Overnight Mississippi & Illinois River Cruises

Step back in time aboard one of the only true sterndriven paddlewheelers and travel down the Illinois and Mississippi River between Peoria, Illinois to the “Gateway to the West,” Saint Louis, Missouri.

Departing from Peoria, day one will take you through two locks & dams, the first being just 1/2 hour into the cruise. The first stop will be on the riverbank in Meredosia, IL where we do a true riverboat landing and shove into the bank, tying off the boat to trees. Established in the 1890s, Meredosia boasted 4 pearl button factories. We disembark off our front stages where motor coaches will be standing by to transport you to your first night lodging at the beautiful President Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, Illinois. After a morning tour of the Presidential Museum and Library, we will shove off and head downstream to the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi river at historic Grafton, Illinois. We will overnight at the Pere Marquette Lodge. Comprised of 8,050 acres, Pere Marquette State Park is the largest park in the state. Your third day will be traveling down the mighty Mississippi River through the last two locks on the river with the first being the Mel Price Lock and Dam in Alton and then the Chain of Rocks Lock and Dam, the last on the Mississippi. As the river current increases, you will begin to see the Gateway of the West come into view in downtown St. Louis. We shove in on the cobblestone landing where riverboats have been landing since 1817! After disembarking and taking in the beautiful view from the Arch, our motor coach will provide transportation back to Peoria.

In these times of jet airplanes and super trains, the Spirit of Peoria offers a classic and somewhat classier alternative. If you’re ready to put relaxation back in your vacation, consider a St. Louis trip on an amazing riverboat. It may just be what you’re looking for!

Notes

Remember that your luggage will not be traveling with you! Bring a small bag (on the boat) with any medicine you might need. Please make sure your name is on your luggage. Do not remove the luggage tags that our crew places on your bag. They will be needed until you pick up your luggage at the dock upon the boat’s or bus’ return to Peoria.

Don’t forget to bring

• Binoculars
• Sunscreen
• Camera
• Hat
• Light jacket for May/June and September/October trips

Dress is casual. Shorts and sandals are more than appropriate for our cruises. You will not be required to “dress-up” for dinner.

Boarding is at 7am. Passengers will not be allowed to board before that time. Luggage handlers will begin checking in luggage at 6:45am.

The Spirit of Peoria is located at the intersection of Water and Main Sts. You can use exit 93 east or westbound from I-74 or take Routes-24 or 29 to Main St.

Parking is located in the RiverFront Village Parking Lot. Parking is free to Spirit of Peoria passengers with parking passes. You will need to obtain a parking pass from the luggage handlers when you check your bags.

Like our 3-day/2-night cruise to Saint Louis, this cruise features four lock and dam experiences; the Peoria and LaGrange on the Illinois River and the Mel Price and Chain of Rocks on the Mississippi River.

The first stop will be on the riverbank of Meredosia, IL with an overnight stay in Springfield, IL at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and a visit in the morning to the Presidential Museum and Library. With an afternoon departure on Day Two the boat will arrive in Grafton, IL where the Illinois River meets the Mississippi River. All guests will stay overnight at the historic Pere Marquette Lodge. Our third day will be spent traveling down the Mississippi River, eventually landing on the cobblestone just below the Gateway Arch in downtown Saint Louis. The magnificent Hotel Lumiere, just blocks away is where we will spend the evening in the heart of St. Louis. The following morning, all guests will have an opportunity to tour the Gateway Arch and museum before boarding the boat upbound for Grafton. Once again, staying overnight at the Père Marquette Lodge everyone will be able to stretch their legs on one of many guided hikes through the park. The following morning our guests will board the boat upbound on the Illinois River for the quaint town of Florence, IL. Finally, a motor coach will provide transportation back to Peoria.

In these times of jet airplanes and super trains, the Spirit of Peoria offers a more classic and somewhat classier, alternative. If you’re ready to put relaxation back in your vacation, consider a St. Louis trip on an amazing riverboat. It may just be what you’re looking for!

