5 best river cruise experiences in the us

5 of the Best River Cruise Experiences in the USA

t’s a misconception that only Europe offers fantastic river cruises. River voyages through the great channels and watercourses I of America offer a powerful sense of Americana mixed with views that those who travel by highways, byways and roads will never see.

From the great frontier of the Pacific

Northwest to the jazzy shores of the Big Easy, USA river cruises deliver everything from sprawling views to small towns that show off a version of America that remains untouched by time. If your goal is to see as much of the USA by river as you can, take a look at four bucketlist USA cruise itineraries that will get your rudders spinning.

The Mississippi River The mighty Mississippi flows from Lake Itasca in Minnesota all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. However, I picture that stretch from about Memphis to New Orleans when I think of a flavorful, spirited Mississippi River adventure. Seeing New Orleans as a port of a call is the best way to experience the Big Easy, in my opinion. While off the boat in the NOLA, I’m always eager to check out what’s new in the Garden District, the French Quarter and around Frenchman Street. After dinner on the ship, it’s easy to slip back to the city for some fiery jazz or a misty pub crawl in the fog blown in from the bayous.

The Columbia River Beginning in Portland, a Columbia River itinerary shows off the Pacific Northwest’s splendor by way of Washington and Oregon. Dualstate itineraries for the Columbia also include a jut into beautiful Vancouver for an overnight port of call. The real magic of a Columbia River cruise happens when your ship comes upon a small town called The Dalles. Home to the Columbia River Gorge, The Dalles offers a trip through time that will make you feel like you’re in an old, rugged mining town populated with renegades and pioneers. The Columbia Gorge on its own is worth the whole trip! With a depth of 4,000 feet, this stunning canyon cuts through the Cascade Range westward for miles and miles. Along the gorge, you’ll find a series of waterfalls. Another gem along the Columbia that’s worth marking on your map is Astoria, Oregon. Kept secluded by surrounding mountains, Astoria is a small river town that encompasses an area home to the Clatsop tribe. Astoria’s waterfront area is best explored by trolley for just a few dollars.

The St. Johns River: Florida Known for its quartz beaches and voluminous dunes perched beside the Nassau Sound, Amelia Island

5 of the Best River Cruise Experiences in the USA

is a Florida gem. My preferred route is Amelia Island to Green Cove Springs along the St. Johns because this little destination offers a very therapeutic, relaxing holiday experience. Upon arriving in Green Cove Springs, you’ll be able to visit the fresh mineral spring that made this small town a popular holiday spot for elite vacationers from the North more than a century ago.

From the St. John’s River, you can link up with the Tolomato River for a spectacular journey between Florida’s true coastline and barrier islands. This U-shaped dual-river route can bring you to America’s oldest surviving European settlement at St. Augustine. This is a rare spot in the United States where you’ll find fortresses and castles intermingled with lighthouses and sandy coastal footpaths. While in St. Augustine, a visit to the oldest masonry fort in the United States at Castillo de San Marcosis is a must. Considered the heart of the city, St. George Street is where you’ll want to head for shopping, lunch or evening drinks after finishing dinner on the ship. This pedestrian-only street offers delight after delight once you pass through St. Augustine’s Old City Gate to access boutiques, specialty museums and historic properties that cross into the city’s Colonial Quarter. St. Lawrence River: New York Rounding out the list of must-do USA river cruises is a St. Lawrence River adventure. More than spectacular enough on its own, this journey can also be paired with a cruise of the Great Lakes or an Atlantic coastal cruise. The 744mile St. Lawrence river extends from Lake Ontario to the Atlantic. Along the way, views of thousands of islands pepper the watery landscape. The fact that the great river forms part of the international border between Ontario and New York makes this a rare USA river cruise that allows you to cross into another country.

One thing you’ll notice when traversing any of America’s exalted rivers on a sparkling vessel is just how vital waterways have been for developing towns and cities. During my time exploring watercourses spanning from coast to coast, I’ve discovered that the smallest towns often offer the biggest opportunities for adventure. Balancing out flashy hot spots with small mining towns or steamboat townships is a great way to spend your time on America’s banks.

TERRA TRAVELERS