15 Night Minneapolis (Red Wing) to New Orleans Cruise and Land Tour from Minneapolis

Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, American Queen Voyages Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and the friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Representatives from AQV and a local port/city partner will be available to provide you with dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Did you know that Minneapolis is where Scotch tape, the Bundt pan, Bisquick, and pop-up toasters were invented? Even a healthy natural wonder, like the Honeycrisp apple, was conceived by a program at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. The most populous city in Minnesota, Minneapolis is known for its parks and lakes and many cultural landmarks like the Walker Art Center, a contemporary art museum, and the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, famed for Claes Oldenburg's "Spoonbridge and Cherry" sculpture. St. Paul, its sister city and the state's capital, has a historic feel with classic architecture, neighborhoods, and traditions. The Port of Minneapolis, the northernmost port on the Mississippi River System, is 17 nautical miles upriver of St. Paul. Minnesota's state motto is "The Land of 10,000 Lakes" and Minneapolis is without question the "City of Lakes". In warmer months, locals, and visitors head to one of the 13 sizable lakes in the city's borders for kayaking, paddle boating, sailing, and swimming. However, the city's thriving art scene and outdoor culture - even in winter - make this Midwest metropolis a desirable place to explore year-round. In fact, it's nicknamed the "Mini-Apple" because it has a New York City vibe with a host of museums and art galleries, restaurants, nightclubs, and entertainment venues. With a finite time to experience the city, visitors can wander galleries at the Institute of Art, admire the cityscape from a atop the Guthrie Theater, uncover local history at the Mill City Museum, and still find time to stroll along the Mississippi.

Located in southeast Minnesota, Winona is nestled in the covered limestone bluffs along the Mississippi River. Abundant parks and picturesque vistas offer endless paths to explore. Historic sites and stunning architecture, rich with stained glass and lavish facades, evoke a bygone era. The city is a natural oasis filled with incredible museums and galleries, where artists, artisans, and music lovers embrace local traditions while connecting to broader cultural experiences. The ancient lands of the Dakota Nation, the region is rich with the history and culture of their proud heritage. Led by a succession of Chiefs Wapasha, the Dakota Indians who called Winona home prized this location for its expansive vistas, abundant wildlife, and ready river access. In the late 1800s, Winona was a thriving lumber town. Loggers, traders, farmers, immigrants, and pioneering spirits made their livelihood around the river that connects the Midwest to markets worldwide. The most famous of these, J.R. Watkins, has concocted its fine natural products in Winona for over 150 years. Today Winona may hold a museums-per-capita record. Enshrined here you will find quirky 100-year-old toys, relics from a rowdy riverboat past, and mementos from businesses and people that put Winona on the map. Whether you catch a special exhibit or view a permanent collection, you are sure to be fascinated. At the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, visitors fall even more in love with marine life. Elmer's Auto & Toy Museum in Fountain City is home to hundreds of muscle, antique, and classic cars as well as trucks.

La Crosse resides along the famous Great River Road National Scenic Byway, considered by some as the most scenic drive in America. This river town also has a long-standing romance with the steamboat era, and as our paddlewheeler kisses its port, guests are welcomed by its eye-catching vistas and expansive waterfront park. The La Crosse Region is a proud part of the Driftless Area, a part of the world with an ancient, distinct topography and unparalleled views. "Drift" refers to glacial drift; the rock and sediment deposited by a glacier as it moves over an area of land. During the last Ice Age, a small piece of the Upper Mississippi Region was miraculously left untouched by glacial erosion and deposits. The surrounding landscapes that once featured prominent bluffs were leveled to plains and rolling hills, yet no glaciers entered one small pocket; thus, the Driftless Area became the last remnant of the natural, rugged terrain that once spanned today's Upper Midwest. Straddling the Mississippi, the Driftless Area of today encompasses more than 24,000 miles across Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. La Crosse County is one of the 18 Wisconsin counties within the realm of the Driftless. Within its depths, La Crosse harbors a vibrant community; the cultural exchange among it and its six sister cities showcases a deep appreciation for enrichment through diversity. Influences from far-off destinations such as Bantry, Ireland, and Bavaria, Germany, woven into the history and charm of this scenic port, will certainly stir a traveler's soul.

