National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

We made the three-hour drive to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque, IA specifically for their two add-on experiences — feeding the stingrays and the Giant Pacific Octopus encounter — and it was absolutely worth it. The museum itself is full of educational exhibits, which we explored while waiting for our stingray feeding time. There is so much beauty in their aquatic exhibits. The creatures were so curious that they all felt interactive, as if they were posing just for our pictures. Plus the avian exhibits, the log cabin, the ships, the gift shops, the library, the movie theater. We spent the entire day there. Petting the stingrays in the touch tank was already a treat, but getting to hand-feed them was even better. Feeling them come up onto my arm and gently take the food right from between my fingers was so unique and something I will always remember. Then came the octopus encounter and wow, what an unforgettable experience! The octopus immediately recognized her caretaker and came right up to meet us. She wrapped her arms around my fingers and wrist, tasting and exploring with the feelers of her tentacles. It was truly amazing to have such a close and personal interaction with such an intelligent creature. To top it all off, the staff gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium facilities, showing us everything from the filtration systems and animal care areas to the nursery where we saw tiny baby seahorses growing. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the animals they care for. I would absolutely love to do both encounters again. It was an incredible, hands-on experience that I will never forget.

Numerous captivating stories are shared, historical artifacts are displayed, and the history behind them is revealed, making the aquarium a calming and inspiring experience. Boarding the ships provides a close-up view of everything, fostering an appreciation for the hard work and dedication invested. There is much to absorb and appreciate, rendering it an enjoyable experience. The attraction is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. A return visit is definitely warranted.

Excellent displays. Well curated and clean. There is a lot of opportunity for interactive play for young children. Plan for a long visit or come back a second day (they allow a return trip the next day on the same ticket).

I really enjoyed my visit, and I would highly recommend it for families with children. There are lots of interactive displays and staff members doing live talks and demonstrations throughout. The shipyard was a highlight, as was being able to board the old ships. Lots of empty cages in the shipyard, so not sure if the birds were taken inside for the winter.

The museum and staff far exceeded our expectations! Exhibits were interesting and insightful, and the fish/animals in aquarium settings are well cared for and so fun to watch! My son (4yo), myself (30+), and my dad (70+) all had a fantastic time!

We visited this place several times before and this time we went to the dinosaur exhibition on the second floor! Huge blast for our son who is adoring dinosaurs. Quality of all models is excellent and displays look fabulous. If you still thinking about going or not you are absolutely necessary need to go! For general admission you will have to experiences at once. ! Dinosaurs exhibition is open til September 14 !

This was a fantastic museum! The set up is very interesting and there are outdoor exhibits as well. Gift shops are fun. All the aquariums were impressive. We went on a Sunday and it was busy but not so much it inhibited us in any way. Cost is a bit steep but it's worth seeing. Plus, your ticket is good for two days in a row so you don't have to get everything in on one day. Parking is free and plentiful.

Great way to spend an afternoon with the family. Family of five including one small child admission plus 2x stingray feedings set us back a little under $120. We spent 3 and 1/2 hours there and honestly could have probably spent another hour if we had the time. There's a lot of activities for younger kids but also some very interesting exhibits to read and learn. Our kids' favorite activity was petting, then later feeding the stingrays. I personally really enjoyed the otter exhibit. There's a lot of variety, both indoor and outdoor, of things to see and do. We also caught a 40 minute long 4D movie which was interesting and they have very fairly priced concessions. $5 per ticket. They do push a membership which offers discounts on tickets, concessions, and even gift shop items throughout the museum. I would totally consider that if I lived closer to the area and made a return visit. Be sure to buy the stingray feeding tickets in advance as they do have limited quantities and will sell out.

We drove 5 hours from Illinois to come to this museum and aquariam. It was worth the time and costs. A ticket gains you admission for the day and the next day also. The museum exhibits were very interesting. The signage explained each exhibit very well. We purchased tickets for the 45 minute 4D film about the story of a mother whale and her baby whale's journey from Austraila to the Antartic. Spoiler Alert: The 4D effect was getting sprayed from above 5 or 6 times during the film. We are going to return tomorrow for day 2 of our admission.

