Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Along the way the road bypasses anachronistic ferries, big-time barge traffic, loads of
archaeologically and historically significant sites, superb scenery, a gazillion eagles, and
fun stuff like religious grottoes, colossal flea markets, cozy eateries, turtle jerky, and barge
fishing.
There's an astonishing absence of tourist traffic on this road—never been able to figure
that out—but no matter where you are, freight trains roar by with an alarming regularity,
the south clashing with the barges chugging along the river.
For further reading, start with the best website (
www.wigreatriverroad.org
)
you'll find.
Then one from the Mississippi Valley Partners (
www.mississippi-river.org
),which includes
some, but not all, communities in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The Great River Road is the
perfect
weekend getaway, going in either direction. You can't
beat it, what with lovely
La Crosse
at the halfway point. Start from
Prescott,
10 minutes
southeast of Minneapolis. Drive slowly for the first 20 or so miles and drink in the scenery.
Perhaps take the picturesque Maiden Rock side road. Snoop out some art, antiques, or cof-
fee in the tiniest town of
Stockholm
and visit Laura Ingalls Wilder's birthplace in
Pepin
before lunching in my favorite place,
Alma.
If you're not hungry yet, 20 miles south is
everyone else's favorite pit-stop,
Trempealeau,
for its anachronistic hotel/restaurant. Beat
the sunset to
La Crosse
and grab a snapshot of it from Granddad's Bluff and eat at one of
the fine restaurants in town.
