MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM - Dubuque, Iowa

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Description – This museum is situated on the banks of the Mississippi River on the north side of Ice Harbor. It is comprised of several sites: Woodard Riverboat Museum, the steamboat sidewheeler William M. Black, the River of Dreams theater, the National Rivers Hall of Fame, and an exhibit on Dubuque. While at the museum, you can float on a simulated log raft and you can explore a gently rocking steamboat. (You might even have a chance to ring the bronze pilot’s bell.) Through an interactive, orientation film River of Dreams and the artifacts and exhibits displayed the Mississippi River is brought to life.

While visiting the museum you and see these special areas: William Woodward Discovery Center features five large fresh water aquariums, live animal exhibits, wet labs, towboat simulators and hands on activities. Take a trip down the river in the wide screen, high-definition Journey Theater. Watch the playful stingrays from the Gulf of Mexico. Walk into a barge and take the helm in your own pilot house.

Hall of Fame inductees are the pioneers, the explorers, and the artists that have passed on. They are movers and shakers from the days gone by and the recent past. For various reasons, these men and women made unforgettable contributions related to the river and for that we salute them.

Fred W. Woodward Riverboat Museum tells the fascinating story of the Mississippi with historic boats and life-sized exhibits. Experience the River of Dreams theater — “15 minutes you’ll never forget.” Hear the steamboat story and climb on the “floating” log raft. You may even see master boat builders bending ribs in the small boat shop.

Admission – $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for children

Directions – east of the downtown area, north of U. S. Highway 20, east of U. S. Highways 151 and 61

Hours – 10:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Tuesday — Sunday, May – October, 10:00 a.m.– 4:00 p.m., November – April, closed holidays

Credit Cards – Mastercard, Visa

Phone – (563) 557-9545