Category Archives: Activities & Recreation

Fall color hotspots along the northern Great River Road

Tuesday, September 08, 2026

Fall colors put on an amazing show along the Mississippi River every autumn, and there are lots of great views to be had along the Great River Road. There are dozens of scenic overlooks along the northern part of the river, and the Great River Road boasts an impressive array of parks and other attractions that are great locales for seeing fall color in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri.

Here are a few you shouldn’t miss.

Great River Bluffs State Park – Winona, Minnesota

This state park southeast of Winona is home to nearly 10 miles of hiking trails and outstanding views of the Mississippi River. It’s a great place to go in fall, as the trails lead to several scenic overlooks along the river where hikers can see fall colors along the bluffs below and across the river in Wisconsin. 

Buena Vista Park & Overlook – Alma, Wisconsin

This great spot overlooking the Mississippi is located 30 minutes north of Winona. Better Homes & Gardens Magazine named this one of the river valley’s “finest natural balconies.” The lookout towers 500 feet above tree-lined Alma and the Mississippi River Valley. Watch the barges and boats travel through the lock & dam, do some birdwatching, and watch the sun set over the river!

Mount Hosmer Park, Lansing, Iowa

This park is located on a bluff that towers 450 feet above Lansing. It offers a panoramic overlook of 50 miles of the Mississippi River Valley and its fall foliage. There’s also some beautiful hiking and biking trails here. While in Lansing, check out one of our official Great River Road Interpretive Centers, the Driftless Area Education & Visitor Center.

Pere Marquette State Park – Grafton, Illinois

Located near the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers in southwestern Illinois, this scenic state park is the largest in Illinois, covering nearly 8,000 acres. In addition to awe-inspiring views of the Illinois River, the park is home to eight trails of varying lengths open for hiking, biking, equestrian activities, and winter sports.

Riverview Park – Hannibal, Missouri

True to its name, Riverview Park in Hannibal offers amazing views of the Missouri and Illinois sides of the Mississippi River during fall color season. (Fall colors in Missouri usually peak in mid-to-late October.) The 465-acre park is home to nearly 5 miles of paved and unpaved trails that wind through the park and along the river. There is also a Mark Twain statue—this is his boyhood home, after all, and the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum (an official Great River Road Interpretive Center) is a must-visit.

(Photo: Great River Bluffs State Park, Minnesota/Beth Barutha)

Fall migration on the Great River Road

Travelers on the Great River Road this season may notice they have some company.

The Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the path of the Mississippi Flyway, a migratory route used by 35 percent of North American birds. It the biggest flyway for migratory birds and is used by 325 different species. Some bids will travel a few hundred miles on the flyway, others more than a thousand as they move from vast breeding grounds in the northern United States and Canada to wintering areas in southern states, Central America and Mexico.

The Mississippi River Valley provides food, habitat and protection for millions of birds as they make this epic twice-yearly journey. Along the route, travelers will see birds on the move, including vast flocks of geese as well as cranes, ducks, sparrows, blackbirds, thrushes and warblers.

So what’s the best way to see these beautiful creatures?

Start by visiting one of the birding locations on the route. Locks & dams and scenic overlooks along the route offer fantastic birding. See a list of these spots here. Consider bring along some binoculars and a birding book so you can identify the birds you encounter.

There are also many parks and museums of interest to bird lovers on the route.

  • At the National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minnesota you can meet real bald and golden eagles, climb in a nest or see how your strength stacks up against the national bird’s. The museum is open but pre-registration is required.
  • The Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge stretches for 261 miles through Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota and offers some of the best birdwatching in the world during the spring and fall migrations. 
  • Charles, Arkansas is home to the White River National Wildlife Refuge. Over 300 lakes and ponds, the Bottomland Hardwood Forest and the White River make an ideal home for migrating birds. You’ll see bald eagles, wood ducks, prothonotary warblers and many kinds of birds native to the south.
  • In Louisiana, the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve, you’ll find more than 200 species of birds, from herons, egrets and ibis to prothonotary warblers and painted buntings. The scenery is breathtaking here with canals, forests and swamps.

