missouri river cruise st louis

Visiting the Gateway Arch: Enter the monument through the Gateway Arch Visitor Center, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exits only. Please allow at least 30 minutes to go through security. Tickets sell out early and often, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Pending availability, additional tickets may be available for same-day purchase beginning at 9am each day through our website, call center, and ticket center at the Gateway Arch. Same-day ticket availability is not guaranteed and sells out early and often.

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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

Enjoy some of the best views of the Gateway Arch and St. Louis’ working riverfront on a riverboat cruise. Whether you’re in the mood for a romantic dinner, a relaxing tour, or a floating party with live music and dancing, we have a cruise to suit your interests.

St. Louis Riverfront Cruise

Catch some of the best views of the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis on a fascinating one-hour riverboat tour.

Daily cruises : 10:30 am, noon, 1:30 pm, 3 pm, 4:30 pm, 6 pm and 7:30 pm *Times vary, call (877) 982-1410 for schedule

Pricing: Adult: $24, Child (3-15): $14, Senior (60+): $22, Infant (0-2): FREE, * Group pricing available

Tram & Cruise Combo : Save up to $2 by adding a Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch

Skyline Dinner Cruise

Make any night special on this scenic two-hour cruise.  Our flagship evening cruise features live music on Fridays and a DJ on Saturdays, a chef-inspired menu, and captivating views of the St. Louis Skyline.

Sunday Brunch Cruise

The perfect Sunday starts here. Join us aboard the Becky Thatcher for the ultimate brunch experience with live entertainment, chef-inspired cuisine and great views.

Pricing: Adults: $57* Children (3-12): $23 * Group pricing available **Cruise dates and prices are subject to change.

Reservations are required.

Specialty Cruises

All aboard for fun on one of our specialty cruises. Whether it’s a holiday celebration, a leisurely brunch, or a lively party cruise, the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch offer outings for guests of all ages. Reservations are required. See below for upcoming cruises.

Upcoming Specialty Cruises

Paddlewheel Café

The Paddlewheel Café – St. Louis’ only waterfront dining destination!  Order a made-to-order burger while you’re enjoying views of the Gateway Arch and traffic on the Mississippi River. Join us for happy hour and grab a specialty cocktail, draft beer, or soft drink from the Dockside Bar.

Closed for the season. Will reopen in spring 2024!

Private Charters & Events

For a unique and memorable birthday celebration, anniversary, reunion, private reception, wedding, business outing or company party, just add water. Let the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch be your host. We can customize your event with a variety of sit-down or buffet meals, bar options, and entertainment.

Group Reservations

Whether you’re looking for a short tour or an all-day outing, our team is eager to work with you to ensure the best possible experience for your guests. From tour groups and scout troops to corporate retreats, church groups and field trips to family reunions, we welcome groups of all ages, sizes, and interests.

Riverboat Address

50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63102

Cash parking is available on the levee.

For more information,  click here .

Please note:  Levee parking is not operated by the Gateway Arch or Riverboats at the Gateway Arch.

Rolling on the River: Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises

No visit to the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis is complete without a riverboat tour of the Mississippi! Step back in time as you board the Becky Thatcher or Tom Sawyer and take a tranquil tour of the riverfront.

Before interstate highways crisscrossed the nation, people did their luxury traveling by train and steamboat. St. Louis was a bustling river town in the 1800’s with hundreds of steam powered paddlewheelers docked on riverfront! There’s a cool display of what St. Louis looked like back then at the Arch’s new museum –be sure to check it out on your next visit.

Riverboat Cruise at the Arch

The riverboats can take your family on a hour long tour of the riverfront –there’s a sightseeing cruise running every day from March to November.

But if you want to make it really special–book a dinner or brunch cruise! The Becky Thatcher is set up with a double decker dining room and takes visitors on a two-hour tour of the riverfront while you dine on a delicious buffet.

Brunch on the Riverboat Becky Thatcher

Sunday Brunch Cruises are a great way to celebrate Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Of course you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy a wonderful weekend at the Arch with your family! There’s one or two brunch cruises scheduled every month the boats operates. Check out their current schedule under “specialty cruises” here.   There’s also dinner cruises, dancing cruises, and a couple cruises up to see the lock and dam where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers meet!

What’s included with my ticket?

Your brunch ticket includes a buffet full of scrambled eggs, blintzes, French toast, sausage, prime rib, stuffed chicken, veggies, pasta, dessert, and coffee, iced tea, orange juice, milk and chocolate milk. Soft drinks, beer and cocktails are available at the bar for an extra charge.

