Category Archives: Illinois

Spring recreation along the Great River Road

Wednesday, March 13, 2024

Get ready to go outside as you explore the Mississippi River and its surroundings. There are great opportunities for outdoor recreation up and down the Great River Road in spring, from hiking and biking to birdwatching and paddling—here’s 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)

Annual events on the northern Great River Road

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

There’s a lot more to explore along the Great River Road than just scenery and history—the cities and towns along the Mississippi River host engaging events that bring visitors back year after year. Here are some of the top recurring events you shouldn’t miss along the Great River Road in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri.

Minnesota

  • Saint Paul Winter Carnival – Held in Minnesota’s capital city from the end of January to early February, the Saint Paul Winter Carnival has celebrated the season for more than 135 years. This 10-day festival features a wide array of events and attractions, including an ice sculpture garden, parades, kids’ activities and much more.  
  • Great River Shakespeare Festival, Winona – Enjoy the classic works of William Shakespeare under the Mississippi River bluffs in the charming river town of Winona in southeastern Minnesota every summer. The Great River Shakespeare Festival features three main stage shows during its seasonal run in June and July, as well as other activities, including free concerts and a sonnet competition.

Wisconsin

  • Potosi Brewfest – Beer lovers: Head to Potosi on the Wisconsin Great River Road, and you’ll find a historic brewery that dates to the 1850s. Potosi Brewing Company was once the fifth-largest brewery in the state and is now home to the National Brewery Museum, a restaurant and brew pub, an event space, and more. Every August, more than 60 vendors (craft breweries, distilleries, and wineries and specialty food vendors) come to the area for the annual Potosi Brewfest, which features games, live music, and food.
  • Oktoberfest, La Crosse – Celebrate German culture and the oncoming fall season at the Midwest’s longest-running Oktoberfest celebration in the Midwest every September in La Crosse. Feel the spirit of Gemütlichkeit (that’s German for friendliness and good cheer) as you enjoy traditional German food and beverages, dance along to German music, or catch some of the fun events like the wiener dog races.

Illinois

  • Great Galena Balloon Race, Galena – Look to the skies over the historic town of Galena in northwestern Illinois every June to marvel at the display of colorful hot air balloons. It’s all part of the Great Galena Balloon Race, an annual fundraiser that’s during the third full weekend of June and includes balloon races, kids’ activities, a car show, and live music.
  • Christmas Wonderland, Alton – When the holiday season rolls around, don’t miss this impressive light display, which starts after Thanksgiving and runs through the end of December at Rock Spring Park in Alton. The drive-through display features more than 4 million lights.

Iowa

  • Snake Alley Art Fair, Burlington – This annual art fair (held every Father’s Day) has taken place for more than 50 years in the welcoming river city of Burlington. Artisans and crafters from across the Midwest set up their booths on the city’s famous Snake Alley—“the crookedest street in the world”—and the event also features art activities for kids, live music, and local food vendors.
  • Dubuquefest – This August festival celebrating music, art, and culture has been held in downtown Dubuque (where else?) every summer since 1979. The free event features live music, food from local restaurants, and a weekend art fair.

Missouri

  • Art in Bloom, St. Louis – One of St. Louis’ signature events, Art in Bloom is held every March at the Saint Louis Art Museum in Forest Park. Dozens of local florists use their creativity to reinterpret art from the museum’s collection, resulting in stunning arrangements that spark the imagination. In addition to displays, the festival features special events, family activities, and food and drink.
  • National Tom Sawyer Days, Hannibal – Head to Mark Twain’s hometown of Hannibal—about an hour’s drive north of St. Louis along the Mississippi River—over the Fourth of July holiday week to join the fun at this festival that’s been going strong since the 1950s. Tom Sawyer Days features and abundance of family-friendly events, from fence painting and frog jumping competitions to live music and a carnival.

