There are over 30 locks and dams, regulating the flow of water and producing electricity at various locations. 175 million tons of freight are estimated to be transported each year. For farming, it’s one of the most fertile farming lands in the USA. In the 19th and early 20th centuries huge amounts of agricultural and industrial products were carried on. Cities and towns developed on the river.

The Native American people have lived along the river for thousands of years mainly surviving on hunting and fishing but many have had a profound impact with agriculture and urban civilization. With the arrival of Europeans from the 16th and 17th centuries onwards the river and its tributaries served as major transportation arteries for adventurers, farmers, prospectors and spectaculars. The river has been a border or dividing line through the country. It has developed into a major influence on its path. 

During the American Civil War in the 1860s the Mississippi was vital for the transportation of troops, equipment, provisions, horses, tanks, livestock for troops rations, hospitals, tents, medical supplies, staff, mail and whatever else was needed. 

Lumber yards and moving logs. 

Rivers have been used for moving timber whenever possible. The heyday of the lumber operations was from about 1860 until the early 1900s. Logs were strapped together and floated down stream like giant rafts. Hundreds of timber companies had set up businesses along the river banks. The lumber was mainly from Pine forests in the northern states, with both Pines and Hardwoods further south. 

For the development of the tourism industry, hundreds of kilometres of trails have been laid out for hiking, biking and walking. Horse tracking, fishing and canoeing are also available. Cruising is a major attraction, where you can travel from 7 to 10 or more days. Along these routes there are Hotels, Lodges or Camping grounds. The trails vary from 2 to 42 kilometres.

Visitor centres include, Native American villages, Civil War Sights and Museums, Wine Tours and Tasting, Period Houses from the 18th and 19th centuries, Churches, Memphis, St. Louis, Tennessee, St. Anthony’s Falls or New Orleans.

Today’s tourism business on the Mississippi River sees millions of people visit the area every year, spending $20 billion and supporting more than 300,000 jobs. Many visitors have different reasons for been there. Family connections down through the years. Walking in the footsteps of statesmen and women. Retirees tracing their journey of life. The twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul in Minnesota have a multiplicity of attractions to offer.

Moving down the river to the City of St. Louis where the Missouri River joins the Mississippi we think of the characters in Mark Twain’s novels, Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn who lived in Hannibal, on the banks of the river. Baton Rouge, capital city of Louisiana, a major port on the Mississippi.

From trade and commerce to farmers that tilled the soil, planted the seeds and harvested their rewards of cereals, root crops, corn, soybeans, fruits from these fertile fields along the river bed. The fisheries, and bird sanctuaries that have grown, developed and populated in the floodplains of this area.

Theatres have thrived from stories of the river, these stories that have been adapted for Films, Plays, Song and Dance. The tourism board estimates that the coming years are expecting to see an expansion in the river cruise business.

The home of Blues, Jazz and Rock and Roll. 

“Left a good job in the city, 

Working for the man every night and day

And I never lost one minute of sleep 

Worrying about the way things might have been”.

“Big wheel keeps on turning 

Proud Mary keeps on burning 

And we’re rolling 

Rolling, rolling on the river.”

Here’s a song written by John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival, released in 1969 about the riverboat Proud Mary, that sailed the Mississippi for 50 years. The name was changed to Mary Elizabeth after a change of ownership. It was built in 1905 and was used for many different projects. On the Hudson River in New York, it ferried convicted criminals to Sing-Sing State Prison.

On Lake Pontchartrain it was a ferry boat. Later a mail boat. Then in 1928 it was refitted as a Tug Boat on the Mississippi until it was retired for scrap in 1978. Now her legacy lives on as Proud Mary. Recorded by various artists including Ike and Tina Turner, and Solomon Burke.

The Jazz festival in New Orleans invites you to join in the fun. The Country and Western Music Hall of Fame, and the Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville or head for Memphis, Tennessee to the heart of soul music.

The intimacy of the river boats are the outstanding features, a group of about 400 people plus the crew is a comfortable number. The shore excursions are convenient to the towns and cities. Evening entertainment on most cruises.