News and Notes from The Great River Road
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Selena Diggs
Editor
(608) 267-2094 office
Selena.diggs (at) dot.wi.gov
Ken Harwood
Publisher
...Full Story Here
Selena Diggs
Editor
(608) 267-2094 office
Selena.diggs (at) dot.wi.gov
Ken Harwood
Publisher
Great River Road Named Country’s Best Scenic Route
A prominent national publication has named the Great River Road the best scenic drive in America.
The route curves alongside the Mississippi River for its entire 2,340-mile length, starting near Lake Itasca and finishing in the bayou at New Orleans. Along the way, travelers pass by the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and Elvis Presley’s Graceland mansion.
In central Minnesota, just like the river, the route curls through Clearwater, St. Cloud, and Sartell. Compared to the slow-moving, muddy Mississippi seen further south, this area gives drivers a chance to see picturesque rapids and currents.
The Great River Road sits atop the USA Today 10Best list. It beat out some of the most iconic drives in the country, including California’s Pacific Coast Highway, the Blue Ridge Parkway in the Smoky Mountains, Route 66, and Door County, Wisconsin...
SEE ALSO...
Great River Road named Best Scenic Drive in America
...Full Story Here
How to plan a (road) trip along the Mississippi River where the water isn`t the only star
See this vital waterway from the Great River Road
The Mississippi River is a mighty waterway. It carries hundreds of millions of tons of freight every year, is home to a diverse population of fish, mammals, amphibians and reptiles, functions as a guide for migratory birds, and provides drinking water to loads of people. While you can cruise down the river itself, imagine a more land-centric approach by driving across stretches of the Great River Road.How does the Great River Road work?
What to expect along the way...
...Full Story HereKen Notes: Great Read....
Highway 35 will be closed between County N and County E in Ferryville
Highway 35 is closed between County N and County E in Ferryville, WI for resurfacing, bridge, and culvert work.
A posted detour route will utilize WIS 27 and WIS 171.
WIS 35 will be open during the day with temporary lane closures under flagging operations, and the road will be completely closed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. nightly.
Nighttime traffic will be detoured via La Crosse Street/WIS 16 to 3rd Street North/US 53 to Monitor Street.
Key details:
Project: Resurfacing, bridge, and culvert work.
- Location: WIS 35 between County N and County E in Ferryville, WI.
- Schedule: WIS 35 will be closed nightly from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
- Daytime Operations: WIS 35 will be open with temporary lane closures under flagging operations during the day.
- Detour Route: The detour will utilize WIS 27 and WIS 171.
Construction will be completed in stages...
Ken Notes: The Detour is a very scenic drive and not too far out of your way day or night.
The Great River Road
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Here`s to Being Here: Great River Road | Sights to See Along the Mississippi |
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Tank Creek Bridge on Great River State Trail closed after fire
TREMPEALEAU, Wis. (WKBT) -- If you`re planning to hit the Great River State Trail, you`ll need to rethink your route. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has announced that the Tank Creek Bridge is now closed until further notice after being severely damaged by fire.The historic bridge went up in flames on Thursday evening, May 15, 2025. Thankfully, no one was injured in the incident, but the bridge couldn`t be saved. DNR officials report that the structure is a total loss, and they`re still investigating what caused the fire.
Here`s the tricky part for trail users: because of the bridge`s location, there`s currently no alternative route available. And if you`re wondering when it might be replaced, you`ll have to stay tuned. The DNR hasn`t yet established a timeline or budget for replacement...
Ken Notes: Sad news. We need a fix ASAP....
DOT providing water taxi service with Lansing Bridge closed indefinitely
The 94-year-old bridge was also closed last year for emergency repairs.
LANSING, Iowa (WLCX) – With the bridge connecting Wisconsin to Iowa in western Wisconsin closed indefinitely, the Iowa Department of Transportation is lining up alternate ways across the Mississippi River.
Beginning June 4, a free water taxi service will be provided to help people cross the river while the Lansing Bridge, also known as the Blackhawk Bridge, is closed....
Beginning June 4, a free water taxi service will be provided to help people cross the river while the Lansing Bridge, also known as the Blackhawk Bridge, is closed....
