Nat'l Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

The museum explores all aspects of life in and on the Mississippi from the headwaters to the Gulf of Mexico. Two large exhibit buildings – east and west - are connected by a walkway that parallels two outdoor exhibit areas – a boatyard and an aviary with raptors.  Aquariums in both buildings house fish and animals that live in and around the river. A complete 19th-century belt-driven machine shop and hands-on exhibits are in the west building. The east building has historical dioramas and Native American artifacts. Many exhibits highlight conservation, preservation, and restoration projects.

  A small wetlands and a huge dredge are also on the property. The dredge, the William M. Black, is a steam-propelled, sidewheel dustpan dredge that operated on the river from 1934 to 1973. It’s 277 feet long, and 85 feet wide at its widest point. Both decks and the pilot house are opened to tour.

   

  There’s a lot to see so plan on spending four or five hours at  least.

 The main museums are accessible. The walkway connecting the main museums is accessible. The boat shop, located along the walkway, is accessible.The boatyard is surfaced with loose gravel and is very difficult to push through even with assistance. The wetlands and the dredge can be accessed by the exit doors of the east building that are closest to the wetlands. The boardwalk in the wetlands is accessible. The boardwalk to the dredge is accessible but the ramp down to the boat is steep. The first deck has steep ramps for access. The second deck and pilot house are not accessible. Museum  42.49692, -90.66091