Monthly Archives: July 2019

Agritourism attractions on the Great River Road

Monday, July 15, 2019

The Great River Road spans 10 states through the heart of America, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find abundant farms, orchards, wineries and other agritourism attractions along the route. (In fact, we’ve got a searchable list of agritourism attractions here.)

Got an appetite for a new Great River Road adventure? Here are a few agritourism attractions you should check out.

Minnesota

The Oliver Kelley Farm is a historic 1860s farmstead and agricultural education center in Elk River—a 35-mile drive from the Twin Cities. This family-friendly branch of the Minnesota Historical Society tells “the story of farming, food and agriculture” through interactive exhibits and events. The farm hosts cooking classes featuring Minnesota products throughout the year, and their Farm to Fair Weekend on Aug. 24-25 lets visitors sample 1860s-era recipes and judge 4-H and FFA veggies, bakery items and canned goods.

Wisconsin

When you’re traveling the Great River Road in Wisconsin, be sure to stop at the Nelson Cheese Factory. While it’s no longer an operating cheese factory, this retail store and restaurant remains a popular spot among roadtrippers looking for groceries, a quick bite or an ice cream cone.

Iowa

Discover farm-fresh finds at the Dubuque Farmers’ Market, the oldest farmers market in Iowa. Every Saturday from 7am to noon, May through October, the Dubuque Farmers’ Market welcomes patrons to three city blocks on Iowa Street in downtown Dubuque to peruse locally grown produce, breads, meats, jams, jellies, craft items and much more.  

Illinois

More than 4,500 people—and 100 wiener dogs—attended Galena’s Oktoberfest celebration last year, and this charming town is set to welcome another batch of visitors this fall. This year’s Galena Oktoberfest will be held from noon to 10pm Saturday, Oct. 5, at Depot Park, and feature traditional German food like bratwurst, potato sausage soup and German potato salad, as well as fun events like a beer stein endurance contest and (of course) wiener dog races.

Tennessee

Another mouth-watering event along the Great River Road is the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, which takes place every year as part of the Memphis in May International Festival. More than 75,000 attendees pass through the gates of Tom Lee Park on the banks of the Mississippi River to sample delectable barbecue ribs, pork shoulders, hot wings, sauce and all things ‘cue.

Louisiana

A museum dedicated to food and drinks seems like an obvious choice for New Orleans, so it’s kind of surprising that it took until 2008 for the Southern Food and Beverage Museum to open in the Big Easy. This museum, located in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans, features special exhibits, demonstrations, lectures and tastings throughout the year and is also home to the Museum of the American Cocktail.

Introducing Relay of Voices

Thursday, July 11, 2019

This summer and fall, an intriguing project will take place in communities along the Mississippi River. 

Relay of Voices, a project of the nonprofit A House Unbuilt, is “a research expedition traveling down the Mississippi River with the goal of gathering ‘voices’ from the landscape and individual residents of the river region.”

From the Relay of Voices website

“Relay of Voices is spearheaded by artist, athlete, and Louisiana native, Victoria Bradford Styrbicki, who is working to connect the voices of river communities by traveling the 2,400 miles of the river at a pedestrian scale with the assistance of a “relay team” made up of support staff and regional volunteers. … A primary reason for choosing the Mississippi River region was the dichotomy of rural and urban communities there, with many of them still making a living off the water and land.”

Here’s a look at one of the first voices of the project:

“Terry Larson, mid sixties, born and raised in Itasca Township, now lives on Wolf Lake some 30-40 miles away, still along the Mississippi. Family land—Gulsvig Landing—remains an important fixture of his and his family’s life here at Itasca. He’s often considered the “first man of the river,” and he has been interviewed and written about many, many times before. He’s a practiced interviewee, coming with prepared stories and recitations, and yet the sentiment feels true and authentic. He launched our time together speaking of his family history and land as we met right upon it, and he wandered into a more personal story of his experience with injury—how it changed his life to suffer and overcome pain, with much thanks to the river.”

(Photo courtesy of Relay of Voices)

Outdoor dining on the Great River Road

Summer is here, and it’s time to take advantage of the beautiful weather and outstanding views all along the Mississippi River. Here’s a look at just a few of the great places along the Great River Road where you can dine outside—be sure to stop in for a bite (and some great scenery) on your next road trip.

Minnesota

Head to Levee Park on Riverfront Street in downtown Winona to grab a seat on the patio and enjoy drinks or dinner at the Boat House. You’ll find classic Minnesota dishes with a twist, like the Boat House Lucy, the restaurant’s take on a Juicy Lucy—an 8-ounce grass-fed burger stuffed with Ellsworth Dairy cheese curds.

