mattress available and 1 single size blow up mattress available.

Note: the King and Queen beds are made, when the guests checkout we will wash the bedding and remake them, if guests use the sofa beds and/or the blow up mattress they may use the extra bedding in the King Bedroom closet and Bathroom closet. Sometimes guests bring their own bedding, for instance when booking the home for more than 6 guests.

There is one large bathroom, and has just been updated with a new walk in shower. The water heater is a new 80 gallon fast recovery type. There are plenty of towels in the closet and also extra bedding.

There is a large rustic wood kitchen with plenty of dishes and pans for cooking, electric stove, coffee maker, express coffee maker, ice machine, toaster over, 2 microwaves, new 7.5 cubic feet Retro refrigerator and many other small appliances. Note: the large black refrigerator is not for guests and is locked.

All bedrooms have window unit ACs, please turn off when not using for several hours, unless it's a hot day, thank you. All areas are clean and well kept as shown in photos! And bug free!

The backyard has a large 22 foot outdoor movie screen which can be used for showing movies, Movie hours are dark to 11pm. You must bring your own projector/laptop, DVD player and Bluetooth speaker. There is a stand for mounting your projector, player and Bluetooth speaker in the yard and a power strip. Please let us know if you are using the screen we will lower it before you come.

Campfires must not be huge, normal size fire that is contained by the fire ring/rock is permitted. You should also bring firewood.

The backyard also has a 35' stage which can be used for events there is seating for 40 people with commercial type chairs on location (up charge for party's, events, weddings and use of wedding chairs, ask for details). Events are only during 9 am - 8pm. Do not book for 2 people then have a group of people show up for a party. The premises are for paying guests only.


You may access Gramercy Park from the above lot as well. This park also has a great view of the river valley with Dubuque Iowa in the background. There are nice pavilions, restrooms, river overlooks, hiking trails, and new playground equipment free to the public. Park closes at 10pm.

Pitching a tent in the woods is permitted, you would need to hike up to the woods from the side yard or park in the city parking lot at the rear of the lot. Ask for details.

Smoking is allowed outside.

Guests may park in the driveway or in front of the home (not on yellow).

VRBO guests are responsible for cleaning up the yard after using it, and putting the chairs and tables back in place if moved. Cleaning by host only includes the basic duties in the home such as cleaning floors, washing bedding and towels, etc. If the guests use dishes they should wash them, there is a dish washer, or dish rack under the sink.

Note: Do not book for 2 people then show up with extra guests. Extra guests cost 30.00 per night (adults or children over 7yo). The base price includes the person booking plus one guest, any extra guests must pay the additional 30.00 fee. If you are unsure of how many people until the day of, that's ok, we can add more guests and add the fee to the invoice (or the person booking can as well).

Note: 8 guests are usually the max, but if you have tents or extra blow up mattresses more guests are possible.

Note: The hosts/caretakers stay in a travel trailer home located on the adjoining lot or the guest room in rear of outside garage depending on weather, the camper area is secluded by a 6 foot privacy fence, as shown in the property photos. This area is not included in this VRBO listing. Please do not park on the grass area in front of camper, that is for the host parking.

Note: the upper walkway and upper deck above garage are not included in the listing. These areas are off limits as they are not completed.

Note: The backyard and home as described are exclusively for paying VRBO guests during the time allotted by the booking, not shared the owner or caretakers.

Note: The video provided has not yet been updated since the new interior improvements, including kitchen upgrades and a new walk in shower.

UP-CHARGES FOR THE FOLLOWING:

* Use of the waterfall and pond, ask for details, generally 250.00 per booking or included in an event booking depending on what's negotiated.

* Party's, barbecue's, weddings, grad party's, movie events, company appreciation party's: Please ask for rates. Events generally will be between the hours of 9am and 8pm, but are flexible.

* Dogs or cats are generally not allowed, only under strict rules, ask for details.

Thank you, any questions please feel free to ask!

Your hosts,

Cal and Jessie

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 18
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats (limit 6 total)
NO dog pooping n peeing in yard, use side lot TY
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Strip any used beds, gather used towels and store extra beds
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Please clean up any messes and do your dishes or load dish washer.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
People wanting to hold a small events or birthday party CONTACT THE HOST FIRST Thank you
Waterfall is operational May15th - Oct 1st instructions will be given if you want to run the waterfall. * No pets in pond
* NO loud music or noise after 8 pm * Campfires OK, but not huge fires, * Do NOT set metal tables/chairs on stage (it's rubber roofing)

Important information

You need to know

Property # 10921328
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 25
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

About the area

East Dubuque

Located in East Dubuque, this holiday home is in the city centre and on a river. Kennedy Mall and Asbury Plaza are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Mississippi River and Mines of Spain State Recreation Area. Dubuque Art Center and National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium are also worth visiting. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the sledging and ice skating.
Map
East Dubuque, IL

What's nearby

  • Julien Dubuque Bridge - 1 min drive - 2.2 km
  • Diamond Jo Casino - 2 min drive - 3.2 km
  • National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium - 2 min drive - 3.2 km
  • Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark - 4 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Q Casino - 5 min drive - 6.7 km

Getting around

  • Dubuque, IA (DBQ-Dubuque Regional) - 12 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Pepper Sprout - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Backpocket Dubuque Taproom - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬5 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 1850 Cabin Home - Large Backyard- 22' Movie Screen-Family-Event - Travelers pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 6 total). Some restrictions may apply, so please contact the property for more details.

How much is parking at 1850 Cabin Home - Large Backyard- 22' Movie Screen-Family-Event - Travelers?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at 1850 Cabin Home - Large Backyard- 22' Movie Screen-Family-Event - Travelers?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 1850 Cabin Home - Large Backyard- 22' Movie Screen-Family-Event - Travelers?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is 1850 Cabin Home - Large Backyard- 22' Movie Screen-Family-Event - Travelers located?

Located in the heart of East Dubuque, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Mississippi River and Julien Dubuque Bridge. Dubuque Museum of Art and Dubuque Art Center are also within 3 miles (5 km).

About the host

Hosted by Cal Coohey

Host profile image
The stonework, waterfall, stage and cave were built by the host whom is a mason, carpenter, classical guitarist and 70's - 80's rock musician who performs shows locally.

More details about the 1850 cabin home:

2009: home purchased
2010: hillside excavation started and garage built
2012: excavation of basement
2015-2018: excavation completed on hillside
2019-21: cave, stage built
2021-22: Backyard renovated with stage upgraded
2025: backyard driveway gates added, enclosing backyard
2026: 22' movie screen installed

The stonework has been done by hand using ancient castle building methods. The stone was quarried from the backyard hillside.

Why they chose this property

Most unique local property on VRBO with many amenities you won't find at a hotel!

What makes this property unique

Hiking, city park nearby, view of river, large yard, professional 35' stage, surreal castle-like stonework. Cozy place to relax and enjoy nature.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

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