short mississippi river cruises

Phone 800 331-1467

2 – Day Cruise

Our signature cruise, leclaire, iowa to dubuque, iowa & return.

Includes :  All Meals ( Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner & Snacks both days ), 1 Night Lodging, Entry to the National Mississippi River Museum, Dubuque Shuttle, Entertainment & Activities Onboard.

Fares start at $439 per person

Terms and Conditions

River Cruises reserves the right to cancel any cruise, change schedules or routes and substitute vessel without prior notice.

River Cruises reserves the right to substitute the overnight accommodations in Dubuque from the Grand Harbor Hotel to a property of a similar or better quality when necessary.

Cruises may be abbreviated, altered or cancelled, if in the judgement of the Captain, conditions are not conducive to the safe operations. Passengers, who by their actions, endanger themselves, other passengers, crew members, or the vessel, will be subject to arrest.

• Know Before You Go

. Our two-day overnight cruise journeys from LeClaire, Iowa upriver to Dubuque, Iowa.

Experience towering bluffs, two Locks & Dams, quaint river towns, and historical narration during your two days on the river.

The trip includes breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks (both days), overnight lodging in Dubuque, Iowa, entry to the Smithsonian accredited National Mississippi River Museum, Dubuque shuttle, and live entertainment onboard.

New for 2024 , we are partnering with Trolleys of Dubuque, who will be offering a 1.5-hour, historical tour throughout downtown Dubuque.  The tour is $20 per adult and will depart in the evening from the front of the hotel. If you are interested in reserving a spot, you can book directly through Tim at 563-552-2896.

Fares start at $439 per person – Double Occupancy

* Prices listed are per person . You may have between 2 and 4 adults share the same room at the per person Double Occupancy rate. The overnight accommodations in Dubuque come standard with two double beds in each room. Rooms with one King size bed can be requested upon availability.

Refunds for Cancellations

Less than 30 days’ notice of cancellation: $100 /person not refunded. – Less than 5 days notice: 50% refund. – Less than 24 hours’ notice, no-shows or late arrivals: no refund. An inconvenience fee of up to 50% of the cruise value may be charged for passengers who fail to show up for their scheduled cruise. We may allow you to reschedule, based upon availability.

The Riverboat Twilight will make every accommodation possible to stay on schedule, however, will not be responsible for cruise delays that are beyond their control. 

Boarding Location 197 North Front St. LeClaire, IA 52753

Boarding time is 7:30 am at our dock in leclaire, iowa. departure time is 8:00 am sharp..

If you are running behind, call 1-800-331-1467 .

Free, ample, overnight parking is available at our boat dock in LeClaire. Parking is well-lit and routinely patrolled by the local police.

We will check one piece of medium-sized luggage per person at the boarding point. Your luggage will be waiting for you in your room when you arrive in Dubuque. Please leave your luggage in your hotel room when you depart the next morning. You may bring a backpack, purse, tote bag, or other carry-on bag onboard, with essential items you need during the day. Coolers are only allowed for medical use. CPAP machines or other medical devices do not count as extra baggage and can be checked with your overnight luggage.

The Twilight offers ample, indoor and outdoor seating on all three decks. A gift shop and restrooms are located on the main deck; a cash bar is located on the third deck. Stair climbing is required to reach the upper decks.

An indoor, dining table is reserved for your party; we ask that you sit at your reserved table during mealtimes. You may roam throughout the boat during the duration of your trip.

Hotel in Dubuque

Passengers aboard the Twilight overnight at the Grand Harbor Resort in Dubuque, Iowa. The Grand Harbor is a riverfront hotel; standard rooms include two queen or one king bed. All rooms are non-smoking.

Suggested Items to Bring with You

We recommend dressing in layers and wearing comfortable shoes. Consider bringing onboard items such as a camera, medication, binoculars, sunscreen, sunglasses, and or leisure items such as a book, board games, cards, etc. Charge your devices ahead of time; outlets are limited.

Accommodations & Requests

Please notify us in advance of any specific physical or dietary accommodations. We cannot guarantee requested changes less than 10 days prior to your cruise date.

Our chef can accommodate most special diets (e.g. diabetic, vegan/vegetarian, and gluten free). We cannot guarantee the availability of particular foods once the boat has left the dock. We encourage anyone with special dietary needs to  read our complete policy here.  Any questions? Call 1-800-331-1467 to request dietary accommodations.

