You Can Feed the Ocean's Largest Octopus in Iowa

Forget traveling to the West Coast for this experience; we've got an easier way right in our own backyard of Dubuque! Yes, it's time to get ready for an underwater adventure like no other! Starting June 1st, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is rolling out a brand-new experience that's sure to make a splash with visitors of all ages: octopus encounters. That's right, you can now get up close and personal with a Giant Pacific Octopus!

Credit: National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Imagine feeding and interacting with one of the ocean's most fascinating and intelligent creatures. The River Museum is thrilled to be the second facility in the Midwest to offer this unique encounter. It’s a fantastic addition to their already popular hands-on experiences, like Behind the Scenes Tours and Stingray Feedings.

@rivermuseum Daily enrichment is important for all River Museum animals, especially the Giant Pacific Octopus! 🐙 Enrichment activities allow the animals to experience things that they would in the wild. These activities exercise them both physically and mentally. Be sure and check out the Giant Pacific Octopus in our Rivers to the Sea exhibit! #rivermuseum #iowa #dubuque #travel #museum #aquarium #octopus #animals #fyp #enrichment ♬ original sound - River Museum

“We're all about creating lasting memories and learning through hands-on opportunities. Our teams have worked hard to bring this experience to life, and we can't wait for our guests to enjoy it.”
-Emily Adlfinger, Marketing & Communications Manager, National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Credit: Tom Drake
A few of the "stars" of the National Mississippi River Museums' River to the Sea Exhibit.

Here’s the scoop: the octopus encounter happens once daily at 2 pm and is perfect for a group of up to six people. For just $125, your group gets a 30-minute session that includes feeding the octopus and learning all about this incredible species from one of the museum’s expert husbandry team (individuals responsible for the care and management of animals).

Plus, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Eckstein Family Rivers to the Sea exhibit, which features the adorable seahorse and moon jelly nurseries.

Heads up! If you're planning to visit, book early! Spaces are filling up fast, and advanced registration is already open. You can secure your spot online or at the museum’s box office. While the octopus encounter doesn't require general admission, you will need it to explore the rest of the museum before or after your octopus session.

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A few things to note: the tour is family-friendly, but kids under 17 need to be accompanied by an adult. Unfortunately, the encounter isn’t wheelchair accessible and involves walking up three steps.

Credit: Tom Drake
All these animals can be found at the Rivers to the Sea exhibit. That's also where you will find the Giant Pacific Octopus (bottom right).

If you haven't visited yet, the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium is a treasure trove of history and aquatic wonders. As a Smithsonian Affiliate and an accredited member of both the American Alliance of Museums and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the museum houses over 41,000 historical items and more than 2,000 animals representing over 250 species. It's truly a place where the history and biodiversity of the Mississippi River comes alive.

Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind adventure with the largest octopus in the ocean. It's another amazing experience at one of my favorite places to visit! Dive into the fun and create unforgettable memories with the new octopus encounter at the River Museum! For more details, head to rivermuseum.org/experiences.