What to Expect on your Riverboat Brunch Cruise

First, you’ll want to reserve your spot early by getting tickets online . Tickets are $45 for adults, $18 for kids 3-12 and free for little ones under 2. 

The boats are docked at the foot of the Gateway Arch. Stop by the ticket office to pick up your tickets by 12:30 — the boat leaves promptly at 1pm!

Then you’ll come aboard and be directed to your seat. Unlike the sightseeing tours, the Brunch Cruise has reserved indoor seating with white linen table clothes. Tables are located by the windows, so you can enjoy the whole cruise from the comfort of the cabin, or pop upstairs to watch from the observation deck. 

The food might be served buffet style, but you’ll also get a friendly waiter to serve your drinks and clear the plates. Don’t worry about standing in line either, the serving staff dismisses diners by table so the buffet isn’t overwhelmed.

And while you wait, enjoy a little Dixieland music!

Where do I park?

Best Photos of the Arch are Here

If you’re looking to get a postcard photo of the Gateway Arch, a riverboat cruise is where to be! You can also get a pretty cool one from the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park over on the East Side, but you don’t need to worry about pesky power lines messing up your shot here. ( Here’s a few more ideas for great photos with the Arch! )

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The Best Events Are On The Water

Celebrate the holidays with us, with our Specialty Cruises!

Miss augusta cruises & private charters.

Welcome Aboard and come cruise with us aboard the most elegant luxury yacht in all of Missouri. The newly renovated Miss Augusta offers daily public cruises, private charters, weddings and more from Augusta, Missouri.

Sit back, relax and let us do the rest while you enjoy the sights and sounds from the Missouri River. Relax in our fully enclosed and air-conditioned interior salons or bask in the warmth of the sun in the fresh-air outdoor seating.

Enjoy the beverage of your choice from either of our two full-service bars and unwind as we cruise the Missouri River. If you join us for lunch, dinner or hors d’oeuvres, you’ll enjoy a delicious meal prepared fresh daily, right on board in our galley by our talented culinary team. If you don’t choose a cruise with food there is an appetizer menu to enjoy. Miss Augusta sails daily from her dock at Klondike Park Boat Ramp – conveniently located near the Augusta Wineries. Whether you are joining us for one of our daily cruises or have planned your special event you are bound to have a first-class, unforgettable and memorable experience. We look forward to welcoming you aboard!

The Best Daily Cruises

Miss Augusta offers daily public cruises, cruising the Missouri River, for guests of all ages to enjoy. Whether you are on a date, have a small group, your family, or just yourself looking to take a relaxing cruise on a beautiful luxury yacht, we have something for everyone. For all the latest details on our public cruises and specialty cruises open to the public, please see our calendar of events. Here you can also make your reservation to confirm your spot with us!

Our Daily Public Cruises include afternoon and sunset Sightseeing, Sea Breeze Lunch Buffet Cruise during the mid-day sun, Augusta’s Sunset Dinner Cruise, a local favorite and one of the best things to do in Missouri, and our Sunset Cruise with “More than Hors D’oeuvres Cruises”. See a Calendar of Augusta Cruises to plan your time with us in advance and ensure your place on one of our cruises.

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The Best Private Charters

Welcome aboard Miss Augusta for your own custom Private Charter Cruise. Impress your guests when you invite them aboard our newly renovated, 105-foot, 3 level luxury Yacht for your next Corporate Gathering, Wedding, or Special Occasion such as Birthday or Anniversary. Bask in the sun on our third-level sundeck or relax inside the climate-controlled comfort of our interior salons. Inside or outside, Miss Augusta is sure to provide the absolute best view of the alluring Missouri backdrop. Miss Augusta not only offers the perfect setting to host your celebration, but our first-class service, first-class food, all prepared fresh on board daily by our chef, and our two full-service bars all equal a first-class event. Call our event team today and let our experienced event planners help you WOW your guests.

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The Best Augusta Weddings

You just got engaged – next is planning the wedding of your dreams! Let our experienced and talented wedding planners coordinate your day from start to finish. Leave the stress to us while you do what you should do and enjoy your special day. The luxurious and newly renovated Miss Augusta is ideal for anything and everything relating to your wedding in Missouri, including your engagement party, rehearsal dinner, wedding ceremony and reception. You can also commemorate with your spouse on our romantic sunset dinner cruises, or you can arrange a private charter. Reserve our Captain’s Lounge, one of our three panoramic view decks, or the entire yacht – depending on the size of your group. For more information about making Miss Augusta yours for your very special day, please visit our Wedding Page for more information.

