Great Mississippi River Keeps Rollin' Along
Majestic Waterway Connects North and South of American Landscape
The Mississippi River is a great flowing river staring with the glacial lakes of Northern Minnesota and ending as it empties into the Gulf of Mexico. "Old Man" River" rolls through the Central United States, dividing the land between East and West. A road trip along the Mississippi is a scenic trip of majestic beauty that connects America's north to the south.
The Mississippi River Borders Ten States
The great river originates in Lake Itasca, Minnesota and flows through a series of rapids and glacial lakes toward The Twin Cities.The river borders ten states. To the west of the Mississippi River are Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas and Louisiana. To the east of the Mississippi are Wisconsin, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama.
Mississippi a Great Trade Route
The Mississippi was a major trade route during the early American era. Riverboats and paddle boats traveled up and down the river, with passengers and cargo. The trade route stopped at the cities along the river, feeding the commerce of a great nation.
Towns with marinas, bars and restaurants dot the shores. The Mississippi Rivers travels through the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota and runs along the border of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Wild bluffs, tall trees and wildflowers line the road along the Mississippi.
Western Wisconsin
Pepin, Wisconsin, birthplace of author Laura Ingalls Wilder, is a peaceful Mississippi River town. Wilder's book series "Little House on the Prairie," portrayed pioneer life in the great plains states.
The Mississippi keeps rolling along, to Onalaska, Wisconsin, where the river is at its widest point. As the river continues southward it becomes a major tourist attraction in the Quad Cities, bordering Illinois and Iowa. Riverboats are stationed on the Mississippi, attracting people for the casino gambling.
Mark Twain Country
Farther south, the river finds St. Louis. Missouri. The river was a major character in the famed Mark Twain novels, "Tom Sawyer," and "Huckleberry Finn." Mark Twain lived in Hannibal, Missouri, a Mississippi River town south of St. Louis. Twain's humorous and loving portrayals were a portrait of life on the Mississippi.
New Orleans
The most famous city on the Mississippi River is New Orleans, Louisiana. The Big Easy is famed for jazz, Cajun and Creole food and the Mardi Gras. New Orleans, at the mouth of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi River, developed as a major trading center on Old Man RIver, with goods coming into and flowing out of North America.
A road trip along the Mississippi River is a trip back in time. Travelers can travel the entire length of the river, or just a few miles along the shoreline. Experience the majesty of one of the great rivers of America.
For a historic glimpse of the Mississippi River, and a great ship, read: Delta Queen Mississippi River
Read about Laura Ingalls Wilder Days in Pepin, Wisconsin Laura Ingalls Wilder Days in Pepin Wisconsin
