"We made the three-hour drive to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque, IA specifically for their two add-on experiences — feeding the stingrays and the Giant Pacific Octopus encounter — and it was absolutely worth it. The museum itself is full of educational exhibits, which we explored while waiting for our stingray feeding time. There is so much beauty in their aquatic exhibits. The creatures were so curious that they all felt interactive, as if they were posing just for our pictures. Plus the avian exhibits, the log cabin, the ships, the gift shops, the library, the movie theater. We spent the entire day there. Petting the stingrays in the touch tank was already a treat, but getting to hand-feed them was even better. Feeling them come up onto my arm and gently take the food right from between my fingers was so unique and something I will always remember. Then came the octopus encounter and wow, what an unforgettable experience! The octopus immediately recognized her caretaker and came right up to meet us. She wrapped her arms around my fingers and wrist, tasting and exploring with the feelers of her tentacles. It was truly amazing to have such a close and personal interaction with such an intelligent creature. To top it all off, the staff gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the aquarium facilities, showing us everything from the filtration systems and animal care areas to the nursery where we saw tiny baby seahorses growing. The staff were friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the animals they care for. I would absolutely love to do both encounters again. It was an incredible, hands-on experience that I will never forget."

"Excellent displays. Well curated and clean. There is a lot of opportunity for interactive play for young children. Plan for a long visit or come back a second day (they allow a return trip the next day on the same ticket)."

"Numerous captivating stories are shared, historical artifacts are displayed, and the history behind them is revealed, making the aquarium a calming and inspiring experience. Boarding the ships provides a close-up view of everything, fostering an appreciation for the hard work and dedication invested. There is much to absorb and appreciate, rendering it an enjoyable experience. The attraction is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. A return visit is definitely warranted."

"This place has huge potenial and deffinitly makes a terrefic kids museum. The displays are modern and mostly in working order and the animals seem happy. That said, I don't feel like a learned much. Lot's of "the river's great" and "we need it for shipping and wildlife!" With very little nitty gritty about how any of that actually works. Any display about wildlife will give you the name of the animal, a couple basic facts, and then a complete run down of how we're killing it by existing (espicially during the open seas part). Also I would have loved to learned more about what working on the river is like, the process for using all the locks along the river and such. This is a cool museum, but not $25 cool."

"I really enjoyed my visit, and I would highly recommend it for families with children. There are lots of interactive displays and staff members doing live talks and demonstrations throughout. The shipyard was a highlight, as was being able to board the old ships. Lots of empty cages in the shipyard, so not sure if the birds were taken inside for the winter."