Going Down the Great River Road

Begin your trip in Minnesota when you fly into Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport. The modern metropolis of Minneapolis was the jumping off point for westward expansion and home to grain mills along the Mississippi River banks, remnants of which you can see today. The friendly city was also the lifelong home to one of the USA’s most innovative performers: Prince. The First Avenue Club is the venue where Prince began performing and would continue to play throughout his career. Nearby in Bloomington, the Mall of America – the second largest shopping mall in the United States – offers 500 retail stores, rollercoaster rides, luxury hotels and a water park. In the summer, catch a Minnesota Twins game at Target Field, consistently ranked as one of the best ballparks in Major League Baseball.

After Minneapolis drive south through Minnesota to the quaint town of Potosi. The National Brewery Museum in Potosi, Wisconsin merges the transportation and commerce that the Mississippi is known for with Wisconsin’s storied brewing heritage. The museum explores the history of Midwestern brewing and offers tours of the facility where its beer is made. The museum also has a dedicated section on the history of the Great River Road. After the tour, cross the border into Iowa at Dubuque, which sits as the crossroads of Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. There you can visit the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and stretch your legs on a walk in Eagle Point Park, taking in the panoramic river views.

The picturesque town of LeClaire, Iowa is the perfect place to take a ride on an iconic Mississippi River riverboat complete with a red paddle wheel that will take you back in time. The cruises are 90 minutes long and discuss the im