This 9 Day holiday through America’s Heartland will take you from St. Paul, MN to St. Louis, MO. Enjoy ports like Winona, MN and Fort Madison, IA as you travel along the Upper Mississippi River.
It’s Included:
- Complimentary shore excursions in every port
- Complimentary overnight stay in a select luxury hotel before your voyage – includes breakfast, taxes, porterage and transfers to the American Queen
- Complimentary wine and beer with dinner
- Complimentary cappuccino, espresso, specialty coffees, bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage
- The family recipes of acclaimed Southern chef Regina Charboneau
- The only steamboat with multiple specialty dining options, all at no additional charge
- Gracious service from a friendly all-American staff
- Casual elegance abounds, no formal wear required
- Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard historian
- Professional showboat-style entertainment and dancing nightly
- Our own dedicated fleet of Steamcoaches
- The most all-inclusive American river voyage
- The only authentic steam-powered overnight paddlewheel riverboat in America
- The greatest vacation value in America
- Free One-Night Hotel Stay. The night before you step aboard the Steamer American Queen, enjoy the comfort and convenience of a complimentary one-night stay in a fine hotel in your embarkation city. Arriving the day before your voyage begins, you are able to relax, have dinner and get a full night’s sleep.
Itinerary:
DAY 1: Hotel Overnight - St. Paul, MN
Included in your voyage is a luxury hotel stay. For this itinerary, we will reserve a room for you at one of these properties: The Westin Minneapolis or Hilton Minneapolis or Saint Paul Hotel.
DAY 2: St. Paul, MN
Departure: 6:00 p.m.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of St. Paul today. This afternoon, you will board theAmerican Queen to begin your voyage.
DAY 3: Winona, MN
Arrival: 12:00 p.m. — Departure: 5:00 p.m.
Winona is one of the most beautiful places in the country, nestled between the covered limestone river bluffs that rise 500 feet and the stunning mighty Mississippi River. The historic architecture and cultural opportunities give Winona a soul that is living, breathing and growing. Still, Winona and its wealth of culture, arts, history, recreation and festivals, is relatively undiscovered.
DAY 4: La Crosse, WI
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. — Departure: 1:00 p.m.
This gem of Victorian and Art Deco architecture with an inviting Riverwalk is your gateway to local culture. Explore Amish Country or enjoy “lefse” and Scandinavian folk tunes with Norwegian descendants.
Included Tour: Board our deluxe Hop On-Hop Off Steamcoaches at the dock and enjoy a narrated tour of charming downtown La Crosse. Enjoy views from Victorian-style Hixon House, a home from the late 1850s. Discover exhibitions with historical and educational art programs at the Swarthout Museum and Pumphouse Regional Arts Center. Other stops include theChapels of St. Rose and the Riverside Museum with exhibitions from theWar Eagle. Learn about the impact of La Crosse’s river growth, and enjoy an appreciation for the diverse cultures that share the earth at the Riverside International Friendship Garden.
Premium Choice Tour #1 - A Taste of Norway in Wisconsin
DAY 5: Dubuque, IA
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. — Departure: 1:00 p.m.
The flags of five nations have flown over a city that lives and breathes river lore. Take in its diverse flavors from Cable Car Square to the Smithsonian-affiliated National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium.
Included Tour: Start this amazing tour on board our deluxe Hop On-Hop Off Steamcoach to Dubuque’s Museum of Art. Then, visit the oldest and most "grand" of more than 16 legitimate theaters in the community, the Grand Opera House. While viewing the Shot Tower, you’ll hear about how this structure produced nearly two-thirds of all the lead shot used during the Civil War. The Fenelon Place Elevator sits on the bluff of Dubuque, overlooking downtown and the mighty Mississippi River.
At the Mathias Ham House, you will capture the flavor of life along the Mississippi during the golden era of steamboating. Later, The Old Jail Museum will show you a rare example of Egyptian Revivalist architecture—as well as the dungeon in the basement!
Lastly, visit The Hotel Julien, which became known as one of the finest hotels in the Midwest and Al Capone’s hiding-out spot in Dubuque.
