Plan Your Visit to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium
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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

Image of KWWL Channel 7 News Logo with link to weather page  Click the logo to get the forecast for your visit!

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

IN THIS SECTION

Hours of Operation

Summer

May 29 - Sept. 6, 2021

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

Fall

Sept. 7 - Oct. 31, 2021

9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Daily

Winter

Nov. 1, 2021 - Feb. 29, 2022

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.*
Monday-Friday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.*
Saturday-Sunday

*Closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Spring

March 1 - May 27, 2022

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Monday-Friday
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday-Sunday

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

Splash and Bubbles: Dive In, Lend a Fin!

May 15 - Sept. 19, 2021

Featuring a variety of hands-on exhibit components, Splash and Bubbles: Dive In, Lend a Fin! invites children to discover a whole new world as they navigate an under-the-sea maze in a kelp forest, explore a sunken ship that has become an artificial reef, interact with puppet characters created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, become a Reeftown Ranger to learn to protect the ocean, and more!

Learn more

Featured Exhibit

River of Innovation

From a 19th-century belt-driven machine shop to engaging interactives and a MakerSpace, you won't want to miss our newest can't miss permanent exhibit!

Learn more

4D Theater

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

Now Showing

Showtimes: 10 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m.
Playing Mar. 1, 2021 - Sept. 6, 2021

reserve tickets

Sammy's Adventures: The Secret Passage 3D

As he scrambles to the sea, young Sammy the Sea Turtle takes an epic journey across the ocean to rejoin his friends. Along his travels he encounters piranhas, fish eagles, and secret passages, all while discovering humans’ impact to the planet. Sammy may be a tiny turtle but his will is bigger than the ocean.

Showtimes: 11 a.m., 2 p.m., 4 p.m.
Playing May 29, 2021 through November 30, 2021

reserve tickets

Penguins 3D

Narrated by David Attenborough, this film celebrates the journey of a very special King Penguin who returns to his birthplace in the sub-Antarctic. Somehow our hero must earn his place among the island inhabitants and fulfill his destiny by finding a mate and raising a family.

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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10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (Daily)
William M. Black Steam Dredge Open Boarding

Board the William M. Black for a self-guided tour of the engine room, crew quarters, pilot house, and more!

Location: William M. Black

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10:30 AM & 2 PM (Daily)
Belt-Driven Machine Shop Demonstrations

Watch the machine shop in motion and learn about this amazing machine and its history!

Location: River of Innovation

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11 AM & 2:30 PM (Daily)
Stingray Feeding

Up to 6 guests are invited to participate in this interactive feeding twice daily. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis online or at the box office. Recommend you purchase prior to arrival for specific date. Guests should arrive promptly at the designated time.

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

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11:30 AM
History Highlights

Learn about some of the items in our collections!

Location: Backwater Marsh

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12:30 PM (Friday-Sunday)
Calliope Demonstration

Enjoy the sounds of the Calliope, an instrument frequently found on showboats along the Mississippi River.

Location: Boardwalk

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1:30 PM (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

Burger

Harbor View Grill

Restaurant open from 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

You’ll find a family-friendly menu that offers burgers, sandwiches, drinks, and other treats for both kids and adults. Enjoy your meal inside with views of the harbor or find a spot outside on our patio area. Gluten-free and vegetarian options available.  

Museum Stores

Hours are the same as museum hours.

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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