The Best Augusta Group Events

Looking for something unforgettable? Unique and Memorable? Miss Augusta Celebrations are perfect for your next Birthday, family reunion, alumni reunion, bar or bat mitzvah, fundraiser, church outing, graduation party and more – any reason to celebrate is a reason to celebrate with us! We can make special arrangements to enhance your experience without requiring you to charter the entire vessel – you can choose special seating, a dedicated salon, or even an entire deck on our public cruises. Group discounts are available for groups of 20 or more. Simply give us a call so we can start customizing your special day.

For all your corporate functions and meeting needs, you can rely on the Miss Augusta’s experienced event planners to put together a first-class program that exceeds your expectations. You and your guests will receive the royal treatment, whether you’re honoring the contributions of a retiring veteran or rewarding the efforts of your top performers. Award ceremonies, promotion parties, holiday parties – no matter what the reason for celebrating, Miss Augusta luxury yacht will make it even more special and memorable. On board you will have access to a sound system, presentation TV’s as well as a microphone for all those important speeches.

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No matter your age, interests or budget, you’ll find something fun to do in St. Louis this weekend.

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St. Louis Riverfront Cruise

Return to a time when steamboats ruled the river. The one-hour narrated riverfront cruise aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch explores the history of downtown St. Louis, including the Mississippi River’s role in its past, present and future.

Cruises run daily from March through November. Times vary depending on the season.

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NEW! Heartland of America

• From $4,999
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Please call for availability. To find another option, begin your search here.

For current fares, please call a viking expert: 1-800-304-9616 or request a quote today., summer sale.

*All prices are per person based on double occupancy and reflect our Special Cruise Fare. Strikeout fares reflect our Standard Cruise Fare.

*All prices are per person based on double occupancy and reflect our Special Cruise Fare.

DEPARTURE GATEWAYS

Air fare offer applies to select gateways; air fare offer may vary across gateways and itineraries; call for details.

Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas/Ft Worth, Detroit, Houston. Many additional gateways available, air fares may vary; call for details.

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Viking Inclusive Value

More features, services and excursions included.

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)

Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas  & bottled water

Port taxes & fees

Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase

Visits to UNESCO Sites

Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances

Your Stateroom Includes:

River-view stateroom

Bottled water replenished daily

110/220 volt outlets

Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows

Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror

Premium Freyja® toiletries

Plush robes & slippers (upon request)

40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more

Telephone, safe, refrigerator

Individual climate control

*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

Booking Terms & Conditions >

Booking Terms & Conditions

2024-2027 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES:  Offer applies to bookings made from July 1-31, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour, Lyon Provence & the Rhineland, European Sojourn and Capitals of Eastern Europe, Paris to the Swiss Alps, Cities of Light, London DDAY & Paris, Rhine & Main Explorer. Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024 : Pay in full by July 31, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025 : Pay in full by September 30, 2024. 2026 : Pay in full by March 31, 2025. 2027 : Pay in full by November 30, 2025. Offers expires July 31, 2024.

$25 DEPOSIT:  For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to December 2024 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to February 2025 & onward departures; World Cruise products excluded; call for details.

AIR UPGRADE:  Upgrade to Premium Economy air from $799 per person or Business Class air from $3,499 per person based on select gateways and dates. Additional airline-imposed baggage charges may apply; for more information visit  Airline Luggage Restrictions  . Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. For more information about customized air services and US gateways, visit the Viking Air Plus page.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS:  Cruise fares listed are cruise only in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Single supplement savings are off applicable rates. Cruise fares listed are valid for U.S. residents only. All fares and offers are for new bookings only and are subject to availability, may not combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits and Viking Referral Rewards, are capacity-controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Special fares are based upon published full brochure fares; cruise fares do not include pre-paid charges, optional facilities, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the  Passenger Ticket Contract  which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full brochure fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Air promotion applies to roundtrip flights only from select Viking Cruises U.S. gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares at any time. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking or your Travel Agent. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the  Passenger Ticket Contract .

AIR OFFER RESTRICTIONS:  Offer expires July 31, 2024.

