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Mississippi River Country

Brand USA India Sales & Media Mission – Mississippi River Country

What Mississippi River Country offers Indian travelers

Mississippi River Country highlights the states that border America’s most famous river, and the region takes visitors on a tour through some of the country’s best offerings, from the birthplace of unique musical styles like blues, jazz, and country music to award-winning and world-famous restaurants that show off some of the country’s best cuisine. Visitors will also find uniquely American road trips on the Great River Road and Route 66, stunning scenery on and along the Mississippi River, incredible live entertainment, and top-notch shopping opportunities.

When should I visit Mississippi River Country?

There are good reasons to visit Mississippi River Country any time of year, as you can enjoy delicious food, engaging attractions, live music, and much more in any season. Fall is a particularly good time to visit Mississippi River Country’s northern states, as stunning fall colors take over the scenery in spots along the Mississippi River, the Great Lakes, the Smoky Mountains, and more. Spring, summer, and fall are good times to explore the outdoors, and river cruises are offered throughout the year. Winter is a good time to explore the southern Great River Road states, as temperatures are generally more moderate than in summer.

How long of a visit should I plan?

Mississippi River Country encourages return trips, so you don’t have to see everything in one visit. We’ve arranged our travel information on this website into themes (Music, Food, etc.) and have assembled itineraries featuring attractions that all tie into those themes. Depending on where you’re going and what you’d like to see in Mississippi River Country, we would recommend a week to 10 days as a minimum (if you’re planning to visit two or three states), with a longer 15- to 20-day trip if you want to see states throughout the region.

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Photo gallery

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Contact information

MRC state representatives

Travel itineraries

See more Mississippi River Country travel itineraries here.

How to get to MRC

Driving distances between major MRC cities

Northern Mississippi River Country

  • Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, to Madison, Wisconsin: 4.25 hours, 435km
  • Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 5 hours, 540km
  • Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, to Chicago, Illinois: 6.5 hours, 655km
  • Madison, Wisconsin, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin: 1.25 hours, 125km
  • Madison, Wisconsin, to Chicago, Illinois: 2.25 hours, 235km
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Chicago, Illinois: 1.5 hours, 150km

Southern Mississippi River Country

  • Memphis, Tennessee, to Nashville, Tennessee: 3.25 hours, 340km
  • Memphis, Tennessee, to Little Rock, Arkansas: 2 hours, 220k
  • Memphis, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi: 3 hours, 335km
  • Memphis, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi: 4.75 hours, 500km
  • Memphis, Tennessee, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 5.5 hours, 615km
  • Memphis, Tennessee, to New Orleans, Louisiana: 5.75 hours, 635km
  • Nashville, Tennessee, to Little Rock, Arkansas: 5.25 hours, 560km
  • Nashville, Tennessee, to Jackson, Mississippi: 6 hours, 665km
  • Nashville, Tennessee, to Natchez, Mississippi: 7.75 hours, 830km
  • Nashville, Tennessee, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 8.5 hours, 950km
  • Nashville, Tennessee, to New Orleans, Louisiana: 7.75 hours, 850km
  • Little Rock, Arkansas: to Jackson, Mississippi: 4.25 hours, 415km
  • Little Rock, Arkansas, to Natchez, Mississippi: 4.5 hours, 400km
  • Little Rock, Arkansas, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 6.25 hours, 550km
  • Little Rock, Arkansas to New Orleans, Louisiana: 7 hours, 685km
  • Jackson, Mississippi, to Natchez, Mississippi: 1.75 hours, 165km
  • Jackson, Mississippi, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 2.5 hours, 280km
  • Jackson, Mississippi, to New Orleans, Louisiana: 2.75 hours, 300km
  • Natchez, Mississippi, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana: 1.75, 145km
  • Natchez, Mississippi, to New Orleans, Louisiana: 3 hours, 275km
  • Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to New Orleans: Louisiana: 1.25 hours, 130km

Major airports

Arkansas

Illinois

Louisiana

Minnesota

Mississippi

Tennessee

Wisconsin

Dining in Mississippi River Country

Indian visitors to Mississippi River Country will find a wide array of award-winning restaurants and world-famous chefs, including many that serve up unique takes on American classics and offer a wide array of dining options for vegetarian and vegan guests. Notable foodie cities like Chicago and New Orleans are home to dozens of Michelin-starred restaurants, and lesser-known destinations like Minnesota’s Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Memphis in Tennessee, and Madison, Wisconsin, boast a bevy of international cuisines.

