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One of the least-talked about, but most historic, road trips in the United States is the Great River Road of the Mississippi River.

Covering over ten states, the Great River Road winds through both large cities and small towns as it makes its way almost 3000 miles from the Gulf of Mexico in the southern United States up to the River's end in Northern Minnesota.

Because the Mississippi River played such a large role in America's history, the Great River Road is dotted with remnants of history. With its rich culture, it is truly a representation of the heart of what America has to offer. Along the way, 62 historic sites (or Interpretive Centers as they are sometimes called), explain the historic relevance of the Mississippi River.

A trip on the Great River Road remains a relatively inexpensive way to see mid-America. The trip can be geared for all ages, surely providing something of interest for every member of the family.

Before traveling the Great River Road, visit the official website at http://www.ExperienceMississip piRiver.com where an official map of the River Road is available for download or in print by mail upon request. Because of the length of the route, detailed descriptions can offer more information about possible stops along the way.

If arriving by plane, travelers can begin their journey by flying into the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (http://www.flymsy.com. A visitor's center, staffed with multi-lingual representatives, is located in the West Lobby of the airport.

From there, travelers can rent a car on the lower level of the airport. There are seven car rental agencies available. If travelers will be driving the route to Memphis, Tennessee, at least one of those car rental agencies (Alamo) has agencies at both airports.

While in New Orleans, visitors may want to visit the French Quarter. One of the oldest and most famous neighborhoods in New Orleans, this National Historic Landmark is full of restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The Louisiana State Museum (http://www.crt.state.la.us tells the history of the French Quarter. The Historic New Orleans Collection (http://www.hnoc.org is also nearby. Amazingly, the neighborhood remains almost the same as before Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005.

The Great River Road (U.S. Route 61) makes its way north to Greenville, Mississippi, where travelers can stop at the Queen Welcome Center to see a steamboat replica like the one exhibited at the 1984 New Orleans World's Fair.

Further north still, the Delta Blues Museum (http://www.deltabluesmuseum.or g in Clarksdale, Mississippi, tells the history of Blues as it fits throughout musical history.

A few miles up the road, the Tunica RiverPark Museum (http://www.tunicariverpark.com offers a history of the Mississippi River and four aquariums.

Some travelers may choose to end their tour in Memphis, Tennessee, where they can taste Memphis barbecue or experience more of the history of music. Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley, is available for viewing as well as numerous other museums dedicated to rock 'n roll, country, and the blues.

For those seeking more solitude than what Memphis offers, Tennessee is also home to the Great Smokey Mountains. Numerous trails and driving tours wind their way through the mountains.

While some visitors may choose to end their drive in Memphis by dropping off their car rental at the Memphis International Airport (http://www.mscaa.com and catching a flight home there, the Great River Road does continue on. It travels north through Kentucky and Illinois, where it hits its most unpopulated areas in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

The road does change from U.S. Route 61 to several other routes throughout its journey, which makes the use of a detailed map very important. The Great River Road is not one "straight shot," but rather a series of roads tied together traveling north up the Mississippi River. (Surprisingly, it was built this way on purpose. In 1938, the governors of the 10 River Road states and Franklin D. Roosevelt decided to connect the existing roadways instead of building a brand new super highway.)

The Great River Road is flanked by several major U.S. National Parks, with many opportunities for camping. In addition, the Road travels through or near over 90 cities along its route. For that reason, it's difficult to pin-point any one particular hotel or camping location that meets the need of every traveler, but lodging is easily available.

The trip can take one or two days, or even one or two weeks depending upon how often visitors stop along the way.

While the choices of how to travel the Great River Road are numerous, one thing remains certain. Travelers who experience the Great River Road will most certainly come away with a greater knowledge of American History and a better understanding of the cultures which built this great nation.

Learn more about this author, Starla Ross.
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