12 Night Cruise sailing from New Orleans to St Louis aboard American Queen.

Upper Mississippi Cruises:
Early explorers and native tribes left their legacy behind in town names here: Joliet. Red Wing. Dubuque. Rolling farmland stretches out to the horizon; barges are measured in acres; man-made lakes and locks channel the river's flow. What to do on a river day? Grab your binoculars and study a pair of American bald eagles. Wave to the motorboat captains locking through the dam beside you. Study red in ten different shades of fall foliage. Tap into the sense of wonder that caused early pioneers to call the heartland home.

Destinations handpicked to pique the interest of nature lovers, history buffs and culture enthusiasts let you delve into beauty and adventure on an epic scale. After all, this is America's Heartland, envisioned by Washington and Jefferson, celebrated by Mark Twain and stitched into the very fabric of a nation. From Chippewa country in the north to the confluence of the Missouri near St. Louis and Ohio Rivers at Cairo, the Upper Mississippi flows through the pages of U.S. history.

Great Steamboat Era
Steamboats on the Mississippi benefited from technological and political changes. The US bought the Louisiana Purchase from France in 1803, and was then free to expand westward out of the Ohio valley and into the Great Plains and the Southwest. The success of the Charlotte Dundas in Scotland in 1801 and Robert Fulton's Clermont on the Hudson River in 1807 proved the concept of the steamboat. Join us as we explore what happened next and enjoy historians and performances that bring the Golden Age of Steamboats to life.

Day 1: New Orleans, LA
Departure: 6:00 p.m.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of New Orleans today. This afternoon, you will board the American Queen to begin your voyage.

Day 2: Steamboating
Settle into a rocking chair and just let the scenery glide by. Or join in the fun of our numerous onboard activities. Your full day of leisurely steamboating on the river sets the tone for an unforgettable vacation.

Day 3: Natchez, MS
Arrival: 12:00 p.m. - Departure: 5:00 p.m.
Step into the plantation lifestyle of the antebellum south in Natchez, site of numerous restored mansions. Visit historic Jefferson College, or just amble down the Natchez Trace.

Day 4: Vicksburg, MS
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. - Departure: 1:00 p.m.
Discover a unique blend of old and new in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Take in the diversity from Vicksburg National Military Park to the Waterways Experiment Station. Billed as the "Red Carpet City of the South," Southern hospitality is alive and well and awaiting your arrival.

Day 5: Steamboating
The Great Waters of the Mississippi river system originate in Lake Itasca and roll relentlessly to the Gulf of Mexico. This force of nature is your constant companion during a magical day of uninterrupted cruising.

Day 6: Helena, AR
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. - Departure: 1:00 p.m.
Let gospel voices lift your heart, hear soulful Delta blues, and sample King biscuits and sausage during an eventful day.

Day 7: Memphis, TN
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. - Departure: 5:00 p.m.

Day 8: Steamboating
Today will be spent steamboating and is your day to relax and enjoy the scenery floating and flying past the American Queen.

Day 9: New Madrid, MO
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. - Departure: 12:00 p.m.
Relive scenes out of the battle and siege of New Madrid and enjoy a presentation at the Hunter-Dawson Historic Site. You'll see the war through the eyes of local soldiers.

Day 10: Cape Girardeau, MO
Arrival: 8:00 a.m. - Departure: 12:00 p.m.
Included Tour: Start the tour with visits to several different houses and museums that cover much of Cape Girardeau's history. Riverfront Murals is a concrete and granite cobblestone amphitheater that provides seating for a scenic look of the Mississippi River.

Day 11: Chester, IL
Arrival: 12:00 p.m. - Departure: 5:00 p.m.
Samuel Smith built the first home in Chester, established a ferry system, and began the construction of a mill in 1829. He is said to be the town's founder. It was his wife Jane Thomas, a native of Chester, England, who gave Chester its name as a tribute to her home town. The Chester area includes a number of state parks and historic sites. The Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site has a beautiful overlook of the Mississippi River. Down the hill from the park is the Pierre Menard Home, an unusually fine example of French Creole-style architecture, which was built around 1815 and was the home of the first lieutenant governor of Illinois. Across the river from the fort is Kaskaskia Island, the only part of Illinois west of the current channel of the Mississippi River. The island was the site of the first state capital of Illinois. A historic church founded by French explorer Pere Jacques Marquette still holds weekly mass on the island. The Liberty Bell of the West, older than the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, is located near the church on the island and was a gift from King Louis XV of France.

Day 12: 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.

Day 13: Disembark in St. Louis, MO
After breakfast, keep an eye out for St. Louis' Gateway Arch. This iconic landmark is a symbol of America's frontier journey. Bid your fellow travelers adieu as you make your way home.