The Great River Road

Or, you can drive a little farther and spend the night at The Degas House, a classic New Orleans bed and breakfast. It was actually the former home of the iconic painter Edgar Degas. There are only 9 rooms, but all are traditionally decorated, so it's really like stepping back in time. There's usually a free Creole breakfast included in your stay, and a tour of the house which has 18 Degas paintings.

If you're looking for a truly memorable place to spend the night, Myrtles Plantation is your typical Southern plantation home-turned-B&B...but with an infamous claim to fame. According to many, Myrtles is home to over 12 different ghosts, each with its own fantastic yarn, and might even be the most haunted home in America.

If you haven't gotten enough of Mark Twain, once you hit Natchez, MS there's the Mark Twain Guesthouse / Under the Hill Saloon, a bar that was once known as "the most licentious spot on the Mississippi River"... it's the perfect place to get a little rowdy.

Once you reach Lake Village in Arkansas, stop at Lake Chicot State Park. It's a fantastic park to stretch your legs and maybe hop in a kayak to do some exploring on the water. The 211-acre park is located right in the Arkansas Delta!

No trip down the Great River Road is complete without a visit to the Delta Blues Museum in Clarksdale, MS. Not only is this the state's oldest music museum, and the world's first museum devoted to the blues, it's also where you can learn about the legendary American crossroads (at Hwy 61 and Hwy 49) where prolific American musician Robert Johnson "sold his soul to the devil."

The next major foodie stop is Memphis, Tennessee, where you can visit Automatic Slim's, a super quirky and fun place to hangout and snack on tropical-inspired treats and cocktails. And of course, BBQ in Memphis is a must—stop by Cozy Corner Barbecue for a taste of authentic, Memphis-style ribs, or head to the Old Country Store, which serves up some of the best fried chicken and cornbread.

When you wanna wash all that wine down with some good ole barbecue, visit Chubby's in Hayti, MO. It has a great atmosphere, and is known for their BBQ ribs, chicken, pork, and even their steak and onion rings.

Once you reach Alto Pass, check out Hedman Vineyards. This Southern Illinois vineyard is located smack dab in the very heart of the Shawnee National Forest. It's a great vineyard for wine tasting, and it's located in an incredibly scenic and bucolic setting. Plus they offer Swedish food and traditional Swedish-style art!

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.

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.

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.

When you get to St. Louis, check into the Moonrise Hotel, which is a funky boutique hotel with a galactic theme that promises to take guests "on a journey through space and time." If you’re feeling swanky, then book a stay at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel, a breathtaking converted rail station-turned-hotel that projects a nightly lights show onto the soaring vaulted lobby ceiling.

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.

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'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.

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.

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.

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.

If you choose to spend more time in Bellevue, make sure to stop by Bellevue State Park, which has one of the best scenic Mississippi River overlooks, situated atop a 250-foot limestone bluff. You'll be hard pressed to find a better view of the Upper Mississippi!