The Mighty Mississippi River

… also known as The Great River Road, a collection of state and local highways that follow the Mississippi River course on both its East and West sides, was designated by the US Congress Great River Road logo! in 1938 during the Roosevelt Administration. Originally, the Great River Road was internationally marked as it included Ontario and Manitoba, Canada. Currently, representatives from ten states lead in preserving, promoting and enhancing the Great River Road (GRR) National Scenic Byway (NSB) along the Mississippi River benefitting communities and travelers.

This nearly 3,000-mile National Scenic Byway runs from Lake Itasca, MN, to the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the oldest, longest and most unique byways in North America, offering a gateway to the Mississippi River Valley’s great history, the blending of cultures and a host of recreational options to all visitors.

The Mississippi River Parkway Commission (MRPC) is the coalition of representatives from the states that border the Mississippi River: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Through MRPC efforts all 10 states identify the scenic byway with signage showing a river steamboat inside a pilot wheel. Many Great River Road signs also include the name of the state.

Must-see attractions and family-friendly events along the Great River Road are designated by the MRPC using 11 major themes acknowledging the Mississippi River as the flow of life-shaping both land and people. Within each of the 10 states, the MRPC sanctions interpretive centers that highlight at least one of the themes: prehistoric and historic cultures; folklife, literary, fine art, and music; American history; natural resources; river grandeur and diversity; the economics of Mississippi River transportation; and industries along the Mississippi.

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