Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. Our Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and our friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Both American Queen Steamboat Company and local representatives will be readily available to provide you with dining, entertainment and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Memphis has a plethora of places to visit and things to do for all guests. Embrace the city that has been coined not only the home of the blues but also the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll. Boogie on down to Beale Street – alive with quirky places to indulge in some Southern barbeque, purchase souvenirs for friends and family (or a little something for yourself) and sip on a Blue Suede Tini. As one of the most famous music destinations in the world, Memphis is a melodious port for our guests to experience. 

Included Excursion
Memphis Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
National Civil Rights Museum - located at the Lorraine Motel, the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., chronicals key episodes of the American Civil and human rights efforts globally, through collections, exhibitions, and educational programs (Admission Additional).

Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum - See the complete story of Memphis music history, as researched by the Smithsonian Institution. This museum tells of the musical pioneers and legends of all racial and socio-economical backgrounds who, for the love of music, overcame obstacles to create the musical sound that changed the world.

In the heart of the Mississippi Delta lies the town of Cleveland, one of the two county seats of Bolivar County. Named for President Grover Cleveland, the town began formation in 1869. Bolivar County has deep roots in the civil rights movement. Amzie Moore, a civil rights pioneer, opened a gas station, beauty shop, and grocery store on Highway 61 in Cleveland. His business also served as headquarters for the area’s civil rights efforts. His home was declared a historical landmark on May 13, 2008. Because of the Louisville, New Orleans, and Texas Railroad that ran through the middle of town, people were drawn to Cleveland from outlying areas. Often called the “Birthplace of the Blues,” Cleveland brims with musical history and avenues to learn about it. The blues are very much alive in this Delta community, and one of the best places to experience the heritage and culture that is the blues is just outside Cleveland at Dockery Farms, home to world-famous Delta blues musician Charley Patton. His former home was recently honored with a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Today, Cleveland is a nice, college town with friendly neighbors. More of a farming community than a “small city,” the town’s unique Southern culture is the amalgamation of the blues, hand-spun Mississippi mud pottery, and mouthwatering delicacies like catfish and tamales. Cleveland is also home to the GRAMMY® museum. Recent exhibits were “Stronger Together: The Power of Women in Country Music” and a special limited-time display celebrating the music of Garth Brooks. 

Included Excursion
Terrene Landing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Grammy Museum Mississippi  Journey through the history of music at the Grammy Museum Mississippi. A new, innovative museum that spans all genres of music. Here you will enjoy a self-guided tour through the museum, which showcases more than two dozen cutting-edge exhibits that explore the best music from many genres including Rock, Hip-Hop, Classical, Latin, R&B, and Jazz.     

Downtown Shopping  Enjoy some of the many shopping opportunities in downtown Cleveland. Here, you will find an array of restaurants, boutique shops, a pharmacy, and more. 

Vicksburg perfectly blends Southern culture and heritage with exciting modern attractions. As a major battle site during the Civil War, this Southern town carries a history unlike any other. Learn about the historic conflicts of the city, taste its cuisine, visit the many museums and pick out the perfect souvenir. 

Included Excursion
Vicksburg Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Church of the Holy Trinity  This incredible church spans over 125 feet long, 52 feet wide, and reaches 61 feet high to the apex of the ceiling, which was built of southern white pine to emulate Noah's ark.  The church was constructed in Romanesque Revival style and finished in red brick. It also showcases zigzag tracery, which was highly unique to the style at the time. The Belgian slate roof is another amazing feature of the building, which began construction with the laying of the cornerstone in 1869. The 34 stained-glass windows, however, may be the main draw.  They were given as memorials and six of them were created by Tiffany Studios in New York under the supervision of Louis Comfort Tiffany. 

It seems as if history fell asleep and awoke unscathed by the changing of times in this magical port. This charming river town was founded in 1716, making it the oldest city on the Mississippi River. It’s known for its elegance, hospitality and impressive preservation of history – found on every street corner. Enjoy the unique shops, restaurants, museums and historic homes, all of which inspired Hugh Bayless to include Natchez in his book “The 100 Best Towns in America.” 

Included Excursion
Natchez Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
The Old South Trading Post  Be sure to bring your taste buds to this unique stop! Sample Southern muscadine juice, dips, salsas, jellies, cappuccinos, and coffees— all while you browse the huge assortment of items for sale. There's something for everyone here, including a wide selection of books, candies, one-of-a-kind shirts, hats, souvenirs, drug store items, and even alligator items! Suggested Visit: 15 minutes    

Rosalie Mansion  This magnificent mansion, an outstanding example of Federal-style architecture, was built by a wealthy cotton planter in 1823. The Mississippi State Society Daughters of the American Revolution have since gained ownership and have been maintaining the house and grounds since 1938. On this self-guided tour, discover the history of the house and the artifacts found throughout. Suggested Visit: 30 - 45 minutes    
 

Baton Rouge grants a strikingly different experience from those of the small-town stops throughout the journey. In this energetic port, history-facing museums and landmarks fraternize with forward-looking art and industry to offer a personalized encounter to each visitor. Allow the flowing, carefree words of denizens to dance through the eardrums during a meander through the city streets. Choose to hop on one of our deluxe motorcoaches and explore the diversity this city has to offer, or take a walk down the river path alongside the boat.  

