The Museum & Aquarium makes every effort to remove barriers to accessibility in alignment with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations. Our campus provides accessible parking, entrances, access to goods and services, accessible restrooms, baby changing facilities, family restrooms, assisted listening devices in the 3D/4D theater, a limited quantity of “free to borrow” wheel chairs, and elevators.
For more information on the ADA, visit www.ada.gov.
Wheelchairs are complimentary and can be checked out at the box office on a first come, first serve basis.
While we do not have strollers for use, you are always welcome to bring your own.
Photography of the animals and exhibits is permitted (and encouraged) at the Museum & Aquarium unless it is specifically stated within a traveling exhibit. Photography at the Mathias Ham Historic Site is not allowed inside the Mathias Ham home except in designated areas. Commercial photography within the Museum & Aquarium and the Mathias Ham home, that is photography for publication or for economic or other gain, needs prior consent from the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. For prior consent, contact the marketing department at 563-557-9545.
We do not allow any animals or pets into our facility, except for licensed service dogs. This is to ensure the safety and health of our animals.
The ADA defines a “service animal” as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. If they meet this definition, dogs are considered service animals under the ADA regardless of whether they have been licensed or certified by a state or local government. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support, therapy dogs or dogs that provide a service to others not present (dogs in training) do not qualify as “service animals” under ADA.
For more information on the ADA, visit www.ada.gov.
Currently, we offer 50% off admission to participating Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) accredited institutions. Our members receive reciprocal benefits at these institutions as well. The full list of recipricol AZA facilities is here.
The Museum & Aquarium offers $1 off admission to members of museums participating in the Missouri Time Travelers Program.
You must present a photo ID and a valid membership card to receive either of these discounts. These discounts are not available with online ticket purchases.
No food or drink, other than water, is allowed to be brought into the River Museum; however, food and drink can be purchased from our restaurants and museum stores.
The only exception to this rule are school groups, who are allowed “brown bag” lunches for students and chaperones with prior permission from the River Museum.
Yes, we are still open in the rain. The majority of our animals and exhibits can be found inside!
Unfortunately, we do not have lockers available at this time. If this is something you'd like us to consider in the future, please contact info@rivermuseum.com.
The majority of our tickets are not sold based on a specific date or time. Unused general admission tickets are valid for one year from the date of purchase. You are welcome to use your ticket within one year of the date selected.
If you purchased a ticket package with a specific movie and that movie is no longer showing, you are welcome to exchange your movie ticket at the box office upon arrival, but you must have the original ticket in hand.
Stingray feeding tickets, unlike the aforementioned tickets, are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for another date due to the limited number of tickets available each day and high demand for that experience.
We have the Harbor View Grill within the National River Center building that serves hamburgers, sandwiches, and kid-friendly options. We also have a coffee/snack bar called Mississippi Grounds in the Mississippi River Center building. Mississippi Grounds is open seasonally.
Re-entry is allowed for a same day visit as well as the next consecutive day of original purchase. Re-entry day of purchase is verified by the admission sticker you are given with your ticket purchase. Second day admission is verified at the box office with your original receipt.
There is no charge for children under the age of 3 (2 and under) to visit the Museum & Aquarium.
Parking is free with plenty of room for RV and motor coach parking. Overnight parking is not allowed.
Please do not leave children unattended in the Museum & Aquarium.
Please do not lift children over or place them on top of any barrier.
Please do not throw objects into the exhibits.
The animals are on special diets, please do not share your food with them.
For the health and safety of our animals and guests, as well as the preservation of our historic collections, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and the Mathias Ham Historic Site are smoke, vapor and tobacco free.
The Museum & Aquarium does not permit firearms of any kind on property, except those already within our historical collection. For more information on Right to Carry Law Restrictions, visit http://dbqcosheriff.com/Divisions/civil/weapons.html.
The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium takes pride in our support of nonprofit organizations and schools both locally and across the country.
Fill out our on-line request form here