Monday, April 1, 2024

7 Reasons To Cruise The Ohio River On The American Queen Riverboat

river cruise ohio river

Journeying southeast, you’ll visit Paducah, where the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers come together. Walk among the bronze ‘Birds of America’ statues in Henderson, based on the paintings of John James Audubon. Continue your 11-Day cruise northeast through ports of call in Ohio and Kentucky before disembarking in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Come enjoy a 40-mile scenic river tour and experience one of America’s great rivers. Our friendly, professional all-American crew members offer an extraordinary quality of gracious hospitality and personalized attention to discerning passengers. This outstanding level of service is always available to make your journey memorable and relaxing.

Ohio River Cruises

I looked forward to the tunes every day, taking the cue to head to the railing and wave goodbye to the throngs gathered. Crowds greeted the boat as it pulled in, with onlookers holding up their phones to grab photos and videos of the ship making a 180, pulling in and tying off. Many of the crew, too, come from port cities along the Mississippi River.

Tour Operator

Built in 2012 and carrying up to 417 passengers, this is the largest steamship ever built. The Grand Saloon resembles a 19th-century opera house with private boxes wrapped around the theater and hanging over the main level and the stage adorned with a large red curtain. American Queen Voyages provides a wonderful service in its hop-on, hop-off bus routes in each city and on each river itinerary that it operates.

Huntington, West Virginia

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Or stand in awe at the Cathedral Basilica with its mosaic tile interior which rivals the cathedrals of Europe. Celebrate the United States western expansion and those who made it possible at the recently renovated Gateway Arch monument and the innovative and interactive underground museum. Delight in a day of cruising along the scenic rolling countryside of the Ohio River. Be on the lookout for a variety of wildlife that calls this region home, including white-tailed deer, red fox, and cotton tail rabbits. From the ship’s landing, gaze upon the quaint town of Maysville, nestled into the hillside. After floating down the Mississippi River to sell their commodities in New Orleans, early flatboat travelers returned along the Natchez Trace Pathway to rejoin the Ohio River in this idyllic town, steeped in American history.

Guests can book pre- (or post-) cruise tours here, as well, such as getting a private tour of Churchill Downs -- site of the Kentucky Derby. Those who explore on their own might take a swing by the world-famous Louisville Slugger Museum and bat factory. While the most popular might be a Mississippi River cruise, you shouldn't discount a journey on some of the lesser-known and incredibly vibrant rivers. Veteran river cruisers will tell you that a hidden gem is the mighty Ohio River, which flows from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois, where it joins the Mississippi. Lauri Wakefield is a travel writer who specializes in  river cruises in Europe and the U.S. The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment.

An Itinerary With Small Towns And Big Cities

The company even offers a city tour on embarkation day for those who want to explore a bit more in-depth. Meals are served in the main dining room and in the casual eatery called the Front Porch, which offers wonderful views as you cruise on the river. When the weather is nice, it’s worth having at least one dinner outside there to enjoy the sunset and sailing. Be entertained on board by local musicians as you enjoy the afternoon rolling on the mighty Mississippi. The surrounding hillsides provide a handsome backdrop for this fascinating city which was the gateway to the West for the young United States. If you're doing the reverse of this itinerary, you'll likely start in Louisville and finish in Pittsburgh.

Group Charters & Private Events

Tiki-themed party boats to cruise along the Ohio River starting next month - WLWT Cincinnati

Tiki-themed party boats to cruise along the Ohio River starting next month.

Posted: Tue, 11 Apr 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

The Ohio River is still a main thoroughfare for shipping and an integral part of the lives of locals along its banks. Despite the river traffic, Ohio River cruises are delightfully scenic and relaxing; there's more to see than you might expect. The American Cruise Line fleet of ships are the newest and most environmentally friendly small ships in the US. The cruise line prides itself on their hospitable staff, and that you’ll be graciously received no matter which ship you cruise on. The large staterooms with interior entrances ensure you have a relaxed, private area to watch the river from, or visit any of the many onboard lounges.

Residents gather along the banks of the river to cheer our arrival or give us a friendly sendoff each day. Each riverside destination, no matter how small, loves to show off its slice of American history and regional attractions, such as quirky museums, pretty churches, and, of course, its local shops and eateries. Discover Evansville, a delightful riverside city which is the perfect blend of modern and historic architecture. Evansville is home to Bally's Evansville, the state's first casino, as well as Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, one of the state’s oldest and largest zoos.

