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MINNESOTA / WISCONSIN / IOWA / MISSOURI

Adventures Afloat: Mighty Mississippi: Bridging America

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Road Scholar
Program #20726RJ

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10 Days | 9 Nights
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate
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EasyFor people looking to exercise their minds more than their bodies. There’s minimal walking and not too many stairs.
ModerateThese programs get you on your feet and include activities such as walking up to a mile in a day through a city and standing in a museum for a few hours.
ActiveFor people who enjoy walking as much as two miles a day, perhaps to explore historic neighborhoods or a nature trail.
Moderately ChallengingFor hardy explorers who enjoy a good physical challenge, spending most of their days on the go.
ChallengingGet ready to keep up with our highest-energy group. These demanding — and rewarding — programs are for seasoned outdoor enthusiasts.

Program Details > Daily Schedule

Elevation Note
Flat terrain.

Itinerary for Jul 4 — Jul 13, 2013

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Type: Hotel

 Contact info:
711 North Broadway
St. Louis, MO 63102 USA
phone: 314-231-8100
web: https://wwws.druryhotels.com/PropertyHotelServices.aspx?property=0058

Room amenities: •Hair Dryers in All Rooms •Indoor Pool & Whirlpool (9 am - 10 pm) •Iron & Ironing Board in All Rooms •Same Day Dry Cleaning Available •Two-line Phones & Data Ports •Free Wireless Internet •Free 60 Minutes of Long Distance •Free Soda/Popcorn (daily 3-10 pm) •Free Local Phone Calls •All Rooms with Microwaves & Refrigerators •Flat Panel LCD TVs in every room

Facility amenities: •Free Covered Parking* •Free In-room Coffee Service •24 Hour Business Center •Fitness Center •Fax Services •Guest Laundry •Guest Voice Mail

Smoking policy: No
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Additional nights before: 160
Pre-nights available at group rate.

Check in time: 3:00 PM

Day One: Thursday, July 04 - Arrival, orientation, welcome dinner. 
Afternoon: Arrivals in St. Louis. Look for Charlene in the lobby at the Hospitality desk between 12 and 5 p.m. Welcome Reception at 5:30 pm in the hotel lobby.

Dinner: Welcome dinner and orientation at the hotel.

Evening: At 9 pm, with the mighty Mississippi River as a backdrop, enjoy St. Louis’ spectacular 4th of July Fireworks gala – recognized as one of the most extravagant pyrotechnic celebrations in America – on the historic St. Louis riverfront.

Lodging: Drury Inn & Suites Convention Center

Meals Included: Dinner
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Type: Riverboat

 Description: •The only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America. •The acclaimed cuisine of famed American chef Regina Charboneau. •The only steamboat with multiple, specialty dining options, all at no additional charge. •Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. •Complimentary wines and beers at dinner. •All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks coffee. •Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff. •The warm and inviting ambiance of an antebellum mansion. •Public rooms and accommodations are decorated with Victorian charm and carefully selected antiques. •Elegant-casual attire throughout your voyage — no formal wear required. •Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard river historian. •Professional showboat-style entertainment nightly. •Nightly dancing to swing and big band music. •Enthralling calliope concerts and a chance for guests to play!

Ship Information: Length: 418 feet long Capacity: 436 passengers

Contact info:
One Commerce Square
40 South Main Street, 21st Floor
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 190-165-4260 x0
Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Two: Friday, July 05 - St. Louis, Missouri 
Breakfast: Breakfast at the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast we will enjoy a field trip of St Louis that will focus on the city's unique relationship with the Mississippi River. Guest speaker Dennis Brown (who was born and raised in St Louis) will lead the field trip. Special emphasis will be given to James Eads, designer of the St Louis Bridge (now known to the world as Eads Bridge), which spans the mighty Mississippi. Eads Bridge is now universally recognized as one of the great design structures in the world.

Lunch: A 4th of July-styled picnic lunch in beautiful Forest Park (site of the 1904 World’s Fair, which is featured in the classic movie Meet Me in St. Louis) will be included on the field trip.

Afternoon: Transfer to the American Queen for boarding. As our steamboat sits on the levee within sight of the majestic Gateway Arch, we will provide a special screening, exclusive to Road Scholars, of Monument to the Dream, the amazing 30-minute documentary about the construction of the Arch.

Dinner: Onboard the American Queen.

Evening: The American Queen is scheduled to depart St. Louis at 9 p.m. The St. Louis skyline is at its most striking when seen from the vantage of the river itself. This will also give us a rare opportunity to view these two iconic structures – Eads Bridge and the Gateway Arch – from the deck of a moving steamboat.

