MANITOBA ONTARIO MINNESOTA WISCONSIN IOWA ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONTARIO MINNESOTA WISCONSIN IOWA ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONTARIO MINNESOTA WISCONSIN IOWA ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT MANITOBA ONTARIO MINNESOTA WISCONSIN IOWA ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONTARIO MINNESOT European traders and entrepreneurs opened the Mississippi River wilderness by establishing trading posts ARIO MINNESOT near government forts and fur “factories.” Millions of A WISCONSIN IOW dollars in luxurious furs were shipped along the vast THE GREAT RIVER ROAD Mississippi waterway. SSCENIC BYWAY OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER A WISCONSIN IOW A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT The Mississippi River is one of the world’s great rivers, National Scenic Byway noted for its beauty, grandeur and diversity. A journey Designation along this meandering historical treasure has long been The Ojibwe Indians The Great River Road in are credited for naming enjoyed – on stream and on land. Since 1938, when the A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, the Mississippi River. concept of a scenic parkway along the Mississippi River They called it Missi Sipi Minnesota, southern was born in the minds of the river-state governors, or “Great River.” The historic lumber town of Grand Rapids Mississippi and a segment of travelers and adventurers from across the country and was also home to actress Judy Garland. Missouri (called Little Dixie Her childhood home is open to the public. around the world have hit the trail on what has become Highway) has been designated by the U.S. Department the Great River Road, scenic byway of the Mississippi Leaping across the Mississippi River of Transportation’s Federal headwaters at Lake Itasca State Park River. Traveling through 10 Highway Administration as a states for nearly 3,000 miles, Since 1938… travelers national scenic byway route. the Great River Road is the and adventurers have This national program seeks to gateway to the wonders of the A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA recognize, preserve and enhance Mississippi River Valley. experienced the wonders Explorer Henry Schoolcraft was the remarkable roads throughout The Mississippi River forms the A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA first white man to locate and document of the Mississippi River third largest drainage basin in the From a leisurely day’s drive to the United States based on one the true source of the Mississippi River world. Its 29 lock-and-dam system at Lake Itasca in 1830. between Minneapolis, Minnesota, an extended vacation, the river Valley on the or more archeological, cultural, and Granite City, Illinois, inspires a travel lust all its historic, natural, recreational or controls nearly two-thirds of the Great River Road. own - a lure that has charmed scenic characteristic. While the A WISCONSIN IOW nation’s watershed. The river drops nearly 420 feet along this A WISCONSIN IOW peoples from early Native sheer length of the Great River 669-mile route. Americans to European settlers and still captures our Road is, in itself, a quality of distinction, each river state must independently meet specific requirements for its Native American culture abounds throughout hearts today. Charming cities offer inviting river vistas, the entire Mississippi River corridor. unique shopping, regional foods and music, recreational segment to be considered for national designation. The ARIO MINNESOT ARIO MINNESOT activity and historical adventure. And there’s big city Mississippi River Parkway Commission is ultimately ARIO MINNESOT exploration from north to south in Minneapolis, St. Paul, working toward the designation of all ten state segments the Quad Cities, St. Louis, Memphis, Baton Rouge and of the byway. You will find the Great River Road national New Orleans. Like the river itself, the flow of character, scenic byway segments shown in red on this map. For more information about the National Scenic Byway A WISCONSIN IOW culture and fun in these big river cities reflects an ARIO MINNESOT awesome blending of people and landscape, industry, Program, visit: www.Byways.org. cultural arts and American history. This map and travel guide is but one of the many Experience the Mississippi River on the A WISCONSIN IOW service projects managed by the Mississippi River Great River Road, then consider traveling A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS 8 Parkway Commission, byway organization of the Great beyond the river to other exciting attractions River Road. In it you will find a visual depiction of the and destinations within these river states. Wisconsin’s Lake Pepin Marina. byway’s complete route from the Canadian extension – For planning tools and more information, A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT whose tributaries flow into the Mississippi – to the Gulf Winter birders delight in the resurgence of the be sure to visit: Bald Eagle population, which provides a spectacular of Mexico. We hope you find it a useful tool as you plan sight along the Great River Road in Minnesota, 9 www.ExperienceMississippiRiver.com Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. 