Lower Mississippi Steamboat Cruise

Your holiday begins in Memphis, Tennessee .The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, our Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and our friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences.
Representatives from American Queen Voyages and our local port/city partner will be available to provide you with dining, entertainment and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.
Memphis is known for music, not only rock ‘n roll but also for blues and soul. Music fans from all over the world stroll down legendary Beale Street in the downtown area, here you will have ample opportunity to sample the famous Memphis soul food and enjoy the entertainment in any of the 25 music venues along the route.

Memphis’ history and heritage 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, Centre 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.

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. 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 honoured with a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail.
Today, Cleveland is a nice, college town with friendly neighbours. 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 mouth-watering 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.
American Queen Voyages guests will experience The Terrene Landing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of the
GRAMMY Museum Mississippi. A new, innovative museum that spans all genres of music.

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.
American Queen Voyages guests will experience The Vicksburg Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of the Church of the Holy Trinity .This incredible church spans over 125 feet long, 52 feet wide, and reaches 61 feet high to the apex of the ceiling, which was built of southern white pine to emulate Noah's ark.

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 her the oldest continuous settlement on the Mississippi.
American Queen Voyages guests will experience The Natchez Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of The Old South Trading Post and Rosalie Mansion.

New Roads is a historical town named after a “new road” the Spanish built in 1776 between the Mississippi and the False River, northwest from Baton Rouge. Over the years, they've celebrated a vibrant Creole culture crafted by the French, African, and other nationalities that first called New Roads home, way back when they were founded over three centuries ago. Known as the “Little Carnival Capital” of Louisiana, New Roads followed New Orleans’ example by staging Mardi Gras celebrations as early as 1881.
American Queen Voyages guests will experience The Pointe Coupee Hop On Hop Off Tour of LeJeune House , New Roads Visitor Centre & Henry Watson Demonstration, Julien Poydras Historical Building and St. Mary of False River Church.

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.
American Queen Voyages guests will experience The Baton Rouge Hop-On Hop-Off Tour of USS KIDD DD-661 and Capitol Park Museum.

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 Randolph Nottoway – the largest standing pre-war mansion in the South (53,000 sq ft) – 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.
American Queen Voyages guests will experience Nottoway Resort Included Mansion Tour.