In Minneapolis, visit the Science Museum of Minnesota, including their Mississippi River Gallery & Exhibit and the “Mysteries of the Great Lakes” film. See a show or take a tour at the famous Guthrie Theater. Built into the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, the Mill City Museum is a fantastic feat of architecture well worth seeing. In the mood for a bit of shopping? Check out the Mall of America.

Day 3: Minneapolis to La Crosse, approx. 150 miles

Travel down some of the most beautiful sections of the Great River Road in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Highlights along this stretch include tiny Red Wing, MN, a quaint river town famous for the shoes and pottery that bear its name. Wabasha, MN is home to the National Eagle Center, with live eagles—it’s a truly unforgettable experience. Alma, WI has one of the best views of the river bluffs anywhere at Buena Vista Park. While bird watching is a favorite activity all along the river, Alma is also an ideal bird watching destination. At La Crosse, plan to take an evening river cruise and visit Granddad’s Bluff. Stay one night in La Crosse.

Day 4: La Crosse to Galena, approx. 130 miles

Continuing your journey in Wisconsin, explore the tiny river communities of Stoddard, Genoa and Ferryville. Have lunch in Prairie Du Chien, the oldest community on the Upper Mississippi River. After lunch, consider exploring an area winery or orchard, or stop in at the National Brewery Museum in Potosi, WI. In Potosi, don’t forget to get your picture taken with the world’s largest beer bottle! If you make it to Dubuque with time to spare, don’t miss the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, a newly built attraction great for kids or science-minded parents. End the day in quaint, historic Galena, IL, a destination with fantastic antiquing, a wealth of recreational opportunities and sunset balloon rides every night! Galena was a bustling hub for steamboats and lead mining during the 1800s. Take a tour of the area with Galena Trolley Tours, including the Ulysses S. Grant Home. Stay one night in Galena.

Day 5: Galena to Davenport, approx. 95 miles

Spend your morning in Galena: enjoy a lovely breakfast at a Main Street restaurant, then take a quick hike through town to Grant Park. Next, visit Moline, the hometown of farming hero John Deere. Learn how he changed the world’s agricultural landscape at the John Deere Pavilion and John Deere Collectors Center. Enjoy a dinner and dance cruise on the Mississippi River aboard the 800-passenger Celebration Belle. Afterwards, roll the dice at Jumer’s Casino Rock Island, a three-deck riverboat right on the Mississippi. Spend one night in Davenport. 

Day 6: Davenport to St. Louis, approx. 300 miles

Begin the day in Nauvoo, a river town that’s rich in Mormon history. Visit the Joseph Smith Historic Site, where you can join a guided walk or take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the site to see such Mormon landmarks as the Brigham Young Home and the Smith Homestead. Afterwards, travel the scenic Great River Road to Quincy, where you can tour the Governor John Wood Mansion, considered one of the finest existing examples of Greek Revival architecture in the Midwest.

In Alton, see the National Great Rivers Museum, located on the Meeting of the Great Rivers National Scenic Byway, which illustrates the history and important transportation role of the Mississippi. The museum is located at the Melvin Price Locks & Dam, which is open to the public for guided tours. If you’ve got the time, make tracks to the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in nearby Hartford. See a replica of Camp River Dubois and a full-scale model of the keelboat that the explorers used to set out on their journey from Illinois. End your day in St Louis, where you will spend two nights.

St Louis is known as the Gateway to the West! Ride to the top of the Gateway Arch, towering 630 feet over the Mississippi River. Visit free attractions like the Art Museum, Zoo, Science Center, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, Grant’s Farm and the Missouri History Museum. Catch a game with one of St. Louis’ professional teams: MLB’s Cardinals, NFL’s Rams or the NHL’s Blues. Looking to get out on the river? There are several companies that will take you on a sightseeing tour of the river, or get a great view of the skyline and Mississippi from the Old Chain of Rocks Bridge. 

Day 8: St. Louis to Cape Girardeau, approx. 120 miles

Make your first stop of the day at Sainte Genevieve, MO, a historic French colonial village. Founded around 1735 by French immigrants, Sainte Genevieve is the oldest organized European settlement west of the Mississippi River. Tour colonial homes, stop in at the welcome center and cruise Ste. Genevieve’s Route du Vin. Near Cape Girardeau, take a detour to the Trail of Tears State Park, a memorial to the Cherokee Native Americans that died on the Cherokee Trail of Tears. Spend one night in Cape Girardeau, where you will find farmers markets with locally grown produce, thriving locally-owned stores, historic landmarks that have stood for hundreds of years and scenic overlooks and miles of trails.