NOTE: U.S. flights depart one day prior to check-in date. Paid Business or Premium Economy Class may require travel in economy on flights within North America or Europe. Premium economy is limited to specific airlines and we may not be able to accommodate based on aircraft type and availability. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received.

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Departure Times

Enjoy travel from the era of Mark Twain through a green corridor of scenic beauty. Along the way, listen to an audio script of historic sights and stories with highlighted spots along the river. Each cruise is unique for viewing wildlife. Sometimes you might see an eagle or a turtle, other times an osprey or a family of foxes.

Both boats have open-air upper decks for unobstructed sightseeing and the lower decks have windows that can be closed in cool or rainy weather.

Public Cruises (45-minutes)

RAIN OR SHINE

Cruising Tips: click here

Dress for the weather. The Riverboats are not heated or air-conditioned. Sunscreen and other sun protection may be needed on the top deck. Remember to bring your binoculars from home as you may spot a bald eagle!

Water, kettle corn and cotton candy are available for purchase on board during public sightseeing cruises. A larger concession menu is available in Pottawatomie Park at the River View Miniature Golf Refreshment Stand.

Yes, there are two flushable restrooms located on the lower level of the Riverboats.

The Riverboats are not heated or air-conditioned. Staff advises guests to dress for the weather.

The lower level of the Riverboats are wheelchair accessibleby a ramp that is 29 inches wide, however the restrooms are not. In the event of high waters, the Riverboats may lose this accessibility, as stairs would be used to board the Riverboats. Please call the Manager of Cruise Operations at 630-513-4308 to address any concerns.

There is ample parking in the parking lot adjacent to the Riverboat docks. For a map of Pottawatomie Park: click here

Visiting the Gateway Arch: Enter the monument through the Gateway Arch Visitor Center, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exits only. Please allow at least 30 minutes to go through security. Tickets sell out early and often, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Pending availability, additional tickets may be available for same-day purchase beginning at 9am each day through our website, call center, and ticket center at the Gateway Arch. Same-day ticket availability is not guaranteed and sells out early and often.

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Specialty Cruises

All aboard for fun on one of our specialty cruises. Whether it’s a holiday celebration, a leisurely brunch, or a lively party cruise, the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch offer outings for guests of all ages. Reservations are required. See below for details and tickets. *Cruise dates and prices are subject to change.

For groups of 20 or more, click here for group pricing and information.

Note: The riverboats are docked on the Mississippi riverfront at 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd. just east of the Gateway Arch. For a cash fee, convenient parking is available on the levee near the dock.

St. Louis prepares for major earthquake with drills in streets, skies and waterways

An earthquake along the New Madrid Fault has just hit the Midwest, devastating many communities.

In St. Louis, bridges have collapsed, roads are twisted, and buildings are crumbling. More than 40,000 people are trapped in Busch Stadium. Moments after the rumbling stops, hundreds of first responders scour the city on search and rescue missions.

That’s the kind of approach needed to save lives, said Maj. Kelly Hudson, project officer for Michigan-based National Guard Task Force 46, which this week co-led emergency response training in the St. Louis region.

“That's somebody's mother, father, brother, sister that's trapped inside. It could be yours,” Kelly told participants in the training exercise. “So there's a lot of empathy there. That's one of the things you want to train on … I love that you want to run to the sound of the gunfire, but we've got to do that methodically so that it's a marathon, not a sprint.”

With that in mind, more than 500 local, state and federal emergency personnel took part in the disaster preparedness drill Monday through Wednesday so they would be prepared for a magnitude 8.4 earthquake across the New Madrid fault .

The St. Louis Area Regional Response System also hosted the training.

“This needs to happen,” said Jocelyn Evans, emergency preparedness planner for St. Charles County. “When the earthquake does happen, it's going to be a bad, bad day for everyone. So as much practice and preparedness we can give our responders … that's what we need.”

Under the scenario, first responders transported victims from the stadium to a nearby parking lot. Hundreds of crisis actors and stretcher-bound mannequins were doused with water in a portable chemical decontamination shower.

“You cannot simulate this type of scenario with just mannequins,” said Farrell Flynn, a faux-bloodied volunteer victim. “We mostly do live action role-playing, just act like you're injured.”

Military and air-evac helicopters rehearsed the route to local hospitals. There, health care professionals treated simulated injuries from falling brick and airborne chemicals.

Emergency personnel also practiced an alternate route across the Mississippi River, in case the Eads and Clark bridges fall. Members of the Army and National Guard dropped portable roads from helicopters near the Grafton ferry dock.