Here’s a closer look at some notable chefs & Indian restaurants in Mississippi River Country:

Arkansas

  • Star of India (Little Rock) – Longtime favorite in Arkansas’ capital city offering lamb, beef, chicken, seafood, and a huge variety of vegetarian dishes
  • Taj Mahal (Little Rock & Conway) – Local chain in Little Rock area known for Indian specialties including curry, butter chicken & more
  • Flavors Indian Cuisine (Bentonville) – Family-owned restaurant in northwestern Arkansas offers a daily & weekend lunch buffet

Illinois

  • Indienne (Chicago) – Michelin starred; James Beard nominee (Best Chef Great Lakes 2024 – Sujan Sarkar)
  • The Coach House (Chicago) – James Beard nominee (Emerging Chef of the Year 2024 – Zubair Mohajir)

Louisiana

  • Saffron Nola (New Orleans) – James Beard nominee (Best Chef South 2024 – Arvinder Vikhu, Best New Restaurant 2018)

Minnesota

  • Raag on 50th (Minneapolis) – Modern Indian fine dining restaurant, cocktail bar, and cafe in the heart of Minneapolis
  • Himalayan Restaurant (Minneapolis) – Highlights Nepalese, Tibetan, and Indian cuisine

Mississippi

  • Snackbar (Oxford) – James Beard winner & nominee (Best Chef 2019 – Vishwesh Bhatt, nominee 2012-18)

Tennessee

  • Tailor (Nashville) – James Beard nominee (Best Chef 2020 – Vivek Surti)

Wisconsin

  • Dhaba Indian Bistro (Middleton & Fitchburg) – Authentic Indian cuisine in a welcoming atmosphere in suburban Madison
  • India Garden Restaurant (Wauwatosa) – Modern twists on classic Indian and North Indian dishes in Milwaukee’s western suburbs

Luxury Accommodations in MRC

Arkansas

  • Capital Hotel, Little Rock – Historic hotel steps from the State Capitol building that offers top-notch accommodations in central Arkansas
  • 21c Museum Hotel, Bentonville – Boutique hotel in downtown Bentonville near the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in northwestern Arkansas
  • The Reserve at Hot Springs – Former private mansion and national heritage landmark is now home to a luxury hotel in southwestern Arkansas

Illinois

Louisiana

Minnesota

  • Madden’s on Gull Lake, Brainerd – Located in far northern Minnesota, Madden’s is a classic Northwoods resort that’s been welcoming guests for a century
  • Omni Viking Lakes Hotel, Eagan – This Twin Cities luxury hotel is home to spacious rooms and a full-service Nordic spa
  • The Hotel Landing, Wayzata – Luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Minnetonka, a 15-minute drive from downtown Minneapolis

Mississippi

Tennessee

Wisconsin

  • The American Club, Kohler – A luxury hotel on the shores of Lake Michigan that offers access to the award-winning Whistling Straits golf course
  • Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel, Milwaukee – Located in downtown Milwaukee, this boutique hotel has been named “one of the absolute coolest hotels” by Conde Nast Traveler
  • The Pfister Hotel, Milwaukee – Historic hotel dating to 1893 in downtown Milwaukee offers outstanding service and impeccable style

River & Lake Cruises in Mississippi River Country

Multi-Day Cruises on the Mississippi River

  • Viking Cruises: Routes offered include a New Orleans round trip (8 days), Heart of the Delta (New Orleans to Memphis, 8 days), America’s Heartland (St. Louis to St. Paul, 8 days) and America’s Great River (St. Paul to New Orleans, 15 days)
  • American Cruise Lines: Take a New Orleans round trip, travel the Upper or Lower Mississippi or explore the entire river on an expansive three-week tour

