Great River Road Adventure

Day One
Morning. Arrive Keokuk. Tour the Keokuk River Museum - exhibits aboard a retired steamboat that has been designated a national historic landmark. Continue to the Lock 19, Dam and Hydroelectric Plant - the largest lock on the Mississippi River and site of an electric plant built in 1913 which still generates power. (From this point November through April, you can get close views of the majestic bald eagles wintering here.) The National Cemetery in Keokuk is one of 12 original National Cemeteries - designated at the same time as Arlington Cemetery; it is the only one west of the Mississippi. A guided tour features the Civil War section where both Union and Confederate soldiers are buried. April groups will enjoy the Civil War Reenactment: Battle of Pea Ridge - an ABA Top 100 Event.

Afternoon. Travel north on the Great River Road to Fort Madison, where after an early lunch you will experience life in the early 1800s military fort at Old Fort Madison on the banks of the Mississippi River. In Burlington stretch your legs with a walk down Snake Alley - the crookedest street in the world, then tour the Heritage Hill National Historic District either by coach or on foot. This 29 block area of the city features a variety of architectural styles and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From here head to Mosquito Park for a breathtaking view of the Mississippi River. Continue north to Muscatine for a peek into the past at the Pearl Button Museum, where the history of the button industry - once a major employer - comes to life.

Evening. Enjoy a casual dinner, entertainment and sunset in the Quad Cities.

Day Two
Morning. Start your day with learning about the heritage and wildlife of this region along the Mississippi River at the Putnam Museum. The museum also features Asian and Egyptian galleries with a 3,500 year-old mummy and hosts many temporary national exhibits. Spend an hour or so shopping and touring on your own in the historic Village of East Davenport. As you travel further north, stop at the Buffalo Bill Cody Homestead and see where this icon of the Wild West got his start.

Afternoon. The beautiful Mississippi Belle II in Clinton offers nostalgic riverboat atmosphere, an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet, the beauty of the Mississippi and gaming entertainment. Following your afternoon cruise, learn the story of early Mississippi river-area settlers and local lumber tycoons at the Clinton County Historical Society museum.

Evening. Tonight’s activities will depend on the time of year - cheer on the Clinton Lumber Kings Class A baseball team, or enjoy a performance of the Clinton Area Showboat Theatre or Clinton Symphony Orchestra.

Overnight in Clinton.

Day Three
Morning & Afternoon. A guided tour of "Simply Beautiful" Jackson County will take your breath away. A step-on guide will meet you at the welcome center in Sabula - Iowa’s only island city - and take you to Bellevue State Park where you’ll enjoy a beautiful scenic overlook and butterfly sanctuary, the Picturesque Luxembourger Village of St. Donatus and to Maquoketa Caves State Park where you may hike or spelunk - or both. In Maquoketa, shop ’til you drop at Banowetz Antiques featuring 100 dealers of fine antique furniture, toys, housewares and more. Don’t worry about your packages, they deliver! Enjoy a picnic lunch at one of the parks or at one of the homestyle restaurants along the way. Continue north along the Great River Road toward Dubuque and stop at Crystal Lake Cave for a narrated guided tour of delicate and rare natural crystal formations.

Evening. Step back in time and dine in elegance during the five-course Victorian House Tour and Progressive Dinner in Dubuque, take a dinner cruise aboard the Spirit of Dubuque, or tour the National Mississippi River Museum.  Your options are endless.  Overnight in Dubuque.

Day Four
Morning. Enjoy a hearty Iowa breakfast, a bit of nostalgia and a big piece of pie at Iowa’s oldest restaurant and pub - Breitbach’s in Balltown. Continue your scenic tour of the Great River Road along ridges, curves, hills and limestone bluffs toward the river community of Guttenberg. Stop here for a tour of the Lockmaster’s House Heritage Museum, one of the last remaining lockmaster’s houses on the Mississippi River. Follow River Drive though town for lovely park views of the river.

Afternoon. Further along your adventure discover Effigy Mounds National Monument, an archeological park that preserves more than 200 mounds - some in the shapes of birds and bears - from the prehistoric Woodland Indian culture. A ranger-guided tour and recently renovated visitor center and museum make the history and beauty of this monument come to life. Many visitors spot eagles soaring as they marvel at the view from Fire Point.

Evening. Kick back and relax with and old-fashioned hayrack ride and chuck wagon barbecue at Scenic Ridge View Exotic Animal Ranch in Harpers Ferry. End the evening enjoying music around the campfire and the peaceful sounds of coyotes barking and owls hooting. Overnight in Marquette and try your luck at the Isle of Capri Casino.