Interested in learning even more? The Great River Birding Trail has specific details on birds on the rote, including the abundance of different species, nesting locations and directions to more birding spots along then northern part of the Mississippi. Click below to see maps for some of the different segments on the route.

Cool down at these Great River Road waterparks

Monday, August 10, 2026

Beat the heat this summer with waterslides, lazy rivers, and other aquatic attractions. You’ll find fun, family-friendly waterparks along the Great River Road in several states—here are three you shouldn’t miss.

Cascade Bay, Eagan

A short drive from other attractions like the Mall of America and Historic Fort Snelling in Minnesota’s Twin Cities region, Cascade Bay is home to seven waterslides, a lazy river, a zero-depth entry pool, and even a mini golf facility for added fun.

Raging Rivers WaterPark, Grafton

A fun family waterpark with amazing views of the Mississippi River, Raging Rivers is located just off the Great River Road near Grafton in southwestern Illinois, about an hour’s drive from St. Louis. The park features the Mississippi Monster tube slide, an endless river, swirl pools, cascade body flumes, and more.

Cool Zoo Waterpark, New Orleans

This waterpark, located in the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans, is open from May through Labor Day (weekends only in May until Memorial Day and early August until Labor Day) and features a lazy river, a waterslide, interactive splash zones, and sandy beaches. It’s a great place to explore before or after you visit the zoo.

Photo Credit: Great Rivers & Routes of Southwest Illinois

5 parks to visit along the Great River Road this summer

Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Explore some of the Mississippi River’s best scenery this summer with a visit to one of the dozens of parks along the Great River Road, which follows the river for nearly 3,000 miles through 10 states and was recently named Best Scenic Drive for the second year in a row. Here are five state parks to discover on your next road trip on this National Scenic Byway and All-American Road.

Itasca State Park, Minnesota

Wade through the headwaters of the Mississippi River at this state park in far northern Minnesota, about a three-hour drive from the Twin Cities. The mighty Mississippi gets its start at Lake Itasca, one of more than 100 lakes in the park, and it’s so narrow and shallow at the beginning that you can wade across it (or use stepping stones if you don’t want to get your feet wet). The park is home to nearly 50 miles of hiking trails, 16 miles of paved bike routes, dozens of campsites, the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center and the Mary Gibbs Mississippi Headwaters Center.

Pikes Peak State Park, Iowa

This beautiful state park in Clayton County in northeastern Iowa sits in one of the most picturesque parts of the state, overlooking the Mississippi River town of McGregor. The park is home to 11 miles of trails for hiking and biking, and visitors can find amazing views atop the bluffs at the Point Ann lookout on the north end of the park or take a short hike to Bridal Veil Falls on the south end. Campers will find full hook-up and electric sites with easy access to modern restrooms and showers.

Wyalusing State Park, Wisconsin

Take a quick trip across the Mississippi River to Wisconsin to find this equally stunning state park at the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin rivers. Enjoy the views atop the 500-foot bluffs at one of Wisconsin’s oldest state parks, which offers great opportunities for hiking, canoeing, fishing, birdwatching, and more.

Columbus-Belmont State Park*, Kentucky

Located in southwestern Kentucky along the Mississippi River, this 160-acre park was the site of the 1861 Battle of Belmont, the opening of the Union’s Western campaign and Ulysses S. Grant’s first active engagement in the Civil War. Civil War artifacts—including artillery and a 6-ton anchor used to blockade the river—are on display in the park, which also has a museum and conference center, a 2.5-mile self-guided hiking trail, and a 38-site campground with beautiful views of the Mississippi River.

