St. Paul to St. Louis Cruise
9 day River Cruise – from £4599
With flights from £5249
Board your luxury riverboat for a meander down the magnificent Upper Mississippi River. As the river twists and turns you will be spirited into an America that inspired the stories of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.
Highlights
- Enjoy a pre-cruise hotel stay in the historic city of St. Paul
- Relax on the sundeck as you cruise down the Upper Mississippi
- Visit La Crosse, a town at the centre of the 1920s riverboat boom
- Wander through National Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque
Your Itinerary
Expand AllYou can customise your holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
![Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Cathedral-of-St.-Paul-200x133.jpg)
Welcome to St. Paul, the capital city of Minnesota and one of the “Twin Cities” with neighbouring Minneapolis. As well as its picturesque Mississippi riverfront, St. Paul’s other most famous landmark is the Cathedral of St. Paul, which rises 306 feet above the surrounding streets.It has dominated the St. Paul skyline since it was completed in 1915.
Elsewhere in St. Paul, be sure to wander along Summit Avenue known for one of the longest stretches of Victorian homes in the United States.
Settle into your hotel this evening before boarding your Mississippi River Boat tomorrow.
St. Paul hotel
![Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Cathedral-of-St.-Paul.jpg)
![American Symphony, Mississippi Riverboat, American Cruise Lines](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/AmericanSymphonyShip2-200x133.jpg)
Day 2 – Cruising the Mississippi River
This morning you will gather, with your fellow travellers, in the hotel lobby ready to be transferred to your riverboat. Your bags will be collected and taken directly from the hotel and placed in your cabin aboard the ship.
Once you board your ship, you will be greeted at a Welcome Reception, where there is a chance to meet the crew and your fellow passengers.
Spend the afternoon relaxing as you begin cruising along the majestic Mississippi, a river woven into the fabric of American history and culture.You will also have the opportunity to join mixology and cooking demonstrations, or test your knowledge in a quiz challenge.
In the evening you will be able to enjoy some live musical entertainment provided by local performers who will bring to life the music that originated from along the river.
![American Symphony, Mississippi Riverboat, American Cruise Lines](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/AmericanSymphonyShip2.jpg)
![Grandad's Bluff, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Grandads-Bluff-La-Crosse-Wisconsin-USA-200x133.jpg)
Day 3 – La Crosse, Wisconsin
Step off your riverboat into La Crosse, a town at the confluence of three rivers, including the Mississippi. La Crosse was a boomtown on the roaring ’20s, and grand homes were built with timber transported up and down the rivers.
Today you can learn more about the town on a tour accompanied by a local historian who can bring to life the stories of the local grain barons.
You will also be able to take in the panoramic views from ‘Grandad’s Bluff’, a 600ft high scenic viewpoint that overlooks the town, before returning to your vessel.
![Grandad's Bluff, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Grandads-Bluff-La-Crosse-Wisconsin-USA.jpg)
![Balcony Viiew, American Splendor, American Cruise Lines](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/AmericanSplendorBalcony-200x133.jpg)
Day 4 – Mississippi River Cruising
With the wide Mississippi River before you, relish the quiet sounds of the river. Relax on your private balcony and watch the riverbanks come to life with a vast array of wildlife that call these shores home. There is also a wildlife expert onboard who can help you identify anything that you don’t recognise.
You can take a walk around the sundeck, or sit back and relax as the riverbank passes by. Alternatively, you could listen to one of the local speakers present topics related to the local region.
Don’t forget to stop by the restaurant for freshly baked cookies at 3pm daily.
![Balcony Viiew, American Splendor, American Cruise Lines](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/AmericanSplendorBalcony.jpg)
![National Mississippi River Museum. Dubuque, Iowa, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/National-Mississippi-River-Museum-200x133.jpg)
Day 5 – Dubuque, Iowa
Before exploring the town of Dubuque, step off the ship into the renowned National Mississippi River Museum. The museum’s interactive exhibits will give you an inside look at the Mississippi River’s past, present, and future. On this guided exploration, learn about the lives of the pioneers, explorers, and artists who once lived along the Mississippi River.
Once finished at the museum and shuttle bus will be able to take you into the centre of Dubuque, where you can explore Cable Car Square, the Millwork District and the historic Old Main District, once a hideout for the notorious gangster Al Capone. The shuttle bus runs on a continuous loop and will return you to the boat when you are ready.
![National Mississippi River Museum. Dubuque, Iowa, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/National-Mississippi-River-Museum.jpg)
![Davenport, Iowa](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Davenport-Iowa-200x133.jpg)
Day 6 – Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is the largest cruise port on the Mississippi between St. Paul and St. Louis, and it is here that the first railroad crossed the Mississippi River, connecting Chicago to Rock Island.
