This tour is not offered this year. A variety of other spectacular tours are available to see America by rail.

For over a decade, one of the most popular vacations has been a scenic and relaxing autumn voyage on the Mississippi river aboard the opulent American Queen, the largest, grandest and most luxurious steamboat ever built. This less costly departure, ideal for those with less time, offers superb comfort, unique features, glorious scenery and no flying!

This great tour begins in Chicago (with easy connections from the entire country) and you travel together aboard the Texas Eagle train to St. Louis where excellent accommodations await at the Plaza Hotel, right downtown near the Arch. You have lots of free time in St. Louis before an in-depth tour by St. Louis' most acclaimed historian, our friend Nini Harris, on sailing day.

Onboard the American Queen, you will enjoy fine dining, roomy cabins, super entertainment and an up close view of the small-town America from the 'Front Porch' of America, mint julep in hand. Upon arrival in Memphis, guests have a full day to enjoy this great city, birthplace of the Blues with time to tour Graceland and historic Beale Street before our departure for Chicago. And, what more nostalgic way to travel back to the Windy City than the celebrated City of New Orleans train over the Illinois Central Railroad. But, this one-time departure will sell out quickly due to its pricing so call now.

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• Round-trip train travel to St. Louis from any US city. Or, a low-cost air add-on for those with less time for travel.
• Free ‘same-day’ connecting rail travel from any mid-West locations. Overnight at the new Plaza Hotel in down- town St. Louis (five minute walk from the Arch) with breakfast & Happy Hour.
• St. Louis sightseeing trip by acclaimed historian Nini Harris and transfer to American Queen on sailing day.
• Six night Fall Colors on the Mississippi cruise from St. Louis to Memphis aboard the American Queen with all meals & entertainment onboard. There is no better way to take in Mother Nature's Fall palette of red, gold and yellow than by riverboat with a mint julep in hand.
• Memphis sightseeing tour and all transfers.
• Farewell dinner at the acclaimed Rendezvous Restaurant for famed Memphis Barbeque.
• Travel from Memphis to Chicago aboard the storied City of New Orleans train, a short speedy (10 pm to 8 am) overnight ride over the Illinois Central Railroad.

Day 1 - Chicago to St. Louis
You begin this tour in exciting Chicago and transfer to the Texas Eagle for the train ride to St. Louis. Overnight at the Plaza Hotel in St. Louis just steps away from the famous arches.

Day 2 - All aboard the American Queen
Today you enjoy a superb St. Louis sightseeing trip by acclaimed historian Nini Harris and later this afternoon you transfer to American Queen.

Day 3 - Cape Girardeau, Missouri
Once home to the Ozark cliff dwellers and the Mississippian tribe, Cape Girardeau became a French trading post and a lively river port. Today it boasts Civil War sites and a tranquil setting commemorating the Trail of Tears, a tragic chapter in Cherokee history.

Day 4 - River cruising
Today you are river cruising. Enjoy your day aboard the Grand Lady of the Mississippi. Listen to the history, legends and great tales narrated by the river lorian onboard. Relax on deck in the most comfortable rocking chair as you simply glide quietly and restfully down the mighty Mississippi.

Day 5 - Mount Vernon, Indiana
Named after Washington's home on the Potomac and located near the country’s first religious commune (New Harmony) this bucolic river town is steeped in fascinating lore.

Day 6 - Paducah, Kentucky
The site of a Chicasaw village, Paducah was named for its chief. It became a bustling river port and a Union stronghold from which 42,000 Union soldiers aboard 173 steamboats and 12 gunboats traveled to their fate at Shiloh.

Day 7 - New Madrid, Missouri
New Madrid, the town that made history as the epicenter of the most powerful earthquake ever to hit the U.S. Founded in 1788, the fledgling city was rocked in 1811, an event that is chronicled in the local museum.

Day 8 - Memphis, Tennessee
This morning you arrive in Memphis, the famous ‘Home of the Blues’. You would expect to find reminders of Elvis and B.B. King at every turn in lively Memphis. You have plenty of time to enjoy all the sites, sounds and flavors Memphis has to offer with a city sightseeing tour. Later all will enjoy a farewell dinner at Rendavous Restaurant for acclaimed Memphis Barbeque. After the meal you will transfer to the train station and board the evening departure for Chicago on the City of New Orleans.

Day 9 - Chicago, Illiniois
You arrive this morning in the Windy City by train and then continue home by selected travel option.

   

   

   
This tour is not offered this year. A variety of other spectacular tours are available to see America by rail.