*official Great River Road Interpretive Center

Reelfoot Lake State Park*,  Tennessee

Reelfoot Lake State Park is the largest natural lake—and nearly half of the lake has a depth of just 3 feet or less. That’s because Reelfoot Lake is actually a flooded cypress forest that was created during a series of strong earthquakes in 1811 and 1812. Today, the lake is the centerpiece of Reelfoot Lake State Park, which is known for its excellent fishing and birdwatching opportunities and offers camping opportunities as well as modern cabins.

*official Great River Road Interpretive Center

(Photo: Wyalusing State Park along the Wisconsin Great River Road/Travel Wisconsin)

Explore these cities on the southern Great River Road

Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Whether you’re a music lover, in search of award-winning Southern cuisine, or looking for outdoor adventures on the Mississippi River, you’ll find plenty to see and do in the southern Great River Road states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Here are five cities you shouldn’t miss on your next road trip.

Learn more about the southern Great River Road here.

Wickliffe, Kentucky

Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers along the Kentucky Great River Road, the small city of Wickliffe is home to great opportunities for outdoor recreation—including fishing, hunting, and hiking—as well as Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site. An official Great River Road Interpretive Center, Wickliffe Mounds is an archaeological site featuring artifacts from the Mississippian mound builder culture that made their home in the region more than 1,000 years ago.

Find more Wickliffe visitor information.

Memphis, Tennessee

Located in southwestern Tennessee, Memphis is a must-visit stop along the Great River Road, offering an amazing mix of musical attractions, recreational opportunities, and delicious food. Iconic music attractions in the city include Elvis Presley’s Graceland, Beale Street, Sun Studio, the Stax Museum, and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. Visitors can get out and enjoy canoeing on the Mississippi River or biking, hiking, and more at Shelby Farms Park. If you’re hungry, you’re in luck: Memphis is home to more than 100 barbecue restaurants.

Find more Memphis visitor information.

West Memphis, Arkansas

Just across the Mississippi River from Memphis, West Memphis on the Arkansas Great River Road offers visitors a wide array of opportunities for exploration. Be sure to stop at the Delta Cultural Center, a museum and official Great River Road Interpretive Center that features educational exhibits about the people and the land in the Arkansas Delta (it’s also home to the long-running King Biscuit Time radio show). Visitors can also take a stroll (or a bike ride) across the Big River Crossing, a former railroad bridge that spans the Mississippi River between Arkansas and Tennessee and is now the longest cycle/pedestrian bridge over the mighty waterway.

Find more West Memphis visitor information.

Clarksdale, Mississippi

Visit the “Birthplace of the Blues” in northwestern Mississippi, about a 90-minute drive from Memphis along the Blues Highway (U.S. Highway 6estaurants 1). Music lovers will find lots to love, from the exhibits and history at the Delta Blues Museum to the historic Crossroads at Highway 49 and 61 historic performance venues throughout the city, where visitors can find live music every night of the year. Outdoors adventurers can explore the Mississippi River through Quapaw Canoe Company, and local restaurants serve up regional favorites like catfish, tamales, barbeque, and more.

Find more Clarksdale visitor information.

New Orleans, Louisiana

Whatever you’re interested in exploring along the southern Great River Road—music, history, food, nature, or anything in between—you’ll find a place to do it in New Orleans. Visit iconic music attractions like the French Quarter (home to Preservation Hall, the Jazz Playhouse, and other iconic venues), Frenchmen Street, and the New Orleans Jazz Museum or find delicious local dishes like jambalaya, po’ boys, and gumbo at world-renowned and Michelin-starred restaurants. Great River Road Interpretive Centers like the Louisiana State Museum (which includes seven historic buildings) and the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park & Preserve are amazing places to discover historical and natural attractions.

Find more New Orleans visitor information.

(Photo: Elvis fans in front of Graceland in Memphis – Alex Shansky/Memphis Travel)

The Great River Road named Best Scenic Drive in America

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Photo Credit: Adam Alexander/Courtesy of the Illinois Office of Tourism

Thank you, Great River Road fans: thanks to your support, the Great River Road has been selected as the Best Scenic Drive in America in the 2025 USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!

