You can’t travel back in time but you can transport yourself away from the bustle of the modern world and find a spot that hasn’t changed much since the good old days. The mythical Mississippi River is the setting for many a literary scene or a period film detailing life in simpler times.
The mighty flow of the water takes it on a path through the heart of North America and like all major waterways, rolling countryside and historic cities lie to either side. But rolling along the water in an iconic Mississippi river cruise liner is an experience in itself.
What makes this river so special, though, are the sheer differences between the towns and states it flows through. From its source near the Great Lakes on the border with Canada down to New Orleans and into the Gulf of Mexico, it passes through a total of ten states on its route south, traversing much of the North American continent on the way.
The diversity of landscape and wildlife as well as of culture and cities along the way – it’s hard to believe that the melting pot mix of New Orleans and the freezing cold winters of Minneapolis are on the same river, though at both extremes of its path.
Such length means that a cruise along the Mississippi will not be a journey to take you from one end of the river to the other, but getting out onto the river itself is still the best way to see and experience the delights it has to offer, especially in its lower reaches. Its delta in the Gulf is the perfect place to start off a tour to take in the cultural, and historical, significance of the mighty river.
To start from the most southern point and travel north along the river is to begin your voyage in what is probably the most exciting city of them all along the route. New Orleans is the city at the mouth of the Miss and the perfect place to start!
That’s because the Big Easy is not just a dock to jump on a boat. Instead, it’s a chance to spend a few days in the city soaking up the atmosphere of a mystical town filled with a wealth of attractions. From its famous jazz spots to its famed cuisine, its vibrant town centre and its cultural quirks, New Orleans is a city like no other and well worth a few days’ exploration before getting onto the water and beginning your trip north along the river
Outside of New Orleans is where the journey begins. The landscape along the route is shaped by the waters alongside it: the Mississippi has created swamps and marshland upon which unique wildlife flourishes. The Oak Alley Plantation is one of the most stunning sights in the area. A row of 300-year old oak trees creates a path leading from the plantation’s iconic southern mansion to the river itself.
This is where the river starts to show off the historical sites along its route. During the American Civil War, this was a battleground; today it’s a chance to experience a place with the gravity of history weighing on it.
Louisiana’s State Capital, Baton Rouge, is imbued with the history and tradition that sets up what’s to come: the towns of Natchez and Vicksburg.
Our 8 day Historic Mississippi cruise starts in New Orleans and visits Oak Valley Plantation.
Natchez was one of the oldest European settlements in the lower Mississippi River area and was one of the most important in the pre-Civil War era. As such, it’s filled with the iconic historic architecture you find along the Mississippi. Today, it’s that architecture and the town’s homely feel that make it such a perfect stop along the cruise.
If you know your US history, Vicksburg is a name which will jump out as a key location in the Civil War.
Just one day after Union forces defeated the Confederate army at Gettysburg (in probably the most famous battle of the war), the Confederate stronghold of Vicksburg surrendered too. These two events taken together mark one of the main turning points in the war, and the rest of American history, too.
Battlefields, museums and history lessons are a staple of Vicksburg these days, but the warmth and beauty of the Mississippi river are attractions for everyone in this part of the world. Leaving the history behind, the river’s route towards the city of Memphis offers a chance for relaxation on the decks of a luxury steamliner before arriving at the final destination of the cruise.
You can explore Natchez on our 9 day Lower Mississippi cruise.
Memphis is not the end of the line for the Mississippi River, which goes much further north and takes in numerous cities and states en route, but it is a good place to end a voyage.
After the history and beauty of the river around the Gulf of Mexico, Memphis offers a chance to get back to the vibrant city feel of New Orleans, albeit in a very different way.
Situated along the great river, Memphis is also home of rock ‘n roll, blues music and barbecue. The Beale Street area is known for its live music and nightlife, whilst the city also plays host to Elvis Presley’s Graceland and Sun Studio where you can get a glimpse of the man behind the music.
In terms of variety, a cruise along the Mississippi is quite the trip. Encompassing cities so different as New Orleans, Memphis and Baton Rouge, it also offers a history lesson and a chance to relax along the tranquil river. Combine a relaxing and fascinating Mississippi River cruise with stays in two of the most vibrant cities the US has to offer!
Or Cruise the Mississippi River from Memphis to Nashville on a 9 day river cruise
