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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

Summer

May 23, 2020 - Sept. 7, 2020

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

Fall

Sept. 8, 2020 - Oct. 31, 2020

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

Winter

Nov. 1, 2020 - Feb. 29, 2021

10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Closed Mondays*

*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

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 2:30 p.m. daily. Limited of 10 per day. Must select date of visit at time of purchase.*
    $10.00

This option is not currently available. 


  • *Due to the popularity of this experience and limited availability, refunds are not available.
Stingray Feedings - $10/participant

Enjoy our stingray feeding experience! A limited number of tickets are available for our daily 2:30 p.m. feedings. Admission to the River Museum is required, and visitors must select a specific date at time of purchase. Due to limited availability, there are no exchanges or refunds for this experience.

(Stingray Feeding tickets are not available at this time.)

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

Smithsonian in Dubuque

Visit both of Dubuque's Smithsonian Affiliates, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and the Dubuque Museum of Art, with this dual ticket package. Make sure to check hours of operation for both institutions prior to purchase. More information on the Dubuque Museum of Art can be found at dbqart.com.

BUY TICkets

Featured Exhibit

The Robot Zoo

June 13 - September 7, 2020

The Robot Zoo explores the biomechanics of complex, larger-than-life animal robots in the 5,000-square-foot exhibit. Eight robotic animals and a dozen hands-on activities will illustrate fascinating real-life animal characteristics. The eight animals featured in the exhibit include a giant squid with 18-foot tentacles, a bat, a rhinoceros, a house fly with a 10-foot wingspread, a platypus, a grasshopper, a chameleon, and a giraffe whose head and neck alone stretch 9 feet into the air.

Learn more

Featured Exhibit

Iowa Marine Engine & Launch Works

Opening Soon!

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.

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.

Interested in a small selection of online items and curbside pick up? Visit our virtual store!

Virtual Store

Plan Your Visit
Buy Tickets
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