A panel of travel experts nominated 20 routes for the Best Scenic Drive distinction, including the Great River Road as well as other highways and byways like the Natchez Trace Parkway (which starts in Natchez, Mississippi—one of the cities on the Great River Road), the Blue Ridge Parkway, Route 66, and the Pacific Coast Highway.

Online voting ran from April 7 through May 5, and thanks to an incredible effort from our fans, the Great River Road took the top spot!

See the top 10 winners here.

Summer is a great time to explore the scenic beauty of the Great River Road, which follows the Mississippi River through 10 states from Minnesota to Louisiana. 

Need some trip inspiration? Check out these articles to learn more about where to go and what to see along the Great River Road?

You can also follow the Great River Road on Facebook and Instagram.

25 reasons to drive the Great River Road

Friday, January 10, 2025

It’s a new year, the perfect time for a new adventure on the Great River Road. This All-American Road follows the Mississippi River for nearly 3,000 miles through 10 states and offers everything you need in a road trip, from amazing scenery to engaging history to delicious cuisine. Here are some reasons why you should hit the Great River Road this year.

  1. Nearly 3,000 miles of road that passes through 10 states’ worth of history, culture, food and beautiful scenery
  2. A chance to visit charming river towns and big cities
  3. The Great River Road has been named an All-American Road, a distinct honor from the Federal Highway Administration that acknowledges the road’s significance and one-of-a-kind attractions
  4. A network of nearly 100 Interpretive Centers—museums, historical sites & more that tell the story of the river (learn more about our Interpretive Centers)
  5. Stunning scenery all along the drive
  6. See the headwaters of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park in Minnesota, where the Mississippi is so narrow you can walk across it
  7. Exciting opportunities for spring recreation
  8. Great music sites like the Delta Blues Museum in Mississippi, Beale Street and Graceland in Memphis and New Orleans’ Frenchman Street
  9. National Park sites: Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri); Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (Minnesota); Effigy Mounds National Monument (Iowa); Arkansas Post National Memorial; Natchez National Historic Park (Mississippi) and more
  10. Chances to get out on the water all along the Great River Road
  11. Head out in September to celebrate Drive the Great River Road Month, one of the best times of the year to make the drive
  12. Incredible local parks and scenic overlooks
  13. Fun annual events on the northern and southern sections of the Great River Road
  14. Can’t-miss history museums like the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, The Cabildo in New Orleans and the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis
  15. Local flavors at restaurants, farmers’ markets and more—see some of our fans’ favorites here
  16. Great birdwatching—more than 300 species of birds make their migratory round trip every year via the Mississippi River Flyway
  17. Impressive civil engineering at the more than two dozen locks and dams on the Upper Mississippi River
  18. Hidden gems like Arkansas’s World’s Championship Duck Calling Contest & Wings Over the Prairie Festival in Stuttgart and Mike the Tiger—a real-live tiger that lives on the campus of Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge (see more hidden gems here and here)
  19. River cruises—you can find daylong excursions on the backwaters or weekslong cruises on the northern and southern sections of the river
  20. Amazing opportunities to see fall color
  21. UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Cahokia Mounds (Illinois) and Poverty Point (Louisiana)
  22. Opportunities for outdoor recreation all along the route
  23. Great places to learn about the river region’s natural history, like the National Eagle Center and the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium
  24. Tasty wineries and breweries all along the route
  25. Unique shops where you’ll find the perfect gift (or something to take home for yourself!)

That’s just scratching the surface of what you can see along the Great River Road—plan your getaway today and find your own reasons to take America’s greatest drive.

(Photo: Arkansas Parks, Heritage & Tourism)

Spring recreation along the Great River Road

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Get ready to get outside as you explore the Mississippi River and the Great River Road this spring. There are great opportunities for outdoor recreation all along the route, from hiking and biking to birdwatching and paddling. Here’s what to do and where to go.

