Missouri Cruise from Venice to Saint Paul — 9 Days

St Louis MO, USA

Venice, Illinois, sits on the east bank of the Mississippi, just north of downtown St. Louis. Across the river, the Gateway Arch rises above a skyline shaped by history and commerce. Nearby, the Chain of Rocks Bridge offers a striking view of the river and its distinctive bend. St. Louis’s museums, neighborhoods and riverfront make rewarding excursions from this quiet riverside port.

• Land Tour (Land Tour)

Hannibal MO, USA

Hannibal sits on the Mississippi, where Mark Twain’s boyhood gave shape to Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Walk the compact historic district to see Twain’s boyhood home and the Becky Thatcher House. Then explore museums tracing the river town’s literary past and its long connection with the Mississippi. Beyond the stories, the riverfront offers broad views of the waterway that shaped Hannibal’s trade and daily life.

River Cruising (River Cruising)

Muscatine IA, USA

Step ashore in Muscatine, where the Mississippi meets a city shaped by river trade and button-making. Muscatine once led the world in pearl-button production, using mussel shells harvested from the river. At the National Pearl Button Museum, discover how shell buttons became the city’s signature industry. Then stroll the riverfront and explore historic downtown, with its brick storefronts, cafés, and local shops. Riverside Park opens onto broad Mississippi views, a fitting final stop before you sail on.

Dubuque IA, USA

Dubuque rewards a shore day spent close to the Mississippi. Iowa’s oldest city pairs a handsome 19th-century riverfront with lively museums and walkable downtown streets. At the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, river ecology and historic boats bring the waterway into focus. Ride the Fenelon Place Elevator for sweeping views across rooftops, bluffs and river. Allow time for historic Main Street, or explore the nearby Mines of Spain Recreation Area.

Winona MN, USA

Winona sits between the Mississippi River and steep limestone bluffs in southeastern Minnesota. Its downtown has handsome commercial buildings and the landmark Winona County Courthouse. At the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, galleries display works by artists including Monet and Picasso. Explore the riverfront for a closer look at the Mississippi. Or drive to Great River Bluffs State Park, where trails open onto broad Mississippi Valley views. Winona’s appeal lies in its mix of art, architecture and big-river scenery.

Red Wing MN, USA

Red Wing stands beside the Mississippi, beneath limestone bluffs, about an hour southeast of Minneapolis–St. Paul. Explore the historic downtown, visit the Red Wing Shoe Company Museum, or trace the city’s pottery heritage. River views, independent shops, and the legacy of Minnesota’s boot and pottery makers give this compact town its character. Allow time for the blufftop overlooks; the Mississippi’s changing light is part of the visit.

Minneapolis-Saint Paul, USA

Saint Paul is Minnesota’s capital, but its best introductions begin along the Mississippi. From the riverfront, broad bluffs rise toward a city shaped by trade, immigration, and civic ambition. Visit the Cathedral of Saint Paul, whose hilltop dome commands the skyline, then explore the nearby Minnesota History Center. Summit Avenue preserves an exceptional stretch of Victorian-era homes, including the James J. Hill House. Allow time for a meal downtown; Saint Paul’s food scene rewards a closer look.