Photo Credit: Travel Wisconsin

Unique shops along the Great River Road

Wednesday, December 06, 2023

Whether you’re looking for holiday gifts or just want to visit some of the country’s most unique retailers, you’ll find outstanding shopping opportunities up and down the Great River Road. Here’s a look at some of the distinctive shops you can discover as you travel along the Mississippi River.

Northern Great River Road

Minnesota is home to some one-of-a-kind retailers, and nothing is more one-of-a-kind than the Mall of America (located in the Minneapolis suburb of Bloomington), the country’s largest shopping and entertainment complex and one of the most visited tourist attractions in the world. The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul offer other outstanding local retailers, too, located in shopping districts like Nicollet, downtown Saint Paul, and the North Loop. Head further down the Mississippi to discover charming cities like Red Wing, where shoppers can explore the Red Wing Shoe Company store and museum and find Scandinavian gifts at Uffda Shop, or Winona, which is home to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (which has an outstanding gift shop).

Galena is consistently cited as one of the most charming small towns in America, and this Illinois city boasts dozens of retailers in its historic downtown district. More than 125 storefronts offer a wide selection of clothing, jewelry, antiques, and more—don’t miss popular destinations like Galena Book & Paper Co. and Flashback. The Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa provide a memorable shopping experience at stores like Antique Archaeology (featured in the History Channel series “American Pickers”) in LeClaire, Iowa, and the John Deere Store (part of the sprawling John Deere Pavilion) in Moline, Illinois.

Central Great River Road

Historic Hannibal, Missouri, is not just the boyhood home of Mark Twain, it’s also a fun shopping spot—visitors can find retailers like the Dutch Country General Store, Mark Twain Book & Gift, and Mississippi Marketplace. Travel south along the river to St. Louis, where unique locales like City Foundry STL (a former foundry building that now houses a food hall and specialty retailers) and the Cherokee Antique Row shopping district await.

In Memphis, shoppers will find interesting souvenir shops all along Beale Street, including A. Schwab’s which was established in 1876 that carries everything from clothing to voodoo supplies. (The store’s motto is “If you can’t find it at Schwab’s, you’re probably better off without it.”) Speaking of iconic shopping spots, don’t forget Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid—a sprawling outdoors store that also features a 103-room hotel, a 600,000-gallon lagoon with more than 1,800 fish, and an amazing observation deck atop the 32-story building on the banks of the Mississippi River.

Southern Great River Road

Mississippi offers a unique shopping experience in historic downtowns all throughout the Delta region. Clarksdale—“the home of the Blues”—is home to the Delta Blues Museum (and its related gift shop) and one-of-a-kind stores like Cat Head Delta Blues & Folk Art. Vicksburg’s downtown and Washington Street hosts a wide variety of boutiques, antique shops, and more, including the Attic Gallery and the Levee Street Marketplace. Natchez, the oldest city on the Mississippi River, has a historic downtown filled with interesting shops like Silver Street Gallery & Gifts and Lower Lodge Antiques.

The southern end of the Great River Road travels through Louisiana, which is home to can’t-miss retailers in cities like New Orleans and Baton Rouge. Perkins Rowe in Baton Rouge has a mix of retailers, restaurants, and entertainment spaces, and the city’s massive Mall of Louisiana, which features nearly 200 stores and the world’s third-largest indoor carousel. New Orleans is an iconic shopping destination, whether you’re exploring the French Market, Magazine Street, or the French Quarter.

Photo Credit: Explore Minnesota

Holiday events along the Great River Road

Monday, October 30, 2023

There are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season along the Great River Road, from winter festivals and markets to light shows and parades. Here’s a look at the kinds of events you’ll find this winter in communities up and down the Mississippi River.

Light shows & festivals

Every winter in Dubuque in northeastern Iowa, motorists take a scenic drive through stunning holiday light displays at Reflections in the Park, an annual event held at Louis Murphy Park, which sits atop a limestone bluff and overlooks the city and the Mississippi River. See more holiday attractions in Dubuque here.

