I am taking a ride from Minneapolis to New Orleans on The Great River Road and would like input;
Minnesota side or Wisconsin side?
Iowa side or Illinois side?
Illinois side or Missouri side?
Arkansas side or Mississippi side??

Thanks!

 

when? You know water is going to be a problem down here. Arkansas, Red, Ouachita are all dumping big water into the MISS.

 

Good question. I found out about the river roads after visiting the headwaters in Mn. last year. It's pretty neat to see the beginning of such a great river start with a few small ponds and a creek about 30 feet wide you can walk across. Planning to do the same ride next year.

 

Wisconsin side, Illinois side for starters

 

Definitely Wisconsin side!

 

Consider some part of your ride being on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

 

we ride down the Great rd alot....'

Leaving Prescott head down Wi side when you get to Winona jump on Mn side (you will skip Lacrosse and traffic and the best riding is from there all the way to Dubuque!! jump over to Galina and take Black jack rd down to Savannah, i for one never miss the Iowa side its full of twistys and long sweepers...

just rode down there last weekend and Iowa always brings a big smile

 

All of the above are true - and none truer than this.

While the idea of the GRR is intriguing, the reality is a let down. I've tried to warn people off doing anything south of Rock Island and few listen. Everyone has told me they wished they had. Other than a few spots here and there it's not at all scenic. And little of it within view of the river. It's a long, long way to get anywhere and as such a huge time investment to ride past farm fields, power houses and through depressing burgs. Once to Davenport I would take the most expedient way to Nashville and do the NTP.

That said, We like the Wisconsin side on 35 as far as Prairie Du Chien, then cut over to the Iowa side (research CR9) and take that to Dubuque, then cut over to the Illinois side. This route keeps you closest to the river. There's some very nice spots in Minnesota that we check out, but on a continuous route like yours, I would do what I recommended.

 

If you travel the MS side, you might check out some of the "Blues" attractions(Clarksdale, Indianola, etc.). Vicksburg is nice with the battlefield to tour and a few things in town. Natchez is nice town to visit. Lots of antebellum homes. Not much in between them. You might consider crossing over the river south of Natchez and hitting some of the famous antebellum homes along the river down to NOLA. Most of those are south of Baton Rouge.

 

Scoot over the Hwy 18 bridge west across the Big Muddy from Prairie du Chien, WI to Marquette, Iowa, and then south 1 mile to McGregor, an historic town built right into the bluffs. Great shops and eats. Lots of bikes. Just south of that is Pikes Peak, a great overlook.