The northernmost portion of the Great River Road along the Mississippi River opens up to fantastic fall scenery
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Stockholm, Wisc., population 97, is one of 33 river towns in that state along the Great River Road. -
Sightseeing boats offer visitors a good view of the Upper Mississippi Valley. -
The Cashton area is home to Wisconsin's largest Amish community.
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LA CROSSE, Wisc. -- Ever heard of a museum that's 3,000 miles long?
That's as good a description as any of the Great River Road, a winding ribbon of asphalt that follows the Mississippi River for its entire length. Meandering through 10 states from Minnesota to Louisiana, the Great River Road -- actually a series of local, state and federal highways -- is a gateway to the river valley's rich history and culture, and it offers visitors incredible scenery and unforgettable experiences.
For most of its length, the road is bordered by the Mississippi on one side and towering bluffs on the other. Much of the land consists of wildlife refuges and state parks, and there are dozens of panoramic overlooks, historic sites, interpretive centers and monuments.
PG MAPIt's impossible to experience the nearly 3,000-mile road in one chunk, but my wife and I recently took a fall driving tour along one of its most scenic portions, the 250-mile-long segment that makes up the southwestern edge of Wisconsin. Along the route are 33 historic river towns, many of them little more than a wide spot in the road, but each with a charm all its own.
For potential visitors, here are 9 Things to Know about Wisconsin's Great River Road:
A large portion of the road runs through Wisconsin's "driftless" area, one of the few parts of North America untouched by glaciers over the millennia. It's that geological oddity that is responsible for the bluffs, ravines and deep river valleys that make the region seem so out of place in the pancake-flat Midwest. It's been designated by AAA as one of the most scenic areas in mid-America.
The road is within the Mississippi River Flyway, the most important bird migration route in North America. During the spring and fall especially, it's a birdwatchers' paradise, and you'll see plenty of bald eagles, tundra swans, and white pelicans.
The village of Pepin tries mightily to capitalize on its favorite native daughter, Laura Ingalls Wilder, who was born nearby in the 1860s. Between a museum, a memorial and a replica of the cabin where she was born, fans of the Little House on the Prairie author can learn all about her -- and scoop up souvenirs galore.
Pepin is also home to a railroad museum that's worth a visit just to hear Ruth Swanson, the "honorary depot agent," spin her tales of old-time railroading, complete with sound effects that include bells, whistles, and a tapping telegraph key.
First Published October 16, 2011 12:00 am