Hiking

There are lots of places to enjoy a scenic stroll along the Mississippi River in the spring or find a more challenging hike with stunning overlooks that make the hike worth the challenge.  On the northern half of the Great River Road (through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois, and into Missouri), many cities and towns along the river are home to scenic local and state parks that offer outstanding hiking opportunities along the limestone bluffs overlook the Mississippi River. The flatter terrain on the southern half of the river is no less impressive, as places like Mississippi’s Yazoo National Wildlife Refuge and Louisiana’s Barataria Preserve offer outstanding scenic walks as well.

Where to go: Pike’s Peak State Park (McGregor, Iowa); Mississippi River State Park (Marianna, Arkansas); Columbus-Belmont State Park (Columbus, Kentucky)

Biking

Explore the scenery of the Great River Road and the Mississippi River region on two wheels. Many cities along the route—Minneapolis and Saint Paul in Minnesota, the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa, and St. Louis, just to name a few—offer scenic paved bike trails alongside the river, and local and state parks up and down the Great River Road provide mountain bike trails for more adventurous pursuits.

Where to go: Quincy Riverfront Trail (Quincy, Illinois); Mississippi River Levee Bike Path (Baton Rouge, Louisiana); St. Louis Riverfront Trail (St. Louis, Missouri)

Birdwatching

The Great River Road is a perfect place for avid and amateur birdwatchers alike, as the Mississippi River Flyway is the migration route followed by 40 percent of all waterfowl and shorebirds in North America. Spring is a particularly good time to catch migrating birds, as songbirds like warblers, gnatcatchers, and vireos head back north after the winter and swallows, swifts, and migratory woodpeckers return to the bluffs and forests along the Mississippi River

Where to go: Reelfoot Lake State Park, Tiptonville, Tennessee; Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge Visitors Center, Onalaska, Wisconsin 

Paddling

Want to get off the Great River Road and onto the actual Mississippi River? There are plenty of places to do so in the 10 states along the Great River Road, including serene backwaters, massive lakes, and the main channel of the mighty Mississipp’ itself.

Where to go: Mississippi River State Water Trail, Minnesota; Quapaw Canoe Company, Vicksburg, Mississippi 

(Photo: Kayaking in Mississippi River State Park, Marianna, Arkansas/Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism)

Find summer fun along the Great River Road

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

There’s a lot to see and do along the Great River Road all year long, but summer offers an experience Mississippi River road trippers won’t soon forget. Here’s a closer look at some of the outdoor attractions, unique museums, and tasty summer treats you can find along the route.

Beaches, parks & boating

Just south of Wyalusing State Park in western Wisconsin, beachgoers will find the town of Wyalusing’s boat landing and beach, a popular spot for cooling off in the waters of the Mississippi River. The wide beach is also the perfect spot for a riverside picnic on a summer day. Note that there is a slight current and there is no lifeguard on duty, so beachgoers should exercise caution when swimming.

Lake Bruin State Park is a 53-acre park located between the Mississippi River and Lake Bruin in northeastern Louisiana that offers more than 3,000 acres of water to explore, making it a perfect destination for fishing, and watersports. The park also has lakeside camping opportunities, a swimming area, and a water playground.

Shelby Farms Park in east Memphis is massive—it spans more than 4,500 acres and is one of the largest urban parks in the country—and is home to more than 40 miles of trails and 20 bodies of water, as well as a zip line course, playgrounds, horseback riding and much more.

Want to get out on the Mississippi River? Hop on a Padelford Riverboats tour in Minnesota’s Twin Cities and enjoy the scenery along the Upper Mississippi River. Padelford offers several sightseeing and lunch/dinner cruises, as well as themed and holiday cruises.

