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All 23 Dubuque Attractions »

National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

350 East Third Street, Port of Dubuque, Dubuque, IA
800-226-3369; 563-557-9545
Ranked #2 of 18 attractions in Dubuque
4.5 of 5 stars 125 Reviews
Type: Aquariums, Speciality Museums
Useful Information: Activities for young children, Activities for older children
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125 reviews from our community

Visitor rating
    72
    33
    15
    3
    2
Date Rating
Clinton, Iowa
Senior Contributor
43 reviews 43 reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 May 2012 NEW

The employees are so helpful and make it a great learning experience. Really loved the exhibits...so realistic. More

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See 6 more reviews by Marshabill for Dubuque
Phoenix, Arizona
Reviewer
5 reviews 5 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 27 May 2012 NEW

It is very interesting to be in the mississippi area More

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See 2 more reviews by Catswans for Dubuque
Decorah, Iowa
Senior Reviewer
7 reviews 7 reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
4 helpful votes 4 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 26 May 2012 NEW

There is way more than you think to do and see here! What a hidden treasure that Dubuque has in this museum, We spent more than four hours at this "smithsonian" quality museum. Take your time going through and take advantage of all the short videos and learn about America's river, the Mississippi. One of the interesting facts I learned... More

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Madison, Wisconsin
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 May 2012 NEW

This is an all day affair for our family starting with a 4D movie explaining oil in the ocean and leading to so many interactive exhibits for all ages. You can experience life on the river from long ago and today's barge traffic. A must see if you are in Dubuque More

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Top Contributor
110 reviews 110 reviews
Reviews in 65 cities Reviews in 65 cities
201 helpful votes 201 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 20 May 2012

Around the theme of the Mississippi, the museum offers everything from river-life including fish, otters and an alligator, to steamboats, and Mark Twain. The new section also includes some additional aquariums, some environmental exhibits, Native American and explorer exhibits, and an interactive area for children. The facilities are quite nice, though the addition means that the layout is a bit... More

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See 7 more reviews by travellevret for Dubuque
Mesa, Arizona
Top Contributor
50 reviews 50 reviews
Reviews in 15 cities Reviews in 15 cities
31 helpful votes 31 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2012

The movies that were included with admission were great, very informative. You will really appreciate the people that work on the river. The pictures and displays of the early years will keep your interest. I liked the time lines. We were more interested in the museum, but the aquarium was very well done. The outdoor walk is good. More

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Deerfield, IL
Senior Contributor
44 reviews 44 reviews
Reviews in 27 cities Reviews in 27 cities
49 helpful votes 49 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 19 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

It's a little odd that this is broken up between 2 buildings, but the employees are super nice. More

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See 3 more reviews by irisarbor for Dubuque
Pittsburgh, PA
Top Contributor
57 reviews 57 reviews
Reviews in 36 cities Reviews in 36 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 May 2012

Not really much of an aquarium, especially if you are used to large aquariums in large cities. But it is a good museum, with much to learn about the Mississippi and the history of life along it. Being a lover of all things mechanical, the displays devoted to the heyday of the riverboat(steamboat) and boat building era were fascinating to... More

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See 4 more reviews by frompitpa for Dubuque
Cedar Falls, Iowa
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 May 2012

Good exhibits, great staff, informative. The aquariums were awesome. More

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Verona, Wisconsin
2 reviews
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 1 May 2012
1
person found this review helpful

Very nice and interesting the kids and grandparents loved it! Great way to spend a day learning and exploring the museum. Liked the fact you could leave and return with your ticket price for an extra day or leave to go to a restaurant for lunch and return to see more. Didn't like the fact that the movies were not... More

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