You may like to begin exploring by taking a stroll along the riverfront trail that follows the bank of the Mississippi. Then head to the suburb of East Davenport, a historic district filled with unique shops, restaurants, and galleries housed in beautifully preserved buildings.
For those with an interest in history and agriculture, then we suggest a visit to the John Deere Pavilion. Through interactive and immersive exhibits, you can learn the John Deere story, and get to touch, feel and sit in, new and vintage machinery.
![Davenport, Iowa](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Davenport-Iowa.jpg)
![Mark Twain's Boyhood Home & Museum, Hannibal, Missouri, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Mark-Twains-Boyhood-Home-200x133.jpg)
Day 7 – Hannibal, Missouri
As your Mississippi Riverboat cruise docks in Hannibal, Missouri, prepare to step into a charming riverside town steeped in history and character. At its heart lies the legacy of its most famous resident, Mark Twain, whose childhood adventures served as the inspiration for some of literature’s most beloved characters. Begin your exploration at Twain’s boyhood home, a beautifully preserved white clapboard house that offers a glimpse into the author’s formative years. Nearby, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum awaits, housing original manuscripts, rare artifacts, and interactive exhibits that vividly bring Twain’s stories to life.
Hannibal offers more than just literary landmarks. A leisurely stroll down Main Street reveals charming boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops, each offering unique finds and warm hospitality. Be sure to visit the Rockcliffe Mansion, a registered historic home boasting breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, where you can delve deeper into Hannibal’s fascinating history.
![Mark Twain's Boyhood Home & Museum, Hannibal, Missouri, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Mark-Twains-Boyhood-Home.jpg)
![Alton, Illinois, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Alton-Illinois-200x133.jpg)
Day 8 – Alton, Illinois
From the riverside town of Alton, you can walk in the footsteps of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they made their historic journey into the West at the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site.
The museum is dedicated to the planning and journey of the two explorers and their Corps of Discovery. Explore five exhibit rooms, view the film “At Journey’s Edge,” and admire an impressive 55-foot full scale replica of their “cutaway” keelboat.
From the museum continue to the Lewis & Clark Confluence tower which rises 180 feet above the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. A variety of viewing platforms are available for visitors to view the Mississippi and Missouri rivers from above and to witness where Lewis & Clark began their journey westward.
![Alton, Illinois, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Alton-Illinois.jpg)
![Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-Arch-St-Louise-200x133.jpg)
Day 9 – St. Louis, Missouri
Enjoy breakfast onboard the ship as you prepare for your journey home.
You could return straight to the airport, or choose to extend your stay in the city of St. Louis to view the impressive Gateway Arch, before continuing your journey.
![Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-Arch-St-Louise.jpg)
Your Itinerary
You can customise your holiday by adding extra nights or destinations. Just let us know what you would like to do.
Day 1
| Welcome to St. Paul
Welcome to St. Paul, the capital city of Minnesota and one of the “Twin Cities” with neighbouring Minneapolis. As well as its picturesque Mississippi riverfront, St. Paul’s other most famous landmark is the Cathedral of St. Paul, which rises 306 feet above the surrounding streets.It has dominated the St. Paul skyline since it was completed in 1915.
Elsewhere in St. Paul, be sure to wander along Summit Avenue known for one of the longest stretches of Victorian homes in the United States.
Settle into your hotel this evening before boarding your Mississippi River Boat tomorrow.
St. Paul hotel
![Cathedral of St. Paul, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Cathedral-of-St.-Paul.jpg)
Day 2
| Cruising the Mississippi River
This morning you will gather, with your fellow travellers, in the hotel lobby ready to be transferred to your riverboat. Your bags will be collected and taken directly from the hotel and placed in your cabin aboard the ship.
Once you board your ship, you will be greeted at a Welcome Reception, where there is a chance to meet the crew and your fellow passengers.
Spend the afternoon relaxing as you begin cruising along the majestic Mississippi, a river woven into the fabric of American history and culture.You will also have the opportunity to join mixology and cooking demonstrations, or test your knowledge in a quiz challenge.
In the evening you will be able to enjoy some live musical entertainment provided by local performers who will bring to life the music that originated from along the river.
![American Symphony, Mississippi Riverboat, American Cruise Lines](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/AmericanSymphonyShip2.jpg)
Day 3
| La Crosse, Wisconsin
Step off your riverboat into La Crosse, a town at the confluence of three rivers, including the Mississippi. La Crosse was a boomtown on the roaring ’20s, and grand homes were built with timber transported up and down the rivers.
Today you can learn more about the town on a tour accompanied by a local historian who can bring to life the stories of the local grain barons.
You will also be able to take in the panoramic views from ‘Grandad’s Bluff’, a 600ft high scenic viewpoint that overlooks the town, before returning to your vessel.