We came on a Wednesday and explored before check in to our hotel. We got lucky and it was not crowded. Got to see the otter (we only saw one bu better than none!) and only a few exhibits were under construction/rehabilitation. I would recommend seeking out the hidden spots like the cave, mini movies, and the tower through out the expansive site. So many animals to encounter, tactile spaces for kids to touch and the newest ice dinosaur exhibit was epic for my son. All for one price and yes, it did take us two days to get through it all. Facilities are clean, many places to sit inside and outside were plenty of benches and shade in the outdoor areas.

So going to the movie upstairs and they want to charge 3$ for tap water in a cup. Really? I've had this conversation 2-3 times before. A manager will call and say. 'Tap water should cost money'. It's the only water offered is tap water from the fountain and they want to charge for a full fountain drink Obsurd!! Adventureland gives free water I've never been anywhere that charges for tap water instead of this place. The greed is unreal! Just to confirm how cheap this is. Here is a link to Amazon to buy bulk water cups for kids. They are .04 cents each. Of $25 for 600 I think the museum can afford to give us a .04 cent cup and tap water with our overpriced popcorn. As a member a member for over 9 years paying maybe $150 a year in membership alone , this is extremely insulting.

Friendly knowledgeable staff and great historical information. Also loved touching the sting rays!

I enjoyed my first visit to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, showing up late on a wintery Saturday afternoon, and was astounded at the overall offering. Located by the waterfront, this museum results from excellent planning and vision. Whether you are visiting Dubuque for business or pleasure, the venue tells you a story about the Mississippi that is both consistent and informative. It suits adults or kids and has lots of space to browse and find your place. I was especially impressed with the experiential elements of the museum, as there are (literally) hands-on options throughout the property. Kids will love it! I liked the otter habitat the best and could have watched them all day! I also liked the alligator exhibit, the conservation lab, the tidepool touch tank, and the stingray touch tank. The staff was kind and informative, and they have a pair of gift shops that will suit your needs.

I really didn't know what to expect and had read to allow about 2 hours. There were many interactive exhibits, an otter tank, stingrays and a tidal pool where you could touch the animals, films and a really lovely display of fresh and salt water aquatic life. There is also extensive information about the Mississippi River and life on the river. We spent over 2 hours there during a snowstorm, so we didn't have to wait for anything. It was well worth visiting!

This is such a cool museum and aquarium. Going as adults is cool but there's so many things for kids to do too. Tickets are for 2 days actually which is great to take it all in on your pace. Everything is clean and welcoming.

While visiting Dubuque for the first time ever, we chanced upon this fantastic treasure. The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium are two HUGE museums and aquariums showcasing the history and life on the Mississippi. Seniors and military discounts are honored and our admission was utilized for two full days yet we still didn't see everything! I would definitely go back to spend more time learning about the history of the Mississippi River and its vital link to life in all the areas that it passes thru. The interactive displays, spacious, beautiful and informative exhibits throughout both museums were a joy to participate in. All ages would and should be encouraged to visit the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquariums!!

We loved it here so much! You can use a reciprocal zoo pass to save 50% off your admission! We spent 4 hours here between inside and out!

We loved it here! Lots of activities for the kids and history for the parents. I suggest going when it's warmer because it looks like there is lots of outdoor activities we couldn't do

We stopped here after exploring Galena Illinois. Paid $20 admission and it was good for 2 days. In first building saw lobster and stingrays. I stood in a line and was able to touch them with 2 fingers on their back. They are silky smooth. They have 10 sting rays that just swim in circles all day. We watched people feeding them shrimp. After that we walked outside and walked through an old tugboat and Wm Black dredge boat. The next building we watched a video on the Mississippi river and enjoyed seeing the alligator and otters swimming. This would be a great place to bring children.

While in town I thought that I would do some of the tourist attractions and this one and there is not too many so it's a no brainer. The campus is two buildings separated by an outdoor space with nautical items and a bald eagle in a big netting enclosure and a river boat that is open so you have access to the inside for an idea of what it's like to be on one. The place has a lot of static displays with historical items and interactive displays. They have lots of tanks with fish etc and some reptiles along with a saltwater tank which has an octopus. They also have movie packages and feeding sting rays, touching the sting rays is free.

It was a great day. We took the grandparents entry option and took our 7 grandkids and there was something for each of them.

