Tuesday, April 2, 2024

The Best Mississippi River Cruises to Discover America's Heartland

mississippi cruise

St. Paul’s Summit Avenue showcases gorgeous historic mansions built in the late 1800s. The enormous Mall of America includes more than 500 stores and an indoor waterpark and theme park. View gorgeous panoramas of the city from Mounds Park and cherish the enchantment of Minnehaha Falls with its 53-foot cascade. Revel in the charm of “America’s Great River” as you set sail along the Mississippi. Admire the historic mansions and grand homes atop its bluffs, and delve into America’s Civil War history.

Itineraries This Ship Sails

Cruise line buys up the Mississippi River ships from defunct American Queen Voyages - Star Tribune

Cruise line buys up the Mississippi River ships from defunct American Queen Voyages.

Posted: Wed, 03 Apr 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]

As you make your way from Dubuque to Winona, enjoy the scenic splendor of the Upper Mississippi River from your private balcony. Immerse yourself in the beauty that surrounds you, the setting for countless American stories and the inspiration for artists and musicians throughout time. Discover Hannibal, “America’s Hometown,” and the inspiration behind many of Mark Twain’s literary characters. Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn come to life in this charming Missouri town, where you can run your hand along Aunt Polly’s fence, explore Injun Joe’s Cave, and get reacquainted with one of the world’s most beloved authors. The downtown area is a thriving haven for artisans, filled with specialty shops unique to Hannibal.

Best Time to Cruise the Mississippi River

Step into 19th-century America in La Crosse, located on the banks of three captivating rivers. La Crosse is home to Riverside Park, where you’ll discover beautiful gardens, an outdoor performance center, and inspiring sculptures. Enjoy breathtaking, panoramic views from Grand Dad’s Bluff, a 600-ft high bluff which overlooks the entire city. Led by a local expert, gain insight into the city’s development from the boomtown riverboat days through the roaring ‘20s to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.

Other Regions in USA

A walking tour or bus tour is one of the best ways to see as much as possible in a short amount of time. They also offer round-trip river cruises from New Orleans and a journey from St. Louis to St. Paul. This includes American Cruise Lines American Symphony or American Melody, and Viking Mississippi.

Sometimes Sailing is a cruise-focused website by Dan and Mikkel Woodruff, a couple passionate about cruising. If you’re a Civil War history buff, then you’ll be excited to see the famous siege of Vicksburg Civil War Battlefield. Another must-see is the National Military Park, which has over 1,370 monuments and a national veterans’ cemetery.

Popular Cruise Ships

And the ‘America‘ will stop in even smaller areas for their natural beauty or cultural importance, like Oak Alley, Cape Girardeau, and Hannibal. Cruise from New Orleans all the way up to St. Paul on Viking's 15- or 17-day America's Great River itinerary aboard the 193-stateroom Viking Mississippi, a vessel designed just for this river. The journey starts in New Orleans and stops in Baton Rouge; Natchez and Vicksburg, Mississippi; Memphis; and St. Louis, where passengers can explore attractions like Gateway Arch National Park and the flagship Anheuser-Busch brewery.

In between action-packed stops, there's plenty of time to take in the scenery from your veranda or the boat's several public viewing areas. Viking River Cruises' American Heartland itinerary sails from St. Louis to St. Paul (or vice versa) and runs 12 days with pre- and post-cruise stays in 2024 and 2025. You'll explore architectural gems aboard Viking Mississippi, itself an example of sleek, Scandinavian-inspired nautical architecture. From Crescent City, the birthplace of American jazz, to Memphis, known as the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock 'n Roll, this itinerary celebrates the region's homegrown rhythms.

Complete Mississippi River Experience

Learn about this idyllic town’s rich past and revel in its natural beauty, led by our engaging local guides. Explore the charming downtown, located only two blocks from our dock, where you peruse local boutiques, coffee shops, and eateries. Today is a day to revel in the scenery, as along the legendary Mississippi River. Relish the stretches of undeveloped land, beautiful little towns, and magnificent wildlife. As we cruise, listen to our onboard expert describe the native wildlife or simply sit back and enjoy the sun on the bow. In Natchez, grand homes sparkle like jewels, adorning the bluffs that tower above the river.

mississippi cruise

Purpose-built for the Mississippi, the ship's cutting-edge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities make it the first truly modern cruise ship in the region. Purpose-built for the Mississippi, the ship’s cutting-edge design, expansive windows and comfortable amenities make it the first truly modern cruise ship in the region. Both cruise lines offer Upper Mississippi sailings from July through September. Viking and American Cruise Lines' itineraries and excursions are our picks for fans of American art and architecture.

