National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Nick Webster

2024-02

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Jenn James

2024-04

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Pam Rama

2024-03

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Brittany I

2023-12

Great place to go. My kids LOVE petting the sting rays and the sea anemones. There used to be another play area upstairs I thought but I don’t know what happened to it. Your ticket is a 2 day pass, my kids only spent about 2 hours there before they were ready to leave. I have a 6 year old and 8 year old. The boat was put away for the season so that usually takes about 30 minutes and they were too cold to go to the marsh area. But they had a lot of fun. We went the next day to pet the stingrays again and play in the kid area. We were also members with out zoo so we were able to get a discount!

Merry Trotter

2024-01

This was a marvelous family adventure. Everyone learned a lot about engineering, tools, pioneers of innovation, conservation, Native Americans, trades, floods, stingrays, & a lot more!! I encourage everyone to make this visit, so worth it!!We were even able to touch sting rays, starfish, & sea anemones😆😆😆 totally Fantastic experience!!

nicholas Titley

2023-11

Great place to visit grand kids loved it, indoor and outdoor bits to visit. Outdoor you can wander round the dock and explore the old dredging paddle steamer. Indoors there's the aquarium with fish, alligators touch pools, displays on the Mississippi and it's flood plains. There's a kids discovery area with pools too play in, with an activity room.There's a old line shaft driven machine shop with lathes, planner, grinding and polishing wheels radial drill. In the second building there's more of the story of the Mississippi it's captain's and the natives.There a restaurant with a good clean bathroom.A good gift shop with a good range of bits and bobs.There's offers on the entry prices depending on the mix of the group visiting we got two seniors, two adults and one child in for 109.75 adults are 23.95 seniors 21.95 youth 17.95 under 3 are free

Bruce Heling

2023-11

We heard good things about this place and made a day trip from our home in Madison to take a look. It was fall in Wisconsin so we knew the drive would be beautiful at least. Turns out the museum element of this place is far superior to the aquarium elements. There is a lot to be learned here about the history and role of life along the upper Mississippi. Definitely worth a visit.

Leah Grigas

2023-11

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Megan Neeley

2024-04

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Jean Bringgold

2023-11

A smaller aquarium but still very enjoyable. I loved the otter, the octopus, and the raptures! The boat museum was an added bonus. Even though we went on the day there were many little kids dressed for Halloween, we still enjoyed ourselves. We were able to see everything. The added Halloween decor and band playing made it extra fun!

Mark Ells

2024-04

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kris montanez

2024-04

Very informative, definitely a good place for younger children. However, I learned a lot about the river systems as they work throughout the country. Amazing stories and well-preserved history. It appeared that a couple of learning kiosks were down for maintenance. It's not a bad place, an easy three hour tour.

Emily Wirth

2023-07

Great way to spend the day! Our group all had fun (kids aged 3, 6 & 15 + adults) with plenty to explore in each area. The aquarium tanks in both buildings were the favorite of all. The STEM labs had truly engaging & fun activities and the water table was a nice play break.The space is beautifully designed and easy indoor outdoor transition- seemed very wheelchair/stroller friendly.Don’t miss checking out what’s on board the William M. Black 🛳️ we had fun talking about what life on a boat would be likePleasantly surprised at cafe offering and gift shop 🛍️ The entire staff was kind and welcoming and the space was clean. Despite going on a Summer Saturday and it was busy, it didn’t feel crowded.We will be back again!

Diane D

2023-11

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Paula Misek

2024-03

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Joshua Clements

2023-07

Amazing science, natural history, and history museum. Excellent. I've had the privilege to visit the big museums in DC, New York, Chicago and elsewhere, and the Mississippi River Museum punches well above its weight for an establishment located in a small out-of-the-way city. The quality, variety, depth, and curation of all parts of the museum and its grounds are excellent. Well worth the trip!

Marisol M

2023-09

The River Museum was not only very educational but all very interactive. As soon as you walk in you’re greeted by the nice attendants in the front. They inform you where certain exhibits are located and what’s located in the other building (as this place is HUGE) . For any pressed penny collectors out there , there is one machine in the main building and one in the second. The second building contains all the salt water fish along with the child play area. My favorite was the otter and the sting rays. On their website they have a live camera to view the otter from 8am- 5 pm alongwith a live camera to view the Mississippi River. Definitely recommend for all to visit.

Quahog

2023-09

This is a real experience, exposing the uninformed about the Mississippi, it’s fauna snd hydrology. Very extensive displays and well design exhibits. The complex consisted of two buildings connected by a riverside plaza that contains its own exhibits. Very informative and very unique as museums go. Overall we give it four clams on the coveted Five Quahog Rating Scale.

Jason Ellis

2023-08

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Rich Krueger

2023-05

Lots to see, inside and out. I personally loved the historical, natural history, environmental displays. My kids really had fun with the interactive displays, and of course the stingrays. Be prepared to have your kids get wet!Most of saltwater area was closed when we were there, unfortunately, so I can't comment on that.From their website, and view from the parking lot I actually thought it would have even more to see and do. But there is plenty the way it is.Cost is fairly high in my opinion, but I'm a cheapskate. No worse than going to a movie, or out to eat for a family. They need to pay the bills too, and you're supporting an educational gem in the process.They periodically have traveling displays that visit to add to the amount you can see and do.We would definitely go again!

Abbey Richter

2024-01

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Cadence Giddings

2023-09

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Ryan Simons

2024-04

Much to see at this sprawling museum and education center. Plenty for all ages to enjoy. Touch star fish and feed stingray. See how large vessels operate and steer a barge.Well maintained and very friendly docents.

Charles Morrison

2023-06

Buy tickets in advance and save a couple of dollars to use in their cafe. So much to do and see and touch. This is a real hands-on educational gem. We've been here many times and every time there is something new to explore, and older to re-explore The stingray touch and see tank is always a delight. Be gentle and the stingrays will come back for more touches. The cozy IMax like film theater allows everyone a phenomenal seat. The (at least 3D) films are worth the slight extra cost... Especially film #2 when purchased together with film #1. Marvelously they can both be 4D!! Films change frequently and they're always interesting and educational. Visit both indoor sides and it's outdoor middle. History and the future come alive behind every door and the information might be presented by a person, video, computer, well designed display or some other way. Additionally we met Tom and Becky there. They are wonderful to watch; however, you have to go to know how well they are doing what they otter.

Chris Cadogan

2024-03

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Brent Henney

2023-06

Pretty cool museum. We probably spent a full day, but over two days. The innovation lab is pretty cool hands on for the kids. The stingray pond is cool to feed or touch. All the aquariums are nice. We all had a good time.

Mo y

2024-04

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Molly Sroka

2024-04

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Alyssa Krieg

2023-09

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Marie Richman

2023-09

Always a favorite for my family. Ages 17-3 had fun with the interactive traveling exhibits. Clean, friendly atmosphere with so much to do. Expect this visit to take several hours. They have a Cafe, a movie theater, lots of animals, and river history