On the Road: Upper Mississippi River Reflections — Historic Towns, Trails and Tales

Rating: Read 2 participant reviews Photos | Videos For information about this program please call (800) 454-5768, or enter your email address in the field below and we will contact you. - Return to previous page - Browse for programs by region - Try an advanced search If you are currently enrolled in this program, you can view the program details by logging in to your account. Cruise through the rich history and quaint culture of the Upper Mississippi River. Navigate the river and its Great River Road to discover the explorers and storytellers who call the Mighty Mississippi their home. Three very different floating excursions reveal new insights into the commerce, historic towns and nature's foliage waiting around every bend. As a former towboat captain narrates your cruise from Iowa through locks and dams to Prairie Du Chien, Wis., watch bald eagles and other wildlife in the bluffs of Effigy Mounds National Monument. In Galena, Ill., enjoy a historical tour of the town Ulysses Grant called home. Listen as a clammer details his river life during a backwaters cruise on his pontoon boat. Live music and ever-changing scenery highlight your seven-hour cruise on the type of Victorian boat Mark Twain called a “floating palace.” Enjoy experts, local residents and themed dining as they weave your overland and river excursions into an unforgettable adventure. Program includes three chartered boat cruises, each on a different type of river vessel to experience distinctly unique aspects of each region and gain a comprehensive overview of the Upper Mississippi River. The three river excursions are an eco cruise through locks and national nature preserve, narrated by naturalists and former towboat captain; a backwaters excursion with clammer; and a Victorian-style "floating palace" cruise. Program in association with Iowa State University Extension. Itinerary Arrive Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., 1 night; coach to Onalaska, Wisc., 1 night; boat to Dubuque, Iowa, 2 nights; boat and coach to Onalaska, 1 night; coach to Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; 1 night; departure. NOTE: The August program visits three states (Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin) and features the program's highlights in fewer days. September programs are longer and visit four states (adding Minnesota).