![Grandad's Bluff, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Grandads-Bluff-La-Crosse-Wisconsin-USA.jpg)
Day 4
| Mississippi River Cruising
With the wide Mississippi River before you, relish the quiet sounds of the river. Relax on your private balcony and watch the riverbanks come to life with a vast array of wildlife that call these shores home. There is also a wildlife expert onboard who can help you identify anything that you don’t recognise.
You can take a walk around the sundeck, or sit back and relax as the riverbank passes by. Alternatively, you could listen to one of the local speakers present topics related to the local region.
Don’t forget to stop by the restaurant for freshly baked cookies at 3pm daily.
![Balcony Viiew, American Splendor, American Cruise Lines](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/AmericanSplendorBalcony.jpg)
Day 5
| Dubuque, Iowa
Before exploring the town of Dubuque, step off the ship into the renowned National Mississippi River Museum. The museum’s interactive exhibits will give you an inside look at the Mississippi River’s past, present, and future. On this guided exploration, learn about the lives of the pioneers, explorers, and artists who once lived along the Mississippi River.
Once finished at the museum and shuttle bus will be able to take you into the centre of Dubuque, where you can explore Cable Car Square, the Millwork District and the historic Old Main District, once a hideout for the notorious gangster Al Capone. The shuttle bus runs on a continuous loop and will return you to the boat when you are ready.
![National Mississippi River Museum. Dubuque, Iowa, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/National-Mississippi-River-Museum.jpg)
Day 6
| Davenport, Iowa
Davenport is the largest cruise port on the Mississippi between St. Paul and St. Louis, and it is here that the first railroad crossed the Mississippi River, connecting Chicago to Rock Island.
You may like to begin exploring by taking a stroll along the riverfront trail that follows the bank of the Mississippi. Then head to the suburb of East Davenport, a historic district filled with unique shops, restaurants, and galleries housed in beautifully preserved buildings.
For those with an interest in history and agriculture, then we suggest a visit to the John Deere Pavilion. Through interactive and immersive exhibits, you can learn the John Deere story, and get to touch, feel and sit in, new and vintage machinery.
![Davenport, Iowa](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Davenport-Iowa.jpg)
Day 7
| Hannibal, Missouri
As your Mississippi Riverboat cruise docks in Hannibal, Missouri, prepare to step into a charming riverside town steeped in history and character. At its heart lies the legacy of its most famous resident, Mark Twain, whose childhood adventures served as the inspiration for some of literature’s most beloved characters. Begin your exploration at Twain’s boyhood home, a beautifully preserved white clapboard house that offers a glimpse into the author’s formative years. Nearby, the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum awaits, housing original manuscripts, rare artifacts, and interactive exhibits that vividly bring Twain’s stories to life.
Hannibal offers more than just literary landmarks. A leisurely stroll down Main Street reveals charming boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops, each offering unique finds and warm hospitality. Be sure to visit the Rockcliffe Mansion, a registered historic home boasting breathtaking views of the Mississippi River, where you can delve deeper into Hannibal’s fascinating history.
![Mark Twain's Boyhood Home & Museum, Hannibal, Missouri, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Mark-Twains-Boyhood-Home.jpg)
Day 8
| Alton, Illinois
From the riverside town of Alton, you can walk in the footsteps of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as they made their historic journey into the West at the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site.
The museum is dedicated to the planning and journey of the two explorers and their Corps of Discovery. Explore five exhibit rooms, view the film “At Journey’s Edge,” and admire an impressive 55-foot full scale replica of their “cutaway” keelboat.
From the museum continue to the Lewis & Clark Confluence tower which rises 180 feet above the confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. A variety of viewing platforms are available for visitors to view the Mississippi and Missouri rivers from above and to witness where Lewis & Clark began their journey westward.
![Alton, Illinois, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Alton-Illinois.jpg)
Day 9
| St. Louis, Missouri
Enjoy breakfast onboard the ship as you prepare for your journey home.
You could return straight to the airport, or choose to extend your stay in the city of St. Louis to view the impressive Gateway Arch, before continuing your journey.
![Gateway Arch, St. Louis, Missouri, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Gateway-Arch-St-Louise.jpg)
This Cruise Includes
Flights & More
Lean more about the ships operating this cruise:
Ask your FREEDOM Consultant to include Economy, Premium or Business Class flights for a complete ABTA and ATOL protected package.
They can also add extra nights and experiences in places you choose, to create the exact holiday you are looking for.
Next Step
Please get in touch with our America Experts to start planning your holiday. You’ll have a single point of contact from your first enquiry through booking.
St. Paul to St. Louis Cruise
9 day River Cruise – from £
All prices are per person, based on two people sharing a double or twin room, and include meals where shown. Please call Freedom Destinations for departure dates and availability. Seasonal variations may apply.
Map
![Upper Mississippi River Cruise, Route Map, American Cruise Lines, St. Paul to St. Louis, USA](https://freedomdestinations.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Upper-Mississippi-2024.png)
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