There are plenty of reasons to visit New Orleans any time of year, but there’s a particularly special event that welcomes guests right around Christmastime. NOLA ChristmasFest is held at the city’s Ernest N. Morial Convention Center over the last two weeks of December, and highlights include New Orleans’ only skating rink, carnival rides, a Gingerbread Village, and more.

Head to the Memphis Zoo for their annual Zoo Lights display, which dazzles visitors with more than a million holiday lights, an LED Ferris wheel, Santa’s workshop, live reindeer, holiday events and more. Zoo Lights runs on select nights from after Thanksgiving to early January.

The GLOW Holiday Festival in Minnesota’s capital city of St. Paul runs from mid-November to New Year’s Eve. The event, held at CHS Field—home of the St. Paul Saints baseball team—is a family-friendly event where you’ll find everything from a tubing hill to a zip line.

Christmas & holiday markets

For nearly 60 years every November, the city of La Crosse on Wisconsin’s section of the Great River Road has hosted its annual Holiday Fair, which is home more than 100 arts and crafts vendors who sell seasonal wares, from ornaments to home décor to apparel. (While you’re in La Crosse, don’t miss the Rotary Lights display in Riverside Park, which attracts more than 100,000 people a year.)

Belleville, a city of 42,000 in southwest Illinois—just on the other side of the river from St. Louis—holds its annual Christkindlmarkt, an open-air German Christmas market, in the public square every weekend from late November until just before Christmas. Visitors will can shop for unique European and handcrafted items and enjoy food, beverages, and live entertainment.

Other events

Natchez, Mississippi—the oldest city on the Mississippi River—rings in the holiday season every November and December with its Christmas in Natchez celebration, a monthlong event that features a tree lighting ceremony, weekly caroling and other events.

The charming town of Galena, Illinois, offers a full calendar of holiday events in November and December, including its annual holiday parade through the historic downtown, the Holiday Fire in the Sky fireworks show, and the Night of Luminaria and Living Windows, where more than 5,000 candelit luminaries light up the street and Main Street businesses display their holiday-inspired Living Windows.

Photo Credit: Travel Wisconsin

Summer events along the Great River Road

Thursday, May 04, 2023

Summer Fun on the Great River Road logo

Summer is just around the corner, and that means it’s a great time to drive the Great River Road. You’ll find a lot to see and do along the Mississippi River, from exploring parks to visiting museums and unique attractions, but there are also a lot of great summer events you shouldn’t miss—here’s a closer look.

We’ve asked organizations up and down the river to share some of their best summer events; see a searchable listing here.

Farmers’ markets & foodie events

The Great River Road cuts through some of the most fertile agricultural land in the county, so it’s no surprise that the 10 states along the Mississippi are home to outstanding farmers’ markets, food festivals, and more. Food Truck Fight comes to three Great River Road destinations this summer and fall (Galena in Illinois and Bettendorf and Muscatine in Iowa) and offers tasty food from local food trucks. In mid-May, the annual World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest takes place as part of the annual Memphis in May celebration in Tennessee. (The event also includes the Beale Street Music Festival and the Great American River Run.)

During growing season, Great River Road travelers will find delicious offerings from local producers at farmers all along the river from the La Crosse Farmers Market in Wisconsin to the Crescent City Farmers Market in New Orleans.

Festivals & other fun events

Visit the charming river towns along the Great River Road on the weekend in the summer, and you’re likely to find some sort of fun festival or community celebration. Take the upcoming Mayfest in historic downtown Blytheville, Arkansas, which features a chicken wing competition, live music, and more. Vicksburg National Military Park in Mississippi is celebrating the 160th anniversary of the famous Civil War siege this year with lectures, cannon firing demonstrations, and walking tours. Or, head to Wickliffe Mounds State Historic Site in Kentucky in September to celebrate Kentucky Archaeology Month.

