Upper Mississippi River

In St. Paul, Summit Avenue offers a captivating walk past historic mansions, each reflecting stories from the late 1800s. For an unmatched shopping experience, the Mall of America features more than 500 stores, along with an indoor water park and theme park. Another highlight is Minnehaha Falls, a 53-foot cascade that flows into a peaceful oasis, creating a truly enchanting setting.

A day on the river is never a day wasted. Relax with a book, enjoy the company of a friend, join a game, or learn from an onboard expert while the Mississippi flows from Hannibal to Muscatine, IA. Take part in curated activities such as destination-focused enrichment programs with guest speakers, engaging Art and App-titude Classes, and interactive Cooking Demonstrations. Share lively moments during Mixology sessions, Trivia challenges, and Game Shows.

Step into 19th-century America in La Crosse, situated on the banks of three captivating rivers. Riverside Park offers a spectacle of beautiful gardens, an outdoor performance center, and inspiring sculptures that ignite the imagination.

Gaze out from the heights of Grand Dad’s Bluff, a 600-foot high vantage point that provides a breathtaking, panoramic view over the entire city.

Accompanied by a local expert, explore the city’s evolution from its riverboat boomtown days, through the roaring ‘20s, to the contemporary challenges and opportunities it faces today. This is La Crosse—a city where history meets the modern world, inviting you to explore its continued evolution.

With the wide upper Mississippi River before you, relish the quiet sounds of the river. Relax on your private balcony and watch the riverbanks come to life with a vast array of wildlife that call these shores home or learn the stories of the area around you from the on-board expert. The day is yours, wander to the sun deck for the best views of the winding river. Enjoy live music, but wherever you roam, don’t forget to stop by the restaurant for freshly baked cookies at 3 pm daily.

Dubuque is a true masterpiece along the Mississippi River. As one of the oldest settlements west of the great river, Dubuque wears its history proudly while staying a modern hub for commerce, industry, education, and culture.

Step off the ship and into the renowned National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, a mesmerizing complex that promises to captivate your senses. Wander through the charming streets adorned with picturesque Victorian mansions, feel the thrill of riding the world's shortest and steepest scenic railway, or visit one of its oldest Catholic churches, and then the Dubuque Arboretum & Botanical Garden.

Excursions & Entertainment:
The Dubuque River Walk – Complimentary Excursion
Join your guide on a short walk along the banks of the Mississippi River on Dubuque’s River Walk. As you stroll along this picturesque path, take in sweeping views of the river’s vast waters and admire the diverse wildlife and native plants. Take to ask questions about the Mississippi River ecosystem and how it affects the cities that call its banks home. Your riverside walk concludes at the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, where your guide leaves you to explore at your own pace. Inside, learn even more about the Mississippi and other rivers of the world through hands-on exhibits, live animals, historic artifacts, and immersive multimedia experiences.  

Activity Level: Moderate / ADA Accessible: Yes0

Step into Davenport, the largest cruise port between St. Louis and St. Paul, a key city within the dynamic "Quad Cities" that merge into an extensive metro area. History marked its presence here when the first railroad to cross the Mississippi River connected Chicago to Rock Island, Illinois, just across the river.

The area hosts a diverse array of attractions, from grand historic mansions along the riverbank to acclaimed museums and significant Native American historical sites, alongside the largest agricultural exhibit in the world. At the Smithsonian-affiliated Putnam Museum, gain insights into the region's diverse history, culture, and natural environment.

Visit the expansive John Deere Pavilion, where the spirit of American ingenuity shines through interactive displays. Stroll through exhibits of both vintage and modern high-tech equipment that illustrate the evolution of technologies that have transformed American farming. Here, the narrative of agricultural advancement unfolds, highlighting the Midwest's crucial role in feeding the nation.

Excursions & Entertainment:
Hauberg Estate & Botanical Gardens -Complimentary Excursion
Located along the banks of the Mississippi River, Davenport has been declared "The Most Livable Small City in America.” Led by your guide, explore Hauberg Estate and admire the impressive architecture and property. Next, visit The Quad City Botanical Center, featuring an indoor tropical garden with a waterfall, outdoor pond, pocket gardens, train garden (train schedule varies), greenhouse, and Children’s Garden featuring a Mississippi River water feature exhibit. Admire blooms of many shapes, sizes, and colors in the perennial and wildflower prairie gardens, as well as fruit bearing plants in the tropical sun.

Activity Level: Moderate/ ADA Accessible: Partial

Davenport Local Loop - Complimentary Excursion
This convenient shuttle transports you from the ship to:
Mississippi Spoon Gallery - You don’t have to be a spoon enthusiast to appreciate the Mississippi Spoon Gallery. Take a trip back to the Gilded age of silver. The artistry and history depicted in these spoons is incomparable. This one-of-a-kind spoon museum is the largest in the world with collections that include French, German, British, and Egyptian antiquities, the History of Chief Blackhawk, and Colonel Davenport in spoons.  