Day Trips on the Mississippi River

  • Padelford Riverboats: Head to St. Paul to marvel at natural and man-made wonders along the Mississippi River in Minnesota
  • La Crosse Queen: Located in western Wisconsin, this modern-day replica of traditional riverboat takes passengers on a scenic Mississippi River tour
  • Spirit of Peoria: This old-fashioned replica of a 19th-century riverboat docks at the riverfront in Peoria on the Illinois River but also offers sightseeing, dinner and multi-day tours of the Mississippi River.
  • Memphis Riverboats: On Tennessee’s western border, Memphis Riverboats offers authentic riverboat cruises on the Mississippi River
  • New Orleans Steamboat Company: Take a ride on one of the company’s iconic paddlewheelers—the Steamboat Natchez or the Riverboat City of New Orleans to take in the sights of the Big Easy

Other Options

Food, music & culture trails

Arkansas

  • Culinary trails: Explore the Arkansas River Valley’s wineries or discover delicious desserts on the state’s Pie Trail

Illinois

  • Frank Lloyd Wright Trail: Features 12 Wright-designed buildings, including two UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Robie House in Chicago and Unity Temple in Oak Park) and his home & studio in Oak Park
  • Scenic & historic byways: Illinois is home to 7 historic byways, including Route 66 (celebrating its centennial in 2026) and the Great River Road

Louisiana

  • Louisiana Culinary Trails: Creole Crescent (New Orleans), Tammany Taste (New Orleans’ Northshore), Prairie Home Cooking (central), Capital Cravings (Baton Rouge), Bayou Bounty (Cajun Country – Lafayette), Seafood Sensation (southwest/Gulf), Red River Riches (northwest – Natchitoches, Shreveport), Delta Delights (northeast – Monroe)
  • Bayou Teche National Water Trail: Canoe or kayak through 15 communities and 4 parishes on this 135-mile scenic route in southern Louisiana
  • Audubon Golf Trail: 18 courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Hal Sutton & others that highlight state’s natural beauty

Mississippi

  • Mississippi Blues Trail: More than 200 Blues Trail markers across Mississippi highlight important places, people & events in blues history
  • Mississippi Freedom Trail: Churches, schools, courthouses, museums & other important Civil Rights sites throughout the state

Tennessee

  • Tennessee Music Pathways: Statewide driving tour that includes hundreds of landmarks across the state representing 7 genres of music (blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly, rock ’n roll)

Wisconsin

  • Frank Lloyd Wright Trail: Features nine buildings throughout southern Wisconsin, including Wright’s expansive Taliesin estate in Spring Green

Movie & TV attractions

Arkansas

  • Sling Blade (1996) – Benton
  • Mud (2012) – Dumas
  • A Face in the Crowd (1957) – Piggott
  • Gone With the Wind (1939) – The Old Mill, North Little Rock
  • Elizabethtown (2005) – Christ of the Ozarks, Eureka Springs

Illinois

  • Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – Wrigley Field, Art Institute of Chicago & Willis Tower (Chicago)
  • The Dark Knight (2008) – Old Chicago Post Office & McCormick Place (Chicago)
  • The Untouchables (1987) – Chicago Board and Trade Building
  • Groundhog Day (1993) – Woodstock
  • The Blues Brothers (1980) – Old Joliet Prison
  • Chicago Fire (2012-present) – Chicago Fire Department’s Engine 18

Louisiana

  • Sinners (2025) – Donaldsonville, Braithwaite, Thibodaux, St. Bernard Parish
  • Interview with the Vampire (1994) – Oak Alley Plantation (Vacherie)
  • Jurassic World (2015) – New Orleans
  • Green Book (2018) – new Orleans, Houmas House Plantation (Darrow), Metarie, Hammond
  • Easy Rider (1969) – St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 (New Orleans)
  • NCIS: New Orleans (2014-21) – Bourbon Street, Louis Armstrong Park, Jackson Square, Plaza Tower

Minnesota

  • Purple Rain (1984) – First Avenue (Minneapolis), Paisley Park (Chanhassen)
  • Charlie Brown, Snoopy & more “Peanuts” character statues in Landmark Plaza, Saint Paul – Charles Schultz was born in Minnesota
  • The Mighty Ducks (1992) – Saint Paul Winter Carnival, Mickey’s Diner (Saint Paul), Mall of America (Bloomington)
  • Grumpy Old Men (1993) – Lake Rebecca Park Reserve (Rockford), Wabasha
  • Fargo (1996) – Brainerd Lakes

