Surging Serenely With The Gush Of Mississippi

Great Mississippi River Road (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa)

A fabulous drive through Midwest region of United States reveals an uncomplicated picturesque of the Mississippi Coastline through your rearview mirror and in the ancient paintings as well.

Summary of your Drive

The meandering chase of the Mississippi coastline offers a thrilling drive through the margins of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa that discloses the Midwestern treasure of museums and theaters lately established. This expedition of over 350 miles along the serene ambiance from Minneapolis to Davenport is one most ethnically prosperous drives of United States.

Begin in Minneapolis

Start from the art thriving city that is considered the heart of the resurgence of Midwest in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Some of the few places worth visiting are the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Walker Art Center, and the Frank Gehry’s landmark Weisma Art Museum. Art lover or not, you will definitely enjoy these three places. To refresh yourself, visit the Guthrie Theater of Minneapolis which is nicely constructed clasping two theaters and three bistros, which also includes the ritzy Cue. To glance at the river that you will be chasing, stroll on the 200-foot “Endless Bridge”, a planked footpath lengthening from an edifice near the Mississippi and the sight of St. Anthony Falls.

The colors of Anderson Center

To the south of Minneapolis drive for about an hour on Highway 61 and halt your car at Red Wing’s Anderson Center. This place is a diminutive resort for creative personalities and has a gorgeous collection of murals done by Matisse, Man Ray, Warhol, and other painters. Fasten your seatbelts for another hour of drive along the coastline to reach Winona in Minnesota. Entering this effervescent city in Upper Mississippi is quite an enchanting experience and you wouldn’t believe that it was once an old clumpy town.

Rejuvenated Winona

The naissance of Great River Shakespeare Festival in this town can be entitled as a historical event, as it initiated the rejuvenation process. This festival is generally celebrated from June to July and people here witnesses arrival of most renowned celebrities from Los Angeles and New York during this month. After the beginning of transformation process the Minnesota Marine Art Museum was established that reveals historical canal snapshots, folk art, and a splendid collected works from the 19th century nautical frescos by Winslow Homer. Also, the summer months are celebrated by Minnesota Beethoven Festival and Frozen River Film Festival in winter. However, the brochures of festivals wouldn’t help you much to satisfy your hunger. Enjoy scrumptious organic chow at the Blue heron Coffeehouse along with live aural jazz and other forms of melodic nights.

Lanesboro is an art

Check out for the cultural branch of Mississippi turning southward on Highway 61 for less than an hour till you arrive at Highway 16. Take the west route and whiz for another 60 minutes to reach the town of Lanesboro. This distinctive town positioned on the Root River is considered as one of the finest small art population all around the country. Commonweal Theater, established in 1989, perfectly describes the occupation and specialty of this town. Appetizing cuisines spread around the town would offer delectable French food or you can opt to have some beer cheering the old polka tunes.

To National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium

Drive back to the coastal road and spin to south of Highway 26. After a short drive of 1-2 hours, halt at the Effigy Mounds National Monument to view the figurines of bears and birds that are over 4000 years old, whittled by antediluvian population of Native America. The town of Dubuque in Iowa welcomes after a short drive on the same route. Park your car near the banks of the river where the each window of the museum faces the azure glittering water of Mississippi because the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium is built inside an ancient shipbuilding industrial unit. When in this museum, the sights of massive catfish shambling around the water will give you the feeling of a boat tour on the river.

Historic Galena

Traversing the river on Highway 20 will bring you to Galena in Illinois. This city is filled with panorama of 19th century Victorian manors and attractive inns, due to which the entire business district has been affirmed as a national historic borough. Also known for its art works, this city embraces the Chicago Contemporary Art that occupies inconspicuous space full of large friezes painted by famous Chicago artiste that includes Joseph Catanzaro and Kathleen Patrick.

Davenport

Move towards the ultimate stop of your voyage, Davenport in Iowa, from south on Highway 84. River Music Experience is a concert hall that rejoices music of all kinds including Delta blues and rock of Minneapolis. Figge Art museum, a glass magnum opus designed by architect David Chipperfield from Britain, is filled by 3,500 finest amazing art works of the city. These art works includes the paintings of the Grant Wood in Iowa, undulating knolls, grassland and meticulous people of Iowa.

Trip Tips

This road offers a pleasurable drive in all the seasons. However, the northern tip can chill you in winters.

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