Live entertainment

A trip along the Mississippi River is a trip through America’s musical history, and you’ll find plenty of options for live music pretty much everywhere you go. Many of the river towns along the Great River Road offer free concerts during the summer—for instance, you can pull up a chair outside the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, Missouri, and take in live music at the museum’s Music Under the Stars series. There are also music festivals aplenty, like Weekend at the Cave in Murphysboro, Illinois, where you can enjoy live music in an open air, natural rock-formed amphitheater in the Shawnee National Forest

But it’s not just music—keep your eyes peeled for arts fairs and other events. Theater lovers shouldn’t miss the annual Great River Shakespeare Festival in Winona, Minnesota, which offers performances of The Bard’s work throughout June and July.

(Photo: Shawnee Cave Amphitheater)

Explore the northern Great River Road states on this 5-day trip

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Spring is just around the corner, so it’s a perfect time to discover the scenic sights, historical attractions, and charming cities and towns along the northern Great River Road states. Use this itinerary for a quick trip through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri on our All-American Road.

Day 1 – Minneapolis/Saint Paul

Start your northern Great River Road adventure in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, which offer tons of opportunities for recreation and fun along the Mississippi River. Explore the wonders of the river at the Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, snap some photos of the iconic Minnehaha Falls at Minnehaha Regional Park, or hop on a river cruise and see the sights.

History lovers should check out the riverside Mill City Museum, which makes its home in an old flour mill and uses an engaging multimedia presentation to tell the story of the region. Another iconic attraction is Historic Fort Snelling, a National Historic Landmark that was built in 1825 and is located near the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers. 

If you’re up for a bit of a road trip, head north for about 200 miles to reach Itasca State Park and the headwaters of the Mississippi River. Here, the river is narrow enough to walk across with the help of some strategically placed stepping stones.

Day 2 – Minnesota river towns and Wisconsin

Head southeast out of the Twin Cities along the Great River Road to find a series of charming Minnesota river towns, Red Wing and Winona among them. Red Wing (yes, it’s the namesake for the famous boot brand and the iconic pottery company) has a historic downtown filled with shops, restaurants and even the flagship Red Wing Shoe Store and Museum where you’ll find the largest boot ever produced. Winona is home to the Minnesota Marine Art Museum and stunning views of the river at places like Garvin Heights Park.

On the Wisconsin side of the river, you’ll find great places to explore like Perrot State Park north of Trempealeau and Wyalusing State Park near Prairie du Chien. The La Crosse Region offers outstanding recreation along the Mississippi River Trail and fantastic views from the top of Grandad Bluff.

In the southwestern corner of the state lies Potosi, home to the historic Potosi Brewing Company (don’t miss the transportation museum and the National Brewery Museum on site, too). All along the Wisconsin Great River Road you’ll find unique roadside stops, too, like the one-of-a-kind Dickeyville Grotto.

Day 3 – Galena and Iowa

Head across the state line into northwestern Illinois and you’ll find Galena, routinely named one of the most charming towns in the country. The Galena River—which empties into the Mississippi River—passes through the historic downtown that’s home to tasty restaurants, unique gift shops, and more. And you can take in views of the Mississippi River at places like Chestnut Mountain Resort, which is home a scenic ski hill in the winter and offers an alpine slide, zip lining, river cruises, and more in the spring, summer, and fall.

Drive west across the river into Iowa on U.S. Highway 20 and you’ll hit Dubuque, which is home to several interesting attractions. Head to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, a Smithsonian affiliate museum that’s home to more than 200 species of fish, mammals, reptiles, and other animals that can be found along the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Just south of downtown Dubuque, you’ll find the Mines of Spain Recreation Area and E.B. Lyons Interpretive and Nature Center, a 1,400 acre park that offers outstanding wildlife viewing opportunities, great recreational trails, and panoramic views of the Mississippi River.

Another great view of the river can be found at Bellevue State Park, which is about a 30-minute drive south of Dubuque. The park—split into northern (Nelson) and southern (Dyas) units—is home to scenic overlooks, a nature center, a butterfly sanctuary, and more than 7 miles of hiking trails.

Keep heading south along the river and spend your night in the Quad Cities of Davenport and Bettendorf on the Iowa side of the river and Rock Island and Moline on the Illinois side.