The Twilight has three levels; stairs are required to reach the upper decks. We are unable to accommodate motorized scooters onboard; these can be sent with your overnight luggage and will be waiting for you at our dock in Dubuque. Walkers or wheelchairs are welcomed. If you need seating on the lowest level, an ADA room at the hotel, or any other physical accommodation, call 1-800-331-1467.

Hotel Recommendations (for before/after your trip)

All three hotels in LeClaire, Iowa, are less than a five-minute drive from our boat dock; each offer special rates for Twilight passengers. Additional, local accommodations can be found at https://riverboattwilight.com/accommodations/

Holiday Inn Express   —  563-289-9978 Comfort Inn   —  563-289-4747 Super 8   —  563-289-5888

DAY ONE – LeClaire to Dubuque

Board the Twilight at 7:30 am in LeClaire, Iowa. We will have coffee, sweet rolls, yogurt parfaits, a hot item, fresh fruit, and orange juice waiting for you. Depart Northbound for Dubuque, Iowa by 8:00 am. Lunch and dinner will be served onboard as well as a midmorning and mid-afternoon snack. Narration available throughout the day; live entertainment in the afternoon. Arrival time in Dubuque is approximately 6:15pm.

DAY TWO – Dubuque to LeClaire

After breakfast at the hotel, board our complimentary shuttle that will take you to various Port of Dubuque attractions. Included in your fare are tickets to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. This award-winning facility opens at 8:30am for our passengers. The Twilight will be departing no later than 11:30 am, arriving back in LeClaire at approximately 6:30pm. A delicious lunch, mid-afternoon snack and dinner are served on the return trip while you enjoy another afternoon of entertainment, history, and the beauty of the Mississippi River.

2024 Cruise Schedule

2-day mississippi river cruise • highlights.

Historic River Towns

Mississippi Palisades State Park

Fulton Windmill

Lock & Dams 12 & 13

Live Entertainment

Bald Eagle Nests

Savanna Army Depot

Bird Island

History & Architecture

Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium

Fenelon Elevator / Bluff Street Shops

Diamond Jo Casino

Cancellation Policy

Two-day cruises: Less than 30 days notice of cancellation: $100 /person not refunded. – Less than 5 days notice: 50% refund. – Less than 24 hours notice, no shows or late arrivals no refunds. If your plans change less than 30 days prior to departure, we may let you reschedule based on availability.  An inconvenience fee of up to 50% of the cruise value will be charged for passengers who fail to show up for their scheduled cruise.

If you are not vaccinated, we strongly encourage you to do so, however, at this time the Riverboat Twilight does not ask for proof of vaccination. Mask wearing is the choice of the individual. The Twilight offers ample indoor and outdoor seating on all three decks and plenty of fresh air.

We will continue to maintain our increased sanitization efforts of the TWILIGHT and our boarding facilities, and we continue to provide hand sanitizer aboard the boat and employ a strong air purifier that uses UVC lighting that has been proven to destroy viruses and other bacteria.

For the safety of our passengers and crew and to maintain proper cleanliness, we have implemented the following guidelines for parents of children under the age of 14. While onboard the vessel and when making use of our food and beverages services, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. With your cooperation and understanding, we will be able to continue to offer a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone.

As an owner, of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Le Claire, IA and the President of Great Lakes Management Group which manages the hotel’s day to day operations, I wanted to say thank you. The business relationship with the Riverboat Twilight and her passengers is valued and much appreciated. We all know businesses from every industry has been operating in a different environment the last 8 weeks and will encounter new changes in the future.

We continue to monitor the franchise, local, state and federal safety guidelines to insure our guest and staff safety. For example, we anticipate a few changes in the near future which will include the following: a plastic shield / barrier at the front desk check,  revised breakfast offerings without a buffet setting, hand sanitizer located in the lobby and all floors at the elevator landings, continued use of hospital grade products to clean and sanitize the guest rooms, individual sanitizer wipes as an in-room amenity, removal of all products in the rooms that are reusable for example, pens, pads, laundry bags, and throw pillows, these items will be available upon request. We hope to see you soon. Stay safe and healthy!

  Respectfully, Neil Densmore | President glmg | hotels

Best Mississippi River cruises for seniors, history buffs and Americana lovers

Mississippi River cruises have surged in popularity in recent decades. They are especially appealing to mature travelers looking to enjoy guided tours of top cities and small towns in several Southern and Midwestern states.

