Mississippi River Visitors Center, Illinois, United States
4.5 (62 reviews) Spent Ranking #5 in Rock Island Visitor Centers
Lock & Dam #15 - Worth a Visit
Stoped here after visiting the Rock Island Arsenal. The park ranger guide was excellent. We had the opportunity to watch a large coal barge go through the lock up close and personal with the ranger explaning what was happening. There is an interesting display there and a good short video that was worth watching. Make certain to see the exhibit that explains why the locks and dams can't prevent the Mississippi from flooding! Also, a small but good gift shop with items about the River, the workings of the lock and the American Eagle. This was a very worthwhile and fund stop to better appreciate the Mississippi River.
Address
Locks & Dam 15 , Rock Island, Illinois, United States.
Mobile
Website
http://www.mvr.usace.army.mil/Missions/Recreation/MississippiRiverProject/Recreation/MississippiRiverVisitorCenter.aspx
Current local date and time now
Friday, May 10, 2024, 10:16
User Ratings
4.5 based on (62 reviews)
Reviews
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4J. Nehls 5:00 PM Dec 27, 2022
Learn about the river
Stop in to learn more about the river. You also get a real up-close view of the locks and information on how the locks work. If you are lucky enough to be there when a boat or barges are going through, you will get a great view from the 2nd floor viewing windows. The staff was also very helpful in answering questions.
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4Flickerwick 5:00 PM Feb 18, 2004
Glad We Stopped!
We found the Mississippi River Visitors Center on our way out of down after donating some money to the local riverboats there! As we crossed the bridge back to Illinois we saw the sign, and thinking I could perhaps get a souvenier for my son, we stopped in. Little did I know that is was "eagle time" in that part of the state...or the quad city area of Rock Island, Moline, Davenport, and Bettendorf. I thought I had seen a bald eagle flying outside our hotel room in Bettendorf, but my husband said I must have been mistaken, why would bald eagles be in Iowa. Apparently, they come to spend the winter there as the river doesn't freeze in that part of the Mississippi, and they are everywhere! At the visitors center, they had a telescope set up to a tree where some eagles were resting. The staff was extremely helpful, answering all questions about the eagle, the river, and the center had a great selection of books, info, and souveniers about the Mississippi and bald eagles. If you are a history buff about the Mighty Miss...you want to stop in! I recommend this center!!
