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Plan Your Visit

The National
Mississippi River
Museum & Aquarium

350 East 3rd Street
Port of Dubuque, Iowa 52001

563-557-9545
800-226-3369

Wifi is available in our Mississippi River Center building. It is currently unavailable in the National Rivers Center, on the William M. Black, and at the Mathias Ham Historic Site.
On-site Wifi Password: museumguest

  Get the Storm Track 7 forecast for your visit!

Never been to the River Museum?
Take a Virtual tour!

IN THIS SECTION

Hours of Operation

October/November

Oct. 1 - Nov. 30, 2020

OCTOBER
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Weekdays
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Weekends

NOVEMBER
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Weekdays
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Weekends

Winter

Dec. 1, 2020 - Feb. 29, 2021

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
(Winter hours may be subject to change prior to Dec. 1)

*Open Mondays when Dubuque schools
are not in session.
 Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas Day.
 Closed at 2 p.m. on Christmas Eve.

Spring

March 1, 2021 - May 28, 2021

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Daily

Summer

May 23, 2020 - Sept. 7, 2020

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Daily

Tickets

ADMISSIONS

GENERAL ADMISSION

  • Adult
    $19.95
  • Youth (Ages 3-17)
    $14.95
  • Senior (Ages 65+)
    $17.95
  •  Buy Tickets 

    Save $2 by purchasing online!
ALL-ACCESS

ADMISSION + FILM

  • Adult
    $24.90
  • Youth (Ages 3-17)
    $19.90
  • Senior (Ages 65+)
    $22.90
  •  Buy Tickets
    Save $2 by purchasing online!
ALL-ACCESS PLUS

ADMISSION + 2 FILMS

  • Adult
    $25.90
  • Youth (Ages 3-17)
    $20.90
  • Senior (Ages 65+)
    $23.90
  •  Buy Tickets 

    Save $2 by purchasing online!
FEED STINGRAYS

FEED STINGRAYS

  • Held at 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. daily. Limited of 6 tickets per time slot. Must select date of visit at time of purchase.*
    $10.00
 
Stingray feeding tickets

  • *Due to the popularity of this experience and limited availability, refunds are not available.
Behind the Scenes Aquarium Tours - $120/tour

Spend time with one of our experienced aquarists behind the scenes as you visit a variety of rooms used to care for and house our living collections. See where food is prepared, learn about our herp holding area, and take a visit behind the Main Channel. Guests will also get to speak with our aquarists about what their jobs entail and help an aquarist feed animals within either our Main Channel or Backwater Marsh Aquariums. 

The experience is one hour in length and can be purchased in conjunction with general admission tickets or enjoyed as a standalone experience. It includes space for up to four individuals. Call 563.557.9545 x213 to inquire about larger groups.

LEARN MORE AND BUY TICKETS

Stingray Feedings - $10/participant

Enjoy our stingray feeding experience! A limited number of tickets are available for our daily morning and afternoon feedings. Admission to the River Museum is required, and visitors must select a specific date and time during purchase. Due to limited availability, there are no exchanges or refunds for this experience.

To maintain social distancing, a limit of one accompanying person is allowed in the stingray feeding area with a paid participant. Other family or group members may observe from the second floor viewing area. Participants under age 5 must be accompanied by an adult who will be asked to assist the child in proper feeding technique.

stingray feeding tickets

Hodge Military Discount Program

Hodge Military Discount Program

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, as well as our sister site, the Mathias Ham Historic Site, recognize and thank our active duty military, reserves, national guard, and veterans for their service through the Hodge Military Discount Program. This program is available exclusively at our box offices. The Hodge Military Discount Program cannot be combined with other offers and discounts; however, it includes:

  • 20% off general admission for veterans year-round
  • 20% off general admission for active duty military, including reserves and national guard, and their families year-round
  • 20% off individual, dual, family, and grandparent memberships purchased by veterans or active duty military, including reserves and national guard

Featured Exhibit

Iowa Marine Engine & Launch Works

Now Open!

Phase one of River of Innovation, the Iowa Marine Engine & Launch Works, is a new 3,000-square-foot permanent exhibit space featuring a working 19th century belt-driven machine that once created motors for racing boats on the Mississippi River.

Learn more

4D Theater

Our immersion theater presents large format 3D sights and 4D special effects including dramatic sound, wind, mist, and seat movement.

Now Showing

Showtimes: 12 p.m., 3 p.m. 
Now playing through January 31, 2021.

RESERVE TICKETS

Superpower Dogs 3D

What if our best friends are our best hope? Get ready to meet some of the most amazing four-legged heroes on earth. Narrated by Chris Evans (Captain America: The First Avenger), this film shares the tales of some remarkable dogs and their life-saving superpowers. Rated G.

Showtimes: 11 a.m., 2 p.m.
Now playing through Feb. 28, 2021.

reserve tickets

Back from the Brink: Saved from Extinction

PREMIERING SUNDAY, MARCH 1 - Experience on the giant screen the remarkable true story of three animal species rescued from brink of extinction. Join this amazing adventure to save California’s enchanting Channel Island Fox, China’s fabled Golden Monkey and the wondrous migrating crabs of Christmas Island. Discover the heartfelt and ingenious human efforts to rescue endangered species around the world.

Daily Activities

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On the hour daily.
Mississippi Journey

Location: Mississippi River Center, Journey Theater

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On the half hour daily.
River of Dreams

Location: Mississippi River Center, Journey Theater

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11 a.m. - 3 p.m. weekdays | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekends
Explore the Web Lab

The Wet Lab includes numerous natural artifacts including furs and fossils as well as an opportunity to view live crayfish and mussels.

Location: Wet Lab, Mississippi River Center Building

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11 a.m. or 2:30 p.m.
Stingray Feeding

Up to 6 guests are invited to participate in this interactive feeding twice daily. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis online or at the box office.

Location: Down in the Delta, First Floor of the National River Center Building

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1 p.m. weekday guided tour | 10-4 p.m. weekends self-guided tours (weather permitting)
William M. Black Tours

Join us in exploring the William M. Black dredge boat, built and commissioned in 1934 for the Army Corps of Engineers. The boat is open seasonally and is weather dependent; however, when available, guests are invited to tour portions of the engine room, boiler room, crew quarters, and pilot house.

Location: Guided tours begin at the the west box office.

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1:30 p.m. daily
Creature Feature

Meet one of our exciting Museum & Aquarium animals!

Location: Backwater Marsh, First Floor of the Mississippi River Center building

* All Times Subject to Change.

Finding Your Way Around

Directions

Campus Map

Museum Stores

Located in each building, our Museum Stores offer unique children's toys and games, river apparel, Dubuque apparel, local wines and beers, books, jewelry, and more. Snacks and beverages are also available for purchase.

Plan Your Visit
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