Day 9: Cape Girardeau to Memphis, approx. 175 miles

Travel into Kentucky and stop at Wickcliffe, KY, where you’ll learn more about prehistoric Native American mound builders at the site of a Mississippian village. Occupied from AD 1100 to 1350, the settlement was once a complex group of houses and earthen mounds. See excavated features of the mounds, displays of Mississippian pottery, stone tools, bone and shell implements, architecture and more.

End your day in Memphis - the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll, and the home of some of the greatest food, music and entertainment in the U.S. Spend two nights in Memphis and visit Elvis’ Graceland, Sun Studio, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum. Make your way to Beale Street and listen to live performers. Plan to stop off at the National Civil Rights Museum, which pays homage to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the others who fought for civil rights throughout history. If you’re into food, Memphis may be the highlight of your trip. Barbecue reigns supreme here: Charles Vergos’ Rendezvous is famous for slow-roasted ribs. Arcade Restaurant is Memphis’ Oldest Café (since 1919), but still one of its best, and was one of Elvis’ favourite restaurants!

Day 11: Memphis to Vicksburg, approx. 220 miles

Driving south from Memphis, plan to stop in Helena, AR, home of the Delta Cultural Center, highlighting the Blues Music that makes this region famous. Next, cross the river and pull into Clarksdale, MS, one-time home of famous bluesman Muddy Waters. Clarksdale is also home to the Delta Blues Museum, and the legendary ‘Crossroads’, where Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the devil in exchange for mastery of the guitar. Make one more stop at Indianola to visit the B.B. King Museum and Delta Interpretive Center. You’ll learn the story of the Blues through the life of B.B. King, follow King’s career, and trace the development of the Blues from its southern origins to its spread up the Mississippi River to Memphis, Chicago, and eventually to the entire U.S. and the world.

Before you make your way to Vicksburg for the night, you might stop off at one of the South’s grand plantation homes. Greenville, MS has three of the area’s best: Belmont, Mount Holly and Linden.

Day 12: Vicksburg to Baton Rouge, approx. 160 miles

Begin your day in historic Vicksburg, the site of one of the great battles of the Civil War, where General Ulysses S. Grant laid siege to the city and forced the Confederate surrender after more than forty days. Combined with Gettysburg, the Battle of Vicksburg is considered one of the turning points of the war. Vicksburg’s Civil War history is best experienced at the Vicksburg National Military Park. The scene of the battle, the Park includes a free movie at the visitor center, a driving tour and an exhibit featuring the U.S.S. Cairo, a union ironclad gunboat sunk during the Civil War. Vicksburg also offers the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum, where the first Coca-Cola bottle was produced in 1894. Travel on to Natchez, with its beautiful downtown, originally founded by French colonists in 1716, before finishing in Baton Rogue for one night. 

Day 13: Baton Rouge to New Orleans, approx. 80 miles

Known as the Capital Area, Baton Rouge is the second largest city in Louisiana. Home to the campus of LSU and Southern Universities, the city is also known for the Louisiana Museum of Natural History, Magnolia Mound Plantation House, the USS Kidd (a Fletcher class destroyer), and Arsenal Park overlooking Capitol Lake.

On the final leg of your journey to New Orleans, think about stopping off at Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site. Built in 1909, the lock was an important part of the intra-coastal canal system until 1961. Today you can visit the lockmaster’s house, explore the inner workings of the lock, and view river traffic. Nearby, check out the Port Hudson State Historic Site, a 909-acre Civil War battlefield. Your drive into New Orleans will take you through the Maurepas Swamp, where you might catch a glimpse of alligators and other wildlife.

Spend your last two nights in New Orleans. New Orleans is a city that marches to the beat of its own drum. A stop at the French Quarter Visitor Center unit of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park introduces you to the traditions and life in the area. Rangers lead daily walks to tell the story of this special place and its ties to the Mississippi River. There is music playing every evening in the French Quarter. Exploring the Garden District which gets its name from the huge homes and gardens that fill block after block. Try the Maison Bourbon Jazz Club or the House of Blues for music. Also check to see if there are performances scheduled for Preservation Hall. Magazine Street is a great place for shopping, including antiques.

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