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
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Type: Riverboat

 Description: •The only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America. •The acclaimed cuisine of famed American chef Regina Charboneau. •The only steamboat with multiple, specialty dining options, all at no additional charge. •Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. •Complimentary wines and beers at dinner. •All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks coffee. •Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff. •The warm and inviting ambiance of an antebellum mansion. •Public rooms and accommodations are decorated with Victorian charm and carefully selected antiques. •Elegant-casual attire throughout your voyage — no formal wear required. •Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard river historian. •Professional showboat-style entertainment nightly. •Nightly dancing to swing and big band music. •Enthralling calliope concerts and a chance for guests to play!

Ship Information: Length: 418 feet long Capacity: 436 passengers

Contact info:
One Commerce Square
40 South Main Street, 21st Floor
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 190-165-4260 x0
Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Three: Saturday, July 06 - Steamboating on the Mississippi 
Breakfast: Onboard the American Queen.

Morning: Today is a “Steamboating Day”. with plenty of time to enjoy the pastoral scenery as well as partake in any of the scheduled onboard activities offered by the cruise line. Spend some free time on the ship's Front Porch of America, cozy up with a book in the Mark Twain Gallery, or try your hand at some card's in Ladies' Parlor or Gentleman's Card Room.

Lunch: Onboard the American Queen.

Afternoon: With the magnificent Gateway Arch still fresh in our memories, this afternoon we will schedule a private screening of The Gateway Arch: A Reflection of America, a 60-minute documentary narrated by Kevin Kline. The film will be introduced by Dennis Brown.

Dinner: Onboard the American Queen.

Evening: Enjoy an evening show onboard the American Queen.

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Riverboat

 Description: •The only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America. •The acclaimed cuisine of famed American chef Regina Charboneau. •The only steamboat with multiple, specialty dining options, all at no additional charge. •Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. •Complimentary wines and beers at dinner. •All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks coffee. •Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff. •The warm and inviting ambiance of an antebellum mansion. •Public rooms and accommodations are decorated with Victorian charm and carefully selected antiques. •Elegant-casual attire throughout your voyage — no formal wear required. •Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard river historian. •Professional showboat-style entertainment nightly. •Nightly dancing to swing and big band music. •Enthralling calliope concerts and a chance for guests to play!

Ship Information: Length: 418 feet long Capacity: 436 passengers

Contact info:
One Commerce Square
40 South Main Street, 21st Floor
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 190-165-4260 x0
Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Four: Sunday, July 07 - Hannibal, Missouri 
Breakfast: Onboard the American Queen.

Morning: This morning we arrive in Mark Twain’s boyhood hometown, Hannibal, MO to board the Twainland Express for a journey enlivened by the spirit of Samuel Clemens, who authored American classics under the pen name of Mark Twain. Begin your journey into the town that inspired the author’s imagination at the Mark Twain Boyhood House & Museum. See the Justice of Peace, the courtroom setting used for trial in Tom Sawyer’s story. Visit the Becky Thatcher House, home of Tom Sawyer’s first sweetheart. Delight your palate. Then, take a journey to a time where the golden age of railroading and toy trains were part of most everyone’s life at the Big River Train Town Museum. Last but not least, enjoy visiting local Trinity Church or perhaps taste some wine at the Mark Twain Winery.

Lunch: Onboard the American Queen.

Afternoon: Now that you have trod on the same Hannibal cobblestone streets that Samuel Clemens walked upon a century ago, we will “meet” Mark Twain in the personage of a Twain impersonator. Later on this afternoon, prior to dinner, we will gather for an exclsuive Road Scholar cocktail party.

Dinner: Onboard the American Queen.

Evening: Enjoy an evening show onboard the American Queen.

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Riverboat

 Description: •The only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America. •The acclaimed cuisine of famed American chef Regina Charboneau. •The only steamboat with multiple, specialty dining options, all at no additional charge. •Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. •Complimentary wines and beers at dinner. •All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks coffee. •Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff. •The warm and inviting ambiance of an antebellum mansion. •Public rooms and accommodations are decorated with Victorian charm and carefully selected antiques. •Elegant-casual attire throughout your voyage — no formal wear required. •Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard river historian. •Professional showboat-style entertainment nightly. •Nightly dancing to swing and big band music. •Enthralling calliope concerts and a chance for guests to play!

Ship Information: Length: 418 feet long Capacity: 436 passengers

Contact info:
One Commerce Square
40 South Main Street, 21st Floor
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 190-165-4260 x0
Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Five: Monday, July 08 - Steamboating on the Mississippi River 
Breakfast: Onboard the American Queen.

