The Great River Road National Scenic Byway follows the course of the Mississippi River for 3,000 miles from northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The scenic route passes through 10 states and hundreds of river towns. Throughout history, the Mississippi River influenced many lives: the Dakota, Chippewa, and Hopewell cultures; early French voyagers; African-Americans seeking freedom on the Underground Railroad; and many more. Through its charming river towns and metropolitan cities, historic sites and cultural artifacts, today's Great River Road still links resources, people, and history. Arkansas - All-American Road Illinois - All-American Road Iowa - All-American Road Kentucky - All-American Road Louisiana - All-American Road Minnesota - All-American Road Mississippi - National Scenic Byway Missouri - National Scenic Byway Tennessee - All-American Road Wisconsin - All-American Road
- Length
- 2069 mi / 3329.7 km
- Time to allow
- Allow six days to drive or ten days to enjoy the entire byway.
- Fees
- None
Who looks after this road
- Mississippi River Parkway Commission · 866-763-8310 · their site
- Arkansas · 870-972-2803 · their site
- Illinois · 309-837-7460
- Iowa · 515-242-4705
We publish 57 places that sit on this road, across 10 states, listed in the order you meet them. This is not a route and not a drive time — it is the names, so you can put them into whatever navigation you already use.
Of those, 1 is a roadside oddity — the sort of thing you would drive past without knowing it was there.
“Off” is a straight line from the place to the road, rounded. It is not a driving distance, and the road itself is a simplified centre line, so treat a mile or two as noise.
The Arkansas stretch
West Memphis, ArkansasARon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Helena-West Helena, ArkansasAR2 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
The Iowa stretch
National Mississippi River Museum & AquariumIAon the roadAnimals
- Hours
- Nov-May: weekdays 10am-4pm, weekends 10am-5pm (site also shows 9am-5pm; confirm)
- Adult
- 27.95
- Child
- $20.95 (ages 3-17, 2-day pass)
- Season
- year-round
DubuqueIAon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Sundown MountainIA6 miles offSki or bike
Iowa's largest ski area
- Kind
- Ski Areas
The Driftless AreaIA8 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
The Illinois stretch
Grant's FarmMO9 miles offAnimals
General admission free; some events need advance tickets; closed on day of check
- Child
- Free (general admission)
- Season
- seasonal
St. LouisMO2 miles off
In our guide: 6 animal attractions · 1 park
Saint Louis ZooMO7 miles offAnimals
General admission free; some attractions charge
- Hours
- 9am-4pm (current day listing)
- Child
- Free
- Season
- year-round
Fair Saint LouisMO1 mile offAnnual event
cultural festival at Gateway Arch National Park
- When
- July (Independence Day)
- Since
- First held 1981 (as V.P. Fair)
- Runs for
- more than one day
HannibalMO6 miles off
Quincy, IllinoisIL1 mile off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
GalenaILon the road
In our guide: 1 animal attraction
Elizabeth, IllinoisIL2 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Mississippi Palisades State ParkIL1 mile off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Niabi ZooIL5 miles offAnimals
Closed for the season at time of check; reopens spring 2027
- Hours
- Tue-Sun 10am-5pm in season (last entry 4pm)
- Season
- seasonal (2026 season Apr 21-Oct 25)
The Kentucky stretch
Reelfoot LakeTN6 miles offLake
natural (sag-pond lake from 1811-12 earthquakes)
- Boating
- yes; underwater hazards: run trimmed up on idle if unfamiliar
- Fishing
- yes: crappie
- Camping
- Reelfoot Lake State Park: campground + cabins (1-888-867-2757)
- Season
- Eagle tours Jan-Feb
The Louisiana stretch
Chalmette BattlefieldLAon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Carousel Gardens Amusement ParkLA3 miles offFun park
Ride park inside New Orleans City Park; listed as a current City Park attraction. Hours not confirmed.
New Orleans Jazz & Heritage FestivalLA2 miles offAnnual event
music festival at Fair Grounds Race Course
- When
- late April-early May (two weekends)
- Since
- first held 1970
- Runs for
- more than one day
Satchmo SummerFestLAon the roadAnnual event
music festival at Old U.S. Mint
- When
- August
- Since
- first held 2001
- Runs for
- more than one day
Audubon ZooLA1 mile offAnimals
Cashless since Oct 1 2026; two exhibits under renovation until early 2027
- Hours
- Daily 10am-5pm; last ticket 4pm
- Adult
- 30
- Child
- $25-$35 child/senior; under 2 free
- Season
- year-round; closed Mardi Gras, Thanksgiving, Christmas
- Parking
- unknown (private lot; cost not stated)
MetairieLA2 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Sugar BowlLA1 mile offAnnual event
sports-motorsport at Caesars Superdome
- When
- January
- Since
- first played 1935
New OrleansLAon the road
In our guide: 4 historic sites · 2 animal attractions · 1 lake · 1 park
Cathedral-Basilica of Saint Louis King of France (St. Louis Cathedral)LAon the roadHistoric site
A three-steepled cathedral facing Jackson Square and the Andrew Jackson statue, open to visitors daily; inside are stained glass windows and artworks. No food or drink is allowed, and hats come off before entering.