Get to know fellow guests in one of the lounges or at the evening cocktail hour. The challenge modern travelers now face is when, where, and how to go about this iconic American voyage. Below, see our answers to these frequently asked questions, plus our favorite Mississippi River cruises to book in 2024. Elizabeth Rhodes is a special projects editor at Travel + Leisure, covering everything from luxury hotels to theme parks to must-pack travel products.

Mississippi River bridge at Lansing reopens after repairs - KCRG

Mississippi River bridge at Lansing reopens after repairs.

Posted: Sat, 20 Apr 2024 15:54:00 GMT [source]

Savor authentic Cajun and Creole cuisine, embodying the influences of the fascinating people who live there. Explore elegant antebellum homes and notable landmarks brimming with history, led by a local guide who provides an insider’s perspective. American Queen Voyages has new ships as well, but they are focusing on expedition cruise ship builds in the next few years, which will not be sailing on the Mississippi.

Since 1716, when the French first built a fort here among the Natchez Indians, the town has grown to boast elaborate mansions built by planters in the 1800s to flaunt their wealth. Welcome to New Orleans, world-renowned for its round-the-clock nightlife, vibrant live-music scene, and unique cuisine reflecting its history as a melting pot of French, African and American influences. This vivacious city is the perfect destination to begin your Mississippi River experience. Sail 1,393 miles, through 10 states, on the most comprehensive exploration of the Mighty Mississippi available. This epic cruise showcases the culture and cuisine of the historic South, and the rolling farmlands of the Midwest as we explore the entire length of this legendary river.

mississippi cruise

From Colonial pioneers to entrepreneurs, much of America’s story has been forged – or fought – along their length. The Mississippi River is navigable from New Orleans, Louisiana to the Twin Cities of Minnesota, and forms a maritime corridor through the U.S. heartland. River cruise ships focus on the ports and shore-side entertainment in their excursion offerings rather than bells and whistles onboard. That said, there are certain amenities different cruise lines provide on the Mississippi that is worth noting as you decide the best cruise line for you.

Overlooking the river from atop a high, St. Francisville began as a part of Spanish West Florida in the early 1800s until American settlers overthrew the Spanish governing forces, and the region later became part of the United States. Looking for a cruise but can’t handle also paying for airfare to get to a major port like Miami or Long Beach? (After all, the average price of a domestic airline ticket is up 40 percent in some cities). Well, American Cruise Lines is here to help; The company will pay your domestic airfare to Mississippi when you book a cruise down the mighty river. The complete Elvis experience is yours with a stay at The Guest House at Graceland, including breakfast, and an exploration of Elvis' mansion and grounds. Back aboard your riverboat, relax with our daily cocktail hour, hors d'oeuvres, a delicious meal, and an evening show as regional entertainers share the area’s renowned cultural flair.

Admire the breathtaking scenery that has inspired the country’s most legendary writers, artists, and musicians. Beginning and ending in the vibrant city of New Orleans, this incredible journey celebrates the rich heritage and festive spirit of a region where music is the common language and history can be found around every bend in the river. Travel in the comfort of our new fleet as you discover fascinating port towns, including Natchez, with a unique blend of African, British, and French culture.

Take a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator, the world’s shortest and steepest scenic railway or try your luck in one of Dubuque's state-of-the-art casinos. View colorful Victorian mansions, stroll through a whimsical downtown area, and visit the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. Times have changed, but not in Downtown Tunica, with Main Street buildings just as they were at the turn of the century. Explore unique boutiques, antique shops, a fully restored courthouse, and Tunica Veterans Memorial at Rivergate Park. Here, you can enjoy the kind of southern hospitality you thought only existed in storybooks.

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