Cool museum for kids and adults. The museum is located along the river and set against the marina. I didn't realize until we entered that the museum had two buildings. The first building is The Mississippi River Center. There's a really cool aquarium with turtles and native fish. One of the aquariums is set up so you can look into it from above and below. Great for kids. The path through the museum leads you into the boatyard with additional displays and eventually across the courtyard to the next building. The walk outdoors between buildings is covered - this was great during our visit because it was raining. There's a fun sting ray exhibit and touch tank area. Lots of hands on activities for the kids to explore and learn. The tickets are good for two days and can be purchased online for a small discount.

I've visited the NMRMA several times over the past 20+ years. I see something new each time I visit. On this particular occasion my family and I visited specifically to see the DaVinci exhibit that's going on now through October 8. It didn't disappoint. Alligator, turtles, octopus, starfish, stingrays, upside jellyfish, an otter, fish or all kinds, a bald eagle and more can be viewed here. I even got a kick out of petting the stingrays. Well worth the prices of admission. There's so much to see here. Plan to spend a few hours if your attention span allows. 4/5 because some of the descriptions, displays, etc., could be updated in the original main building.

Upon arrival to Dubuque we stopped here prior to checking into our hotel. We purchased tickets online and saved $2 per ticket. The tickets are delivered electronically to your email and you can scan the baroda straight from your phone without printing the tickets out. When we walked in we were greeted by Mike, who walked us through the layout of the buildings for the museum. We had parked and entered at the west entrance. The west building is related to more of the history of the river and freshwater fish. The west building has two floors and the upper floor has the robot zoo (July 2020), which is a changing exhibit. The otters were fun to watch in this building. Outside the west building you can walk through the wetlands and down to the William M. Black Dredge Boat. The tour of this is self guided and is very interesting. The east building is more saltwater fish and you can see stingrays here. This building has less to view, I feel, than the other building. Upstairs they have a fun wet zone with activities for adults and kids to get some science related knowledge about how the river gets made. Overall this was a fun experience and we spent about 3 hours here.

If you live within three hours of this place, it's definitely worth seeing at least once, especially if you have kids. Really small kids might get bored. Teens might get bored, too. But I took my daughter here when she was ten and she loved it. Seeing the decommissioned riverboat is really great, though.

Amazing museum. So much to see I could probably spend an entire, full day here just looking and reading and absorbing the sights and information. Very well done, love the layout and the aquarium is fantastic. If you go do not miss the aquarium or the big boat outside.

One ticket buys both the museum and aquarium. A tremendous place for kids. Educational and somewhat over simplified for museum buffs. Still, at $20 a pop, very worth the stop.

World class museum in the heart of Dubuque (one of the coolest towns in Iowa) Worth the trip for kids and adults alike. Don't miss it if you're in the area.

Wow, there is so much to do at this museum. It is comprised of two buildings as well as a paddle boat tour, log cabin tour, wetland boardwalk, a 4-D theater, a waterworks play area, and outdoor exhibits that house another smaller boat to tour as well as other hands on exhibits. You could easily spend an entire day here if you wanted to. The museum side of things had a lot of history about steam and paddle boats on the river as well as the connections the river has made to several states beside Iowa and Dubuque. The displays are all put together nicely and with neat aesthetics, this isn't a place with glass boxes with just stuff in it! The aquarium actually had quite a bit of diversity to it. You are able to see species from the Mississippi River all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. Some highlights would be their huge Alligator Snapping Turtle and Alligator Gar. Oh yeah, and they have an Alligator as well! Lots of gators folks! The restaurant was priced pretty decently and allowed us to get a quick bite to eat before moving on with our tour of the building. They also had a special exhibit for extra $ that feature River Monsters from National Geographic. We declined because you already get to do so much for only $16 per adult admission. Seriously, we were expecting to be in and out of this place in less than two hours. Not so. Great place to chill out if you are in Dubuque. It is also right on the harbor so the river walk and casino areas are just feet away.

The little one loved this gem. Tickets were a little expensive but we got our moneys worth exploring the two buildings. The wing by the boat shop was a hit with lots of hands on activities. Also loved the manta ray touch pool. Was quiet on a Friday morning. Good food options for kids at the cafe.

There were 2 small buildings. First one had info on fresh water fish and animals along with a 2nd floor that included a DaVinci exhibit (for an additional $5). It seemed a little odd to have that there but we enjoyed it. There was a lot of good information regarding his other contributions to the world besides his art. The 2nd building had salt water fish and animals along with a tank that allowed you to touch stingrays. I love to watch the underwater creatures but no desire to touch them. There was a cool octopus in a tank. The tank seemed rather small to house an octopus but I don't know enough about them too say for sure. Outdoors there was an area that was almost like a boat part graveyard along with an injured hawk and eagle.