Day 4 – Iowa and Illinois

The Quad Cities offer a great mix of outdoor recreation (check out their bike paths along the Mississippi River), great shopping and dining, and unique attractions. One spot you shouldn’t miss is the John Deere Pavilion in Moline, which houses new and vintage equipment made by the agricultural manufacturer, as well as interactive exhibits.

Other Quad Cities attractions include the Mississippi River Visitor Center on Rock Island, where you can watch barges pass through Lock & Dam 15; Modern Woodmen Park, home to the Class-A Quad Cities River Bandits baseball team; Rock Island’s Black Hawk State Historic Site, named for the Native American leader whose tribe made their home in the area; and the architecturally stunning Figge Art Museum in Davenport.

Engaging river towns and unique attractions line both sides of the river as you head south through Iowa and Illinois. In Iowa, take a drive or walk on Burlington’s Snake Alley, the so-called “world’s crookedest street,” or learn about the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Mormon pioneers who made their homes in Nauvoo along the Mississippi River in western Illinois.

End your day in Quincy, a historic city in Illinois that’s home to iconic architecture, the Mississippi Valley Wine Trail, and much more.

Day 5 – Missouri

Finish your tour of the northern Great River Road in the hometown of America’s most famous author. Hannibal, Missouri, is located about 20 miles south of Quincy—you’ll know you’ve reached it when you see the Mark Twain signs everywhere. Hannibal was where Mark Twain spent his formative years, and the city honors their native son to this day at attractions like the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum, the Mark Twain Cave Complex, and dozens of businesses, parks, and other attractions that bear the author’s name. 

Stay on the Missouri side of the river and head south for about 2 hours and you’ll arrive in St. Louis, home to everything from Major League Baseball to mouthwatering barbeque. Some sites you shouldn’t miss: Gateway Arch National Park, Forest Park (which is home to free attractions like the St. Louis Zoo and the St. Louis Art Museum), and the world-famous Budweiser Brewery Experience.

If you want to head even further south on your road trip, you can visit Ste. Genevieve, the oldest permanent European settlement west of the Mississippi River for a true taste of history. The scenic Shawnee National Forest, located between the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers in southern Illinois, covers nearly 300,000 acres and is home to awe-inspiring attractions like Garden of the Gods.

(Photo: Travel Wisconsin)

Visit these romantic restaurants & great gift shops

Thursday, February 02, 2023

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for that special someone or a fantastic place to go for that next date night, you’re in luck—you’ll find romantic restaurants and unique stores up and down the Great River Road. Here are a few places you shouldn’t miss.

Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery

Located on the banks of the Galena River (a tributary of the Mississippi River in northwestern Illinois), Galena is often named as one of the most charming towns in America, and it’s home to an extensive collection of restaurants and shops, as well as abundant historical attractions and scenic spots. Established in 1985, Galena Cellars Vineyard & Winery has two great locations to visit to sample award-winning wines: a downtown kitchen and tasting room on historic Main Street and its vineyard, located in the scenic countryside of Galena.

Uffda Shop

Take a stroll through the boutiques, antique shops, and other stores in the walkable downtown of Red Wing, Minnesota (yes, it’s the same Red Wing that lends its name to the famous pottery and well-known boots). One place you should visit—especially if your significant other boasts Scandinavian heritage—is the Uffda Shop, which sells a wide array of gifts from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Find clothing (including hand-made scarves, mittens and hats), jewelry, crystalware and glassware, and much more.

Wilson Café & Tavern

If you’re traveling along the Great River Road in Arkansas, make a stop in the tiny town of Wilson (population: 750) and visit the Wilson Café, where you’ll find delectable farm-to-table cuisine for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Using ingredients from nearby communities and farms, Wilson Café offers an upscale dining experience and an ideal place to take someone special in your life.

Flashback

Take a trip through the past (and find a great retro gift) at Flashback, a vintage department store in Memphis’ midtown that specializes in clothing, accessories, and home décor. Whether you’re looking for a new outfit, some mid-century furniture, or quirky holiday decorations, you’re sure to find something worth taking home at this fun and funky store.

