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The Great River Road

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The Great River Road follows the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles through 10 states. #greatriverroad #mississippiriver

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Some stories are easy to miss if you never stop to look.

Along Highway 35 between Bay City and Nelson, historical markers offer glimpses into the people, places, and moments that shaped this stretch of the Great River Road. And at many of the stops, a view of Lake Pepin is part of the story, too.

Next time you’re passing through, take a moment to pull over, look closer, and discover the stories along the way.

Explore more of the West Coast of Wisconsin at thewestcoastofwisconsin.com. [link in bio]

#WestCoastOfWisconsin #GreatRiverRoad #LakePepin #WisconsinHistory #TravelWisconsin by @greatriverroad

Have you ever visited the @marktwainmuseum in Hannibal, Missouri? This official Great River Road Interpretive Center explores the influences the Mississippi River had on America's most beloved author and features interactive exhibits, live Mark Twain performances, 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings, family artifacts, and memorabilia. The tour includes two museums and five historic properties including The Mark Twain Boyhood Home, a National Historic Landmark. by @greatriverroad

Did you know? There are almost 150 bridges (if you count pedestrian bridges, railroad bridges, roadway bridges, and other structures) that cross the Mississippi River from north to south.

📷: Clark Bridge near Alton, IL/Carol Bock by @greatriverroad

Arkansas Post National Memorial is located in east-central Arkansas at the confluence of the Arkansas and White Rivers (both of which flow into the Mississippi River) and was the first semi-permanent French settlement in the lower Mississippi River Valley. Through the centuries, the post was strategically important to the militaries of France, Spain, and the United States. Today it's home to an educational visitor center, walking trails, and other opportunities for recreation.

📷: Lynne Ashcraft by @greatriverroad

Did you know that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has a webcam at the headwaters of the Mississippi River in Itasca State Park so you can check conditions any time of year?

www.dnr.state.mn.us/state-parks/itasca/headwaters.html

📷: Mississippi Headwaters at Lake Itasca/John Anfinson by @greatriverroad

While we're big fans of *driving* along the Mississippi River, rumor has it that you can explore it via boat as well. 😉 Have you ever taken a river cruise in one of the Great River Road states?

📷: Riverboat Twilight in LeClaire, Iowa/Robert Goosney by @greatriverroad

Thanks for celebrating Drive the Great River Road Month with us! Don't forget: You can order your free 10-state Great River Road map from our website any time (click the link in our bio for more info). by @greatriverroad

You'll find stunning, scenic parks up and down the Mississippi River as you travel the Great River Road from northern Minnesota to southern Louisiana.

1) Mississippi River headwaters at Itasca State Park, Minnesota (📷: Peter Hawkisn)
2) Buena Vista Park, Alma, Wisconsin (📷: Brenda Adams)
3) Pike's Peak State Park, McGregor, Iowa (📷: Judy Schwenneker)
4) Gateway Arch National Park, St. Louis, Missouri (📷: John Anfinson)
5) Fort Defiance State Park, Cairo, Illinois (📷: Bobby Vess)
6) Columbus Belmont State Park, Columbus, Kentucky
7) Reelfoot Lake State Park, Tiptonville, Tennessee (📷: TN State Parks)
8) Mississippi River State Park, Marianna, Arkansas (📷: Kristina Root)
9) Vicksburg National Military Park, Vicksburg, Mississippi (📷: Jim McKevitt)
10) Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Marrero, Louisiana by @greatriverroad

As you drive along the Great River Road, you'll find bustling big cities, charming small-town enclaves along the Mississippi River, and so much more. Plan your trip today and start discovering the cities and towns of the Great River Road.

1) Minneapolis, Minnesota (Photo: Joe Metzler)
2) Burlington, Iowa (Photo: Ben Curtis)
3) Alton, Illinois (Photo: Carol Bock)
4) St. Louis, Missouri (Photo: Dennis Macdonald)
5) Memphis, Tennessee (Photo: Dennis Macdonald)
6) Baton Rouge, Louisiana (Photo: Dennis Macdonald) by @greatriverroad

You'll find engaging attractions up and down the Great River Road, including our network of nearly 100 Interpretive Centers, scenic overlooks, National Park sites, locks & dams and much more. by @greatriverroad

It's officially fall, and you'll find some amazing places to see fall colors as you travel the Great River Road in September and October. Here are a few to check out:

🍁 Effigy Mounds National Monument, Harpers Ferry, Iowa (Photo: Mary Willie)
🍁 Great River Bluffs State Park near Winona, Minnesota (Photo: Beth Barutha)
🍁 Buena Vista Park, Alma, Wisconsin (Photo: John Salverson)
🍁 Mississippi River bluffs near Alton, Illinois (Photo: Rebecca Zwick) by @greatriverroad

All year long, we've been asking our fans to share some of their favorite things about the Great River Road. Here's a sample of what we heard:

1) Wading in the headwaters of the Mississippi River (Photo: Roger Deschner)
2) Windsor Ruins along the Mississippi Great River Road (Photo: Bill & Sue Prout)
3) Grandad Bluff in La Crosse, Wis. (Photo: Lynn Wiggert)
4) Sunset over the Mississippi River in Natchez, Miss. (Photo: Derick Biglane)
5) National Eagle Center in Wabasha, Minn. (Photo: Lynn Eames)

Find more at experiencemississippiriver.com/favorites. by @greatriverroad