Victorian meets bohemian in this ever-growing Mississippi River gem that's sure to leave dazzling memories. In Dubuque, you can check off your outdoor bucket list in the perfect nature getaway, and explore historic districts peppered with preserved history. Take a ride on the historic Fenelon Place Elevator, which is also the shortest, steepest, scenic railway, spanning 296 feet in length. Admire the 105 stained-glass Tiffany windows at St. Luke's United Methodist Church, home to "one of the five finest religious Tiffany collections in the world". See all the wildlife displays and hands-on exhibits at the National Mississippi River Museum. Cap your day in Dubuque with a tasting at one of the local vineyards or tasting rooms including Stone Cliff and Park Farm wineries. Be sure to take a little piece of Dubuque home with you with goodies from Betty Jane Candies, named the "Top Culinary Gift in Iowa" by People magazine.

Situated in southeastern Iowa, Bettendorf is part of a large metro area called the "Quad Cities", a collection of river vistas and metropolitan communities that meld Midwestern neighborliness with rich educational, cultural, and recreational opportunities. Comprised of the Mississippi riverfront towns of Bettendorf and Davenport in Iowa and Moline and Rock Island in Illinois, these distinctively different urban areas, without friction, blend into the melting pot that the region celebrates. Whimsical architecture complements the eccentric gardens of the Quad City Botanical Center in neighboring Rock Island. The first European-American settlers were predominantly German immigrants who worked as farmers, skilled laborers, and small business owners. They established a village called Lilienthal, after an early tavern and dance hall. An adjacent village of Gilbert developed alongside in 1858. The two villages eventually combined to become the town of Gilbert. Circa 1900, the town gave William and Joseph Bettendorf 70 acres of riverfront land on the condition that they move their iron wagon business from Davenport to Gilbert. In 1903, the town petitioned for incorporation, requesting to change the town's name in honor of the brothers whose factory was a major economic influence in the early development of the city. Today Bettendorf offers an array of recreational opportunities including three golf courses, numerous trails for biking, hiking, and walking, and dek hockey rinks. Dek hockey, a variation of ball hockey, is played on foot with an orange ball in a boarded rink on a surface that protects players from common leg and foot injuries.

Burlington is the center of a micropolitan area, which includes West Burlington and Middletown, Iowa, and Gulfport, Illinois. The site, originally called Shoquoquok, was settled as Flint Hills in 1833 and renamed a year later by a settler for his hometown of Burlington, VT. Iowa's nickname, "The Hawkeye State", has its roots in Burlington. At Judge David Rorer's suggestion, publisher James G. Edwards changed The Iowa Patriot newspaper's name to The Hawk-Eye and Iowa Patriot in tribute to his friend, Chief Black Hawk. Rorer is said to have found the name in James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans, but Edwards proposed the nickname to "...rescue from oblivion a memento, at least of the name of the old chief". Burlington was a bustling river port in the steamboat era and a central city to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroads. The "Burlington Route" (1848-1970) merged into the Burlington Northern Railroad (1970-1996), which in turn merged into the BNSF Railway (1997-present). The Burlington name has been given to one of BNSF's main east-west lines (the largest in the U.S.) - Ottumwa subdivision - which still crosses the Mississippi at Burlington.

Located 100 miles north of St. Louis on the Mississippi River, Hannibal is one of Missouri's and the region's best tourism destinations. Hannibal could be described as ordinary, but the father of American literature would beg to differ. The town, with style and dignity, comes to life in the writings of Mark Twain. People, entities, and livelihoods of Hannibal's past endure within the pages of "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" and "Life on the Mississippi", and the town's preservation efforts allow visitors to step right onto the page where Twain left off. Today, the river stretches north toward country that's almost as wild and beautiful as it must have been then, and still enlivened by the coming and going of rivercraft. Hannibal attractions are sure to make your port call unforgettable. Explore the Mark Twain Cave written about in five of Twain's books. This famous cave was also used by Jesse James as a hideout following his 1879 bank robbery in Saverton, MO. His signature remains on the cave to this day. Or discover unique attractions like Karlocks Kars & Pop Culture Museum, home to more than 10,000 square feet of artifacts that allow you to relive historic, pop culture moments. Among the remarkable exhibits are more than a dozen vintage cars. The cars include everything from fame-off restorations of beautiful classics to one-of-a-kind American muscle cars. Alternatively, take a walk in the woods at Sodalis Nature Preserve, a 185-acre park with a paved walking and biking loop and the opportunity for woodland hiking.

