Discover the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Located just 40 minutes from our motel in Elizabeth, Illinois, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium offers one of the most engaging and educational experiences in the Midwest. Set along the banks of the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa, the museum tells the story of the Great River and the ecosystems it supports. 

This Smithsonian-affiliated destination is a blend of a natural history museum, aquarium, and interactive discovery center. Visitors can touch stingrays in one of the touch tanks, spot river-dependent birds and raptors on the grounds, and watch short films about the river’s history in the Journey Theater. 

Below are some of our favorite things to see and do at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium.

Animal and Aquatic Exhibits 

From fish and eels to otters and raptors, the museum and aquarium have creatures that everyone will love! Be sure to visit these exhibits while you’re there!

Flooded Forest

This welcome exhibit features some of nature’s most playful mammals. Known as the museum’s “animal greeters,” the North American River Otters are ready to say hello to everyone who comes by. The habitat is both indoor and outdoor with an ADA-compliant inset for a variety of viewing areas.

Down in the Delta

No visit to the museum and aquarium would be complete without a stop by the 2,250-gallon touch pool. This hands-on exhibit puts stingrays front and center as they glide through water shallow enough for even little hands to (carefully) touch. 

Outdoor Aviaries 

Spend time spotting the raptors, Bald Eagles, Kestrel and Barn Owls, and Red-Tailed Hawks that call the museum grounds home. These amazing birds help teach visitors about pollution, conservation, and their contribution to the Mississippi River.

Main Channel

This 30,000-gallon freshwater habitat showcases some of the biggest species of fish found in the Mississippi River. It features species such as Gar, Sturgeon, Catfish, Bass, Buffalo, and Carp. The three-sided aquarium allows visitors to observe how the fish interact with each other and their environment.

Outdoor Spaces

The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is much more than just indoor exhibits. It also features a variety of outdoor spaces and displays as well. Below are some of our favorites!

Logsdon Sand and Gravel Barge

This barge once served as a towboat that pushed pile-driving equipment on the Illinois River. Its current location at the museum and aquarium allows visitors to explore both the inside and outside of the ship. It stands as an example of how such vessels worked on America’s great rivers. 

Frentress Log Cabin & Wetlands

The Frentress Log Cabin once stood on the Mississippi River on the Illinois side of the water. At more than 100-years old, it is believed to have once been a fur-trader’s post. Surrounding the cabin are the Wetlands, where visitors can spy turtles, beavers, woodchucks, frogs, herons, and many more critters native to the habitat.

William M. Black Dredge Boat

As an operating dredge boat on the Mississippi River for almost 40 years, this vessel served to clean out sandbars and silt to keep navigation channels open. To provide safe waterways through the river, the bottom had to be maintained at a 9-foot depth. Anything less could mean boats would get stuck on the sandy bottom.

Interactive Exhibits

Visitors to the museum and aquarium have the opportunity not just to view the exhibits but to interact with them as well. Here are the ones you’ll want to explore.

Learning Lab

The Learning Lab is a hands-on exhibit that allows visitors of all ages to experience nature on a more personal level. The center features different furs, animals, fish, and freshwater creatures that can be touched and handled to help guests learn more about each one. Visitors can even view life on a microscopic level through one of the lab’s microscopes. 

Makerspace 

This interactive space gives visitors the chance to learn STEM and critical thinking skills as they create, tinker, and design with a variety of engaging activities. The space utilizes real materials to allow guests to discover their hidden properties and characteristics. This one-of-a-kind experience helps visitors make deeper connections with the material and objects around them.

RiverWorks Discovery Splash Zone 

Children and families will love this water-based exhibit! Visitors can steer a boat downriver while navigating through locks. They can also learn more about beavers by exploring a large-scale beaver lodge and learn the important role these animals played along the Mississippi River.

Stay at Marcotte’s Family Motel

After a day of museum and aquarium exploration, head back to Marcotte’s Family Motel to unwind and enjoy a good night’s rest. Relax by our outdoor campfire, cook up a meal on the grill, or just sit back and take in the night sky in one of our comfortable seating areas. With pet-friendly rooms, suites, and even an entire apartment to choose from, you can customize your stay for the ultimate Illinois vacation experience. 

Our family-operated property is ready to welcome you with friendly service, warm hospitality, and comfortable amenities. Book your reservation with us today!