Trip Includes

• All-inclusive ticket pricing
• Overnight lodging
• Sumptuous Meals including prime rib dinner
• Professional riverlore / storytelling
• Tour of destination
• Old-fashioned hospitality
• Unlimited complimentary drinks
• Historical information
• Wildlife sightings
• Indoor comfort
• Outdoor relaxation
• Live entertainment
• Old-time banjo
• Ragtime piano
• Baggage handling
• Round-trip transportation
• Tax and gratuity

Starved Rock Lodge Excursions prove the saying that “Getting there is half the fun.” Embark on a journey north from Peoria to Starved Rock State Park in Utica, Illinois. This excursion features two days of cruising along with an overnight at the historic Starved Rock Lodge. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the lodge offers rustic charm with modern conveniences.

As the Spirit of Peoria gets underway, at the leisurely pace of 7mph, the whistling notes of the calliope fill the air and drift through the valley. Using a delightful mix of riverlore and historical facts, the history of the river comes alive through stories and songs from the riverboat’s very own riverlorian.

After a scenic day on the Illinois River, arrive at Starved Rock Landing and explore some of the 18 canyons formed during the glacial drift. Later that evening, prepare yourself for a visit from Mark Twain himself as he entertains in the Great Hall of Starved Rock Lodge.

In these times of jet airplanes and super trains, the Spirit of Peoria offers a more classic and somewhat classier, alternative. If you’re ready to put relaxation back in your vacation, consider Starved Rock and a trip on an amazing riverboat. It may just be what you’re looking for!

Day one
8:15am-8:45am—Check-in at the Spirit of Peoria 100 NE Water St—Breakfast on Main Deck
9:00am—Spirit of Peoria departs Peoria landing
9:45am—Live Ragtime Piano Music or Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
11:30am—Cold Deli Lunch Buffet on Main Deck
1:00pm—Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
3:00pm—Wine and cheese reception on Boiler Deck
3:30pm—Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
5:00pm—Prime rib buffet dinner on Main Deck
5:45pm—Approximate arrival at Starved Rock Landing Your luggage will be in your room!
6:15pm—OPTIONAL GUIDED HIKE: Meet in the Great Hall—This will be an easy hike.
8:00pm—Guest speaker in the Great Hall
Day Two
6:30am-8:00am— Breakfast at Starved Rock Lodge
8:30am—Board shuttles for tour of LaSalle Canal Boat
9:00am-11:30am—Canal boat ride and viewing of “Watch the Prairie Tides”—each part is 1 hour
Noon—Board Spirit of Peoria for lunch and cruise through the Starved Rock Lock and Dam
2:30—Return to Starved Rock State Park—you will be on your own for the afternoon to enjoy the park and
visitor’s center.
3:30—OPTIONAL GUIDED HIKE: Meet at the Great Hall—this is medium to difficult hike. Please have a water
bottle and correct footwear. The hike will be a little over 2 hours. If you want a level-ground walk, there is easier
trail or you can walk around the lodge and view over 30 chain saw carvings.
6:00pm—Dinner at Starved Rock Lodge
7:00pm—OPTIONAL ENTERTAINMENT: Colgate Country Showdown— The 28th Annual Colgate Country
Showdown is designed to find the most promising country music talent in America and to give these performers
a chance to launch their professional music careers.

Day Three
6:30am-8:00am— Breakfast at Starved Rock Lodge Leave your luggage in your room! Our luggage handlers
will pick it up for you. Do not leave your luggage on the bed; place it near the door in plain sight.
8:00am—Shuttle departs Lodge for Starved Rock Historic Site—This is an easy hike. (You will not return to the
lodge after this tour—you will go directly to the boat!)
9:00am—Second Shuttle departs Lodge for the Spirit of Peoria
9:00am—Snacks and coffee available on Boiler Deck
9:15am—Shuttle picks up group from Starved Rock Historic Site (shuttle will not return to lodge-goes directly to
the boat!)
9:30am— Live Ragtime Piano Music or Professional Riverlore on Boiler Deck
12:30am—Hot Lunch Buffet on Main Deck
2:00pm—Professional Riverlore or Ragtime Piano
3:00pm—Late afternoon snack on Boiler Deck
5:00pm—Approximate arrival at Peoria landing