Whether you’re traveling to the headwaters of the Mississippi River or exploring charming towns farther south along the route, there are lots of great places to visit on the northern Great River Road. Here’s where to stop in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri.

Learn more about the northern Great River Road here.

Bemidji, Minnesota

Bemidji is known as “the first city on the Mississippi,” but oddly enough it lies north of the river’s headwaters in Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota—that’s because the Mississippi River briefly flows north changing direction and heading on its 2,400-mile journey to the Gulf. Outdoors lovers will find plenty to explore in Bemidji, including more than 400 lakes, the Mississippi River, and hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, biking, and winter sports. Don’t forget to snap a photo with Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox on the shores of Lake Bemidji!

Find more Bemidji visitor information.

Stockholm, Wisconsin

This tiny village—there are less than full-time 100 residents here—embraces its Swedish heritage and has attracted artists and crafters throughout the years, making it a great place to discover local and regional art and handcrafted goods. Stockholm sits on the shores of Lake Pepin toward the northern end of Wisconsin’s Great River Road, making it a great spot to get on the Mississippi River and its backwaters, and it’s also home to the Stockholm Pie Company, which was named the Best Pie Shop in America by USA Today.

Find more Stockholm visitor information.

Quad Cities, Iowa & Illinois

There are actually more than four cities in the Quad Cities (the major ones are Davenport and Bettendorf on the Iowa side of the Mississippi River and Moline, East Moline, and Rock Island on the Illinois side), but that just means there’s more to explore throughout the entire region. Top attractions include the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, where visitors can learn about the agricultural giant, the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, and the Rock Island Arsenal.

Find more Quad Cities visitor information.

Ste. Genevieve, Missouri

It’s a great year to explore America’s history, and what better place to start than a city that dates back nearly three centuries? Located about an hour’s drive south of St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve was founded sometime before 1750 Ste. Genevieve (located in southeastern Missouri about an hour’s drive south of St. Louis) obviously has a rich history and visitors can enjoy unique sites like the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park, which preserves the area’s French History, as well as several state historic sites.

Find more Ste. Genevieve visitor information.

(Photo: John Deere Pavilion in Moline, Illinois/Illinois Office of Tourism)