Minnesota's Scenic Byways

Great River Road

 
Great River Road
 

Established in 1938 as the national parkway of the Mississippi River, the Great River Road travels nearly 3,000 miles through 10 states. In Minnesota, it runs for more than 500 miles along the Mississippi River, from the pristine headwaters of the Mississippi in Itasca State Park past verdant forests and the central lakes region, through the “twin” metros of Minneapolis and St. Paul, to the splendid bluffs of Minnesota’s southeastern border. Six distinct regions with unique travel experiences have been designated along the Minnesota Great River Road. Travelers may choose one segment for a day or two, or take in the entire Minnesota route over a week’s time.

 

Munsinger Gardens, St. Cloud

 

Day 1

Mississippi Headwaters
Lake Itasca to Bemidji
(Approx. 30 Miles)
Leap the 15 stones that cross the humble source of the famed Mississippi River at Itasca State Park and visit the park’s interpretive centers for more information on the history of the headwaters area. Head north to Bemidji for a photo opportunity with the statues of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his faithful friend, Babe the Blue Ox, on the shores of Lake Bemidji. While you’re there, follow the downtown Bemidji Art Walk to enjoy more than two dozen public sculptures and murals. Then shop the art gallery, go antiquing or visit and shop at the famed Bemidji Woolen Mills. Then check for a performance at the Paul Bunyan Playhouse. To the north is Bemidji State Park, where you can take the boardwalk through a bog and follow the park’s wooded hiking and biking trails.

compass
QUICK TRIPS

Cruise the Mighty Mississippi in a style true to Mark Twain’s era on an old-fashioned paddlewheeler. Mississippi riverboat excursions include the Minneapolis Queen, departing from Boom Island in Minneapolis, and the Padelford Packet Boat Company at Harriet Island across from downtown St. Paul. At the northern end of the Great River Road, a boat excursion on Lake Itasca takes visitors to view the headwaters.

 

Day 2

Mississippi Northwoods
Bemidji to Grand Rapids
(Approx. 95 Miles)
Three of the state’s largest lakes—Cass, Leech and Winnibigoshish—are known for great fishing and are located along the Northwoods Mississippi stretch of the Great River Road. Canoe the Mississippi where it connects the lakes, which were used as a “water highway” by the American Indians and fur traders. Camp overnight in Chippewa National Forest, reserve a lakeside cabin at a nearby resort, or drive to Grand Rapids for a wide selection of restaurants and lodging. The Forest History Center in Grand Rapids recreates a turn-of-the-century logging camp, with interactive exhibits and self-guided trails. And be sure to tour the childhood home of Judy Garland, which is part of a larger complex that includes a children’s museum and “Wizard of Oz” memorabilia.

 

Historic For Snelling, St. Paul


Day 3

Mississippi Crossings
Grand Rapids to Little Falls
(Approx. 145 Miles)
Named for its history as a crossway of transportation by river, rail and road, the Mississippi Crossings portion of the Great River Road runs south out of Grand Rapids for 145 miles to Little Falls. Discover wildlife in the refuges near Aitkin and shop for antiques or visit the Croft Mine Historic Park in Crosby. Northeast of Brainerd is the Cuyuna Country State Recreation Area, one of the newest designated recreation areas in Minnesota, where former mining pits and rock deposit stockpiles now offer regenerated plantlife and clear lakes. Golfers will want take to the greens in Brainerd, which is renowned for its concentration of world-class golf courses. The Brainerd Lakes area also has a reputation as a top fishing destination. The Charles A. Lindbergh home in Little Falls, where the young Lindbergh spent his summers, is now part of a historic site with state-of-the-art exhibits and a replica of his plane.


Day 4

Scenic Mississippi
Little Falls to Elk River
(Approx. 90 Miles)
The Scenic Mississippi destination area offers 90 miles of river-life splendor for bikers, hikers, birders and campers. Walk through winding, flower-bordered paths of Munsinger Gardens, or the more formal Clemens Gardens nearby, located on the Mississippi riverbanks in St. Cloud. Explore the granite quarry replica at the Stearns History Museum, located in a 100-acre nature park. In Elk River, costumed guides pick vegetables, churn butter and plow fields at the Oliver Kelley Farm. The gardens and fields produce many of the same plants and crops that the farm grew more than 130 years ago.

compass
QUICK TRIPS

Historic Fort Snelling, an 1820s military outpost, offers a full living history program with costumed guides presented daily during the summer and on weekends in May, September and October. There are also museums to suit any interest throughout the metro, including the Minnesota Children’s Museum in St. Paul, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the contemporary Walker Art Center (and nearby outdoor Sculpture Garden) and the Mill City Museum on the Minneapolis Riverfront, which chronicles the flour milling industry that fueled the growth of Minneapolis.

 

Day 5

Metro Mississippi
Elk River to Hastings
(Approx. 75 Miles)
From the serene northwoods, make your way into the heart of the buzzing metro area of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Colorful farmers markets, fine dining, urban lakes and parks, an outstanding theater scene, lively exhibits, outdoor festivals of all varieties and world-class shopping just scratch the surface of things to do and see in this diverse, scenic metro. Seventy-two miles of Mississippi riverfront have been designated as a National River and Recreation Area, with a Park Service information center located in the Science Museum of Minnesota. A must-stop for history lovers is the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, home to the Minnesota Historical Society’s vast collection of state artifacts. An early dinner provides time to see some live theater, or catch one of the local professional sports teams in action at the Metrodome, Target Center or Xcel Energy Center.


Day 6

Mississippi Bluffs
Hastings to the Iowa Border
(Approx. 140 Miles)
Head south out of the Twin Cities to the Mississippi River Valley region in the southeast corner of the state. Visit the 1860s LeDuc Historic Estate in Hastings. Browse Red Wing’s Main Street for antiques or catch potters at work at a Red Wing pottery shop. Then consider an overnight in a quaint B&B. Other history-rich communities such as Lake City, Wabasha and Winona offer 19th-century architecture, antique stores and specialty shops. Watch the sailboats glide by while strolling or dining lakeside along Lake Pepin in Lake City, and be sure to visit the National Eagle Center in Wabasha. Check out the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona or, during the summer, take in a production at the Great River Shakespeare Festival. In La Crescent you can visit the apple-laden orchards along the blufftops.

More info:
763-212-8556 www.MnMississippiRiver.com

 

 
bottom