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Mississippi National River and Recreation AreaRanger with children on the Minneapolis Queen during a Journey to the Falls educational trip.
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Mississippi National River and Recreation Area
Journey to the Falls

Minnesota Academic Standards: Interface with Journey to the Falls (PDF)


Specific dates and times of upcoming field trips can be found in the Journey to the Falls Flyer.

Spring 2009 flyer and Reservation Form (PDF)

Fall 2009 flyer and Reservation Form (PDF)


General Information
Journey to the Falls (JTF) is an integration of river and classroom experiences featuring history and literacy activities. JTF connects students with Saint Anthony Falls and the Mississippi River in the Minneapolis area. The program culminates with a riverboat excursion on the Mississippi River in Minneapolis that includes hands-on learning stations, journaling and visual literacy activities, and passage through a lock. Teachers who sign up for Journey to the Falls incorporate river-themed activities into their classroom. Pre- and post-trip activities are selected by each teacher from among many activity options presented in an advance teacher workshop. Workshops allow teachers to explore history and literacy activities that provide a foundation for related activities on the river, as well as thematic activities including geography, science, art and more. Teacher workshop attendance is required of all teachers participating in JTF field trips. Journey to the Falls addresses Minnesota Academic Standards and district learning objectives.

Field Trip Fee
Cost per student is $8.50. Scholarships are available for qualifying schools.

Field Trip payments are handled by the Minneapolis Queen Riverboat (612-378-7966) which will contact you for billing once your reservation is booked through the National Park Service.

Field Trip description
Journey to the Falls riverboat field trips leave from Boom Island Park in Minneapolis and travel through the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock. Trips are designed for up to 65 4th – 6th grade students and feature staffed learning stations with hands-on activities on the following topics (subject to change):

  • Locking Through
  • Journaling
  • Mapping Change on the Mississippi
  • Exploring the River
  • Archaeology Dig at Mill Ruins Park
  • Hike to the Falls

Additional Information
Journey to the Falls is coordinated by the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (National Park Service) in cooperation with the Minneapolis Queen Riverboat. Field trip presenters include staff from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, Minnesota Historical Society- Mill City Museum and the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area. Support provided by the Mississippi River Fund.

For more information contact Brian Goodspeed or call 651-290-3030 ext 297.

A slow and shallow section of Itaska.  

Did You Know?
At the headwaters of the Mississippi, the average surface speed of the water is 1.2 miles per hour. People typically walk 3 miles per hour.

Last Updated: April 29, 2009 at 12:10 EST