A really fun place to spend the day is Mud Island – and no, it's not a great place to take a mud bath – in fact it's not even an island, it's a peninsula jutting into the Mississippi River. Opened in 1982, soon became home to restaurants, an amphitheater, a museum, a monorail, and several other attractions that entice guests to linger and enjoy the place. There are a variety of activities to do in and around Mud Island, with such things as: 1. Harbor Town which is on the northern side and includes the Mississippi River Trail with beautifully manicured jogging trails and sitting areas overlooking the might Mississippi. 2. The Mississippi River Park is a great place to spend the day with available activities such as bicycle trails, paddle boats, rafts, or even just sit on the beach and relax. A scale model of the Mississippi River from Illinois to New Orleans is on display with markers providing historical facts about the towns along the river. 3. The Mississippi River Museum depicts the history of this end of the Mississippi River Valley, complete with a full-size river steamboat. 4. The Amphitheater is a 5000 seat outdoor theater accommodating numerous summer concerts. The last 20 years have seen performances from James Taylor, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Sting, Jimmy Buffet, Hootie and the Blowfish, Britney Spears, and many more. There is so much to do around Mud Island from seeing a concert, to spending the day biking, or relaxing on the side of the mighty Mississippi..