I grew up on the Mississippi River, born and raised in Baton Rouge so I love this part of our country. It’s full of cultural experiences unlike anywhere else and there’s no better way to sample this culture than on a paddlewheel cruise on the Mighty Mississippi. You’ll feel like you’re stepping back in time when you board the American Cruise Lines Queen of the Mississippi paddlewheeler boat decorated in the 1800’s era–even the crew members are dressed up in proper attire. While you may feel like you’re on an old boat, you’re actually aboard the newest ship on the Mississippi. Relax on the sun deck, exercise with a view of the river, recline in the Mark Twain library, or savor the local cuisine in the grand dining room. All the luxuries you’ll love, but with a flair of the antebellum life and an all-American crew.
Photo courtesy of American Cruise Lines
The Queen of the Mississippi sails from New Orleans to Memphis (or vice versa) from February to early July, and then again from late August through November.
Map courtesy of American Cruise Lines
You’ll enjoy luxurious and spacious accommodations during your 8-day river cruise. This trip is packed with stops in many historic sites in the South, so get ready for fun as you journey down the mighty Mississippi.
Enjoy spacious staterooms on American Cruise Line’s Queen of the Mississippi
Here’s a preview of what you can expect on a Mississippi River cruise from New Orleans to Memphis
Your river cruise begins in New Orleans. You’ll notice many ethnic influences from the Caribbean, Africa and Europe in “N’arlens.” The culture, jazz music and Cajun food are what make this place unique and exciting. You’ll find Southern hospitality on every corner from Jackson Square, to the Garden District, the French Market and the French Quarter when you take the New Orleans City Tour. Be sure to visit the New Orleans Museum of Art, a collection of French, American, African and Japanese works which is located in the Besthoff Sculpture Gardens.
Take a gondola ride through the beautiful Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Photo courtesy of New Orleans City Park Archives.
Oak Alley, LA is home of the “Grande Dame of the Great River Road,” or the Oak Alley Plantation. The restored antebellum mansion is a tribute to the wealthy landowners in the region. On this plantation there is a garage full of antique cars and a blacksmith shop. However, everyone’s favorite is a stroll down the Alley of the Oaks which is a quarter-mile avenue of giant oak trees that create a tunnel of branches and leaves.
Photo courtesy of the Oak Alley Plantation
You’ll find the best Louisiana Cajun cuisine in Baton Rouge. A visit to the LSU Rural Life Museum will walk you through the life of early settlers as you tour the plantation and through the kitchen, slave cabins and a grist mill. If you have time, don’t miss visiting the habitat of Mike The Tiger, LSU’s mascot an honest to goodness Bengal Tiger. In fact many years ago my dad and uncles were care takers for Mike.
Photo courtesy of Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum
Photo courtesy of Louisiana State University Rural Life Museum
On the bluffs of the Mississippi River is a beautiful small town called St. Francisville. The Myrtles Plantation exhibits the antebellum life. After your tour and you are invited to relax on the giant rockers on the balcony overlooking the plantation.
Photo courtesy of The Myrtles Plantation
Also, visit the Rosedown Plantation to see how the wealthiest planters lived.
Image courtesy of Louisiana State Parks/DCRT
Natchez, Mississippi has over 1,000 historic structures in this 300-year-old preserved historical city. Frogmore Cotton Plantation and Gin, a must-see, is an 1800-acre working cotton farm, with a rare steam cotton gin and the history of computerization of cotton ginning.
Photo courtesy of Frogmore Cotton Plantation and Gin
A visit to the south wouldn’t be complete without a visit to a Civil War battlefield site in Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service at Vicksburg National Military Park
The Vicksburg National Military Park has preserved the historical site and include re-enactments of the battle.
Photo courtesy of the National Park Service at Vicksburg National Military Park
As the ship makes its way between Vicksburg and Memphis, you’ll have the entire day to enjoy cruising the beautiful Mississippi River.
There’s no shortage of things to do in Memphis, TN. Learn a little history about the King of Rock and Roll at Elvis Presley’s Graceland and Car Museum. Or if you want to just enjoy the natural environment of Memphis then go to Shelby Farms where the buffalo still roam. You can also go horseback riding through the back country.
Photo courtesy of Shelby Farms
Want more information?
Give us a call at CruiseExperts.com and one of our agents would love 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
You may be interested in our other blog about other Mississippi river cruises
From St. Louis to St. Paul—take a Mississippi River cruise through history on a paddlewheeler boat
Cruise the Mississippi and Cumberland Rivers through America’s Heartland
Experience and explore history while cruising the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers
Cruise the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers between St. Louis and Memphis for a taste of Americana
See the best of the Mississippi River on a cruise from St. Louis to New Orleans
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4 Comments
I would like to know the cost of this trip down the Mississippi.
Thank you.
Elaine – one of our cruise experts will be contacting you. There are many different options and routes for a cruise down the Mississippi. We would be happy to share with you your choices and dates and find what works best for you!
Are there any 2 hour paddle wheel dinner cruises out of Natchez, Mississippi? We plan on visiting Natchez sometime this summer and would like a ride on a paddle wheel boat.
Hello Ned,
Thank you for commenting on our blog on Mississippi River Cruises. I do not believe there are any dinner cruises on a paddle wheeler that depart from Natchez, Mississippi. The “Natchez” steamboat departs for Jazz dinner tours on the Mississippi from New Orleans, which is about 3 hours from Natchez. The American Queen visits Natchez as part of its multi-day cruises up and down the Mississippi River. You can find more information on the “Natchez” at http://www.steamboatnatchez.com .
Rachel Brandon | Cruise Counselor