The Great River Road

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, if you’re looking to try something a little different. Or there's Kay's Kitchen in St. Joseph, MN. This local favorite is a solid diner known for their 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 ready to call it a day, The Covington Inn in Maplewood, MN is a fantastic place to rest your weary head along the Great River Road. It's a floating bed and breakfast on a boat that's moored along the Mississippi river. The rocking of the restored 1946 towboat, just a mile and a half from St. Paul's downtown, will lull you to sleep.

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.

Grandad Bluff Park in La Crosse is another option for hiking and beautiful scenic overlooks. Plus, the town of La Crosse has a charm all its own.

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.

History buffs will want to step back in time with a visit to the Villa Louis Historic Site in Prairie du Chien. This was the home of one of the wealthiest families in Wisconsin's history. The Pine Creek Grist Mill in Muscatine, IA is a beautiful historic building in Wildcat Den State Park, that is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

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.

You can’t travel down the Great River Road without visiting Mark Twain’s birthplace in Florida, MO. Twain wrote fondly about growing up along the river here. And nearby is another famous Mark Twain landmark, the Mark Twain Cave just outside Hannibal, MO. It's the oldest operating show cave in Missouri, and has been conducting tours since 1886, when people flocked to the caverns after reading about them in Twain's famous novel "Tom Sawyer".

If you need more outdoor adventure, hike around Pere Marquette State Park in Grafton. The park also offers lodging, and 8,000 acres of water, and tons of outdoors sports from hunting and riding to birding and camping.

If you're in the mood for classic American grub, then stop by the historic Crown Candy Kitchen in St. Louis for some sweets and a classic candy counter lunch of sandwiches and burgers. And a can't-miss St. Louis attraction is the City Museum. It's one of America's coolest museums, loaded with repurposed industrial and architectural objects, all put into a converted shoe factory.

If 19th and 20th century history isn't enough, the visit the Mastodon State Historic Site for some prehistoric fun. This is a wonderfully preserved archaeological and paleontological site that features a massive bone bed that's sure to boggle the minds of kids and adults alike.

Next you'll come to Randolph County State Recreation Area in Chester, IL. This is the perfect spot to stretch your legs, have a picnic along the river, go hiking or spend the night camping.