Part of the Metro East region of the Greater St. Louis metropolitan area, Alton is located on the Mississippi River about 18 miles north of St. Louis. The area was home to Native Americans for thousands of years before being settled by European Americans. An important river town, at one time, Alton was even growing faster than nearby St. Louis. Its fluctuating wealth in the early days was largely dependent on river traffic, manufacturing and shipping, and agriculture. During the Civil War, Alton was an important base for abolitionists, with Illinois as a free state across the river from the slave state of Missouri, and it served as the site of the final debate between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas in October of 1858. Among other noteworthy historical facts, Robert Wadlow, the world's tallest man, was born and raised in Alton, as was the legendary jazz musician Miles Davis. Alton is also reputed to be one of the most haunted cities in the U.S. Depending on the length of your port call, enjoy a round of golf on two championship courses, play some tennis, take in one of three historic districts on a leisurely stroll, or discover a local attraction. Popular places of interest include Jacoby Arts Center, Alton Little Theater, Alton Museum of History and Art, Elijah P. Lovejoy Monument, Alton Marina, Alton Amphitheater, National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, Melvin Price Locks and Dam, Meeting of the Great Rivers Scenic Byway, and a variety of other educational and recreational institutions.

Watch small river towns and lush landscapes slowly become lost in the horizon as sunlight plays upon the deck. Take hold of a literary classic, curl up on a plush chair in a cozy corner, and relish in the moment of tranquility. Experience the fulfillment that river cruising offers.

The history and heritage of Memphis begins with the indigenous people who lived by the mighty Mississippi. Throughout the years it has been home to cotton tycoons and enslaved people, to musicians who sounded the first notes of songs that still echo around the world today, and to civil rights icons including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Visitors embrace the diversity of this city that has been coined not only the home of the blues but also the birthplace of rock 'n' roll and its many music-themed attractions. As one of the most famous music destinations in the world, Memphis is a melodious port for American Queen Voyages guests to experience, including Beale Street Historic District, Blues Music Hall of Fame, Center for Southern Folklore, Graceland, Gibson Guitar Factory, Memphis Music Hall of Fame, Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum, St. Blues Guitar Workshop, Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Sun Studio, and the W.C. Handy home and museum. Memphis is also rich with arts, sculpture, and painting exhibits offering pieces form Rodin to Renoir. Explore the Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis Botanic Garden, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art, Metal Museum, Belz Museum of Asian and Judaic Art, Crosstown Arts, and the Cotton Museum at the Memphis Cotton Exchange. If you prefer to discover a destination by walking its streets, boogie on down to Beale Street - it's alive with quirky places to indulge in some authentic Southern barbeque, shop for souvenirs, and sip on a Blue Suede Tini or some other music-inspired local libation.

In the heart of the Mississippi Delta lies the town of Cleveland, one of the two county seats of Bolivar County. Named for President Grover Cleveland, the town began formation in 1869. Bolivar County has deep roots in the civil rights movement. Amzie Moore, a civil rights pioneer, opened a gas station, beauty shop, and grocery store on Highway 61 in Cleveland. His business also served as headquarters for the area's civil rights efforts. His home was declared a historical landmark on May 13, 2008. Because of the Louisville, New Orleans and Texas Railroad that ran through the middle of town, people were drawn to Cleveland from outlying areas. Often called the "Birthplace of the Blues", Cleveland brims with musical history and avenues to learn about it. The blues are very much alive in this Delta community, and one of the best places to experience the heritage and culture that is the blues is just outside Cleveland at Dockery Farms, home to world-famous Delta blues musician Charley Patton. His former home was recently honored with a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Today, Cleveland is a nice, college town with friendly neighbors. More of a farming community than "small city", the town's unique Southern culture is the amalgamation of the blues, hand-spun Mississippi mud pottery, and mouthwatering delicacies like catfish and tamales. Cleveland is also home to the GRAMMY museum. Recent exhibits were "Stronger Together: The Power of Women in Country Music" and a special limited-time display celebrating the music of Garth Brooks.