I'm not sure where the dislike was coming from from the folks who were not happy with this place. Perhaps it was just teenage angst or a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Regardless, we had a lot of fun here and we're very happy with our time. It's not the type of aquarium you find in Chicago or Atlanta, but it's also not the type we expected to find in rural Iowa. They've done a tremendous job here creating a unique atmosphere that highlights a lot of the history of the Mississippi River, river boats and some of the culture that surrounded it as well as both salt and freshwater Aquatic Life. In the main area there are saltwater tanks with plenty of fish, a really cool octopus tank, some really nice informative exhibits as well as a nice large tank with a turtle in it that we all really enjoyed. Plus, upstairs is the children's area where they get to play in water and with plenty of toy boats. The interactive display up there is meant to teach them a little bit about water tables, damming of rivers and downstream effects of altering water - I thought it was really cool! There's a second building that you venture to to go into the freshwater exhibits. During the walk is an aviary with a couple eagles and rescued hawk. Once in the building, we found that this too was a really neat set of exhibits highlighting a lot of the different fish that live in lakes and rivers, plus they had and exhibit -affectionately termed the Bayou - with a snapping turtle and one with an alligator. In this area, there are more exhibits on flooding and the effects that floods have on landscape. We found it very informative and an easy place to spend a couple of hours. In this area there was another kids exhibit which included an opportunity to touch a sturgeon, a crawfish as well as look at things under a microscope. We went back 3 times to touch a crawfish because it was that cool! We were pretty blown away with what a cool exhibit this was and what a great job they've done taking something as mundane as River knowledge and turning it into a really cool, interactive Museum that we will be back to.

Can't believe we didn't know this museum even existed before we stumbled across in 2019. It's a very nice museum and has a lot to offer. We went back Memorial Day weekend after they first opened and I thought they did a remarkable job at following the guidelines put forth by the state, but they didn't make in "in your face intrusive" which was very refreshing. We enjoyed ourselves so much last year that we decided to go ahead and become members. The price for my wife and I was very reasonable, especially with the veterans discount they offered. We definitely will go back soon and hopefully things will be less restrictive. But again, I would like to say that they did a good job making it an enjoyable experience within the confines of the public health directives. I would wholeheartedly recommend this museum. The staff are very helpful and friendly!!

We were looking for things to do on a couples vacation and the River Museum for the bill on a very hot summer day. Enjoyed the exhibits. Although we didn't have little children there were plenty there and keeping busy.

Great idea for a family day or two trip. Lots of information on the region and great exhibits and Friendly staff. The kids will love touching rays, and watching the otters play. They also do events and have enjoyed their annual "captains ball".

Loved the museum. Spent 4-5 hours there. A lot of interactive things to do. My 6 and 8 year old granddaughters love this place and we've been there 3 times. My only complaint would be the cafeteria. We spent quite a bit of money in there and the food was cold. It also took over 30 minutes to get our food. My ham and grilled cheese was not even a little bit warm, kind of gross really. Everyone's french fries were barely done and barely warm. In the future, we will be bringing our own lunch and eating at one of the outdoor tables available.

As an adult visiting a town you look for things to check out. This was recommended by a few locals so we decided to check it out. This place is pretty big. We started about 10am and didn't finish til around 1. Its a bit pricey but the price covers a museum, aquarium , a retired river dredger and wetlands outside all by the river. If you want to upgrade you can get to see the movie and if you want to pay more you can get into the special exhibit in one of the other buildings. We started in the aquarium side where they have a touch exhibit. You can reach into a tank and gently touch a stingray. I am a big kid at heart so I love this kind of stuff. Lots of reading on the earth being affected about rising ocean levels. There was lots to look at about the Mississippi River and people living around the areas as time has gone on. Then if you move to the next building its about boats and how the boats are built and released into the water. If you make your way over to the other building, again they have lots of hands on stuff. This was very cool to see the animals and fish of the Mississippi River area. They have hands on stuff and a giant fish tank. Go outside and check the wetland boardwalk and then into the dredger to see the amount of power that it takes to work one of these. If you have the time this is a great place with nice people to check out. PS the bathrooms are rather nice too.