Morning: The Great Waters of the Mississippi originate in Lake Itasca and roll relentlessly to the Gulf of Mexico. This force of nature is your constant companion during a magical day of uninterrupted cruising. Spend some free time on the ship's Front Porch of America, cozy up with a book in the Mark Twain Gallery, or try your hand at some card's in Ladies' Parlor or Gentleman's Card Room.

Lunch: Onboard the American Queen.

Afternoon: This afternoon Dennis Brown will prepare us for tomorrow’s visit to Dubuque, Iowa. He will discuss Dubuque native Richard Bissell who (though not as famous as Mark Twain) is, after Clemens, America’s most noted river author. A licensed river pilot, Bissell also wrote the novel 7-1/2 Cents, which was adapted into the colorful Broadway musical, The Pajama Game.

Dinner: Onboard the American Queen.

Evening: Enjoy an evening show onboard the American Queen.

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Riverboat

 Description: •The only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America. •The acclaimed cuisine of famed American chef Regina Charboneau. •The only steamboat with multiple, specialty dining options, all at no additional charge. •Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. •Complimentary wines and beers at dinner. •All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks coffee. •Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff. •The warm and inviting ambiance of an antebellum mansion. •Public rooms and accommodations are decorated with Victorian charm and carefully selected antiques. •Elegant-casual attire throughout your voyage — no formal wear required. •Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard river historian. •Professional showboat-style entertainment nightly. •Nightly dancing to swing and big band music. •Enthralling calliope concerts and a chance for guests to play!

Ship Information: Length: 418 feet long Capacity: 436 passengers

Contact info:
One Commerce Square
40 South Main Street, 21st Floor
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 190-165-4260 x0
Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Six: Tuesday, July 09 - Dubuque, Iowa 
Breakfast: Onboard the American Queen.

Morning: Dennis Brown will lead us on an exclusive field trip to “Richard Bissell’s Dubuque.” This is our opportunity to have some fun discovering this very amusing author. The field trip will include a visit to the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium (which is located near where Bissell lived on his own shanty boat). We’ll also ride the Fenelon Place Elevator, which is billed as the shortest and steepest railroad in the world. You’ll even see where the original Bissell family pajama factory (the inspiration for The Pajama Game) once stood.

Lunch: Onboard the American Queen.

Afternoon: Free time to explore Dubuque on your own. You might want to join the American Queen's Hop-On, Hop-Off coach and explore the Grand Opera House.

Dinner: Onboard the American Queen

Evening: Enjoy an evening show onboard the American Queen.

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Riverboat

 Description: •The only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America. •The acclaimed cuisine of famed American chef Regina Charboneau. •The only steamboat with multiple, specialty dining options, all at no additional charge. •Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. •Complimentary wines and beers at dinner. •All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks coffee. •Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff. •The warm and inviting ambiance of an antebellum mansion. •Public rooms and accommodations are decorated with Victorian charm and carefully selected antiques. •Elegant-casual attire throughout your voyage — no formal wear required. •Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard river historian. •Professional showboat-style entertainment nightly. •Nightly dancing to swing and big band music. •Enthralling calliope concerts and a chance for guests to play!

Ship Information: Length: 418 feet long Capacity: 436 passengers

Contact info:
One Commerce Square
40 South Main Street, 21st Floor
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 190-165-4260 x0
Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Seven: Wednesday, July 10 - La Crosse, Wisconsin 
Breakfast: Onboard the American Queen.

Morning: Enjoy a relaxed morning onboard before we dock in La Crosse, WI, a gem of Victorian and Art Deco architecture.

Lunch: Onboard the American Queen.

Afternoon: Mississippi Explorer Cruise – a 90 minute ecology cruise in the backwaters of the National Wildlife and Fish Refuge. Unreachable by other passenger vessels, we venture into seldom seen side-channels such as: Broken Arrow, Swift Creek, Mormon, and Running Sloughs. We'll explore the outskirts of Goose Island and Target Lake, stop at beaver lodges, lotus fields, and even active bald eagle nests. Now's the time to get outside and see the wide variety of plants and animals that live in the "Upper Miss" wildlife refuge

Dinner: Onboard the American Queen.

Evening: Enjoy an evening show onboard the American Queen.

