Along the Mississippi River
Travel along the Mississippi
About the Mississippi River
The Mississippi is the chief river of the largest drainage system. It is the forth longest (2,520 miles) and the tenth largest in the world. It starts in northern Minnesota and empties in the Gulf of Mexico. The Mississippi River and Valley contain many kinds of animals and plants like freshwater fish, birds, deer, raccoons, otters, and a variety of forest trees. Pollution from the agriculture industry threatens the life of the Mississippi.
Major Cities along the Mississippi
When traveling along the Mississippi you can go to many different cities like...
- Minneapolis, Minnesota
- St. Paul, Minnesota
- Cairo, Illinois
- St. Louis, Missouri
- Memphis, Tennessee
- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Climate
The average temperature at the Mississippi in northern Minnesota is 40 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit to about 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit at the mouth of the river. Precipitation varies widely on the river and the lower section can flood.
Transportation
To travel on the river you can take a boat out on the water or if you wanted to go along on land you could bike or hike on one of the Mississippi River Trails.
Activities
There are multiple parks, campgrounds, and museums along the Mississippi River. You can take a trail and hike along the Mississippi and camp-out. In Dubuque, Iowa, you can visit the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. The Aquarium features wildlife found in the Mississippi River. You can visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, Audubon Zoo, or the Audubon Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. If you are in Memphis, Tennessee you could stop by the Mud Island River Park and Mississippi River Museum. The museum shows 10,000 years of history in the Lower Mississippi River Valley. In the park you can go to the Riverwalk which is an exact scale model of the Lower Mississippi River. (30" per mile)