Itinerary

Day 1: March 19 - Memphis, Tennessee
Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. Both American Queen Steamboat Company and local representatives will be readily available to provide you with dining, entertainment and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

Day 2:  March 20 - Memphis, Tennessee
Before embarking on the American Queen, 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 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 from 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, CrosstownArts 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. 

Day 3:  March 21 – Port of the Mississippi Delta
The Mississippi Delta is more than a geographical region. It is a way of life – a true cultural experience based on agriculture, music, and history. Explore the small river towns that have been the inspiration of authors, musicians, and artists for centuries. Catch a unique glimpse into the Port of the Mississippi Delta and discover a muse of many.  

Day 4:  March 22 - Vicksburg, Mississippi
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, and pick out the perfect souvenir. You’ll have the opportunity to visit attractions of note such as the Vicksburg National Military Park, the Illinois Monument, the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum, the Lower Mississippi River Museum, and Vicksburg Riverfront Murals.

Day 5: March 23 - Natchez, Mississippi
Natchez, the former capital of the state, 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. Most of the homes survived the American Civil War and their history flows in abundance along the Mississippi. 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.”

Day 6:  March 24 - St. Francisville, Louisiana
Celebrated for its more than 140 buildings and plantation homes on the National Register of Historic Places, this quaint town allows guests an unobstructed view into the past. Marvel at the legacies of the Butlers, the Forts, the Barrows, and the Turnbulls – families who helped build the South. A stroll through its historic center awakens a sense of place and an awareness of two centuries of architecture and lifestyles. 

Day 7:  March 25 - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Baton Rouge grants a strikingly different experience from those of the small-town stops throughout your voyage. In 1699 French visitors called the spot “red stick” (baton rouge) because of a boundary marker pole, stained with animal blood, on the river bluff. This energetic port houses over 300 years of history, seen in the unique architecture and through the unique arts and culture scene. Here, history-facing museums and landmarks fraternize with forward-looking art and industry to showcase all that Baton Rouge has to offer. Choose to hop on a deluxe motorcoach to explore the diversity of this city, take a walk down the river path alongside the boat or meander through the city streets.

Day 8:  March 26 - Nottoway, Louisiana
Nottoway is one of the South's largest standing historic mansions with intricate and 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 luxurious aesthetic packaged in Southern hospitality – an experience that you will not want to pass up. 

Day 9: March 27 - New Orleans, Louisiana
Disembark in the morning and bid farewell to the American Queen.  Enjoy the city at your leisure before returning home or consider an optional Go Next New Orleans Post-Cruise Program.