Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Learn about the mighty Mississippi River and see aquatic creatures up close.

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is located in southeastern Dubuque, Iowa. It features several animals, including alligators, various turtles, bald eagles, barn owls, bearded dragons, tarantulas, giant geckos, river otters, toads, and various snakes. For an extra fee, you can feed the cownose rays. This interactive experience must be booked ahead of time, but feedings occur daily at 11 am and 2:30 pm. Children 5 and under must be accompanied by an adult to help them with the feeding. Kids will also enjoy the RiverWorks Splash Zone located on the second floor of the National Rivers Center. Here, you can steer miniature boats down the simulated river and see a beaver lodge.

This neat museum and aquarium is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm during summer and fall. In the winter and spring, it is open on weekdays from 10 am to 4 pm and on weekends from 10 am to 5 pm. Bird lovers will enjoy the aviaries, backwater marsh, and raptor roost exhibits. Aquatic creatures can be observed at the following exhibits: bayou, flooded forest, main channel, Gulf of Mexico aquarium, and rivers to the sea. Learn about the Mississippi River and its ecological and ancient cultural history at the museum. Have a fun time at this attraction with your friends and family the next time you visit Iowa.