“We came out here to train … to actually put our heart and minds into this, “ said Sgt. Conrad Kruger of the Texas National Guard. “That way when – if it does happen, we are prepared mentally, physically and emotionally.”

Missouri and Illinois emergency management agencies participated alongside 40 local groups, including the St. Louis police and fire departments. The full-scale drill was the largest military training in St. Louis, according to event organizers.

“St. Louis is due for an earthquake,” Hudson said. “We know that infrastructure is aging, it's not getting any younger. If we had another earthquake like we've had before, diverting the flow of the Mississippi, it could be potentially catastrophic.”

America’s Most Scenic Small-Ship and River Cruises

Columbia and snake rivers.

T hese nine-day American river cruises on the American Queen Steamboat Company's American Empress sail from Vancouver, Washinton to Portland, Oregon and show you a glimpse at some of the most gorgeous scenery in the Pacific Northwest. From the paddle wheeler, you'll get to see the dramatic waterfalls at the Columbia River Gorge, the pioneer town The Dalles, and sea lions and filming sites from the hit 1980s film, The Goonies in Astoria.

Rivers of Wine Theme Cruise on the Columbia and Snake Rivers

These seven-night American river cruises on the UnCruise Adventure's S.S. Legacy sail round trip out of Portland, Oregon cruising a similar route to American Empress but focusing on wine. A sommelier and guest wine expert sail with passengers for the week, serving as an onboard resource and hosting tastings. There are also wine tastings, vineyard tours, and wine cave tours in Columbia Gorge, Walla Walla, Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, and the Willamette Valley and guests get to taste old-vine varietals and wines from eco-cultivated vineyards. River cruises are also popular across the pond.

Adventure Theme Cruise on the Olympic Peninsula

Sailing round-trip out of Seattle through Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands on an elegant little yacht, this seven-night cruise on UnCruise Adventure's Safari Quest includes kayaking, paddle boarding, and plenty of hikes. There are also opportunities to spot bald eagles, sea lions, and whales and to enjoy local seafood, including oysters and clams.

Upper Mississippi American Heartland Theme Cruise

This river cruise from Chicago to St. Louis is on American Queen Steamboat Company's newest ship, the American Duchess , a paddle wheeler as majestic as her older sisters, with the same iconic red paddlewheel. You'll see the towering skyscrapers of Chicago and get the perfect photo op of St. Louis's famed arch. The focus of this cruise is American history, and you can see towns that were settled as trading posts by French explorers, visit the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate in Ottowa, Illinois, and check out places from Mark Twain's writings in his hometown of Hannibal, Missouri. Want to learn even more of America's backstory? Start with these 16 best cities for American history buffs .

Ohio River Cruise

These 11-day cruise tours on American Cruise Line's Queen of the Mississippi travel from St. Louis to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania visiting Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati (among other towns) along the way. You'll get a behind-the-scenes tour of Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, and tour the Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati. In Cape Girardeau, you'll see everything from Trail of Tears sites to Civil War battlefields. Best of all, expect plenty of bluegrass music and mint juleps along the way.

Music Cruise on the Cumberland River

These seven-night American river cruises from Nashville to St. Louis also on American Cruise Line's Queen of the Mississippi will take you to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Grand Ole Opry, and the Johnny Cash Museum and then heads on to St. Louis for a celebration of blues music.

Mississippi River Bourbon Theme Cruise

Cruise up the Mississippi River from Memphis to Louisville on the American Queen Steamboat Company's American Queen, with private tastings and cooking demos along the way, as well as lectures by historians. This special sailing, offered annually in July, also includes the opportunity to sample rare and vintage bourbons as well.

Lake Michigan

On this eight-day cruise roundtrip out of Chicago on Blount Small Ship Adventures's Grande Mariner , you'll visit Mackinac Island, Michigan, home to historic homes and plenty of rocking chairs as well as Sturgeon Bay in Wisconsin's Door County, where you'll see lighthouses and plenty of yachts.

Lower Mississippi from New Orleans to New Orleans

See—and eat—the highlights of New Orleans—from beignets to po' boys—before setting sail on American Cruise Line's America Song . You'll head to Natchez and Vicksburg in Missouri for Civil War sites and St. Francisville and Houmas House, Louisiana for historic plantations with a stop in the middle in Baton Rouge to see the Louisiana State Museum and the capital buildings. Occasionally, the line also offers a food-themed cruise out of New Orleans, too.

