June 5-15, 2014
3 Historic Stops On The Mighty Mississippi River
- Hundreds Of Miles Covered By River
- Historic Civil War Battlefield Sites & Rich Southern History
- Tied Up Right In The Heart Of The Towns
- Beautiful Vistas From Your Rocking Chair On Deck
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6 Nights On A 5-Star Steam Powered Paddle Wheeler
- Two Full Days Of Steamboatin’ in Six Nights
- Three Historical Stops in Mississippi, Arkansas & Tennessee
- Complimentary Hop-on Hop-off Bus At Each Stop
- All Meals & Entertainment Included
2 Nights in Memphis Steps From Famous Beale St.
- VIP Entrance To Historic Graceland With Lunch
- Wonderful History & Music Tour
- Tasty Memphis BBQ Lunch In Local Hotspot
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2 Nights In New Orleans Right In French Quarter
- Welcome Dinner At Wonderful Local Eatery
- Beautiful Lunch At The Famous Commanders Palace
- Two Wonderful Walking Tours With Amazing Guides
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June 05 Day 1 New Orleans, Louisiana
June 06 Day 2 New Orleans, Louisiana
(End Of Pre-Stay In New Orleans)
June 07 Day 3 Board American Queen
11 Day Journey from New Orleans to Memphis
7 Days on Steam Paddle Wheeler – American Queen
June 08 Day 4 Steamboatin' –
June 09 Day 5 Natchez, Mississippi
June 10 Day 6 Vicksburg, Mississippi
Two Nights In New Orleans Including Touring
Two Nights In Memphis Including Touring
Special Group Tour On American Queen
June 11 Day 7 Steamboatin'
June 12 Day 8 Helena, Arkansas
(Start Of Post-Stay in Memphis)
June 13 Day 9 Memphis, Tennessee
VIP visit to Graceland Including Lunch
Lunch at Famous Commanders Palace New Orleans
Authentic BBQ Lunch in Memphis
June 14 Day 10 Memphis, Tennessee
June 15 Day 11 Depart Home
Day 1 - Arrive New Orleans, Louisiana
22 Meals Included On Trip
You arrive in the heart of Cajun culture, New Orleans, a city like no other that hums along to its own beat. It is the start of wonderful journey that will take us through four southern states, visits to five towns and travel by paddle wheeler for hundreds of miles north on the mighty Mississippi.
The music, food and warm southern hospitality will make for a trip you'll never forget.
Our hotel is right in the heart of the French Quarter to fully experience the energy, sounds and atmosphere of famous Bourbon Street. This evening, celebrate the start of the adventure with a gentle stroll right from our hotel to experience some local cuisine with a wonderful welcome dinner. (D)
Day 2 - New Orleans, Louisiana
We will have two walking tours while in New Orleans and one is today.
Through locked doors we go, surrounded by the stillness of secluded, tropical courtyards, as we step into the mysterious and remarkable lives of five generations of one New Orleans family. Amid patios of profuse and entangled beauty, we meet the specters of those long dead; the European and African branches of a
Louisiana dynasty. See this Creole world slowly come alive and tragically dissolve as they struggle through changing society, civil war, the birth of Jazz and the Americanization of our city. In the afternoon, you have the time to explore. (B)

Day 3 - New Orleans Touring & The American Queen
Our second full day in New Orleans greets us with another very interesting walking tour. We start at the gateway to the Garden District, on the corner of Jackson & Saint Charles avenues. We will stroll through a lush four-block square area filled with Antebellum homes of Greek, Swiss & Egyptian Revival. In the hands of one of the best tour guides in the city, we'll experience the story of all that happened here, the literary giants, tycoons, sports stars and all the men and women who changed the world we live in. We'll visit the most photographed cemetery in New Orleans, Lafayette #1, and witness the above ground entombment culture of the Creoles and the history surrounding its residents.
Our guide will join us for lunch at the legendary Commander's Palace, this 131-year-old Victorian Mansion is considered THE place to eat in the southern United States. We will be treated to a four-course feast in which plate after plate, we break down their elements and explore the origins of Cajun and Creole cooking and the history of the cocktail culture of New Orleans!
After our day of dazzling sites and rich history, we are off to the
American Queen, now tied up on the riverfront. A wonderful dinner and departure on the Mississippi await. (B,L,D)
Day 4 - Steamboatin' on the Mississippi
Today is first of two wonderful days on your paddle wheel journey where the American Queen will not touch the river bank and you become a pure river traveler. Over the history of travel on this great waterway, just imagine how many historic figures have gazed as you do today, and marveled at the pure size of the river.
Settle into a rocking chair and enjoy the views of the Mississippi, join in one of the onboard activities or maybe a conversation with one of the onboard Riverlorians who will weave a tale of travel by the great steamboats of the past.
Enjoy this full day and evening of cruising on the river.
(B,L,D)
Day 5 - Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez is the center of the Antebellum South. From Spring Pilgrimage to Christmas, there's no shortage of excitement in this small town as you tour the antebellum mansions of Natchez, drink in the history and enjoy the entertainment. Stop at the Natchez Visitors Center to peruse the gift shop and bookstore, or view exhibits and films illustrating the rich history of Natchez. Take a narrated tour of Stanton Hall which was built in 1857 and is considered the grandest of the Natchez mansions.
See the Magnolia Hall , Rosalie Mansion and William Johnson House .
Also on the route is Twin Oaks , the antebellum mansion of Regina
Charboneau, the Chef de Cuisine of the American Queen , and the Eola Hotel for shopping.
(B,L,D)