Bywater American Bistro

You’re going to get a great meal pretty much anywhere you go in New Orleans, so you really can’t go wrong with whatever you choose. Bywater American Bistro (located in the city’s Bywater neighborhood along the Mississippi River), the sister restaurant to the nationally acclaimed Compere Lapin in the Warehouse District, is a cozy, intimate neighborhood destination that’s perfect for a special night out.

(Photo: Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage & Tourism)

One Interpretive Center to see in each Great River Road state

Thursday, January 05, 2023

The nearly 100 Interpretive Centers along the Great River Road tell the story of the people, places, and events that have shaped life and culture along the Mississippi River. Whether you’re traveling the whole Great River Road or just visiting one state, you’ll find lots of great places to explore—here’s a look at one must-visit Interpretive Center in each state along the route.

Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center at Itasca State Park, Minnesota

See the start of the Mississippi River at Itasca State Park in north-central Minnesota. Itasca State Park is Minnesota’s oldest state park, covering more than 25,000 acres and containing more than 100 lakes. At Lake Itasca, the Mississippi River starts its 2,500-mile trek to the Gulf of Mexico (it’s only about 25 feet wide here, and in warmer months, visitors can wade in the headwaters or use steppingstones to walk across the river). The Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center is open year-round and features information about the park and the area, educational exhibits, interactive play areas, a large fireplace, a gift shop, restrooms, and more.

See more Interpretive Centers in Minnesota.

Freedom Park Great River Road Visitor Center, Wisconsin

Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and St. Croix rivers in northwestern Wisconsin, the Great River Road Visitor Center at Freedom Park is an Interpretive Center and city park that offers spectacular views, educational programming, community events, and wonderful birding and wildlife watching opportunities.

See more Interpretive Centers in Wisconsin.

Villa Kathrine, Illinois

This unique building, which houses the city of Quincy’s Tourist Information Center, sits amidst a 4-acre park overlooking the Mississippi River in west-central Illinois. The Villa Kathrine was built in 1900 for wealthy local resident W. George Metz and incorporates Mediterranean and Moroccan designs into its unique architecture—many of the elements came from sketches of Islamic architecture that Metz observed on his world travels.

See more Interpretive Centers in Illinois.

Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa

About 2,700 to 3,500 years ago, nearly two dozen American Indian tribes constructed countless effigy mounds throughout Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. Today, important remnants of that culture can be found at Iowa’s Effigy Mounds National Monument, which is home to more than 200 effigy mounds on one of the most scenic sections of the Mississippi River. The park’s visitor center features exhibits and artifacts outlining the area’s natural and cultural history, and visitors can also explore several hiking trails that pass by the effigy mounds and other notable sites.

See more Interpretive Centers in Iowa.

Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri

Visit one of the iconic sights along the Mississippi River and the Great River Road at Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis. From the top of the arch, visitors can enjoy a breathtaking view of St. Louis and the surrounding area. The Museum of Westward Expansion tells the story of America’s growth as a nation during the 1800s and features several unique artifacts, including items from the Lewis and Clark expedition.

See more Interpretive Centers in Missouri.

Columbus-Belmont State Park, Kentucky

Columbus-Belmont State Park offers outstanding views of the Mississippi River in far western Kentucky, but it was also the site of a notable 1861 Civil War battle—the first active engagement in the war by Ulysses S. Grant. Visitors to the park can explore a Civil War museum that includes artillery shells and other items, and a giant six-ton anchor (which was part of a plan to blockade the river) is also on display at the site. 

See more Interpretive Centers in Kentucky.

Chucalissa and the C.H. Nash Museum, Tennessee

Chucalissa, located in southwest Memphis, allows visitors to explore a culture that flourished before the first Europeans landed in America. This archaeological site was occupied, abandoned, and reoccupied several times between 1000 and 1500 A.D. and was part of a large political system called the Mississippian culture. The C.H. Nash Museum curates an extensive collection of artifacts recovered from excavations of the site.