Premium Choice Tour #1 - Americana - Baseball, Apple Pie & America's Heartland
Premium Choice Tour #2 - Galena Historic Tour
DAY 6: Davenport, IA
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. — Departure: 5:00 p.m.
The world’s most comprehensive agricultural exhibit celebrates the accomplishments of John Deere. Discover our 3,000- year addiction to chocolate with taste testing and a tour of the tropical gardens and chocolate tree in historic downtown Rock Island.
Included Tour: Our stop today is more than just one city. Board our deluxe Steamcoaches at the dock, and relax into a narrated tour of the charming Quad Cities area. Enjoy an exhibition representing art from the 16th century to the present at the Figge Art Museum, or listen to some American roots music at the River Music Experience. Other cultural and historic attractions include the German American Center and St. Anthony Church. Visit the first Preferred Summit Hotel in Iowa—the chic, hip, historic Black Hawk Hotel.
Spend an unstructured day, strolling from place to place and discovering surprises among the gift and gallery shops. Stay to eat, drink, shop or play at the Village of East Davenport. Interact in an exhibit with equipment and agricultural machines at the John Deer Pavilion. Amble through the Moline Walking Tour and the Quad City Botanical Center, which offers a collection of flowers, indoor tropical atrium, gardens, greenhouse and more.
Premium Choice Tour #1 - Heritage Tours to the Amana Colonies
Premium Choice Tour #2 - Segway Adventure Tour
Premium Choice Tour #3 - The John Deere Legacy
DAY 7: Fort Madison, IA
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. — Departure: 1:00 p.m.
The city of Fort Madison was established around the site of the historic Fort Madison (1808–1813), which was the first permanent U.S. military fortification on the Upper Mississippi. Fort Madison was the site of Black Hawk’s first battle against U.S. troops, the only real War of 1812 battle fought west of the Mississippi. It was also the location of the first U.S. military cemetery in the upper Midwest. Fort Madison was one of three posts established by the U.S. Army to establish control over the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territories. Fort Madison was built to control trade and pacify Native Americans in the Upper Mississippi River region. The other two posts were Fort Belle Fontaine near St. Louis, which controlled the mouth of the Missouri, and Fort Osage, near what is now Kansas City, which controlled trade with western Native American tribes. Fort Madison has the last remaining double swing-span bridge on the Mississippi River, the Fort Madison Toll Bridge. It has a top level for cars and a bottom level for trains; it is also the world's largest. The Fort Madison Downtown Commercial Historic District is a collection of well-preserved historic storefronts from the late 19th century.
DAY 8: Hannibal, MO
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. — Departure: 12:00 p.m.
Board the Twainland Express for a journey enlivened by the spirit of Samuel Clemens, who authored American classics under the pen name of Mark Twain. Stroll through the Museum Complex, explore the famous Cave and watch as your guide points out scenes from famous tales.
Included Tour: This tour is all about exploring the Hannibal of Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain. Begin your journey into the town that inspired the author’s imagination at the Mark Twain Boyhood House & Museum. See the Justice of Peace, the courtroom setting used for trial in Tom Sawyer’s story. Visit the Becky Thatcher House, home of Tom Sawyer’s first sweetheart. Delight your palates with exclusive wines and free tasting at the Mark Twain Winery.
Then, take a journey to a time where the golden age of railroading and toy trains were part of most everyone’s life at the Big River Train Town Museum. Last but not least, enjoy visiting local Trinity Church and shopping at theHuck Finn Shopping Center.
Premium Choice Tour #1 - Explore the Mark Twain Cave
Premium Choice Tour #2 - Mississippi Mud - A hands-on adventure
DAY 9: St. Louis, MO
Arrival: 8:00 a.m.
Enjoy the day in St. Louis. Perhaps you will choose to visit the Gateway Arch or take in a ballgame.
Appointed with the most luxurious amenities, all suites and staterooms feature plush bedding and fine linens, large mirrors, ample storage space, wall-to-wall carpet and a private bathroom with a shower. All accommodations enjoy nightly turn-down service and in-room Starbucks coffee along with complimentary bottled water and fresh fruit.