Allow the flowing, carefree words of denizens to dance through the eardrums during a meander through the city streets. Choose to hop on one of our deluxe motorcoaches and explore the diversity this city has to offer, or take a walk down the river path alongside the boat.

Included Excursion
Baton Rouge Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
USS KIDD DD-661  Just a short walk from the dock, guests can explore a Fletcher-Class Destroyer that fought in many battles in U.S. history. Named after Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who died on the bridge of his flagship during Pearl Harbor, the USS Kidd has received eight battle stars for WWII service and four battle stars for Korean War service. This 2,050-ton, 376-foot-long vessel has since been converted into a museum, with exhibits of extensive collections of war artifacts, ship models, real fighter planes and bombers, and memorials. Suggested Visit: 1 - 2 Hours    
Capitol Park Museum  This impressive museum showcases collections of visual arts, jazz, costumes, textiles, and artifacts from Louisiana history. It was founded in 1906 and holds over 450,000 artifacts and works of arts. Permanent exhibits include: "Experiencing Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America," and "Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana". 

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS: 
USS KIDD DD-661  Just a short walk from the dock, guests can explore a Fletcher-Class Destroyer that fought in many battles in U.S. history. Named after Admiral Isaac C. Kidd, who died on the bridge of his flagship during Pearl Harbor, the USS Kidd has received eight battle stars for WWII service and four battle stars for Korean War service. This 2,050-ton, 376-foot-long vessel has since been converted into a museum, with exhibits of extensive collections of war artifacts, ship models, real fighter planes and bombers, and memorials. Suggested Visit: 1 - 2 Hours    
Capitol Park Museum  This impressive museum showcases collections of visual arts, jazz, costumes, textiles, and artifacts from Louisiana history. It was founded in 1906 and holds over 450,000 artifacts and works of arts. Permanent exhibits include: "Experiencing Louisiana: Discovering the Soul of America," and "Grounds for Greatness: Louisiana". 
 

St. Francisville today is a testament to the lifestyle of a bygone era, with its cache of charming pre-war homes and striking architecture. With over 140 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, sprawling estates nestled in the countryside and bustling Main Street shops, this quaint port situated on the Mississippi has a style all its own. This oldest town in the Florida Parishes, St. Francisville has been called the town two miles long and two yards wide; it lies on a loessal ridge created by the dust storms of the Glacier Period. Swept in from the western plains, this soil formed vertical cliffs sometimes 90-feet high which rested on the sand and clay bottom of an ancient sea. These formations occur only in a narrow strip of land extending from Baton Rouge into Tennessee; the ridges are the actual foothills of the Appalachians. This bluff attracted Spanish Capuchins in need of a highland burial ground. They received a land grant from their king and built a wooden monastery between 1773 and 1785. The settlement which straggled up around the cemetery and monastery took its name from the order’s gentle patron. By 1785 the number of land grants taken up by settlers prompted the Spanish leaders to create the district comprising the instep of the boot that is Louisiana today. St. Francisville has survived and reflects the growth and character of the surrounding countryside. A stroll through its historic center awakens a sense of place and an awareness of two centuries of architecture and lifestyles. 

American Queen Steamboat Company features an exclusive port at Nottoway. While the boat is docked, visit the sugarcane estate – the largest standing antebellum mansion in the South. Nottoway is an intricate building with impressive detail. Original furnishings mingle with era-appropriate antiques to create an atmosphere that does justice to the home’s original ambiance. It is fascinating history and luxurious aesthetic packaged in Southern hospitality – an experience that you will not want to pass up. 

Included Excursion
Nottoway Resort Included Mansion Tour
Enjoy an included tour of Nottoway Resort, the South's largest remaining antebellum mansion. This stunning historical plantation lies between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and offers a view of a truly grand plantation. The mansion flaunts three floors, 64 bedrooms, and displays an incredible 22 white square columns which contribute to its nickname and the "White Castle of Louisiana." The most popular room among guests is the White Ballroom, which is painted entirely in white and displays elaborate gold décor throughout. Rooms are trimmed in custom plaster frieze made from Spanish moss, clay, plaster and mud and are all original to the house. And as if that weren't enough, this immaculate mansion was constructed with 365 openings, one for each day of the year.

As the journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town. Enjoy the city at your leisure, or consider an airport transfer.