Photo Credit: Moonrise Hotel (St. Louis, MO)

Unique Stays on the Great River Road

Spend the night at these unique stays, from tranquil retreats to trendy hotels. When it’s time to take a break from the road, there’s no reason you can’t do it in style! Need more to choose from? Check out this list of B&B’s

  ~Minnesota~

Bert’s Cabins (Bovey, MN)

Stay right at the headwaters of the Mississippi in these log cabins, surrounded by towering pines. Explore Itasca State Park with Bert’s Cabins as your home base. 

JailHouse Inn (Preston, MN) 

A bed and breakfast in a former jailhouse, this quaint stay features rooms in spaces that once served as the sheriff’s quarters and a jail cell. It’s just a short drive from the Great River Road.

 ~Wisconsin~

The Trempealeau Hotel (Trempealeau, WI)

A historic, happenin’ spot, The Trempealeau Hotel is a go to destination for reggae fans and live music each summer. Staying for dinner? Get their famous walnut burger.

Rainbow Ridge Farms (Onalaska, WI)

Goats! Rainbow Ridge is a bed and breakfast with a fun farm feel. Enjoy the company of the resident animals, including the beloved goats, who sometimes join guests for yoga.

~Iowa~

CR Station Train Caboose (Decorah, IA)

Settle down for the night in this truly unique stay—a restored train caboose! Take a quick detour to Decorah to get in on this one-of-a-kind Airbnb.

Grumpster’s Log Cabins (McGregor, IA)

Need a little rest and relaxation? Grumpster’s secluded log cabins offer serenity just a mile from the Mississippi. 

~Illinois~

Cracker Factory (Alton, IL)

The Cracker Factory in Alton really has it all, Panoramic river views from your private balcony? Check. Charming historical architecture? Check. Close proximity to downtown? Check. 

Irish Cottage Boutique Hotel (Galena, IL)

Modern and Gaelic touches combine for a one-of-a-kind style at this hotel. Belly up to the bar at Frank O’Dowd’s Irish Pub & Grill in true Irish fashion.

 ~Missouri~

Moonrise Hotel (St. Louis, MO)

The decor at this boutique hotel is out of this world! Space memorabilia, iridescent walls, and a lighted staircase give Moonrise a wildly fun feel.

St. Louis Union Station Hotel (St. Louis, MO)

Not only does this former train station have impressive architecture, including a 65-foot barrel-vaulted ceiling, but it also has features an aquarium and an observation wheel. 

~Kentucky~

The 1857 (Paducah, KY)

If you like historic buildings with modern amenities, stay at The 1857, a boutique hotel in the heart of Paducah. Elements of the 1800s building have been preserved for a fun throwback vibe.

~Tennessee~

Big Cypress Lodge (Memphis, TN)

If you love fishing, the Big Cypress Lodge offers Mississippi River views and access to all the gear you could ever buy. That’s right, it’s located inside the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid!

The Guest House at Graceland (Memphis, TN)

You can sleep just steps from Elvis’s former home at this resort, designed with his style in mind. There’s a steady stream of live entertainment and tours of Graceland, as well. 

~ARKANSAS~

The Elms Lodge (Altheimer, AR)

This plantation is now the largest women-owned operated commercial duck hunting business.  On the Mississippi Flyway and offering 5 star accommodations or something a little more rustic.  If you’re a hunter, this is truly an experience.

The Schoolhouse Lodge (Bayou Meto, AR)

What was once the Bayou Meto School is now a six-bedroom rural escape. Get off the beaten path to stay in this historic schoolhouse turned hunting lodge.

~Mississippi~

Shack Up Inn (Clarksdale, MS)

A haven for beer drinkers and blues fans, Shack Up Inn prioritizes a good time over great amenities, offering an authentic Mississippi Delta experience complete with tin-roof shacks. 

The Lofts at the Five and Dime (Clarksdale, MS)

A reminder of the commercial heyday of the 1950s, The Lofts at the Five and Dime are located in the historic F.W. Woolworth building, once the focal point of local shopping.

~Louisiana~

Bonne Terre Louisiana (Poché Bridge, LA)

This ten-acre farm outside of Lafayette offers three separate artist retreats, each surrounded by the tranquility of Cajun country. 

The Auberge Hostel (New Orleans, LA)

The dorm-style setup of this hostel may be typical, but its atmosphere is anything but! Nightly social events take guests to the best bars in NOLA, though the pre-game at the hostel is just as good.