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Interestingly, a number of residents in the ports we visited came out to see the boat and even approached to ask crew members how they could get a job working on a riverboat. A seven-day cruise on the OhioRiver will depart from Pittsburgh will travel to Marietta, Ohio, PointPleasant, West Virgina, Maysville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. And aneight-day cruise will begin in Cincinnati andtravel to Pittsburgh stopping in the same citiesand make an additional stop in Wheeling,West Virginia. A five-day round tripcruise from Cincinnati will travel to Louisville, Kentucky and Madison, Indiana.And a six-day cruise will travel from Cincinnatito Maysville and Augusta, Kentuckyand Huntington, West Virginia. The 981-mile-long river passes through or borders six states on its way into Cairo, IL, where it joins the mighty Mississippi. In the late 1700s, the westward-flowing waterway became the main route for pioneers and settlers heading west from Pennsylvania, and numerous cities like Cincinnati and Pittsburgh cropped up along the riverbanks.

Enjoy St. Louis’ many world-class attractions, including the National Great Rivers Museum, which tells stories of the Mississippi River’s rich history, the people that rely on the river, and its many ecosystems. An impressive waterfront town arching up the hillside, Louisville has a long history of commerce and revelry. The town grew at a portage around the treacherous Falls of the Ohio, now inundated behind the Ohio River’s Markland Dam. The historic importance of river commerce to the town is represented by the “Belle of Louisville” day excursion boat just down the banks, still operating after more than a century.

Moundsville is a land of sacred pasts and promising futures, accented with quaint neighborhoods, and beautiful landscapes. Once you’ve cruised aboard any American Cruise Line ship, you are an Eagle Society member. It’s free to be a member, but your loyalty to American Cruise Lines is greatly rewarded. You’ll receive Eagle Society luggage tags, and member-only gifts when you board each cruise. Plus all Eagle Society member benefits can be used when booking with USA River Cruises, plus you’ll still be eligible for our loyal customer benefits as well.

Carefully selected fresh seafood, meats, and produce are often purchased in the regions we visit, allowing you to taste the delectable flavors of the local area. Meals are prepared to order and served in the glass-enclosed dining room, where every seat offers a panoramic view. I found the periods of sailing from town to town one of the most relaxing and satisfying parts of this river cruise. It was fabulous to watch the world floating by, with the pretty evening sunsets, flowing waters, and subtle bends in the river. We would pass under a variety of bridge styles and see trains on adjacent tracks and tugboats pushing coal barges.

American Queen features a large Mark Twain Gallery that serves as a reading room (with a small computer area). It’s outfitted with vintage lamps and antique chairs and all kinds of mementos of a bygone time, including river ship models, paintings, books, vases, and other collectibles. Just upriver of your ship’s dock, the beautiful Tennessee River empties into the Ohio River. Also nearby are confluences with the Cumberland River and the Mississippi. The convergence of these four major rivers crossroads makes Paducah an important port centralized at the axis. Or stop by the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory to see how the famous baseball bats are made.

Wander along the landing to admire more than 50 murals which highlight the region’s rich history. Learn the importance of the town as headquarters for Civil War General Ulysses S. Grant as he embarked to secure Union control of the rivers. Only a block away, the excellent River Discovery Center illuminates for you the importance of the rivers to this historic port. View a treasure trove of incredible works of art created with fabric, needle, and thread at the National Quilt Museum. Located along the banks of the Ohio River Moundsville, West Virginia offers a rich history. Deriving its name from the many Adena Indian burial mounds constructed here more than 2,000 years ago, the town is home to the largest conical burial mound in North America.

From the coast of Maine, to the mighty Mississippi and Pacific Northwest, our Free Cruise Guide provides detailed information about all of our more than 50 U.S. itinerary options. As you cruise, delight in picturesque and ever-changing scenery, as early explorers did centuries ago. Our ship docks near the famous point where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers join to begin the majestic Ohio River. Long known for steel manufacturing, Pittsburgh was an essential stop along the Ohio River for national and international commerce making it a wealthy town in the 18th and 19th centuries. Hear tales of famous Americans such as Heinz, Carnegie, and others who called this vibrant city home. End your journey in this unique city with frontier-town roots and Midwest modesty.

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