Attractions & museums

Road trippers traveling along the Great River Road in Missouri shouldn’t miss one of the most iconic attractions along route—Gateway Arch National Park. In addition to the 600-foot arch, visitors can learn about the country’s growth at the Museum of Westward Expansion, which includes unique items from the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Country music fans: Make plans to stop in Dyess in northeastern Arkansas to visit the Historic Dyess Colony, a federal agricultural settlement community that was part of the New Deal and happened to be the boyhood home of a country star named Johnny Cash. 

Looking for more music? Clarksdale in northeastern Mississippi is home to the Delta Blues Museum, a facility dedicated to the history of this most American of art forms. Visitors can see the home Muddy Waters lived in as a sharecropper, marvel at the instruments played by legends like John Lee Hooker and B.B. King and learn about the Delta’s most iconic musicians.

Cool treats

Fans of old-time ice cream parlors will hit the jackpot at Lagomarcino’s in the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa. Established in Moline, Illinois, in 1908, Lagomarcino’s is still family-owned to this day, and the store boasts delicious handmade chocolates and other treats, as well as a soda fountain that serves up classic confections and ice cream. Head across the river to find another Lagomarcino’s location in Davenport. 

Another Quad Cities institution, Whitey’s Ice Cream has locations in Moline, Rock Island, and East Moline in Illinois and Davenport, Bettendorf, and Eldridge in Iowa. Chester “Whitey” Lindgren (so nicknamed because of his white-blond hair) opened his first ice cream shop in Moline in 1933, and the franchise has expanded to eight locations throughout the Quad Cities. The menu includes more than 40 flavors of ice cream, as well as shakes and malts, sundaes, and Bostons (a malt or shake with a sundae on top). 

The twin towns of Fulton, Kentucky, and South Fulton, Tennessee, come together every year to celebrate the almighty banana at the annual Banana Festival. (Why bananas? The area was an important railroad stop in the age of refrigerated railcars, and Fulton had the only icehouse on the route to Chicago, meaning fruits like bananas could be more easily transported from New Orleans to destinations in the northern United States). If your summer travel stretches into early fall, head to the Banana Festival in September, which culminates with the creation of a gigantic banana pudding.

What to see & do along the southern Great River Road

Monday, June 06, 2022

The southern Great River Road is a region rich in history, culture, music, and outstanding food—here’s a closer look at some of the welcoming cities, towns and unique attractions you should visit as you’re traveling along the Great River Road in Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana.

Kentucky

Columbus Belmont State Park Kentucky Great River Road

Kentucky is home to the shortest stretch of the Great River Road, but there is still plenty to see and do along the route. Head to Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site to see earthen mounds created by the ancient people who inhabited the region in the 12th through 14th centuries. Take in amazing views of the Mississippi River and learn about the area’s Civil War history at Columbus-Belmont State Park.

Cities & towns to visit:

  • Wickliffe: Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, Wickliffe is the seat of Ballard County and traces its founding to the 1880s, but people have lived in this scenic region overlooking the Mississippi River for nearly a thousand years

Interpretive Centers & Other Attractions:

Learn more about the Great River Road in Kentucky.

Tennessee

Beale Street in Memphis Tennessee

Photo: Tennessee Tourism

Tennessee’s section of the Great River Road offers a trip through outstanding scenery and engaging history. In the northwest corner of the state, visitors will find a state park at Reelfoot Lake, a 15,000-acre lake that is in actually a flooded forest (violent earthquakes in the region in 1811-12 formed the lake) and is a popular fishing and birdwatching spot. And don’t miss Memphis, which has long been a hub for music and culture in the country. 

Cities & towns to visit:

  • Henning: This western Tennessee community has a strong connection to African American heritage (visit the Alex Haley Museum and Interpretive Center to learn about the “Roots” author) and is also home to great recreation options like the Mississippi River Corridor and Champion Lake
  • Memphis: Music history (Sun Studio, Graceland, Beale Street, the Stax Museum of American Soul are just a few of the attractions you’ll find), delicious food (Memphis is famed for its barbeque), and recreation options abound in this Mississippi River hub in southwestern Tennessee

Interpretive Centers & Other Attractions:

Learn more about the Great River Road in Tennessee.