- Hours
- St. Louis Cathedral is open daily to the public from 9:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.--last visitors admitted at 3:45 p.m.--with variations related to certain holidays and special events such as weddings.
- Run by
- St. Louis Cathedral parish (Archdiocese of New Orleans)
Bloody Mary's Haunted Museum (New Orleans Haunted Museum & Voodoo spirit shop)LAon the roadHistoric site
A private paranormal-themed museum in a 200-year-old French Quarter building, with haunted and occult collections, Voodoo altars and a Voodoo shop. The operator itself describes it as not for the faint-hearted.
- Hours
- Fri & Sat 12-6pm, 12-5pm Sunday thru Thurs
- Admission
- $13 on site | $11 online
- Run by
- Bloody Mary's Tours (operator's own site)
DonaldsonvilleLAon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Baton RougeLAon the road
In our guide: 2 animal attractions
St. FrancisvilleLAon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
NatchezMS1 mile off
In our guide: 5 animal attractions · 1 lake
Vidalia, LAMSon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
The Minnesota stretch
LARK ToysMNon the roadRoadside oddity
Toy store with hand-carved carousel and secret door
Afton AlpsMN7 miles offSki or bike
Twin Cities' largest; Vail-owned
- Kind
- Ski Areas
Minnesota ZooMN8 miles offAnimals
Online tickets required in advance; parking $10 per car
- Hours
- 10am-4pm (current listing)
- Adult
- 25.95
- Child
- $19.95 (ages 3-12)
- Season
- year-round
- Parking
- fee
Cascade BayMN5 miles offFun park
city water park; closed for 2026 season
- Season
- Seasonal
Mall of America (Bloomington)MN4 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
SEA LIFE Minnesota AquariumMN4 miles offAnimals
- Hours
- 10am-8pm (current day listing)
- Adult
- 22
- Child
- from $22 (varies by date)
- Season
- year-round
Nickelodeon UniverseMN4 miles offFun park
indoor theme park inside Mall of America
St. PaulMNon the road
In our guide: 4 animal attractions
Minnesota State FairMN3 miles offAnnual event
fair at Minnesota State Fairgrounds
- When
- Late August-early September (ends Labor Day)
- Since
- First held 1859; at current grounds since 1885
- Runs for
- more than one day
Midtown GreenwayMN2 miles offSki or bike
Below-grade urban bike highway across south Minneapolis
- Kind
- Scenic Bike Trails
- Surface
- Paved
MinneapolisMNon the road
In our guide: 4 parks · 1 lake · 1 animal attraction
Bunker BeachMN5 miles offFun park
Anoka County water park; site thanks guests for 2026 season
- Season
- Seasonal
Grand RapidsMN1 mile off
Also here: the Judy Garland Museum
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Itasca State ParkMN2 miles off
Also here: the Mississippi headwaters
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Lake WinnibigoshishMN5 miles offLake
reservoir
- Boating
- One boat ramp at the recreation area, leading to the Mississippi River
- Fishing
- yes - walleye, perch, musky; shore and boat fishing
- Camping
- Reservable electric campsites (30/50 amp); showers, dump station
Lake Bemidji State ParkMN4 miles off
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
BemidjiMNon the road
Also here: the Mississippi headwaters
In our guide: 1 animal attraction · 1 park
The Mississippi stretch
WoodvilleMSon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Port GibsonMSon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
Juke Joint FestivalMS8 miles offAnnual event
music festival at Downtown Clarksdale
- When
- April
- Since
- first held 2004
- Runs for
- more than one day
VicksburgMSon the road
No guide of our own yet — the name is here so you can find it.
The Tennessee stretch
Elvis WeekTN2 miles offAnnual event
cultural festival at Graceland
- When
- August
- Runs for
- more than one day
MemphisTN1 mile off
In our guide: 2 animal attractions · 1 lake
Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking ContestTN4 miles offAnnual event
cultural festival at Liberty Park
- When
- May
- Since
- first held 1978
- Runs for
- more than one day
Memphis ZooTN3 miles offAnimals