...Full Story Here
First-ever National Mississippi River Day frames the river as `the great connector`
Michael Anderson views the Mississippi River as the country`s great connector.
It flows through 10 states — both red and blue — weaving its way through major population centers and small towns. Millions of Americans drink from it, and live, work and play on its banks.
For that reason, Anderson believes it`s high time the river had its day. This year, it will.
- One Mississippi, an environmental advocacy group, is declaring June 2 the first-ever National Mississippi River Day.
- Multiple river cities and a few states have formally recognized the day, including Wisconsin.
- Advocates hope that the day will bring attention to the river as it struggles with pollution, disinvestment and climate change.
- One Mississippi will host an online celebration of the river June 2 at noon.
Wisconsin Mississippi River Interpretive Centers
13 Wisconsin Restaurants Worth the Drive, According to Culinary Experts
Chef Shack
BAY CITY -- Owners/chefs Carrie Summer and Lisa Carlson operate this 12-seat seasonal restaurant 40 miles southeast of the Twin Cities and a block from the Mississippi River. The couple – who started with food trucks in Minneapolis – spend their winters traveling (this year, Japan) to inspire the menus. Open Fri-Sat nights, reservation only, prices vary...
Hmong’s Golden Egg Rolls
LA CROSSE -- Wisconsin’s growing population of Hmong are adding their voice to our immigrant foodways. A good example of that is this unassuming spot, which serves egg rolls (as you’d expect), pho, deep-fried tilapia and Hmong-style sausage with sticky rice. “It’s our favorite place to stop if we’re cruising around that area,” says Ircink. $12-$20...The Breakfast Club & Pub
LA CROSSE -- An homage to the 1985 John Hughes movie, the casual spot serves breakfast all day (it closes at 2 p.m.) and leans into its ’80s pop culture inspiration. I love the memorabilia, from the menu item names to the posters in the restrooms. They have the original movie running on TVs (DVD, apparently!), and you can play trivia at your table while waiting for your food. It’s a great place for families. Reasonable pricing, very good food and service. I’d definitely go there for the atmosphere alone. $7-$15 ...
Pete’s Hamburger Stand
PRAIRIE DU CHIEN -- In the warmer months, Faiola likes to stop for two burgers with their poached, thinly sliced onions, and eat them at nearby Lawler Park on the Mississippi River. $7...Ken Notes: Nice to see a few on or near the Great River Road...
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7 Off-The-Grid Wisconsin Towns To Visit In 2025
Stockholm occupies less than one square mile along the Mississippi River’s Lake Pepin but compresses an unusual number of cultural and geographic contrasts into its tiny footprint. Founded by Swedish immigrants in the mid-19th century, the village maintains a population under 250 yet supports a disproportionate number of working artists and independent food makers. Its single main street holds no chain businesses, and cell service is sporadic by design. The terrain surrounding the town forms part of the Driftless Area, unglaciated, sharply hilled, and strikingly different from the flattened Midwest most travelers expect. No traffic lights. No billboards. Just a tight cluster of buildings against a lake wide enough to look like the ocean.The Stockholm Pie and General Store serves savory pies like beef pasty and sweet staples like double lemon, made fresh daily and sold until gone. At Abode Gallery, rotating exhibits include ceramic installations, abstract quilts, and glasswork from Upper Midwest artists. Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery, a few minutes uphill, pours dry hard ciders pressed from local apples. The Palate café hosts monthly dinners with fixed menus and regional chefs. Each business operates with limited hours, making timing and advance planning essential...
Tourism Sites and Event Calendars
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Grant County
Crawford County
(Driftless Wisconsin)Vernon County
La Crosse County
Trempealeau County
Buffalo County
Pepin County
Pierce County
Other links
Great River Road Resources
Wisconsin Great River Road Website
Wisconsin Great River Road 2025 Visitors Guide
The Wisconsin Great River Road – Discover Wisconsin
Great River Road TripAdvisor
Explore La Crosse
Wisconsin Tourism Great River Road
National Website ExperienceMississippiRiver.com
MRPC Members Website National River Resources
Other Tourism Sites
Monroe County
River Pool Maps