Arkansas

Lake Chicot State Park Arkansas Great River Road

Photo: Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism

As the Great River Road passes through the Delta, you’ll see plenty of reasons Arkansas is known as “the Natural State.” From National Forests to wildlife refuges to hundreds of lakes—not to mention the Mississippi River itself—Arkansas’ Great River Road offers plenty of recreational opportunities. Visitors will learn plenty about the Delta’s history, too, whether they’re visiting Johnny Cash’s boyhood home or learning about the worst maritime disaster in U.S. history. 

Cities & towns to visit:

  • Helena-West Helena: Formed when two existing towns merged, Helena-West Helena offers visitors a trip through Southern history; visit the Delta Cultural Center to learn more about the region and don’t miss the King Blues Biscuit festival in October
  • Marianna: This small town southwest of Memphis is not only home to the scenic Mississippi River State Park and St. Francis National Forest, but also where you’ll find Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, a James Beard award-winning restaurant that’s one of the oldest black-owned restaurants in the country

Interpretive Centers & Other Attractions:

Learn more about the Great River Road in Arkansas.

Mississippi

Mississippi River bridges in Natchez

Photo: Visit Mississippi

Take a trip through the history of the American South as you travel the Great River Road in Mississippi. Stop in Natchez—the oldest city on the Mississippi River—to tour antebellum homes and learn about the events that shaped this part of the country at Vicksburg National Military Park. Mississippi is a mecca for blues fans, too, who can find iconic attractions like Dockery Farms, the Delta Blues Museum, the B.B. King Museum and more.

Cities & towns to visit:

  • Clarksdale: This can’t-miss destination for blues lovers is home to great live music venues and festivals, the engaging Delta Blues Museum, and the iconic “Devil’s Crossroads,” where bluesman Robert Johnson supposedly swapped his soul for his otherworldly talent
  • Natchez: The oldest city on the Mississippi River was founded more than 300 years ago, and that history is evident today in its large collection of antebellum homes and traditional events like the Spring Pilgrimage and the Natchez Balloon Festival 

Interpretive Centers & Other Attractions

Learn more about the Great River Road in Mississippi.

Louisiana

Capitol Park Museum Baton Rouge Louisiana

Photo: Louisiana Office of Tourism

The Great River Road runs along both sides of the Mississippi River as it passes through Louisiana on its way to the Gulf of Mexico. Along the way, travelers will encounter historical river towns like Plaquemine and St. Francisville, as well as iconic cities like Baton Rouge and New Orleans. In the state’s far southeastern corner, you’ll find the unincorporated community of Venice, which marks the end of the Great River Road. 

Cities & towns to visit:

  • Baton Rouge: Louisiana’s capital city was founded more than 300 years ago and its central location in the state still attracts legions of visitors who seek out the city’s great food, iconic history, and unique arts and culture
  • New Orleans: No trip along the southern Great River Road is complete without a visit to New Orleans—whether you’re looking for historical sites, mouthwatering food, classic cocktails, great recreation options or pretty much anything else, you’ll find it in the Big Easy

Interpretive Centers & Other Attractions:

Learn more about the Great River Road in Louisiana.

Estimated travel times along the southern Great River Road:

  • Wickliffe, KY to Tiptonville, TN: 1.25 hours
  • Tiptonville, TN to Memphis, TN: 2 hours
  • Memphis, TN to Clarksdale, MS: 1.5 hours
  • Clarksdale, MS to Lake Village, AR: 1.75 hours
  • Lake Village, AR to Vicksburg, MS: 1.75 hours
  • Vicksburg, MS to Natchez, MS: 1.5 hours
  • Natchez, MS to Baton Rouge, LA: 1.5 hours
  • Baton Rouge, LA to New Orleans, LA: 1.75 hours
  • New Orleans, LA to Venice, LA: 1.5 hours