See more Interpretive Centers in Tennessee.

Lakeport Plantation, Arkansas

Lakeport Plantation in Lake Village dates to the 1830s and produced cotton for nearly a century. Today, it’s an educational site run by Arkansas State University that provides a full picture of plantation life in the South, including exhibits on slavery, sharecropping, the Civil War, and Reconstruction.

See more Interpretive Centers in Arkansas.

Delta Blues Museum, Mississippi

The blues was born in Mississippi, and music lovers of all kinds will find an educational and fascinating experience at the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale (which is also home to the famous “Crossroads” where Robert Johnson reportedly sold his soul for his unearthly talent). The museum contains lots of interesting items, including the sharecropper home of Muddy Waters and instruments played by greats like John Lee Hooker, B.B. King, and Big Mama Thornton.

See more Interpretive Centers in Mississippi.

Poverty Point World Heritage Site, Louisiana

One of only 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites located in the United States, Poverty Point World Heritage Site (near the village of Pioneer in far northeastern Louisiana) contains the remnants of a complex array of earthen works that predate the Mayan pyramids. The purpose of the mounds and ridges remains a mystery, although many believe they were the site of homes. The site dates to as early as 1700 B.C. and encompasses more than 400 acres. Tram tours are offered daily.

See more Interpretive Centers in Louisiana.

(Photo: Louisiana Office of Tourism)

Uncover engaging stories at these museums & historical sites

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

The Great River Road is home to an extensive network of nearly 100 Interpretive Centers—museums, historical sites, and other attractions that showcase the people, history, culture, arts, and industry of the Mississippi River region. Here are a few sites you shouldn’t miss in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, and Missouri.

Minnesota

Walk through the past at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, to discover the state’s unique and engaging history. A collection of permanent and traveling exhibits educates visitors about the state’s agricultural industry, Native American history, significant events, and much more. The museum store features a wide selection of Minnesota-inspired, products, gifts, books, and jewelry.

Want to learn more about America’s national bird? The National Eagle Center in Wabasha (about a 2-hour drive from the Twin Cities) is home to interactive, educational exhibits that teach visitors all about this majestic creature. Visitors can also meet real live eagles—the center is home to several permanently injured bald eagles that are used in educational programming. Plus, winter is a great time to see wild bald eagles along the Mississippi River outside the National Eagle Center, as they gather by the dozens to feed in the river’s open waters.

See more Interpretive Centers in Minnesota.

Wisconsin

One of the newer attractions along Wisconsin’s Great River Road is the Genoa National Fish Hatchery and Great River Road Interpretive Center, which highlights the river’s importance in historical and present-day industry, wildlife in and along the river, and the history of the people who have lived on and used the river. Two aquariums feature fish and other species that can be found in the Upper Mississippi River and Wisconsin’s streams.

Stop for a drink at Potosi Brewing Company in the southwest corner of Wisconsin and explore the brewery’s transportation museum, which shares the history of the brewery and examples of how Potosi beer was transported in the brewery’s heyday from the 1850s to the 1970s. (The brewery was reestablished on its original site in 2008.) The brewery is also home to a tap room and restaurant, a gift shop, and the American Breweriana Association’s National Brewery Museum.

See more Interpretive Centers in Wisconsin.

Illinois

The National Great Rivers Museum in Alton—which sits near the convergence of the Mississippi, Illinois, and Missouri rivers just north of St. Louis—offers an in-depth look at the history and impact of the Mississippi River and other rivers on the area, as well as daily tours of the adjacent Melvin Price Locks and Dam.

Fort Kaskaskia and the Pierre Menard Home are two of more than a dozen state historic sites in southwestern Illinois, many of which are located along the state’s section of the Great River Road. Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site preserves the earthen remains of a French fort that was constructed in the mid-1700s to preserve the town of Kaskaskia, which was also the first capital of Illinois from 1818 to 1820. The stie consists of four main sections: the remains of the fort (which was never fully completed), Garrison Hill Cemetery, a Mississippi River overlook and picnic area, and a campground. The Pierre Menard Home was built around 1815 in the French Creole style and was the home of Illinois’ first lieutenant governor.

