7 Night Cruise sailing from St Louis to St Paul 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.

Themes 2012:

SEPTEMBER 28 AND OCTOBER 12 VOYAGES FEATURE: Juggernaut Jug Band - Steamboaters will delight in the authentic form of river music known as "jug music." Rooted in the port towns of the Deep South, jug music includes styles of swing, jazz and bluegrass, performed by Juggernaut's amazing artists.

Themes 2013:

Fall Foliage
Fall Foliage Vacations salute nature's rich palette of reds, oranges and golds as your steamboat traverses the Upper Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland and Tennessee rivers in Autumn. You can shuffle through the leaves during shore excursions and learn from guest naturalists. At dinnertime, you'll sample the bounties of Heartland America, from pumpkin pie to hot, spiced cider.

Day 1: St. Louis
As your ship leaves St.Louis, gaze up at the Gateway Arch and envision the adventures that lie ahead. The Welcome Aboard Dinner gets your journey off to a festive start.

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 sets the tone for an unforgettable vacation

Day 3: Hannibal
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.

Day 4: Steamboating
The Great Waters of the Mississippi 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 5: Dubuque
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.

Day 6: La Crosse
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.

Day 7: Red Wing
Red Wing is home to a variety of shops, including arts, antiques, pottery and one-of-a kind boutiques. Red Wing ranks as one of Minnesota's leading manufacturing cities. Historically it is known as home to products including shoes, pottery and linseed oil. Today it also produces safety and robotic products.

Day 8: St. Paul
Disembark in the Twin Cities surrounded by skyscrapers, bridges and the first of many Mississippi River locks and dams.