Must See Museum on the Mississippi. Best part is the section where you explore the old paddle boats and learn about Mark Twain and the river. Afterwards, you can get a popsicle or slushy and walk the marina outside the museum and then take the beautiful river walk for breathtaking views in all seasons, particularly when it is icy.

Exceeded my expectations! Fantastic museum with very interesting exhibits... My favorites were the river otters, stingrays, and the Thomas D Mangelsen photography exhibit... Literally one of the top three photography exhibits I've ever experienced! A hidden gem! Be sure to catch one of the 4D movies... We saw the hurricane which was a bit intense but powerful.

The museum is awesome. It is great for adults and children. It is a must stop for anyone that is traveling through Dubuque and is worth a special trip to Dubuque. It provides fantastic history while still focusing on introducing everyone to the animals that call the Mississippi River home. The museum is a pillar of the community and worth everyone's support.

Nice small museum not a whole lot to see but it was very educational for myself and children.

Amazing museum, especially for kids but good for anyone. I've been a bunch of times and like to bring out-of-town visitors there. My dad loved the fish tank. Everyone loved the otters. I loved the river history part and also touching the sting rays.

Unequivocally the best attraction in Dubuque! This is an incredibly high-quality museum and aquarium, split between two buildings which both have so much to see. The river center to the east has an amazingly informative exhibit on waterways, water use, river ecosystems, and even treats Native American history in a sensitive, well-informed, and surprisingly postcolonial way. It was really fun, and we spent a lot of time there, especially near the fuschia octopus who was swimming laps while we were there. We also enjoyed the 4-D take on Planet Earth (heads up: the 4th "D" is 'droplets!') The second building is the aquarium. Highlights include the massive alligator, the pair of otters, and the extremely energetic beavers, as well as the interactive station that teaches you about debates over river and waterway management through fun games appropriate for all ages. Another cool thing was when we were outside looking at the caged bald eagles, and a free, wild one flew right over our heads! The whole museum is perfect for both kids and adults, with information and exhibits geared for any age. It feels very new, and all of the exhibits have been designed according to the newest theories about how diverse public audiences like to learn and take in information most effectively. Great, great museum that made up for some of the less exciting aspects of our trip to Dubuque.

We were informed by guests in our hotel in Galena, Illinois to see this before we head back to St. Louis. It was okay but fell short of expectations as we were used to museums in St. Louis. It is diversified with different sections reflecting different aspects of the Mississippi River. A tour of a dredger ship there was interesting.

I don't want to sound like an advertisement. But there's something to like for people of all ages at this museum. And it doesn't cost a lot to get in. I spent 3 hours here and never got bored. You will get your exercise walking around the facility. An interesting and educational history of the Mississippi River. Plenty of animals to see close up. The playful river otters was the biggest highlight for me. Easy to find a staff member to answer your questions. This place very well run.

I've been to the museum a number of times with my son and it's always a fun time. Get the history of our city and of course see the best exhibits. Great place to go as a family

A really pleasant surprise to find such a gen in Dubuque! We went with our newly married daughter and her husband. We purchased the package that included admission and one movie. They were having a free wine tasting in the lobby on the Saturday that we went so we started with that. Not too bad for Iowa wine. I found it funny that the winemaker seemed to be putting down California wines because "they are easy to make. Now making wine in Iowa, that is hard/" We were in the National museum building and starting looking at the exhibits before the movie. The exhibits were well put together, informative and engaging. We saw the 4-D movie, "Planet Earth", It was very short but fun. Definitely could have included more content. On our way back to the aquarium the boat maker gave us some interesting information. The aquarium is small but includes wonderful beaver and octopus exhibits. They also have a huge alligator. There are some cool computer games/exhibits that cover current Mississippi river issues. You should check them out! I liked the one in the National building that covered multiple rivers and the issues that the fish have. You tap on the screen to guide the fish through the rivers. I also like the one in the aquarium that was specific to the Mississippi, though it does take a while to go through all the scenarios.