See more Interpretive Centers in Illinois.

Iowa

The Smithsonian-affiliated National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque spans 14 acres (including a dredge boat and an outdoor plaza and boatyard that can be experienced seasonally) and is home to more than 200 species of animals found in the Mississippi River watershed and the Gulf of Mexico, including ducks, turtles, river otters, stingrays, freshwater fish, and an alligator. History exhibits feature steamboat-era artifacts, a 19th-century machine shop, and more.

Science lovers will find plenty to explore at Davenport’s Putnam Museum and Science Center, where visitors will find authentic ancient Egyptian treasures (including two mummies), artifacts from Native Americans and European settlers, exhibits featuring the area’s natural habitats, and special presentations and traveling exhibits. 

See more Interpretive Centers in Iowa.

Missouri

Learn all about the early life of America’s most famous author at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum in Hannibal, which is about a two-hour drive north of St. Louis. The author’s boyhood home is a National Historic Landmark, and the museum also features family artifacts, Twain memorabilia, and 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings.

In the southeastern corner of Missouri, head to the New Madrid Historical Museum to learn about a unique natural phenomenon that affected the Mississippi River region in the early 19th century. In late 1811 and early 1812, a series of violent earthquakes (estimated to be above 7.0 in magnitude) struck the region, rocking what was then the western front of U.S. civilization and even causing the Mississippi River to briefly flow backward. Visitors to the museum can learn about these earthquakes as well as the pre-Columbian civilization in the area and the Civil War’s impact on Missouri.

See more Interpretive Centers in Missouri.

(Photo: Explore Minnesota)

Fun facts & trivia about the Great River Road

Tuesday, October 04, 2022

The Great River Road is an American institution—it’s been welcoming visitors for more than 80 years through Mississippi River communities in 10 states, from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. Here are a few fun facts you might not know about this All-American Road.

  • The Great River Road is not a single road—it’s a collection of local, state, and federal highways that follow the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles through 10 states
  • The Mississippi River Parkway Commission (the group that oversees the Great River Road) was established in 1938 and has been welcoming travelers to the Mississippi River states for more than 80 years
  • The Great River Road in 2021 was recognized as All-American Road by the Federal Highway Administration, a special designation for National Scenic Byways that are nationally significant and have one-of-a-kind features
  • There are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites along the Great River Road: Cahokia Mounds in Illinois and Poverty Point in Louisiana
  • Illinois (550 miles) contains the longest segment of the Great River Road; the shortest segment is in Kentucky (less than 60 miles)
  • The Mississippi River and the Great River Road pass through more than 110 parishes and counties from Minnesota to Louisiana
  • There are nearly 100 historic sites, museums, and other attractions that are part of the Great River Road Network of Interpretive Centers, institutions that tell the story of the Mississippi River and its people
  • Iowa’s stretch of Great River Road is home to the most Interpretive Centers (17); Arkansas has 15 and Minnesota has 13
  • Other states along the Great River Road and their number of Interpretive Centers: Illinois 9; Louisiana 9; Mississippi 8; Missouri 7; Wisconsin 6; Tennessee 3; Kentucky 2
  • It takes a drop of water 90 days to travel the length of the Mississippi River, from Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico in southern Louisiana
  • It would take about 36 hours of driving to complete the Great River Road north to south (but that only includes driving on one side of the river and does not include segments that are on both sides, e.g., Wisconsin/Iowa v. Illinois)
  • Music lovers will find lots of unique attractions along the Great River Road, including Johnny Cash’s Boyhood Home, the famed Sun Studio and Elvis’ Graceland in Memphis, and the New Orleans Jazz Museum
  • The Great River Road intersects with Route 66 near Alton, Illinois

(Photo: Great River Road near Grafton, Illinois, in fall/Illinois Office of Tourism)