A closeup of the Estuary entrance roofline
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Lake Superior Estuarium

A Gathering Place for Learning and Play

The Lake Superior Estuarium is a gateway to the headwaters of the Great Lakes. Beautiful interactive displays tell stories of the St. Louis River Estuary, Lake Superior, and the communities on their shores. The exhibit hall includes a play area for young children, maps to orient you to the largest estuary on Lake Superior, and information to help you get out and explore.

What is an Estuarium?

A place to explore! The term is a combination of words “estuary” and “museum.” Join us in the exhibit hall to learn more about how fresh water, ecology, and culture coexist and thrive in the Lake Superior watershed.

How to Pronounce

Lake Superior Estuarium

Lake Superior Estuarium logo

Plan Your Visit

Location

3 Marina Drive
Superior, Wisconsin 54880

On Barker’s Island near Festival Park

Get Directions

Hours

1st and 3rd Fridays of each month
1:30 p.m – 5:00 p.m.

First Saturday of each month
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Summer hours begin June 26!
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Check the Events Page for details

Free Admission

Donations are welcome.

Parking

Parking is free and accessible on site.

Features

  • The Estuarium offers a hopeful story of the St. Louis River Estuary and Lake Superior watershed and coasts, through interactive exhibits.
  • The Lake Superior Estuarium meets all standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is committed to creating a space that is equally accessible and welcoming to all visitors. 
  • Parking is free and accessible on site.
  • Local and regional maps orient you to the region
  • Ojibwemowin (the Ojibwe language) is included throughout the exhibit
  • Children’s science and river themed play area
  • Located on Barker’s Island–within the estuary itself and near the public beach, walking trails, and activities on the island
  • Classroom and meeting space available for non-profit, government, or business groups.
A woman and a young girl looking at an Estuarium display

Interactive exhibits engage families in Lake Superior learning.

A group of young kids coloring with markers at a table

Check out events for youth, families and community members.

Two adult women and five young kids looking at an Estuarium display

Regional school groups and students visit the Estuarium for free.

“Nice…open space with great education about the importance of the St. Louis river and estuary to protect the waters and animals of Lake Superior. Indoor slide and scavenger hunt are highlights for kids. Easy and free parking too!”
–Estuarium visitor

Visit Lake Superior Estuarium

In-person

Open hours vary by season. Check the sidebar for the most up to date hours information. Come and explore the exhibits at your own pace, try a scavenger hunt challenge, or encourage children to enjoy the science and river themed play area.

Plan Your Visit

Take a Virtual Tour

The Reserve, with the help of Laura Jean Media Services, have created a virtual tour of the Estuarium exhibit space. Enjoy, explore, and experience the Estuarium from the comfort of wherever you are.

Take a Virtual Tour

Volunteer

The Lake Superior Reserve is expanding opportunities for volunteer docents in the Estuarium. Volunteers receive training on logistics of staffing the Estuarium and on interpretation and education skills. We are seeking volunteers passionate about their interaction with the Estuarium and/or with the St. Louis River Estuary itself.

Contact Education Coordinator

Request an Education Program

Group visits with an interpretive lesson can be arranged by filling out the Education Request Form. Filling out a form does not guarantee availability though the education team aims to accommodate requests with at least one month advance notice.

Request an Education Program

Acknowledgements

This public science and interpretive learning center was created with funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA), University of Wisconsin-Superior and the University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension. Thank you to the Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve volunteers for supporting staffing at the Estuarium.