Sail the rarely navigated Illinois River on this 8-day remarkable adventure where the riverbanks are almost close enough to touch and friendly canoeists escort the Louisiane along the river. Look for bald eagles in Grafton, visit the remarkable Peoria Riverfront Museum, and discover Native American culture at Havana's Dickson Mounds State Museum. Hike a trail in Peru's Baker Lake Park and in Beardstown, see where a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln practiced law. From the refined pioneer spirit of St. Louis to the towering skyline of Chicago, a short drive from Ottawa, this voyage between two of America's greatest cities is one you never forget.
Highlights
Wonder at the St. Louis Arch, an unequaled architectural statement
Tour a local winery in the charming Grafton Historic District
Visit the historic Beardstown Courthouse, site of the famed 1858 debate
Take a hike along one of the trains in Baker Lake Park at Peru, Illinois
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Arrive in St. Louis and check in to your deluxe hotel, which is adjacent to the city’s attractions. Wonder at the St. Louis Arch, an unequaled architectural statement that defines this storied town, then continue your architectural tour at the imposing Cathedral of St. Louis. Indulge a less lofty American pastime at the Anheuser-Busch brewery, an American classic.
Your fare includes breakfast this morning at your hotel as well as a transfer to the Louisiane and all porterage. 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!
Check out the charming Grafton Historic District, one of several areas and buildings on the national Register of Historic Places, shop for handcrafted gifts, or tour a local winery. Keep a sharp lookout and you just might see one of the area’s bald eagles soar through the sky.
Step into living history at the Beardstown Courthouse, where a young lawyer named Abraham Lincoln once practiced law and which was the site of a famed Lincoln-Douglas debate in 1858, then ponder the town’s importance during the Black Hawk War of 1832.
Grab your binoculars and go bird-watching at Emiquon National Wildlife Refuge, discover Native American culture at the nearby Dickson Mounds State Museum, or head a bit farther down the road to Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.
Visit the remarkable Peoria Riverfront Museum just a few steps from the Louisiane. Check out the enormous and sophisticated equipment at the exceptional Caterpillar Visitor Center, and inhale the sweet fragrance of Luthy Botanical Garden’s colorful blooms.
Stroll the quaint streets of this town which was once an important steamboat hub and also a center for the manufacture of alarm clocks for nearly a century. Take a hike along one of the trains in Baker Lake Park and listen for a summer band concert in Centennial Park.
Day 8: Ottawa, Illinois | Disembark
1 Breakfast
Bid adieu to the Louisiane and after a transfer to Chicago to explore this first-class metropolis.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
$3,799
Notes
All fares, including land and hotel, are capacity controlled, subject to change at anytime without notice, and do not guarantee availability.
- A Single Supplement of 50% is available only for the Deluxe, French Balcony, Promenade, and Veranda Staterooms.
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 175 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 175 reviews on
7 hours ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
2 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
3 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.