Mississippi River Excursions
National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
Thursdays & Saturdays, 9 a.m. & 1 p.m.
Memorial Day to Labor Day
Dubuque, Iowa
There’s no better way to understand the Mississippi than from the river itself. Create shared connections with each other and the river. Our expert guides will offer insights to the wildlife, ecology and living systems that make the river dynamic.

Invasive Removal
Friends of the Mississippi River
July-August
Various Twin Cities Area Parks
Join FMR for buckthorn removal and tending to the prairie at several parks in the Twin Cities area throughout the summer. Find out more and volunteer at fmr.org/participate/events.

River Queens: Weekly Paddling Series
Izaak Walton League, Will Dilg Chapter
Thursdays 6 - 7 p.m., thru September
Prairie Island Campground, Winona, Minn.
Ready to get on the river? The local Will Dilg chapter invites women to join a growing paddling community. Whether you bring your own canoe or kayak or rent one, all experience levels are welcome. Explore the backwaters with naturalists, storytellers, musicians, historians and other river lovers while building skills and deepening your connection to the Mississippi River.

250 Tuesdays
Wisconsin Historical Society
Tuesdays, now thru November 2, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Villa Louis, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
To commemorate America’s 250th anniversary, this program will feature rotating, history-inspired talks highlighting the Upper Mississippi River region. New topics are introduced each week. Families can enjoy special programming including a scavenger hunt.

Bat Ecology Cave Tour
Mississippi Valley Conservancy
July 11, 9:30 a.m. - noon
Kickapoo Caverns, Wauzeka, Wis.
Take a guided cave tour to learn about the beneficial role of bats and the importance of protecting their native habitat and Crawford County’s karst geology. Advanced registration required.

Youth Outdoor Fest
US Fish and Wildlife Service
July 11, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Pettibone Park, La Crosse, Wis.
Looking for a free, fun event where kids can explore the outdoors and try something new? Activities include archery, birding, fishing, kayaking, log rolling demonstrations, games interacting with live animals and more. Everything is provided. In partnership with Midwest Fisheries Center, La Crosse Parks, Recreation & Forestry, Fox 25/48, Genoa fish Hatchery and Friends of the Upper Mississippi.

Driftless Music Festival
Thursday, July 11, noon - 9:30 p.m.
Eckhart Park, Viroqua, Wis.
Join us at this free festival for live music, friends, family, local food vendors and that great festival feeling. Five great bands with plenty of room to dance, relax and enjoy the day under the oaks.

Historic Riverfront Walking Tour
Thursday, July 11, 10:30 a.m. - noon
Mill City Museum, Minneapolis
Take a guided walking tour of the Minneapolis riverfront and learn about its dramatic past and bright future. The walk is about 1.25 miles including all types of terrain. For more dates, visit mnhs.org/events.

Monarch Fest
Indian Creek Nature Center
Thursday, July 11, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Indian Creek Nature Center, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
The entire family will enjoy learning about monarchs and other pollinators. Release butterflies, make milkweed seed balls and more.

War of 1812: Battlefield Walking Tour
Thursday, July 18, 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Villa Louis, Prairie du Chien, Wis.
Tour Wisconsin’s only 1812 battlefield, and learn how British forces and their Native American allies captured the American-held Fort Shelby. Learn how the war came to Prairie du Chien and watch a cannon demonstration.

Riverboat Days
July 24 - 25
Wabasha, Minn.
Free live music event also includes a boat parade, face painting, pedal pull, coloring contest, food & beverages, car show, a 5K river run/walk, pickleball tournament and more.

Weird & Wonderful Insects
Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation
Thursday, July 25, 6 - 11 p.m.
Casper Bluff Land & Water Reserve, Galena, Ill.
View displays of amazing local and non-local insects collected by local entomologists and collectors. Learn how to use a sweep net. Stay late to see and learn about moths and other winged bugs of the night.

Tug Fest
August 13 - 15
Port Byron, Ill., & LeClaire, Iowa
This is the only tug of war across the Mighty Mississippi! Ten teams pull with everything they have as they compete to take home the alabaster eagle trophy. This three-day event includes vendors, music, kids activities, a sweet corn eating contest, fireworks, a carnival and more.

Meteors on the Mound
Jo Daviess Conservation Foundation
Saturday, August 15, 8 - 11 p.m.
Horseshoe Mound Preserve
Galena, Ill.
Glimpse the Perseid meteor shower from atop one of the highest points in the county, offering spectacular views from several different outlooks. There will be family-friendly activities including a presentation by an expert astronomer. Amateur astronomers will have telescopes onsite for participants to use, but you can also bring your own.

Fascinating Fungi
Mississippi Valley Conservancy
August 15, 10 a.m.-noon
Lower Hixton Forest 
La Crosse, Wis.
At this free event, an expert will talk about mushrooms and other fungi. Then we will go outside and search for what we’ve just learned about. We use iNaturalist to identify and upload images to a community science database.

Bluffs to Backwater Recreation Festival
August 21 - 23
Prairie Island Campground, Winona, Minn.
Celebrate the outdoors, community and connection on the banks of the Mississippi River with games, races, educational opportunities, live music, film, community paddles and more. Enjoy a summer-camp-like atmosphere with opportunities to explore the incredible Driftless Area around Winona. Free and open to all.