5 of the Best R Experiences i I
t’s a misconception that only Europe offers fantastic river cruises. River voyages through the great channels and watercourses 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
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 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, Known for its quartz beaches and it’s easy to slip back to the city for voluminous dunes perched beside some fiery jazz or a misty pub crawl the Nassau Sound, Amelia Island
The St. Johns River: Florida
36 || Terra Travelers
