Thanksgiving Day on the River

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.

New Orleans’s Creole, Cajun and other diverse residents blended to develop art, cuisine, music and general culture unlike any other in the United States. Uncover the treasures of the city as you indulge in iconic cuisine spiced with the cultural flavors of the city’s past, explore the unique sites and attractions lining the historic streets as seen in the famous French Quarter or admire the beauty in the stunning Garden District or City Park. 

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. 

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS: 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 SHORE EXCURSIONS: 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. 

Natchez is known for its elegance, hospitality, and impressive preservation of historic homes – found on every street corner. It seems as if history fell asleep and awoke unscathed by the changing of times in this magical port. Natchez is home to over 1,000 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the homes survived the American Civil War and their history flows in abundance along the Mississippi. Natchez has a long and fascinating history, dating back to 1716, making her the oldest continuous settlement on the Mississippi. Even before Natchez was settled by Europeans, the area was home to the Natchez Indians, noted for being the only Mississippian culture with complex chiefdom characteristics to have survived long into the period after the European colonization of America began. 

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS: 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    


 

St. Francisville today is a testament to the lifestyle of a bygone era, with its plethora of charming antebellum-period homes and striking architecture. With over 140 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, beautiful plantation homes nestled in the rolling countryside and bustling Main Street shops, this quaint town situated on the bluffs of the Mississippi River has a style all its own. 

 

American Queen Voyages' Baton Rouge, Louisiana cruises have something to offer everyone, from hop-off-hop-on tours of historical sites to strolling the lively streets of New Orleans. These cruises to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, are all-inclusive, with beverages and cuisine on board, transportation to the vessel from a hotel, onboard entertainment, and more.   

Beyond the typical attractions and activities available on a Baton Rouge, Louisiana river cruise, you can also explore the capital's rich history through its cuisine. With each stop on cruises from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, you'll find new eateries to try, exciting excursions, and cities with hidden gems on every corner. 

INCLUDED SHORE EXCURSIONS: 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". 
 

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 SHORE EXCURSIONS: 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 your American Queen Voyages journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town -- whether it's an optional premier post-cruise experience or a quick transfer to the airport for your final trip home -- your AQV team can pre-arrange everything for you.