The answer is YES! If you’re ready for a cruise that travels at a much slower pace, stays on U.S. soil, and is filled with history, then maybe its time to consider a paddle wheel river cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the Great Northwest. America Cruise Lines’ Queen of the West follows the path pioneered by Lewis and Clark, stretching from Clarkston, Washington to Astoria, Oregon (or vice versa).
Each week, the Queen of the West embarks on a 7-night cruise along the Columbia and Snake Rivers. Don’t let the exterior fool you. This historic paddle wheeler has the look of the past, but is filled with all the modern luxuries.
The interior room on America Cruise Lines’ Queen of the West
Onboard, you’ll enjoy freshly prepared regional and traditional cuisine, as well as regional wine favorites. You’ll discover the beauty of the Pacific Northwest with the help of an onboard naturalist, knowlegdeable historians and local musicians.
Columbia and Snake Rivers Map courtesy of American Cruise Lines
Here’s a brief overview of your journey on the Queen of the West (traveling east to west):
Your journey begins on the Snake River at the twin cities named for the explorers, Clarkston, Washington and Lewiston, Idaho. Take the Nez Perce National Historic Park and learn about the tribe that saved the Lewis and Clark expedition. You can also take Beamer’s Hells Canyon Tours jet boat tour along the Snake River through the unspoiled wilderness, rock formations and wildlife.
Photo courtesy of Beamers Hells Canyon Tours
Over 160 wineries can be found in the Pendleton, OR region. Take a winery tour to taste Oregon’s award winning wines and witness their spectacular views. (Note: We will post another blog highlighting the wineries.) There’s more to Pendleton than meets the eye. Learn the secrets by taking the Pendleton Underground Tours.
Photo courtesy of Pendleton Underground Tours
If you want to learn about the regional tribes visit the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute. They are also home of the Andy Warhol: Cowboys and Indians art display.
In The Dalles, OR, visit Rock Fort Camp, where Lewis and Clark set up camp to explore the Louisiana Purchase territory. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is a multimedia, interactive museum where you can see how the gorge was created by volcano eruptions and floods.
Photo courtesy of Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center
Your boat will make its way through the Bonneville Lock and Dam to get to Stevenson, WA. Your excursion takes you by the 620-foot-high Multnomah Falls before heading to the Bonneville Hatchery.
Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines
The next day, relax onboard and soak up the spectacular views of the cliffs and waterfalls along the Columbia River Gorge.
Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines
Your paddle wheeler will take you through Volcano Alley where you’ll be able to see Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens. On the Mt. St. Helens Tour, you’ll be taken to the rim of the crater to look down into the center of the lava dome.
Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines
The end of the road for the Lewis and Clark expedition, Astoria, OR is the oldest American western settlement. You’ll find the Columbia River Maritime Museum here, one of the best maritime museums on the West Coast.
Photo courtesy of Columbia River Maritime Museum
You can also take a historic tour of Astoria including Victorian-era homes, Fort Clatsop and Astoria Column.
On your last day, you’ll enjoy a narrated tour of one of the West’s favorite cities, Portland, OR. Plan for extra time to see the Portland Art Museum.
Photo courtesy of Portland Art Museum
A must see in Portland is Powell’s City of Books with over one million books. If you’re an avid book collector, visit their beautiful rare book room.
Photo courtesy of Powell’s Books, Inc.
Want more information?
Call a CruiseExperts.com agent now to book your stateroom on an America Cruise Lines river cruise. We are here to answer any questions you may have about taking a cruise on a paddle wheeler. Call us at 1-888-804-CRUISE (2784) or visit our website, www.CruiseExperts.com
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2 Comments
Can you give me a general $$$ for this trip? My husband won’t talk about any trips without this info.
Thanks. Suzanne Smith
Suzanne – we’d love to help you and your husband! Prices vary depending on the time of year, so one of our travel experts will be emailing you with some general price information. Hope you will be taking this river cruise – it is awesome!