Day 1 – Home to La Crosse, WI
The mighty Mississippi is calling our names as we embark on this tour following the Great River Road from Minnesota to Missouri. We begin at Freedom Park, the Great River Road Visitor Center. Grab a map and follow along as we take in the beauty along the river for the next six days. A little way down the road in Red Wing, we’ll make a coffee stop at the classic Hanisch Bakery – the place where family and friends meet for good food and Minnesota’s best baked sweets! Then we are treated to lunch at the historic St. James Hotel. Next we will take in a river view at Roschen Park before arriving at the National Eagle Center. As the world’s premier resource for impactful eagle education and experiences, it is a “must see” while in the area. We will make one more stop at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum before we arrive at our hotel for the evening. Get to know your fellow travelers at an included Welcome Dinner tonight.
Included Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Courtyard by Marriot
Day 2 – La Crosse to Dubuque, IA
Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel before we venture on. Today for lunch we will progress through three of Dubuque’s historic sites, enjoying entertainment, music, delicious food and wonderful company along the way. During this guided experience, we will be mesmerized as costumed docents and local historians share facts about what made 19th century Dubuque so distinctive and why it was, and continues to be, the “Masterpiece of the Mississippi.” We will check into the luxurious Hotel Julien and enjoy some time on our own to explore downtown Dubuque and grab some dinner before taking a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator. After a short ride up on this historic cable car, savor a magnificent view of downtown Dubuque, the Mississippi River, and three other states from the top. The rest of the evening is on your own. Sleep well as we have another full day planned for tomorrow!
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Hotel: Hotel Julien
Day 3 – Dubuque to Moline, IL
After another delightful breakfast, we make our way to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. History and the rivers come alive at this interactive stop. Lunch is served in charming Galena at the historic DeSoto House, which dates back to 1855 and is the oldest operating hotel in Illinois! We’ll then explore by narrated trolleys the hills & valleys of this beautiful and historic lead mining community and major river port. This afternoon, take some time to browse Galena’s charming shops and stroll along the Galena River. Another scenic stop along the mighty Mississippi is in store as we venture further south to Moline. Tonight, we will have dinner together at a local restaurant before checking into the Stoney Creek Hotel for a peaceful evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Stoney Creek
Day 4 – Moline to Alton, IL
Today, we will experience the #1 attraction in Muscatine, Iowa! The National Pearl Button Museum features hands-on exhibits, historic objects and artwork, industrial machines, a cornucopia of buttons and more! This sweet little diamond in the rough (or should we say, pearl in the sand!) always exceeds expectations and just may be a highlight of your tour! An included lunch in Burlington, Iowa gives us more river views as does a quick stop in Quincy for a break. This evening, rise to new heights with Grafton Sky Tour’s aerial lift. Take an enclosed gondola or open chair lift and enjoy a soaring, 300-foot high, scenic, leisurely ride up the bluff top to Aerie’s Winery where we will enjoy a delightful, included dinner with a view! Dinner overlooks the confluence of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers and is a breathtaking and relaxing way to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the region. After dinner, we will check into our hotel for the night.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Hotel: Hampton Inn and Suites
Day 5 – Alton to Hannibal, MO
After a hot breakfast today, we will enjoy a leisurely morning before departing the hotel for the National Great Rivers Museum where we will enjoy a private tour of the Melvin Price Lock and Dam. Travelers will enjoy the many interactive exhibits while learning about the history and story of the Mississippi River. Afterwards, we will experience more breathtaking views from atop the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower. This afternoon, wander through some of Sam Clemens’s most famous novels at the Mark Twain Boyhood Home and Museum in Hannibal, MO. Let your imagination take you for a ride on a raft with Huck and Jim, explore a cave with Tom and Becky, pilot a steamboat and paint the famous whitewashed fence! We will check into our hotel to freshen up before climbing aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat. Enjoy dinner, dancing, and more beautiful scenery along the Mississippi River during this 2-hour cruise. Rest up tonight because we head home tomorrow.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel: Holiday Inn Express
Day 6 – Hannibal to Home
We’ve had such a wonderful tour along the great Mississippi River on the Great River Road! Today, we pack our bags and head home as we share stories and memories with the new friends we’ve made along the way.
Included Meals: Breakfast
Motorcoach Per Person Pricing Information
Motorcoach Travel Protection Per Person
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
13 Meals, Lodging & Activities as stated in brochure, Luxury Motorcoach
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05/16/2023 05/21/2023
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
Hanisch Bakery Lunch
National Eagle Center
Minnesota Marine Art Museum
Progressive Lunch at 3 Historic Dubuque Sites
Fenelon Place Elevator
National Mississippi River Museum
DeSoto House Lunch
Historic Galena Trolley Tour
National Pearl Button Museum
Grafton Sky Aerial Tour with Aerie’s Winery Dinner
National Great Rivers Museum
Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum
Mark Twain Riverboat with Dinner
