Witness bald and golden eagles like never before – face to face! The National Eagle Center offers a unique viewing opportunity that brings visitors within a few feet of these majestic creatures with no barrier in between. This is an experience like no other, and one you will never forget.

Travel back in time as you tour the beautiful city of Red Wing. Led by our local expert guide, view some of the most impressive Victorian homes of the period as well as the historic St. James Hotel. Visit the Pottery Museum of Red Wing and admire the numerous true vintage pieces on site such as stoneware, dinnerware, folk art and more! 

Take a narrated tour of this wonderful city. Discover the historic downtown with its late 19th and early 20th century buildings as well as the well-preserved residential neighborhoods. Gain insight into LaCrosse’s development from the boomtown riverboat days through the roaring ‘20s, to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Visit the historic Hixon House, an authentic Victorian home which has retained 90% of its original furnishings and is a designated Historic Landmark. 

Cruise along the scenic Mississippi River on a classic paddlewheeler as your tour guide highlights the current and historic facts about the area, and tests your knowledge with trivia along the way. Witness some of the most beautiful views in the Midwest including native wildlife and steep bluffs on the river. Learn about the locking process while cruising past the Lock & Dam No. 7 in Dresbach, MN.

Step back in time and experience the elegance of Victorian era Dubuque during a tour through the town’s many historic attractions. Learn about the architecture, families and events that made 19th century Dubuque such a unique treasure. Your guide will lead you through Dubuque's beautiful historic sites, including the Mathias Ham House and The Old Jail Museum.

Take an entertaining and informative journey along the mighty Mississippi at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. On this guided tour, you will discover the lives of the pioneers, explorers, and artists who lived along the Mississippi River and get close to nature as you make your way through six large aquariums. The museum’s interactive exhibits will give you an inside look into the Mississippi River's past, present, and future.

Enjoy a stop at the John Deere Pavilion and Store. The company’s rich heritage is chronicled in exhibits, interactive touch screen displays, and equipment dating back nearly 175 years, including antique tractors, and giant modern combines. Continue on a narrated city tour of Davenport and learn about the Rock Island Arsenal, Davenport native Bix Biederbecke’s contribution to Jazz, Rock Island’s 1920’s “Crime Lord” John Looney, the area’s beautiful college campuses, and the city’s Native American history.

Enjoy a guided tour of the Hauberg Indian Museum. Located in the Black Hawk State Historic Site, this museum interprets the story of the Sauk and Meskwaki Indians who once called it home. During the tour, view full-size replicas of Sauk winter and summer homes, dioramas with life-size figures of the Sauk and Meskwaki Indians, as well as traditional artifacts, including authentic trade goods and jewelry.

As you arrive in Hannibal, the boyhood home of famous author Mark Twain, relive the author’s experiences that heavily influenced his writings. Visit the actual home that Mark Twain grew up in, which is surrounded by the legendary whitewashed fence of Tom Sawyer. The vivid stories told by Mark Twain come to life at this interactive museum as you explore the homes and grounds of Becky Thatcher and Huck Finn. Stop at the Interpretive Center, home to 15 original Normal Rockwell paintings, the Becky Thatcher House, the Huck Finn Home, and the Tom and Huck Statue at the foot of Cardiff Hill.

Relive the adventures of Mark Twain’s time in Hannibal during a historic trolley tour. Your experienced guide will share the history of Hannibal and take you to places of historical significance, including the Rockcliffe Mansion, an amazing 13,500 square foot American castle built to overlook the mighty Mississippi River. This tour will highlight many of the exciting places which inspired Mark Twain’s famous tales.

Enjoy a guided tour through two of the museum’s most popular exhibits; The 1904 World’s Fair: Looking Back at Looking Forward, an event that attracted over 200,000 visitors to the opening day and Route 66: Main Street Through St. Louis, a roadway which played an important role in American History not only in fact but in myth. Learn about the companies and tourist traps that travelers had to pass through.

This narrated tour will include downtown St. Louis and the riverfront, Citygarden, the historic neighborhoods of Soulard and Lafayette Square, and a driving tour of Forest Park. A stop will be made at the Anheuser Busch Brewery for a sample tasting of beer and visiting the Stables housing of the famous Clydesdale horses. 

The city of Memphis has a deep-rooted history which spans many of the most important aspects of American culture.  Your comprehensive tour starts onboard with an authentic Memphis BBQ before your private tour guide meets you at the ship and your journey through Memphis begins.  We will visit iconic sites such as the National Civil Rights Museum, St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, the Peabody Hotel – featuring the legendary Peabody ducks, and world famous Sun Studios – the birthplace of Rock n’ Roll.  As you explore the city, the musical notes of up-and-coming artists on Beale Street emanate throughout.