German American Heritage Center and Museum - A cultural center and museum listed on the National Register of Historic Places with fun and educational exhibits which preserve the heritage of German Americans in the Midwest.  

Visit Quad Cities Destination Center - Visit this 100-year-old repurposed train station included on the National Register of Historic Places. While there, take out a free bike, pick up local information, or purchase some fun QC merch.
  
John Deere Pavilion - Discover the inventions that changed American farming at the John Deere Pavilion. Explore new and vintage equipment that you can touch, feel, and sit in. Through interactive and immersive exhibits, learn the John Deere story, including its customers, employees, and John Deere fans, as well as how the company’s machinery was used to build and grow the country.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessibility: Yes

Welcome to Hannibal, Missouri, a charming riverside town brimming with character. At the heart of Hannibal lies the legacy of its most famous resident, Mark Twain, whose childhood adventures served as the inspiration for some of literature's most beloved characters. Explore Twain's boyhood home, a beautifully preserved white clapboard house where the author spent his formative years. Nearby, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Twain's life and works, including original manuscripts, rare artifacts, and interactive exhibits that bring his stories to life in vivid detail.

But Hannibal is more than just a literary landmark. Take a leisurely stroll down Main Street, where charming boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops beckon with unique finds and friendly smiles. Don't miss the Rockcliffe Mansion, registered as a historic home, and has breathtaking views of the Mississippi River while you learn about the history of Hannibal.

Excursions & Entertainment:
Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum - Complimentary Excursion
As you arrive in Hannibal, the boyhood home of famous author Mark Twain, relive the author’s experiences that heavily influenced his writings. Visit the actual home that Mark Twain grew up in, which is surrounded by the legendary whitewashed fence of Tom Sawyer. The vivid stories told by Mark Twain come to life at this interactive museum. Visit the Becky Thatcher House, the Huck Finn Home, and the Tom and Huck Statue at the foot of Cardiff Hill. Stop at the Interpretive Center, home to 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessibility: Yes

* This excursion is available on the Local Loop

Hannibal Local Loop - Complimentary Excursion
Explore downtown Hannibal at your leisure on this convenient shuttle:  
Downtown - Explore downtown Hannibal on your own. Take time for shopping and strolling through town. 

Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum - Enjoy a self-guided exploration of the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum properties. The complex includes five historic homes which include Twain's Boyhood Home, the Becky Thatcher House, Huckleberry Finn House, J. M. Clemens Justice of the Peace office, and the recently restored Grant's Drugstore. Explore the Interpretive Center and the Museum Gallery which includes artifacts of the Clemens family and first editions. The Mark Twain Museum Complex also includes three gift shops, the historic Tom and Huck Statue, as well as seasonal free performances by Tom and Becky and Mark Twain himself. 

LaBinnah Bistro and Laura Hawkins House – At this stop, you have access to the Laura Hawkins House. Laura Hawkins was a real-life inspiration for Becky Thatcher in the Mark Twain books. Across the street at the LaBinnah Bistro, you are treated to a sweet and savory sampler along with a wine tasting experience to enjoy at your leisure. There are guides on site to answer questions and share historical information.

Activity Level: Low | ADA Accessibility: Yes

Tucked away beneath the limestone bluffs lies the charming port of Alton, Illinois, serving as a gateway to endless adventures in St. Louis and beyond. But before you set off on your escapades, start your journey with a visit to the captivating National Great Rivers Museum. Learn about the fascinating tales of the mighty Mississippi River, exploring its extensive history, the communities it sustains, and the diverse ecosystems it nurtures.

Excursions & Entertainment:
Alton Local Loop - Complimentary Excursion
Explore the best sites in Alton on this convenient shuttle. Visit the Audubon Center at Riverland, situated within a picturesque migratory bird sanctuary. Stop at the Alton Visitor Center to find out more about the city and the Great Rivers & Road region and try your luck at the Argosy Casino located directly across the street. Enjoy artist demonstrations and browsing unique handmade pottery at Mississippi Mud Pottery, before viewing a stunning works at Jacoby Arts Center. Savor delicious local favorites and ice cold beer in a fun, casual setting at Fast Eddie's Bon Air, a legendary establishment located just blocks from the Mississippi River.

Note: Only available on cruises ending in St. Louis, MO, or Alton, IL.

Enjoy breakfast onboard the ship while preparing for the journey home. Reflect on memorable experiences and the new friendships made throughout the voyage.

Thank you for choosing this cruise. May your voyage be filled with delightful moments to carry forward. Safe travels home, and a warm welcome awaits on a future journey.