Vicksburg perfectly blends Southern culture and heritage with exciting modern attractions. As a major battle site during the Civil War, this port carries a history unlike any other. Learn about the historic conflicts of the city, taste its cuisine, visit the many museums, and pick out the perfect souvenir. Vicksburg's best-known contribution to history is probably the part she played in the American Civil War. It is the final resting place for 17,000 Union soldiers, 13,000 of whom are unknown. In 1899, the Vicksburg National Military Park was created to commemorate and preserve the infamous siege line and the historic heritage. Visitors can climb the 47 steps to the entrance of the marble Illinois Monument, featuring a domed roof, pillars, and sculpted bronze bald eagle. Also at the park is the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum - a historic warship that was torpedoed and later raised after spending over 100 years at the bottom of the Yazoo River. Today, visitors can climb aboard to see some original weapons and gear used by the soldiers. Other attractions of note include the Lower Mississippi River Museum and Vicksburg Riverfront Murals. Painted on Mississippi River floodwalls, these impressive murals begun in 2002 capture the past, present, and future of Vicksburg and its defining roles in history, culture, and religion. Visit the Lower Mississippi River Museum to find out how Vicksburg ancestors lived along the river during the 19th and 20th centuries, including interactive exhibits. The museum also offers an aquarium featuring local fish species.

Natchez is known for its elegance, hospitality, and impressive preservation of historic homes - found on every street corner. It seems as if history fell asleep and awoke unscathed by the changing of times in this magical port. Natchez is home to over 1,000 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Most of the homes survived the American Civil War and their history flows in abundance along the Mississippi. Natchez has a long and fascinating history, dating back to 1716, making it the oldest continuous settlement on the Mississippi. Even before Natchez was settled by Europeans, the area was home to the Natchez Indians, noted for being the only Mississippian culture with complex chiefdom characteristics to have survived long into the period after the European colonization of America began. The Natchez District, along with the Sea Islands of South Carolina and Georgia, pioneered cotton agriculture in the United States. The city recovered from its post-war decline to become one of the state's leading industrial centers. Today the production of wood pulp, lumber, petroleum, and natural gas form the basis of the economy; tourism - including casino gambling - and the manufacture of tires are also important. Shops and restaurants now occupy the site of Natchez Under-the-Hill, a 19th-century town of bordellos and taverns that was a haven for outlaws and boatmen. During your visit, explore the unique shops, restaurants, museums, and historic homes, all of which inspired Hugh Bayless to include Natchez in his book "The 100 Best Towns in America".

American Queen Voyages features an exclusive port at Nottoway, located in White Castle, LA, on the south bank of the Mississippi River, part of the Baton Rouge metropolitan area. Here you can visit the estate of sugarcane magnate J. H. Randolph - the largest standing pre-war mansion in the South (53,000 square feet) - an intricate building with impressive detail. Original furnishings mingle with era-appropriate antiques to create an atmosphere that does justice to the home's original ambiance. It is fascinating history and a luxurious aesthetic - an authentic Southern experience you will not want to pass up. The surrounding town of White Castle was established as a town in the 1880s with the influx of people and business brought by the logging industry in the cypress swamps of the area. When the cypress wood was depleted, the main economic activity reverted to the sugar cane industry which had been established in the latter part of the 18th century. Individual plantation sugar mills gave way to larger mills servicing many plantations. By 1970, White Castle had three major sugar mills: Cora Texas, Cedar Grove, and Catherine Supple Plantation. Only one, Cora Texas, is still in operation. During the 1950s, the chemical industry entered the area, congregating around the Mississippi between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. This industry brought economic growth which took White Castle into the 1980s. Companies establishing chemical plants in the area near White Castle were Dow Chemical north of Plaquemine, Georgia Gulf and Hercules north of White Castle, and Ciba-Geigy on the east bank of the Mississippi.

As your American Queen Voyages journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town - whether it's an optional premier post-cruise experience or a quick transfer to the airport for your final trip home - your AQV team can pre-arrange everything for you.