Jewels of the Heartland

Arrive in Chicago and check in to your deluxe hotel, which is adjacent to the city’s attractions. Go for a shopping spree on Michigan Avenue, take in the view from the observation lounge on the 94th floor of the John Hancock Center, peruse the masterworks in the Art Institute of Chicago, or board a boat for an architectural tour of the city as seen from the Chicago River.

Your fare includes breakfast this morning at your hotel in Chicago as well as a transfer to the Louisiane by private train, the Louisiane Limited. Settle into your stateroom or suite, head to The Veranda for a light snack, and then bid St. Louis farewell as the Louisiane departs and you immerse yourself in the joys of life on the river. Bon voyage!

Pay tribute to Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, at his Boyhood Home and Museum in this welcoming town. Reenact Tom and Huck's exploits if you're feeling mischievous, as Hannibal provided the setting for their quintessentially American adventures.

The pleasures of the Louisiane become apparent as you start your day with a made-to-order beignet and café au lait in The Veranda. Read a book, talk to the Illuminator, the onboard historian, and then enjoy made-to-order crêpes for lunch. Spend the afternoon with new friends and sip a pre-dinner aperitif in the Bar Royale. Then indulge in the Southern and Continental cuisine of The Crescent Room followed by stimulating entertainment before retiring to your suite or stateroom for a restful night’s sleep.

Appreciate the exploding cultural scene at this city founded on the site of the 1832 Black Hawk purchase, host to the yearly festival held in honor of local Bix Biederbecke, the "giant of cornetists", and the excellent Figge Art Museum.

Build up your knowledge of early river commerce much as the lumber barons built countless landmarks at this confluence of three states. Ride the Fenelon Place Elevator Co., a historic funicular that affords an unmatched view from atop the bluffs.

Survey three states atop towering Grandad Bluff, then discover the creative talents of the locals at the Pump House Regional Arts Center. No visit is complete without a snapshot of the World's Largest Six Pack.

Find out why the National Trust for Historic Preservation noted picturesque Red Wing as a distinctive destination for its "impressive architecture and enviable natural environment." Don't leave town without a pair of its eponymous shoes.

Admire the Cathedral of St. Paul, a beaux-arts wonder that replicates St. Peter's in Rome, and soak in the arts at the city's world-class museums, including the Walker Art Center. Detour to Minnehaha Falls, best known for Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha. 

Bid adieu to the Louisiane and begin your journey home.

Bid adieu to the Louisiane and begin your journey home.