Spirit of Peoria: Mississippi & Illinois River Cruise

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Day 1 – Home to East Peoria, IL 

Well, do we have an adventure for you! We are traveling to the riverfront town of Peoria, best known for being the boyhood home of author, Mark Twain. This evening we check into the Stoney Creek Hotel where we’ll enjoy a special dessert as we get to know each other! Then we settle in for a good night’s rest before our adventure begins tomorrow! 

Included Meals: Welcome Dessert 

Hotel: Stoney Creek Hotel 

Day 2 – Spirit of Peoria Cruise: Peoria to Springfield, IL 

This morning we board the Spirit of Peoria Paddlewheeler and enjoy a hot breakfast buffet on the Main Deck. Our cruise begins as we travel through the Peoria Lock & Dam. Be sure to make your way to the Boiler Deck for entertainment throughout the day that will include: live piano, vocal, guitar/banjo music and professional river lore, as we cruise along the Illinois River. Feel free to bring your lunch to the Texas Deck to enjoy the passing scenery with the open-air seating. This afternoon join your fellow travelers on the Boiler Deck for a Wine and Cheese Reception. Before we arrive in Meredosia, enjoy dinner on board. This evening we will be staying at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel in Springfield, IL. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Wine & Cheese 

Hotel: Abraham Lincoln Hotel 

Day 3 – Spirit of Peoria Cruise: Springfield to Grafton, IL 

This morning enjoy breakfast at the hotel before we tour the impressive Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum. We then board the Spirit of Peoria, in Florence, for another day filled with scenery and fun! Lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner will again be served on board today with entertainment throughout the day. Tonight we disembark in Grafton and our overnight stay is at the Pere Marquette Lodge. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1930’s, the Lodge is situated in Pere Marquette State Park, which is Illinois’ largest State Park. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks 

Hotel: Pere Marquette Lodge 

Day 4 – Spirit of Peoria Cruise: Grafton to Hannibal, MO 

This morning we board the Spirit of Peoria and have a hot breakfast. Our cruise today starts at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and will be a northbound trip up the Mississippi to Clarksville, MO. After some morning entertainment, we lock through Lock & Dam 25. Again, enjoy the scenery, meals, and snacks aboard the Spirit of Peoria. Tonight we will check into our hotel in Hannibal for a 2 night stay. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks 

Hotel: Best Western Plus (2 Nights)

Day 5 – Spirit of Peoria Cruise: Hannibal 

After breakfast at the hotel we will tour Mark Twain’s Boyhood Home and Museum. We then board the Spirit of Peoria for our last day of river travel that will take us from Clarksville into Hannibal. Enjoy lunch as we lock through Lock & Dam 24. After another day of scenery, entertainment, and scrumptious meals aboard the Spirit of Peoria, Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher will be at the landing to greet passengers and then it’s off for a tour of Mark Twain Cave if you dare! 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks 

Day 6 – Hannibal to Home 

After breakfast at the hotel, we will continue back to Minnesota, recalling grand memories of our Spirit of Peoria cruise! 

Included Meals: Breakfast