Mississippi

Although the second longest river in North America, the Mississippi is more famous for the stories that surround it than for its physical size.

In Early European American history, the area was popular with criminals, many of who were rumoured to have private pirate islands. Mark Twain included the criminal element in his stories set on and around the river, also writing about the steamboat era, when these iconic vessels were the main way to travel (both in style and on a budget.).

As well as Twain, many artists have written their odes to the river, the two most iconic being the songs “Moon River”, the theme for the film “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” and “Ol’ Man River” from the musical “Showboat”.

Water skiing was first coined on the Mississippi in 1922.

A steam boat trip is now only one way to experience the river and its surrounding cities. The route of the Mississippi starts at Lake Itasca, a small glacial lake in Minnesota and joins the sea in the Gulf of Mexico. It's estimated that the waters journey takes around 90 days. Eight state borders initially followed the Mississippi’s route, however the river has since altered its course and the borders have remained.