National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

With 14 acres of river animals and river history, this Smithsonian affiliate has something for everyone. With three large buildings, the William M. Black dredge boat, and an outdoor plaza and boatyard, this river museum features animals found in the Mississippi River, its watershed and the Gulf of Mexico. Ducks, turtles, river otters, stingrays, an alligator and more than 200 other species are on display throughout the campus. Historic and cultural exhibits feature a 19th century belt-driven machine shop, numerous local history exhibits, steamboat era artifacts, and artifacts from indigenous peoples and early European settlement. The campus includes a stingray touch tank, MakerSpace, large-format 4D Theater, grill, museum stores, daily creature features, and daily history highlights.