Day 6 - Vicksburg, Mississippi
Board the hop-on hop-off Steamcoach for a narrated tour experience of Vicksburg Mississippi, a city bursting at the seams with local culture, character, art, entertainment and outdoor adventure. The Red Carpet
City of the South, Vicksburg perfectly blends Southern culture and heritage with exciting modern-day attractions. Your deluxe Steamcoach will first take you through Vicksburg's shopping district. You will stop at
The Church of the Holy Trinity, a place of spiritual refreshment to
Vicksburg for more than 125 years.
Two blocks from the church you will find the Southern Cultural Heritage
Center. The next stops are Pemberton's Headquarters; as you return to the downtown area, continue to the Old Courthouse Museum, which showcases thousands of artifacts from pre-Columbian times to Civil War implements. Finally, visit Washington Street for more shopping, or discover other interesting museums including the Biedenharn Coca-Cola
Museum, Yesterday's Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum, the Old
Depot Museum, and Lower Mississippi River Museum. (B,L,D)
Day 7 - Steamboatin' on the Mississippi
This is the second day to relax and just let the sights of the Mississippi glide by the railing. Listen to the sound of the paddle wheel as it pushes the grand American Queen northward towards Arkansas. Nothing like a comfortable porch swing on deck and possibly a good book or enjoying the company of new friends while enjoying music onboard. The whole day and evening is cruising on the river today. (B,L,D)
Day 8 - Helena, Arkansas
Hop aboard the deluxe Steamcoach and begin an adventure by visiting the Cherry Street Historic District . Many of the exteriors were used in the 2005 Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line." Along the way you'll find a number of treasures including the famous theatre from the movie
, the Malco Theater ; boutiques such as the Delta Gypsy Caravan; the
Handworks Boutique; the Cotton and Kudzu Mall which was featured on
"ABC World News Tonight"; and the Gist Music Company who’s rare collectibles will transport you back in time. Discover historic downtown
Helena with two museum sites that preserve and present the heritage of the 27-county region of eastern Arkansas at the Delta Cultural Center.
If you are into the Blues, Bubba's Blues Corner offers the best selection of hard-to-find Blues music in the nation. Next is Biscuit Row , a future development project trying to rehabilitate several buildings at this gritty intersection that was once the home of the Blues in Helena. Our next stop is the Helena Museum and its eclectic collection of artifacts from prehistoric times through the Civil War and on to the present. Then, connect to two pieces of Civil War History at the magnificently restored
Moore-Hornor House and the nearly full-size replica of the Union's Fort
Curtis rebuilt just a short distance from where it originally stood. Our final stop highlights some of the most beautiful historic architecture in the region, the Pillow Thompson House , a late 19th century mansion that serves as the location for many weddings, parties, and other special events (B,L,D)

Day 9 - Memphis, Tennessee - Disembark American Queen
We leave the grand dame of the River today and once again become land travelers. Our beautiful hotel is located right in the heart of
Memphis just a few feet from legendary Beale Street. This world-famous street is home to the Memphis Blues, the street is electric with light and sound, and also home to some amazing BBQ.
This morning we're off to visit Graceland, the home made famous by the
King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. Graceland never fails to impress whether you are a die-hard Elvis fan or just enjoy history. The house is the second most visted private home in America (#1 is the White House) and the grounds are filled with everything from historic airplanes to vintage automobiles. We will have lunch right at Graceland before returning to the hotel where you can enjoy some exploration on your own this afternoon. (B,L,D)
Day 10 - Memphis, Tennessee
We start out the day with a wonderful tour of Memphis that combines walking and touring by motorcoach with a fantastic local guide. We will have a chance to see the ducks at the Peabody Hotel, the Lorraine Motel where Martin Luther King was assassinated, Cotton & Millionaire's Row and historic Court Square. We will also visit the Sun Studios, where many music legends recorded including Elvis. Our guide will bring the history of this river city to life - the Birthplace of Rock 'n' Roll.
After our morning tour, the rest of the afternoon is free to explore on your own. This evening we have a real treat as we stop in to experience some incredible Memphis BBQ at a local hotspot. (B,D)
Day 11 - Depart Memphis for Home
We say goodbye to the Mississippi River and Memphis and transfer this morning to the airport for your flight home. It has been a trip in the footsteps of Mark Twain that you will always remember. We say goodbye y'all to new friends, until next time! (B)
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AMERICAN QUEEN RIVERBOAT

Simple & Straightforward
DEPOSIT $500 pp
SINGLE TRAVELER FARE $8,968