A road trip along the Great River Road

The very beginning of the Mississippi River is at Itasca State Park, Minnesota's oldest state park. It contains over 32,000 acres and has more than 100 lakes. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here. From here, head 30 minutes to Bemidji and visit Lake Bemidji State Park, where you can enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, birdwatching, hiking, camping, biking, and more. After that, visit Scenic State Park and the National Eagle Center, where the little ones can interact with live eagles, learn through hands-on activities, and take a guided eagle viewing family field trip.

Grand Rapids, Minnesota, is a very picturesque vacation spot with lots of lakes and lush forests. Plus it’s Judy Garland's birthplace, and there's a really cute museum there that's full of Judy Garland memorabilia. After that, head to Crosby, a city that may only be home to a little over 2,000 people, but what it lacks in population, it makes up for in history and natural beauty.

Don't miss Paul Bunyan Land in Brainerd. It's home to an animated, massive, 26-foot-tall Paul Bunyan.

Since the Great River Road cuts through a big chunk of middle America, there’s just tons of awesome, diverse dining. Try the Bachelor Farmer for food that honors Minnesota’s Nordic heritage, or Kay's Kitchen in St. Joseph. This local favorite is a solid diner known for burgers, all-day breakfast, and tasty, homemade pies.

There's also the historic WA Frost & Company in St. Paul, which is more upscale than Kay's, and good for unwinding in the evening with a glass of wine on their patio. Another classic over in Bena, MN is the Big Fish Supper Club and Resort, which has a killer ambiance, and there’s a massive fish in the restaurant, which has a very Minnesota-esque, Northern, rustic vibe.

When you're hungry, head to the Front Street Cafe over in La Crosse, or go to the Great River Roadhouse in De Soto. The town of Stockholm, WI is an incredibly charming town to stop at along the route and the Bogus Creek Cafe & Bakery is absolutely worth a stop for their traditional Swedish donuts.

As you drive through Wisconsin, stop at the 1,270 acre Perrot State Park in Trempealeau, located in Wisconsin's "Driftless Area" where the Trempealeau and Mississippi rivers meet. Here you can get incredible views showcasing limestone bluffs and the river valleys below.

After hiking up Grandad Bluff for some seriously epic scenery, wander through the ancient and mysterious Effigy Mounds National Monument in Iowa. The Effigy Mounds are a peaceful place to take a rest after a long day of driving. The Native American earthworks are located in one of the most picturesque sections of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

Next stop: Hop the border into Bellevue, Iowa, home to Pike's Peak State Park, which offers fantastic Mississippi overlooks.

From there head south to Trempealeau, Wisconsin, which is about an hour and twenty minutes away. While you’re in town you should stay at the Historic Trempealeau Hotel and Restaurant. Or, you can drive some more and check into the Holiday Shores Riverfront Motel in McGregor, Iowa, or the nearby Gutenberg Haus B&B, which can be your base for exploring Guttenberg, Iowa, and the iconic "Field of Dreams" movie filming location.

If you want more than just a scenic overlook, try Blue Heron Eco-Cruises. This is a 26-passenger pontoon boat offering an up-close-and personal tour of the Mississippi River.

Down in Keithsburg, Illinois you'll find the historic Big River State Forest, a modest conservation area that was acquired way back in 1925 and has grown to encompass nearly 3,000 acres of lush woodland.

If you're still on a history kick, head to Warsaw Brewing. This brewery is a famous Warsaw, IL landmark. It was established in 1861 by Rudolph Giller, who took advantage of the great location along the booming river town. Unfortunately, it no longer brews beer, but it's a gorgeous old building that makes for a great photo op.