A Mississippi River Road Trip Ending with Music on the Bluff
- Jo Dee Krotz
- Mar 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 14
Follow the Mississippi River south through small towns and open countryside. Somewhere along the way you’ll find Montrose, Iowa — and just off a quiet gravel road, the historic barn at 1884 On The Bluff.
A few nights each season, music drifts through those old barn doors as guests gather for Bluff Sessions, an evening of live acoustic music, shared tables, and the easy rhythm of countryside life.
Located 180 feet above the Mississippi River, the Bluff feels quietly removed from the rush of everyday life — the kind of place where the evening unfolds slowly and conversation lingers long after the last song.
For travelers exploring Southeast Iowa, a weekend that ends with music on the Bluff can become the kind of memory that brings you back again.
A Slower Kind of Mississippi River Getaway
Exploring the Mississippi River towns of Southeast Iowa offers a slower kind of getaway — historic streets, scenic drives, and hidden places worth discovering.
Pack a cooler with road snacks, grab something refreshing to sip, and let your shoulders relax as fields and farmhouses roll past your window.
You're headed to 1884 On The Bluff in Montrose, Iowa, where music carries through the rafters of old barn beams and the evening unfolds at an easy pace.
Saturday: Exploring Southeast Iowa
Start the day slowly with breakfast in one of the nearby river towns.
The Blue Umbrella (Keokuk, IA) - Locally owned with small-batch sweets and a welcoming atmosphere.
The Fort Diner (Fort Madison, IA) - A beloved local staple. Sit at the counter for pure nostalgia.
Spend the afternoon wandering through the countryside.
Hinterland Dairy (Donnellson, IA) - Fresh farmstead cheese, creamy ice cream, and open skies.
Harvestville Farm - Seasonal produce, home goods, and lunch in a welcoming farm market.
Appleberry Orchard - A charming countryside stop with a market and petting farm.
Saturday Night: Bluff Sessions:
As evening settles in, drive into Montrose and head up to the bluff.
Bluff Sessions is an intimate live-music and relaxed dinner gatherings held inside a restored 1884 barn and hoop barn overlooking countryside.
Small crowd.
Good food.
Live music.
But what makes it especially meaningful is the pace.
No rushing between reservations. No loud rooms where you can't hear each other. No planning the next stop.
It's the kind of night where conversation lingers and you look around and realize you're not distracted - you're present.
That's a rare gift.
Bluff Sessions takes place on:
May 9
June 20
September 12
Tickets are limited and available through the 1884 On The Bluff website.
If you're planning a weekend along the river, this is the night to anchor it.
Sunday: Scenic Drives & River Town History
Spend Sunday exploring the Mississippi River towns nearby.
Start the morning with breakfast at Boonies in Keokuk, then follow the river roads north and south.
Sunday Lunch or Afternoon Stop:
Overlooking the Mississippi River, Turnwater offers great food, craft drinks, and one of the best river views in the area. It's a perfect place to relax and take in the scenery before heading home.
Stops worth exploring include:
Fort Madison Railway, River & Fort Museum. Check out Visit Fort Madison for great city information.
Keokuk Dam & Lock — one of the most impressive views on the Mississippi.
Montrose Observation Tower
Hunold Heritage Center Museum in Montrose.
Across the river in Illinois, charming towns like Nauvoo, Carthage, and Warsaw offer historic streets, shops, and riverfront views.
Before heading home, stop by Green Frog Distillery in Montrose for a taste of the region.
Where to Stay Near 1884 On The Bluff
Click this link to all of our out of town suggestions
Fort Madison, Iowa
Cobblestone Inn
Quality Inn
Victoria Bed & Breakfast Inn & Carriage House (Link) (319) 372-6842
Rustic Bluff Retreats (VRBO)
Keokuk, Iowa
Hampton Inn
Charming Home Rentals (VRBO)
Montrose
Montrose Airbnb — the closest stay to the Bluff.
Warsaw IL
Finn's Hideaway in Warsaw IL: A lovely home on 10 acres.
Plan Your Escape to the Bluff
Whether you're escaping the city for a romantic weekend, planning a road trip with friends, or simply looking to reconnect with something beautiful, 1884 On The Bluff invites you to slow down and rediscover the quiet magic of the Mississippi River countryside.
A little road trip.
A historic barn.
And a night of music drifting through the beams.
Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Comments