Mississippi

  • Sinners (2025) – set in Clarksdale in 1932; filmed in Louisiana
  • True Blood (2008-14) – Longwood Mansion (Natchez)
  • Get On Up (2014) – Mississippi Coliseum & Thalia Mara Hall (Jackson), Dunleith Historic Inn (Natchez)
  • The Help (2011) – Brent’s Drugs, Mississippi Capitol & Mayflower Café (Jackson)
  • O Brother Where Art Thou (2000) – D’Lo Water Park (Mendenhall), Courthouse Square (Canton)
  • A Time to Kill (1996) – Canton

Tennessee

  • Elvis Presley attractions in Memphis – Graceland, Beale Street, Sun Studio
  • The Firm (1993) – Memphis
  • Walk the Line (2005) – Memphis
  • The Green Mile (1999) – Tennessee State Prison (Cockrill Bend)
  • Coal Miner’s Daughter (1980) – Ryman Auditorium (Nashville)
  • 42: The Jackie Robinson Story (2103) – Engel Stadium (Chattanooga)

Wisconsin

  • Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum & Birthplace (Pepin) – Author of “Little House on the Prairie” books
  • Public Enemies (2009) – Mirror Lake State Park (Baraboo), Wisconsin State Capitol (Madison), Little Bohemia Lodge (Manitowish Waters)
  • Back to School (1986) – University of Wisconsin (Madison)
  • Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2010) – Milwaukee Art Museum
  • Winning (1969) – Road America (Elkhart Lake)
  • Mr. 3000 (2004) – American Family Field (Milwaukee)

Casinos in Mississippi River Country

Arkansas

Illinois

Louisiana

Minnesota

  • 20 casinos
  • Largest is Mystic Lake Casino in Twin Cities area—largest casino in the Midwest

Mississippi

Wisconsin

Birding Areas in Mississippi River Country

Arkansas

  • Bald Knob National Wildlife Refuge: Located just northeast of Little Rock, this refuge’s ponds, irrigation canals, and woodlands are home to nearly 300 species
  • Holla Bend National Wildlife Refuge: Near the city of Dardanelle along the Arkansas River, it’s a great place to see migrating songbirds in spring and bald eagles in the fall and winter
  • Millwood Lake, Lockesburg: This lake in the southwest corner of the state has long been a popular spot for birders and boasts a healthy population of waterbirds and songbirds

Illinois

Louisiana

Minnesota

  • Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory, Duluth: Classified as an Important Birding Area by the National Audubon Society, Hawk Ridge is a great place to see hawks, eagles, and other raptors
  • Blue Mounds State Park, Luverne: This 1,800-acre (7 square km) park in the southwest corner of the state is home to species like blue grosbeak, yellow-billed cuckoos, and orioles
  • Mississippi National River and Recreation Area: This 72-mile (115 km) river park follows the Mississippi and is a great spot for birdwatching

Mississippi

Tennessee

Wisconsin

  • Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Onalaska: Stretching for more than 261 miles (420km), the refuge is recognized as a Globally Important Bird Area
  • Crex Meadows Wildlife Area, Grantsburg: One of the top birding sites in the Midwest, Crex Meadows covers 30,000 acres (121 square km) and hosts large collections of sandhill cranes
  • Horicon Marsh: Horicon Marsh is the largest cattail wetland in the country and is well-known for its diverse array of migratory and nesting birds

Colleges & Universities

Data from opendoors.org

Arkansas

Illinois

Louisiana

Minnesota

  • 15,560 international students, 21.1% from India (#1)*
  • Top institutions** – University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, Minnesota State University – Mankato, St. Cloud State University

Mississippi

Tennessee

Wisconsin

  • 16,391 international students, 27.4% from India (#2)*
  • Top institutions** – University of Wisconsin – Madison, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Concordia University

*rank by place of origin for all international students in the state
**includes enrollment by international students from all places of origin

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