Add in regionally inspired cuisine enjoyed aboard a luxurious river ship, plus the camaraderie of other culturally curious travelers, and cruising the most celebrated river in the United States promises satisfaction on multiple levels.

Two major cruise lines sail the Mississippi, which stretches 2,340 miles from New Orleans to Minneapolis-St. Paul: American Cruise Lines and Viking . Each line offers several similar itineraries ranging from eight to 22 days, but the ships themselves differ. Some are retro-inspired paddlewheelers, others sleek modern riverboats. The onboard dining and entertainment, as well as the excursions in port, also vary across the lines.

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

We've rounded up the best Mississippi River cruises for seniors, history buffs and Americana lovers, so you can find your perfect U.S. river cruise itinerary based on your interests and travel preferences.

Best cruise for Civil War history: Lower Mississippi (round-trip New Orleans)

The Deep South attracts history buffs with its Civil War battlefields and cemeteries and 18th- and 19th-century mansions guarded by regiments of live oaks. Both cruise lines offer a Lower Mississippi river cruise, sailing round-trip from New Orleans, but only one features multiple excursions geared to those with a keen interest in the 19th-century conflict.

On American Cruise Lines' eight-day New Orleans to New Orleans itinerary , cruisers can visit Vicksburg, Mississippi, where the National Military Park commemorates the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. In Louisiana's capital, Baton Rouge, a guided excursion explores critical locations in the Civil War's Battle of Baton Rouge and Port Hudson.

Other ports bring to life the pre-war South. In Oak Alley, Louisiana, guests can tour a Greek Revival mansion on a sugar plantation built and maintained by slaves. While no Civil War fighting took place in Natchez, Mississippi, the city is home to hundreds of lavish mansions from the era and the Historic Natchez Cemetery, which dates to 1822.

This itinerary is offered on five American Cruise Lines ships, ranging from the 150-passenger classic paddlewheeler American Heritage to the 180-passenger modern riverboat American Serenade. American Cruise Lines is known for its regionally inspired cuisine, served with complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner, plus complimentary cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and hosted entertainment in the main lounges.

Some excursions and a pre-cruise hotel stay in the Big Easy are included in the cruise fare. You can book additional day tours for an extra cost.

Related: Best river cruise lines around the world

If you're especially passionate about Civil War history, look for American Cruise Lines' special Civil War-themed cruises on limited dates, which allow a deeper dive into the period. These include an eight-day Lower Mississippi itinerary from Memphis to New Orleans (or vice versa).

In addition to visiting monuments and museums, you'll enjoy onboard lectures and presentations and interaction with other Civil War buffs. These sailings are aboard 180-guest American Serenade and American Symphony.

Best cruise for music: Lower Mississippi (New Orleans to Memphis)

If you love the musical genres of the South, a Mississippi River cruise from New Orleans to Memphis (or vice versa) should be your choice.

From Crescent City, the birthplace of American jazz, to Memphis, known as the Home of the Blues and the Birthplace of Rock 'n Roll, this itinerary celebrates the region's homegrown rhythms. Both cruise lines offer itineraries between New Orleans and Memphis, but Viking features more excursions and onboard experiences tailored to music lovers.

Viking's 12-day Heart of the Delta itinerary includes a two-night pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans (beginning with 2024 itineraries). This allows ample time to enjoy the city's street musicians and jazz clubs.

In Baton Rouge, you can visit the Capitol Park Museum, which showcases exhibits dedicated to Louisiana's musical heritage and Mardi Gras traditions. While in Natchez, Mississippi, classical music (played on a 1903 Steinway piano) and Southern cuisine are the stars of the excursion to Lansdowne and Joseph Stone House.

The port call in Greenville, Mississippi, is steeped in the blues with a chance to visit a museum dedicated to hometown legend B.B. King. The grand finale of the cruise is two nights in Memphis, where you can enjoy all things blues, barbecue and Elvis Presley.

Viking is a newcomer to the Mississippi River, and all sailings are aboard the 386-guest Viking Mississippi. The riverboat debuted in 2022 and features a modern Scandinavian design.

Passengers can enjoy a sun terrace with an aft infinity pool and an Explorer's Lounge with panoramic forward views of the Mississippi. The Restaurant serves both Southern regional cuisine and global favorites, and the ship welcomes local musicians onboard for evening entertainment.

