The nostalgia of rail travel and river cruise combines with brilliant fall colors along the Mississippi River to create one spectacular seasonal rail-cruise tour. Beginning in Chicago, travel aboard Amtrak's Texas Eagle to St. Louis where you will board the legendary American Queen steamboat for the leisurely journey upriver along the mighty Mississippi through iconic American cities including Hannibal, Missouri, and LaCrosse, Wisconsin, to St. Paul, Minnesota.With a leisurely pace, nice hotels, historic and interesting stops along the way, and last but not least, the joy of traveling through America aboard the steamboat American Queen, these departures are offered only twice a year and are always popular.

View Dates and Prices Images & Route Map Tour Highlights and Inclusions View Itinerary

• Free train travel from any Midwestern or Eastern city to Chicago at the start of the tour. For guests living on the West Coast, we offer special reduced rates for roundtrip rail to Chicago
• Train travel from Chicago to St. Louis over the Union Pacific Railroad
• 7-night American Queen river cruise from St. Louis to St. Paul with stops en route and all meals and entertainment onboard the ship
• Two-night stay in the heart of downtown Chicago at the Palmer House Hilton
• Sightseeing in Chicago and St. Louis as well as a special excursion to Galena, IL
• Services of a professional tour manager
• Chicago
• St. Louis Arch
• Mississippi River
• Famous caves in Hannibal, MO
• Antique stores in Dubuque, IA
• Curio shops in LaCrosse, WI
• Historic buildings of Red Wing, MN
• Minneapolis/St. Paul

Day 1 - Arrival in Chicago
Arrive in Chicago today and transfer to the Palmer House Hilton in the heart of downtown Chicago to begin your two-night stay in the Windy City. This evening is at your leisure.

Day 2 - Windy City Sightseeing
A highlight of your full day in Chicago is a sightseeing boat cruise on the Chicago River. This is the best way to see some of the architecture that makes the city so impressive. The remainder of the day is at your leisure to explore Chicago on your own. You may wish to visit some of the city's renowned museums, go to the top of Willis Tower for impressive views of the city and its outlying areas or shop along the Magnificent Mile. Tonight is a special treat: Dinner at Lawry's-The Prime Rib. Overnight Palmer House Hilton. (D)

Day 3 - Train to St. Louis
A morning train ride over the Union Pacific Railroad brings us to St. Louis. Upon arrival, enjoy a tour of the historic city. Later today board the American Queen, docked in the shadow of the famous Arch. The steam whistle this evening announces your departure along the Mississippi River. Overnight onboard vessel. (D)

Day 4 - Hannibal, Missouri
Today finds us in Hannibal, Missouri, made famous by Mark Twain as the home of Tom Sawyer. You will have an entire day to enjoy this historic town with time to see the famous Cave visited by Tom Sawyer. Tonight, enjoy the Captain's Welcome Aboard Dinner. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 5 - On the River
You have the entire day to relax and take in the beautiful scenery as the American Queen passes through several locks on its journey north on the Mississippi River. Take time today to enjoy a good book or meet new friends. This evening you may wish to take a moonlit stroll on the deck as the searchlight takes readings off the darkened riverbank or enjoy some Dixieland jazz in the Engine Room Bar. Overnight onboard vessel (B, L, D)

Day 6 - Dubuque, Iowa
This morning finds the American Queen in Dubuque, Iowa with ample time to explore the antique stores, Victorian buildings and quaint shops in this important 19th century river town. Today's special excursion is a visit to Galena, Illinois, a town of great charm and rated as highlight of the voyage year over year. Tonight you may wish to see a movie in the onboard cinema, enjoy Big Band music in the Main Lounge or enjoy a quiet drink in the Antlers Bar as the steamboat paddles north. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 7 - LaCrosse, Wisconsin
Picturesque LaCrosse, Wisconsin is your port of call today. A town of great charm resembling a piece by Norman Rockwell, LaCrosse features great pre-Civil War architecture, a fine museum and interesting curio shops. Later today is the steamboat's justly named Southern picnic lunch with platters of fried chicken, baked ham, gumbo, mud pie and other great southern specialties. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 8 - On the River
Today brings another full day of steamboating down the river, providing ample time to catch up with your fellow travelers, enjoy a leisurely lunch on deck surrounded by colorful autumn scenery or sip a cool drink in the Calliope Bar as the American Queen makes her way up the river with the world's largest calliope playing merrily. Entire towns turn out along the riverbank to see her steam past! Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 9 - Red Wing, Minnesota
Another historic river town awaits today. Red Wing, Minnesota-originally the site of a Sioux Indian village and now the largest wheat market in the world-has a beautiful waterfront, friendly residents who come out to welcome the steamboat and hundreds of historic buildings. Overnight onboard vessel. (B, L, D)

Day 10 - St. Paul, Minnesota
Breakfast finds the American Queen docked in St. Paul as guests disembark and travel home. Travelers may extend their stay in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis-St. Paul and take advantage of special hotel rates. Or, travelers may elect to return to Chicago by rail. Ask a Vacations By Rail travel specialist for details about special train fares. (B)

I, H, G, F Inside Stateroom

These comfortable staterooms feature two single beds and a private bathroom with shower. Some also have an additional single upper bunk.

E Outside Stateroom

These cozy staterooms feature two lower single beds, a large window, large mirror, storage space, wall-to-wall carpeting and a private bathroom with shower.

D Outside Deluxe

Staterooms feature marvelous views of the river from beautiful floor-to-ceiling bay windows. All offer private bathroom with tub and shower and have either two single beds or one queen-size bed.

C, B, C Deluxe Verandah

Staterooms feature a marvelous view of the river from a bay window or windowed French doors that open onto the deck. All feature private bathrooms with tub and shower and offer either two single beds or one queen-size bed.

AA Superior Outside

Outstanding staterooms with two single beds or one queen-size bed open onto the deck or verandah by way of windowed French doors and include private bath with tub and shower.

AAA Suite

Features a full-size antique bed, sofa bed conversational group, private bathroom with tub and shower and French doors leading to deck or verandah.