No trip to Memphis is complete without a trip to the home of the “King of Rock n’ Roll,” Elvis Presley. Before venturing just outside of the city to Graceland, our knowledgeable guide takes you on a brief tour of the historic downtown and riverfront area. American Cruise Lines offers the most in-depth experience available at Graceland, allowing you to explore fascinating exhibits such as Elvis’ museum, estate grounds, the jungle and trophy rooms, his gravesite, and much more.

* This is a Signature Shore Tour. Please call (800) 460-4518 for more information.

As the paddlewheel laps gently against the water and the stars illuminate the night sky, our onboard Civil War historian gives a captivating lecture detailing all you are about to witness the next day at Vicksburg National Military Park. After a hearty southern-inspired breakfast, you will be greeted by our private tour guide who will stay with you throughout the day to answer questions and provide additional knowledge. Upon arrival at the park, rangers who are well-versed in Civil War history guide you on a customized tour that is specific to the interests of the group. Your guides will take you through the restored ironclad gunboat, U.S.S Cairo, the battlefield where the Siege of Vicksburg took place, and the over 1,300 monuments dedicated to the brave souls who lost their lives.

Upon arrival, you will be greeted by fourth-generation owner, Joseph Stone, whose family has owned the home for over 135 years. Mr. Stone will guide you on a personal tour of his unique antebellum-style home and explain the many different purposes it has served over the years. Here, you can explore his eclectic collection of period-specific artwork and one-of-a-kind antiques. The afternoon concludes in the music hall with wine and beverages as Mr. Stone performs an exclusive classical piano concert.

Our onboard experts tell many stories about southern life on a plantation; today you will learn what life was really like. Our insightful local guide will accompany you from the ship to the cotton gin and will be your escort as you explore the 1,800-acre cotton plantation. In intimate groups, the plantation owners Lynette and Buddy Tanner will delve into plantation life, including the housing, music, and relationships between the owners and workers. You will have the opportunity to pick cotton directly from the field, participate in a live gospel performance, and witness the progress in cotton technology from Eli Whitney’s original gin to their modern 900 bales-per-day computerized plantation. 

On our leisurely Natchez city tour, our expert local guide will build upon the lecture you received the night prior by our onboard historian and provide you with an insider’s perspective into the city’s rich history and the preserved influences of the Native American, European, and African cultures. We will be greeted at the landmark Longwood Plantation home, famously known for remaining incomplete to this day, as the Union workers left the structure unfinished to go fight in the Civil War. After the private tour, gather in the ship’s lounge for cocktails as the chefs prepare for a special southern-inspired dinner.

Take a complimentary shuttle into the charming city of Natchez, MS. Explore this beautiful city’s shopping, museums, and other offerings at your own leisure before departing this popular destination.

Known as the “Pirate of the Pacific,” this Fletcher-class destroyer is a memorial to the men and women that served in the American armed forces. Step back in time on this amazing tour as you witness original artifacts and aircraft from World War II.

Explore the diverse natural beauty and rich ecological systems of America’s largest and most complex wetland. Cruise through the open waters of the Atchafalaya Basin as native guides discuss the abundant plant and wildlife indigenous to the area. Learn about the locals living on houseboats and how they have protected this land over the years. After the basin boat tour, travel a short distance to Pat’s Fisherman’s Wharf for a simple luncheon with southern favorites overlooking the waters of the Atchafalaya. 

This is a Signature Shore Tour. Please call (800) 460-4518 for more information.

The vibrant history of Louisiana is evident throughout the state’s capital. After breakfast, you will be greeted at the ship by Philippa Blair and her visitor center representatives as they welcome you to Baton Rouge with vibrant Mardi Gras beads.  Your first stop is the Louisiana Old State Capitol where you will experience a one-of-a-kind interactive film, made with the help of Disney, which will bring you face-to-face with the ghost of the castle, Sarah Morgan. Afterward, Baton Rouge native, Ira Bobin, will serve as our tour guide and will bring you to the Louisiana State Museum, a completely interactive museum with three floors of displays detailing each different region of Louisiana.

New Orleans is a city full of history, intrigue, and colorful characters. After a Cajun inspired breakfast, begin your journey through the “Big Easy” with a private tour guide who will give you a local’s look into the area’s most famous attractions. Explore the most popular areas including the French Quarter, the colorful garden district, and the famous stately mansions which still remain in period form. There will be plenty of time for you to enjoy the local flavors, like chicory coffee, sweet beignets, and famous New Orleans Jazz music.

* This is a Signature Shore Tour. Please call (800) 460-4518 for more information.