If you have time, inclination and ability (not sure about UK availability), check out Alton Brown's "Feasting on Asphalt: the River Run" DVDs or the related book, out later this month.

Alton is a food journalist who took a motorcycle road trip up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, LA to St Paul, MN, including many of the places named above. He points out culinary singularities along the way, plus a bit of sociology and sightseeing.

His site is here.

Enjoy your trip!

Claire