11 your Mississippi River experience - along and beyond its 10 banks. We invite you to further discover Mississippi River 12 heritage at any one of the Great River Road Interpretive Centers shown along the route (details on back). 13 14 Enjoy the Ride! MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT MANITOBA LOUISIANA MISSISSIPPI ARIO MINNESOTA WISCONSIN IOWA ILLINOIS IOWA WISCONSIN MINNESOTA ARIO 22 23 The Great River Road offers hundreds of spectacular river vistas. A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT Millions of migrating birds make the Mississippi River Valley one of the five major flyways in the United States. The charming town of Hannibal is home to author, A WISCONSIN IOW Samuel Clemens, a.k.a. Mark 24 Crafting and traditional handiwork are symbols of the Twain, and the “unsinkable” rich community heritage along the Great River Road. Molly Brown. ARIO MINNESOT Lit tle Di Illinois is Abraham Lincoln country. xie Hi Though he made his home near Springfield, he ghwa ARIO MINNESOT y often crisscrossed the river valley – working first 25 as a surveyor then as a lawyer in Oquawka. A WISCONSIN IOW 26 The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is the tallest monument in America. At 630-feet-tall, it is 27 more than twice as tall as the Statue of Liberty. A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT Ballard Wildlife Area is one of the most prominent nature The Anheuser-Busch Company, 34 headquartered in St. Louis, is the preserves along the Mississippi Flyway. Sportsmen flock to A scenic drive is one of America’s favorite pastimes. largest beer brewer in the world. the refuge for unsurpassed winter hunting. What famous railroad legend is said to hail from Cayce, Kentucky? 35 Casey Jones. What famous trailblazer and frontiersman piloted a dugout canoe on the Mississippi River and eventually settled in Defiance, Missouri? Daniel Boone. 38 Scenic parks and roadways along the Great River Road offer thousands of miles of recreational possibilities. Memphis’ Beale Street is musically acclaimed as the “Home of the Blues.” Memphis was also the home of the “King of Rock and Roll,” Elvis Presley. ARIO MINNESOT A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT 46 Graceland, the Memphis home and final resting place 42 of Elvis Presley, “The King of Rock-and-Roll.” There’s a river experience waiting for everyone. 43 A WISCONSIN IOW Clarksdale 139 47 A WISCONSIN IOW Crowley’s Ridge in eastern Arkansas 44 is one of the great geologic oddities of the world, The Mississippi River Valley played a vital LEGEND and the Delta’s only “Highlands.” strategic role in Civil War history. Landmarks and battle sites dot the region. Great River Road The only other similar land form is found in Siberia. 140 A ILLINOIS MISSOURI KENTUCKY TENNESSEE ARKANSAS MISSISSIPPI LOUISIANA MANITOBA ONT Great River Road National Scenic Byway Route ARIO MINNESOT 141 48 45 Great River Road Canadian Extension Major Connecting Roads 151 Great River Road Cities (Detailed Information on other side.) 51 50 Interpretive Centers (Detailed Information on other side.) State Capitals 142 20 49 Interstate Highway 60 United States Highway 143 Steamboatin’ on the Mississippi. 15 State and Provincial Highway 2167 144 Mississippi’s Longwood Plantation creates a lasting County Secondary Route impression with its unique octagonal design. 145 Cities 146 This map is intended to be a general guide for exploring Measured from the headwaters in Minnesota to the 50 the many scenic, historic, and recreational attractions found along the Great River Road. For more detailed Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River is the 147 information we suggest that you consult with official third longest river in the world. The Amazon state highway maps, or contact the appropriate tourism offices listed on this map. and the Nile rank #1 and #2, respectively. 53 148 52 149 150 54 56 ARIO MINNESOT 57 55 152 151 58 The Delta’s musical heritage plays on and