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Riverboat

 Description: •The only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America. •The acclaimed cuisine of famed American chef Regina Charboneau. •The only steamboat with multiple, specialty dining options, all at no additional charge. •Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. •Complimentary wines and beers at dinner. •All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks coffee. •Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff. •The warm and inviting ambiance of an antebellum mansion. •Public rooms and accommodations are decorated with Victorian charm and carefully selected antiques. •Elegant-casual attire throughout your voyage — no formal wear required. •Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard river historian. •Professional showboat-style entertainment nightly. •Nightly dancing to swing and big band music. •Enthralling calliope concerts and a chance for guests to play!

Ship Information: Length: 418 feet long Capacity: 436 passengers

Contact info:
One Commerce Square
40 South Main Street, 21st Floor
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 190-165-4260 x0
Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Eight: Thursday, July 11 - Winona, Minnesota 
Breakfast: Onboard the American Queen.

Morning: Winona is one of the most beautiful places in the country, nestled between the covered limestone river bluffs that rise 500 feet and the stunning mighty Mississippi River. The historic architecture and cultural opportunities give Winona a soul that is living, breathing and growing. Still, Winona and its wealth of culture, arts, history, recreation and festivals, is relatively undiscovered.

Lunch: Onboard the American Queen.

Afternoon: Our field trip today will be to visit the Shakespeare Theater in Winona where we will have an exclusive behind the scenes visit.

Dinner: Onboard the American Queen.

Evening: Enjoy an evening show onboard the American Queen.

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Close [ x ]
Type: Riverboat

 Description: •The only authentic overnight paddlewheel steamboat in America. •The acclaimed cuisine of famed American chef Regina Charboneau. •The only steamboat with multiple, specialty dining options, all at no additional charge. •Complimentary bottled water and soft drinks throughout your voyage. •Complimentary wines and beers at dinner. •All staterooms feature gourmet coffee brewers and Starbucks coffee. •Gracious, friendly service from a professionally trained all-American staff. •The warm and inviting ambiance of an antebellum mansion. •Public rooms and accommodations are decorated with Victorian charm and carefully selected antiques. •Elegant-casual attire throughout your voyage — no formal wear required. •Daily lectures by the Riverlorian, our onboard river historian. •Professional showboat-style entertainment nightly. •Nightly dancing to swing and big band music. •Enthralling calliope concerts and a chance for guests to play!

Ship Information: Length: 418 feet long Capacity: 436 passengers

Contact info:
One Commerce Square
40 South Main Street, 21st Floor
Memphis, TN 38103 USA
phone: 190-165-4260 x0
Smoking policy: Yes
Smoking policies vary by facility. During all group events and activities, smoking is prohibited.

Elevator: Yes

Day Nine: Friday, July 12 - Red Wing, Minnesota 
Breakfast: Onboard.

Morning: Red Wing is home to a variety of shops, including arts, antiques, pottery and one-of-a kind boutiques. Red Wing ranks as one of Minnesota's leading manufacturing cities. Historically it is known as home to products including its famous shoes, pottery and linseed oil. Start your exploration of Red Wing at the Visitor Center and Art for some vital information about the city. Discover Minnesota’s favorite destination for things such as antiques and pottery at the Pottery Place District. Then visit the Stoney Ends Harps, who have made handcrafted folk lever harps for 25 years. At the Historic West End, you will find the Native American, Military and Sheldon Performing Arts Theatre. Don’t miss the spectacular view of bluffs of Minnesota and Wisconsin that await you at Memorial Park.

Lunch: Onboard the American Queen.

Afternoon: This afternoon, we travel to Wabasha, Minnesota, the oldest city on the Upper Mississippi River. At the home of the National Eagle Center, eagles are in abundance during the winter months, and they nest here year-round. The Center in downtown Wabasha houses bald eagles and a golden eagle and is open for programs and special groups. Visitors from all over the world have been to Wabasha to have a "nose to beak" experience with America's national symbol of freedom - the American bald eagle.

Evening: Enjoy an evening show onboard the American Queen.

Lodging: American Queen

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day Ten: Saturday, July 13 - St. Paul, Minnesota  
Breakfast: Onboard

Morning: Disembark in St. Paul, Minnesota. Independent departures.

Meals Included: Breakfast
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Important information about your itinerary:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date.
Currently selected:Prices Starting At:
Jul 4 — Jul 13, 2013 $3897  
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Special Offer: Free round-trip air from many cities is included in the program price. Other cities are available at an additional cost. Call an Advisor toll free at (877) 426-8056 for more information. Please note free airfare may be limited.

Our Value Promise To You

You won't find a better value.

Included
at no additional cost on this date ...
•9 nights of accommodations
•25 meals: 9 breakfasts, 8 lunches, 8 dinners
•2 Expert-led lectures
•6 Field trips
•8 Performances
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