The Mississippi River is one of the most romanticized transportation corridors in America, and with good reason—its storied banks are home to heavy industry, rich farmland, thriving cities, and stately plantations. Now, it provides the backbone for an inn-to-inn bicycle tour between New Orleans and St. Louis.

Bed, Breakfast & Bike Mississippi Valley is an indispensable guide to bicycle-friendly lodging along the Mississippi River and Natchez Trace Parkway. Whether you’re a long-distance touring cyclist who’s planning a 1,300-mile journey or you’re just looking for a good base of operations for a weekend of cycling, you’ll find plenty of maps and cue sheets to help you plan your itinerary.

The lodging choices range from restored Victorian mansions to sprawling farmhouses to simple rental cabins, in both urban and rural settings. Author Dale Lally has personally selected each of the 38 inns and B&Bs profiled in these pages, and provides you with a thorough description of the accommodations and dining options, and a peek into the history of each establishment.