Mississippi River History and Travel
The Mississippi River cuts a 2,300-mile course through the heart of the United States and a deep path through the imaginations of people around the world. I’ve been getting to know this river and its people for over a decade. I read about it; I listen to stories; and I experience it for myself from the tops of bluffs and the seats of canoes.
It’s an immense river, with a history to match. Much of the lore is about the big events—the Civil War, steamboat races, epic floods—but the lure is the little things: migrating tundra swans; mist rising from the backwaters in fall; thick carpets of lotus and lilies; a summer sunset of pale golden light spilling across the faces of yellow limestone bluffs.
Whether you live next to the river or are visiting, the Mississippi has much to offer. Along the river, you’ll find friendly small towns and big city culture. The Mississippi is great for boating of all kinds, including paddling in canoes and kayaks. The fishing and hunting is good, and there are plenty of parks and quiet places to hike and camp or just to watch the sunset.
Above all, the Mississippi is your river, whoever you are and wherever you live. Come along with me and get to know your river a little better.
Fire up your Harley, drop the top on your convertible, lace up your hiking boots, push your kayak into the water, or hop on your bicycle. There’s no single way to experience the Mississippi. What are you waiting for? Let’s get going.
You’ll find a lot about the river on this site, including facts about the Mississippi (like its length and depth and major floods), river town histories with travel tips, photo galleries, and music inspired by the Mississippi. If you want to go deeper, you can browse feature articles or buy books about the river. Just follow the links below or use the search box above to go directly to what you’re looking for. Enjoy!
Community-supported writing
If you like the content at the Mississippi Valley Traveler, please consider showing your support. I need your help to keep this going. Every dollar you contribute makes it possible for me to continue sharing stories about America’s Greatest River!
Discover a River Town
Mississippi River towns aren’t like other places. Read through these profiles and discover what makes them unique.
Podcast
Want to go deeper into the world of the Mississippi River? Check out the Mississippi Valley Traveler podcast hosted by Dean Klinkenberg. Each episode explores the rich and diverse history, culture, food, people, and travel experiences along the Great River.
Frank Dodge Mysteries
Writer Frank Dodge for a gift for getting in trouble.
Mississippi River Guide Books
Whether your’re traveling by car or by armchair, a Mississippi Valley Traveler guide book shows you the river like no other guide.
Speaking Tours
Bring the Mississippi Valley Traveler to your community for talks about history and getting to know the river.
Mississippi Valley Traveler
Who is this guy and why does he spend so much time along the Mississippi River?
Our Mississippi River
Brief stories from people along the Mississippi about what the river means to them and why they keep coming back.
Photo Galleries
Photos of pretty places, fascinating people, and unique festivals along the Mississippi River.
Facts About the Mississippi River
How much do you know about the Mississippi River?
Mississippi River Music
How many songs are there about the Mississippi River? Check out the list and listen to some river tunes.
Feature Articles
In-depth stories about the people and places of the Mississippi River Valley.
Blogs
Stories about the joys (and embarrassments) of life on the road and the river.
Community-supported writing
If you like the content at the Mississippi Valley Traveler, please consider showing your support by making a one-time contribution or by subscribing through Patreon. Book sales don’t fully cover my costs, and I don’t have deep corporate pockets bankrolling my work. I’m a freelance writer bringing you stories about life along the Mississippi River. I need your help to keep this going. Every dollar you contribute makes it possible for me to continue sharing stories about America’s Greatest River!
Recent Posts
Episode 53: River Songs & Gratitude: Wrapping up 2024
A busy year is coming to an end, so we’re going to ease our way out of 2024 with a short episode that features a note of thanks and bonus interview content. This year,
Episode 52: What Can the Mississippi’s Past Tell Us About Its Future? A Conversation with Historian John Anfinson
Historian John Anfinson has spent much of his adult life working in jobs that keep him close to the Mississippi River, first with the US Army Corps of Engineers, then later with the Mississippi
Episode 51: Traveling the Mississippi One Week at a Time: Anne Sherve-Ose’s 13-Year Journey Down the River
Every year, dozens of people load up their canoes or kayaks and set out to travel the length of the Mississippi River. Anne Sherve-Ose and two friends took a different approach. Over the course
Episode 50: The Dark Side of Steamboat Travel: The Disasters that Claimed Thousands of Lives on the Mississippi River
Steamboats revolutionized travel, dramatically shortening the time it took to get from place to place. When we think of the peak period of steamboat travel, we often picture images of tall boats with lacy
Episode 49: Much More than Snakes: The Unexpected Beauty and Unique Ecology of Snake Road
In this episode, I talk with wildlife biologist Mark Vukovich about the unique area known as Snake Road. Located about 40 miles south of Chester, Illinois, Snake Road passes through the LaRue-Pine Hills and
Episode 48: Explorers, Egos, and the Search for the Elusive Mississippi River Headwaters
Today, we all know—assume—that the Mississippi River begins at Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota. How did we figure this out? Why does it matter? In this episode, I dig into the history of how