I appear to be making a habit of visiting this museum whenever I visit Galena. This time during our trip to Galena we happened to stay in Dubuque. This gave us a great opportunity to revisit the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. On our first visit the second building had not been opened yet but we were able to explore both the inside and outside of the original building. Initially I had my doubts, I was concerned that there wasn't enough interesting content to make a whole museum. I admit, I was wrong. The museum has a handful of animal displays, most of which contained the varieties of fish found throughout the Mississippi river. I especially liked the duck 'aquarium' when you first walk in and who doesn't love the river otters? On my first trip the weather allowed us to look at the outdoor exhibits, they too were informative and kept me interested at the information they provided. The weather wasn't so cooperative on our second trip. It was rainy and miserable so we didn't head outside. The exhibits were mostly the same but we were able to go to the second building. The second building is just as interesting as the first. I believe some of the content was brought over (I remember the gold eagle with the hole in the wing from my first trip). Our trip around the expansion wasn't as long as the first building, but we found there were plenty of things to see and explore. We had just missed the Octopus feeding, but a member of the staff was around to answer questions and was very knowledgeable. The Octopus was the highlight of the second building. On a side note, when my girlfriend and I went to purchase our tickets, I discovered I had forgotten my debit card at the restaurant we were at the night before. The girl behind the desk immediately asked what restaurant we were at and called them to see if they had my card (they weren't open yet, and they did have my card). That really caught me off guard, she really went above and beyond what was required of her. Anyway, to sum it all up, the museum is a great place to visit, I had a lot of fun during my last two visits and hope I get a chance to visit again in the future.

I really like this place! I got taken here by my aunt, who is a member of the Historical Society, but this is not the reason why I am giving this place five stars (even though my aunt is very caring and kind.) I like that this place raises awareness about pollution and how we can stop the pollution and fix what has been destroyed. I talked with a man named Jared, and we talked about climate change, misconceptions about it, and how to fix it. I am pursuing that interest, and he was very interesting and I enjoyed his company (I did not know him before I came here.) I also like the different artifacts from the boating industry and then the animal exhibits. I did come here back in third grade for a Cub Scout sleepover. They are generous about teaching us stuff about biology. I still remember some stuff being taught then! This would be an excellent place to go in DBQ and I recommend it to you!

Fun for kids. A little high in price but if you come on a $10 day it's worth it. So hands on stuff is opened even with covid-19.

The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is packed with lots of different exhibits both indoor and outdoor. If you are interested in learning more about the Mississippi River then this is the place to go. The weather was pretty bad on the day that I visited so I wasn't able to get good photos of the boats outside but it is definitely located in a very picturesque location. It is a great place but unfortunately what I remember most was a little girl staring at my mom like she had just seen a ghost. Her expression really freaked me out and this is coming from someone that has experienced things like this numerous times while traveling this country. One would think in this day and age that people would have more exposure to minorities if not in person at least on TV.

Neat place, first rate displays with a lot of interactive stations for learning and child friendly. We visited on a cold winter day so the outdoor portion was very limited. The animal, specifically the water-life exhibits are great. Be sure to look closely in each tank as they cohabitate several species. The Mississippi river boat stuff really isn't my cup but I found those exhibits to be well done. I also enjoyed the ecological displays with regards to the river. One thing I didn't care for was their closing alert. About 15 minutes prior to closing they announce over the PA that you need to wrap up and leave. I've never seen that kind of chase tactic in a museum before.

Awesome set up. Lots of things to learn about, not only about the Mississippi River but also about Dubuque. The aquarium was sweet with sting ray feeding and touching. Can also touch other creatures too there. Only reason I'm giving 4 's instead of 5 is because they changed their payment system and are not tracking gift cards anymore. We received a gift card from a family member and when we got there said they do not honor. Had to talk to manager to get it approved.

Really kind of disappointed. Maybe I just expected more. First very poor sinage as to how to get the best self tour. I felt like we wondered around and hit dead ends at every turn. The eagle and hawk both seemed to be in super small enclosures. The building its self was very nice with lots of open space and clean. Every employee we spoke to were all very friendly and helpful.

This is a wonderful place to take the family. You will learn about the history of Dubuque, Mississippi River, and enjoy the traveling exhibit. You can watch a 4D movie, pet some sting rays, and discover what lurks our river. There is so much to learn and a lot of hands-on activities for the kiddos. This is located in the beautiful Port of Dubuque.

Great membership prices, rotating exhibits, events and extremely knowledgeable and friendly staff. Must see while in Dubuque!

This place is cool! Probably the best attraction in the midwest as far as museums go. Huge aquarium with monster catfish, bass, etc. Lots of neat exhibits providing historical information about Mark Twain and the history/future of the Mississippi River.