Touring the Mississippi River
The river having the second largest drainage network in the continent of North America is the Mississippi River. The River’s entire stream lies within the United States, where the source rises from the Lake Itasca in North part of Minnesota and flows down south into the Gulf of Mexico, via the Mississippi River Delta.
The iconic River is divided into three parts: Upper Mississippi, Middle Mississippi, and Lower Mississippi. The river acts to be a good line of partition between eastern, southern and mid-western United States and the western United States.
The Mississippi River is one of the world’s most commercialized rivers. This enormous water body supplies water to millions of people as well as the wildlife. Many people use the water body and its tributaries to discharge waste. This river is also seen to be a life support system to a large number of aquatic animals. The river is said to be America’s warehouse of folklore stories. It has been the yarn that weaved several tales of the Nation which leaves the artists and musicians awestruck. Across the journey of the entire Mississippi course, the river bears a vast diversity in its landscape.
Journey through the river road
Mississippi river road stretches over 3000 miles passing through 10 states of the Nation it also flows through the River valley which is abundant in aesthetic historical beauty and inspiration. Cruising the entire river route can take approximately 8-9 days between prominent cities on the Mississippi River cruise, such as
- St. Paul
- New Orleans
- Memphis
- St. Louis
The journey through this river is full of enjoyment with lip-smacking food, good music, and a recreational ambiance. Sailing leads to wasting a lot of time on this huge river along with other rivers, such as the Tennessee, Ohio, Illinois and Cumberland Rivers. Cruises are thus comparatively good and value savers. The visit to these rivers is worth especially Cumberland and Tennessee rivers which are connected indirectly to the Mississippi River through Ohio river.
The most well-liked visits are to the Lower Mississippi, touring through the iconic places such as Memphis, Baton Rouge or New Orleans. These boats move from one end of the river to the other and back, from New Orleans to St. Paul, making a round trip.
The Cumberland river cruise starts from Nashville city that is the music city of United States, moving towards Clarksville town, the United States post office and customs house built for tobacco trade. The trip extends to the Fort Donelson National Military Park which was a place of significance during the Civil War. Cruise moves towards western Kentucky at Lake Barkley. The next stop is the National Quilt Museum. Followed by Cape Girardeau and Chester.
The cruise to the lower Mississippi river starts off from New Orleans, Oak Alley, touring around Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez, wrapping the cruise in Vicksburg, Memphis.
There are many companies offering boats to tourist to cruise the scenic beauty of the magnificent Mississippi River.
American Cruise Lines
This company offers cruises across the Mississippi river all throughout the year. Couple of ships namely American Eagle and Queen of the Mississippi, of this company offers 150 passenger accommodation capacity. The package offered is between 8-22 days, which includes cruising the lower Mississippi River for 8 days and upper Mississippi for 8 days approximately.
American Queen Steamboat Company
The cruises available are seasonal where in the case of Upper Mississippi River are available from June to October. While the rest of the year the touring is in the lower Mississippi between Memphis and New Orleans. The ship American Queen has a passenger capacity of 436. The package it offers comprises of 5 to 9 days.
To cruise the entire Mississippi River, you need to consider a vast list of ships for the best selection:
Niagara Prince
The ship ensures to give its voyagers an experience to cherish a lifetime. The shop is small that facilitates the access to the water bodies. Apart from that, it tours through the cultural and historical part of this river. The ship has lounges, bars, and restaurants where the cuisine is authentically American.
Twilight
This ship tops the list of choices if one wishes to cruise the upper Mississippi. The fun activities in the afternoon are folk music and humorists.
Spirit of Peoria
It is a paddle wheeler that takes one on tour to and fro the Starved Rock, with excellent food and entertaining activities.
Delta Queen
Onboard you will feel nostalgic. It is a steamboat consisting of a bathing pool and a fitness room. It also adds up to your relaxation with its lounges like Betty Blake Lounge, Forward Cabin Lounge, and Texas Lounge.
American Queen
It has the modern interiors with the vintage look. Offers amazingly delicious food. The women prefer the ship for the onboard parlor. This ship is perfect to relax during the day and party hard at night.