Maine Coastal Cruises

Maine Windjammer Association's Lewis R. French is a dramatic 21-passenger schooner that offers two- to six-night cruises in the summer and through the month of September out of the town of Camden, Maine. The schooner, which dates back to 1871 and is a National Historic Landmark, has no engine, and powers through Penobscot Bay just with the wind in its sails. You can help out with the sails, and watch for porpoises and eagles.

Newport, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard Cruise

This sailing yacht, the Arabella , may winter in the Caribbean, but it summers in the northeast, home of lobster rolls, lighthouses, and clambakes. The five-night sailings in July, August, and September let you travel to the area's loveliest beaches under billowing white sails.

Chesapeake Bay Cruise

This seven-night cruise on American Cruise Line's Independence sails round-trip out of Baltimore to Oxford, St. Michael's, and Annapolis, Maryland as well as Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia. You'll visit coastal fishing villages and eat plenty of hard-shell blue crabs, and get to visit Baltimore's famed aquarium.

Hudson River Valley Fall Foliage Theme Cruise

This eight-day American river cruise on American Cruise Line's American Constitution sails round-trip out of New York City before taking you to Hyde Park, the Catskills, and West Point as well as Sleepy Hollow, all in upstate New York. But in addition to the history in the region, the highlight of the cruise is easily the changing colors of the autumnal leaves.

Savannah to Baltimore

Cruise one of our favorite 12-day American river cruises in the Southeast on Blount Small Ship Adventures's Grand Mariner and you'll spend your days exploring Beaufort by horse-drawn carriage and wander the cobblestone streets of Charleston, South Carolina as the port town of Annapolis. Read on to discover the best cruise to take every month of the year .

The post America’s Most Scenic Small-Ship and River Cruises appeared first on Reader's Digest .

St. Louis River Cruises

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• River Cruises
• Archaeological Site Visits
• Urban Exploration
• Village Visits
• American Heritage
• American Melody
• American Serenade
• American Symphony
• Viking Mississippi

America’s Great River

• Explore St. Louis' arts scene
• Enjoy American music styles
• Learn Civil War history
• Experience New Orleans' culture
• Visit the Quad Cities

Upper Mississippi River

• Explore the culture of St. Louis
• See Mark Twain's hometown, Hannibal
• Witness wildlife and nature
• Admire local artwork in Red Wing

America’s Heartland

• Discover history of the Mississippi
• Explore Dubuque, Iowa
• Experience Mississippi river towns
• Admire local artisan work

Grand Heartland Cruise

• Visit mansions and art galleries
• See the Gateway Arch and St. Louis
• Visit Natchez’s antebellum homes
• Experience Memphis' musical legacy

Top St. Louis Travel Destinations

• Mississippi River

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Emergency responders descend on St. Louis to conduct terrain emergency exercises

ST. LOUIS, MO — For the first time ever in St. Louis, 500 emergency responders descended upon the streets to conduct dense urban terrain emergency exercises.

Task Force 46, (Michigan’s National Guard) and Missouri’s National Guard are holding a three-day exercise which simulates a focused response to an 8.4 magnitude earthquake on the New Madrid seismic fault resulting in structural damage, civilian casualties and chemical contamination in the vicinity of Busch Stadium during a baseball game.

The drills shut down part of Clark and 8th streets during daylight hours. Onlookers saw military vehicles and personnel running important drills including reconnaissance, urban search and rescue, mass casualty decontamination and structural and infrastructure damage assessment. Outside of downtown, more drills were performed along the Missouri River for simulated damaged bridges.

According to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, hundreds of unnoticeable earthquakes occur annually along the New Madrid Seismic zone . More than 200 years ago, three major earthquakes believed to be magnitude 7.0 or greater occurred in a two-month span (Dec. 16, 1811, to Feb. 7, 1812). Hundreds of moderate and thousands of smaller earthquakes followed.  

“Task Force 46 is a National Guard element that is deployed to provide command and support of military response forces in support of civilian responders to manage catastrophic chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents,” said the East-West Gateway Council of Governments.  “These exercises are being coordinated with STARRS, The St. Louis Area Regional Response System, which is housed within East-West Gateway Council of Governments. STARRS coordinates with emergency responders across local jurisdictions to enhance the region’s capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from natural disasters, terrorism and large-scale industrial accidents and hazards.” Last year, similar exercises were held by Task Force 46 in Nashville, Tennessee.