Posted March 25, 2009 3:13 pm
Our Mississippi River
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A panoramic view of the Mississippi River from Great River Bluffs State Park in southeast Minnesota.
The Mississippi, one of the world’s longest and best known rivers, begins as a small stream in the north woods of Minnesota. The river grows as it arcs across northern Minnesota and winds its way south. Our state has more miles of the Mississippi than any other state, 680 miles, or almost 30 percent of its total length.
Great River Road is a national route that roughly follows the Mississippi from its source to the Gulf of Mexico. This byway is 575 miles long in Minnesota, following a series of roads along or nearby the river. The Mississippi and Great River Road begin in Itasca State Park, where you can cross the headwaters on stepping stones. The Forest History Center lumberjack camp near Grand Rapids, the Charles A. Lindbergh home at Little Falls, the beautiful Munsinger Gardens in St. Cloud, and the Kelley Farm historic site in Elk River all lie along the Mississippi.
The river runs through a wooded gorge between Minneapolis and St. Paul. River cruises are available near both downtowns. In downtown Minneapolis, the Mill City Museum and the new Guthrie Theater both sit along the river, with overlooks in each building offering spectacular river views. The Science Museum of Minnesota is perched on a bluff above the river in downtown St. Paul, and has some exhibits on the river.
The museum also houses the visitor center of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, established in 1988 by the National Park Service. The area includes the 72 miles of river that pass through the greater Twin Cities area, and the visitor center has information on all the various parks and trails along the river.
Great River Road closely follows the river between Red Wing and LaCrescent in southeast Minnesota, passing through charming river towns and offering great views of the river, especially at Frontenac and Great River Bluffs state parks. Other highlights are the National Eagle Center in Wabasha and the Minnesota Marine Art Museum in Winona, both along the riverfront.
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3 Responses to “ Our Mississippi River ”
July 16th, 2009 at 7:34 pm Dale Redlin
We are planning to take the MINNESOTA BLUFFS trip and need to know if there is a booklet with all of those towns listed telling about each one.
July 17th, 2009 at 6:01 pm Chris
Hello Mr. Redlin,
One of our travel counselors is creating for you a customized travel planner with information on the cities found along the Bluffs portion of the Mississippi River route. This planner will be sent shortly. If you’d also like to receive brochures, please contact them with your address at Explore@state.mn.us. Until you receive your travel planner, please check out the Mississippi River Bluffs site which offers links to the individual cities along the way.
We hope you have a wonderful trip!
Chris and the Explore Minnesota Tourism Travel Counselors
July 17th, 2009 at 8:49 pm Randall Omlie
Great site. Keep up the good work.
Thank you.