Wisconsin

Named by locals as the best outdoor dining in La Crosse, Huck Finn’s on the Water offers a scenic setting for your next lunch or dinner. Head outside for a seat on their massive patio overlooking North Bay on Pool 8 of the Mississippi River. Order a classic burger or try one of their signature drinks like Herb Lemonade.

Iowa

A restaurant and brew pub located in pretty much the middle of the Mississippi River between Iowa and Wisconsin, Catfish Charlie’s in Dubuque offers a fun setting for lunch and dinner. Sample unique items like alligator nuggets or catfish fingers or choose from nearly a dozen beers that are brewed on-site.

Tennessee

Truly one of the most scenic spots along the Great River Road, Blue Bank Resort overlooks the waters of Reelfoot Lake in northwestern Tennessee. Reelfoot Lake is a flooded former cypress forest known for its outstanding fishing, so it only makes sense that fish is prevalent on the menu at Blue Bank Resort’s on-site restaurant, The Fishhouse. Diners can choose from Southern-fried catfish, shrimp, oysters and more, as well as chicken, steaks and pork, all while enjoying the views of Reelfoot Lake.

Mississippi

Want a great view with your dinner? Head to 10 South Rooftop Bar & Grill in downtown Vicksburg. Take in an amazing sunset over the Mississippi River and then enjoy a delicious dinner from a menu featuring classic dishes and Southern favorites like chicken & waffles, shrimp & grits, and blackened catfish.

Louisiana

When you’re in Louisiana, you need to sample some seafood, and one of the best places to do so is Parrain’s Seafood Restaurant in Baton Rouge. Located in the mid-city district of Louisiana’s capital, Parrain’s offers fresh, high-quality seafood in dishes like andouille-encrusted fish, crawfish etouffee and New Orleans BBQ shrimp. Grab a seat on their patio and dig in!

Don’t forget to share your favorite flavors of the Great River Road here. And be sure to check out other travelers’ recommendations and helpful info about restaurants, agritourism attractions and more all along the Great River Road here.

Tasty summer finds along the Great River Road

Tuesday, July 09, 2019

Summer is an excellent time to explore some of the tasty finds along the Great River Road. Here are some can’t miss stops in Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Photo courtesy of Winona Farmers Market

Winona Farmers Market, Winona, MN

The Winona Farmers Market is one of the best along the Great River Road. It happens every Saturday, rain or shine, from 7:30am to noon at Levee Park in Winona, Minnesota. Produce that’s debuting in July includes cabbage, cucumbers, corn, peppers, potatoes, raspberries, tomatoes and zucchini. You can also find baked and canned goods, honey, eggs, teas, flowers, bread, coffee, meats, plus prices that can’t be beat!

Photo courtesy of Elmaro Vineyard

Elmaro Vineyard, Trempealeau, WI

At Elmaro Vineyard in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, the views are just as amazing as the wines you’ll sample. Enjoy the landscape of nearby Perrot State Park and the Trempealeau National Wildlife Refuge while you sit on the patio and sample any of their nearly two dozen varieties of wine. Their grapes are grown in Wisconsin and Minnesota and their wines are made from delicious fruits like apples, raspberries, cranberries, cherries and plums. You can even arrange a picnic here, with wine, cheese, crackers and sausages on a private picnic site with a blanket and umbrella.

Photo courtesy of Piggy’s Restaurant & Blues Lounge

Piggy’s Restaurant & Blues Lounge, La Crosse, WI

Piggy’s Restaurant has called La Crosse, Wisconsin home since 1980. This hot spots is nationally famous for BBQ baby back ribs, but also for their pork chops, prime rib and steaks. If you like smoked meat, this is the place for you! Their hardwood smoker does its magic with hickory and Minnesota Applewood from the nearby hills and bluffs. Don’t miss live blues music in the Blues Lounge downstairs on Saturday nights, and check out their wine cellar, with more than 60 options to choose from!

Photo courtesy of Isles Bun & Coffee

Isles Bun & Coffee, Minneapolis, MN

Isles Bun & Coffee is an itty bitty bake shop just a couple blocks from Lake of the Isles in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They’re known for their morning rolls, especially cinnamon, caramel and caramel pecan rolls, but are also famous for their Puppy Dog Tails, which are smaller versions of their cinnamon rolls, twisted up. Here they use only real ingredients, no food starch or corn syrup and everything is made from scratch. Don’t be afraid to go for the extra frosting on your rolls – you won’t be sorry you did!