Related: First impressions of a US river cruise on American Queen

Best cruise for art and architecture: Upper Mississippi

An Upper Mississippi cruise between St. Louis, Missouri, and St. Paul, Minnesota, provides access to some of the top architectural landmarks and artistic treasures of the American Heartland — from Eero Saarinen's soaring Gateway Arch to Frank Lloyd Wright's inimitable Taliesin.

Both cruise lines offer Upper Mississippi sailings from July through September. Viking and American Cruise Lines' itineraries and excursions are our picks for fans of American art and architecture.

Viking River Cruises' American Heartland itinerary sails from St. Louis to St. Paul (or vice versa) and runs eight days in 2023 and 12 days with pre- and post-cruise stays in 2024. You'll explore architectural gems aboard Viking Mississippi, itself an example of sleek, Scandinavian-inspired nautical architecture.

Highlights include St. Louis, where you'll admire Saarinen's circa-1965 Gateway Arch, the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis featuring a 41-million-piece mosaic and the Renaissance Revival-style City Hall. From Dubuque, Iowa, you can head to Spring Green, Wisconsin, to visit Taliesin, Frank Lloyd Wright's private home, studio and school from 1911 to 1959.

After a day in Redwing, Minnesota, known for its pottery studios, you'll end your journey in the Twin Cities, home to the Walker Art Center and Minneapolis Institute of Art in Minneapolis and well-preserved Victorian buildings in St. Paul.

Related: River cruise packing list: What to pack when traveling by riverboat

American Cruise Line's eight-day Upper Mississippi river cruise covers much of the same ground, with a few differences. Sailings are available on the 150-passenger paddlewheeler American Heritage as well as on three sleek new 180-guest riverboats, American Melody, American Serenade and American Symphony.

Beyond the landmarks of St. Louis, highlights include Davenport, Iowa, where you can visit the Smithsonian-affiliated Putnam Museum, and Dubuque, Iowa, known for its colorful Victorian mansions. (An excursion to the Field of Dreams featured in the 1989 Kevin Costner movie is also available.)

Winona, Minnesota, boasts some of the state's most architecturally significant buildings, many featuring the beautiful stained glass for which the city is known. Then it's off to Red Wing, Minnesota, where you can explore the Pottery Museum before completing your journey in the Twin Cities.

Best extended cruise: Complete Mississippi

Want it all? You can visit up to 20 ports in as many as nine states on a 22-day Mississippi River journey from New Orleans to St. Paul. These itineraries are offered by both American Cruise Lines and Viking, and are perfect for seniors with plenty of time to explore.

American Cruise Lines offers the 22-day Complete Mississippi Cruise aboard three 180-passenger modern river ships: American Melody, American Serenade and American Symphony.

After a pre-cruise hotel stay in New Orleans, passengers journey through all aspects of American history. You'll visit ports known for ornate mansions (Oak Alley and St. Francisville, Louisiana, and Natchez, Mississippi), Civil War battles (Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Vicksburg, Mississippi), music (Memphis and Greenville, Tennessee) and architecture (St. Louis and Dubuque, Iowa). You'll also call on historic Missouri trading posts, such as New Madrid (a Spanish outpost) and Cape Girardeau (a French river port).

Viking River Cruises' 22-day Grand Mississippi Voyage , available in 2024 aboard the 386-passenger Viking Mississippi, also embarks in New Orleans and visits 16 ports in nine states as it cruises north to St. Paul, Minnesota.

During this sailing, you'll overnight in Memphis, so there's time to fully savor barbecue, the blues and Elvis Presley's Graceland. A port call in Paducah, Kentucky, lets you explore the National Quilt Museum and colorful street murals.

You can enjoy excursions in Missouri's most famous big city (St. Louis) and small town (Hannibal) and then visit three ports in Iowa known for their historic architecture and agriculture (including a tour of the John Deere Pavilion). Learn about the Norwegian heritage of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and get to know the eagles and pottery of Red Wing, Minnesota, before disembarking in St. Paul.

Bottom line

History buffs and Americana lovers will find plenty to enjoy on a Mississippi River cruise. Your ship will stop in major cities and lesser-known towns, offering excursions to historic sites and evenings spent enjoying locally inspired cuisine and regional music.

The two cruise lines sailing America's most legendary river offer itineraries for every interest on ships designed with mature travelers in mind. Whether you want to visit Civil War sites, see top architectural landmarks, or enjoy our country's best-loved musical genres, one or more of the lines will offer a Mississippi River itinerary that will help you do it — in comfort and style as you make new friends on board.

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