Mississippi River Road

Day 1 : Travel to the Quad Cities

We begin our joyful Mississippi motorcoach vacation with a journey to the river-swaddling Quad Cities region of Iowa and Illinois. First, we travel to La Crosse, stopping for an included welcome lunch with our road trip companions.

Enjoy the gentle, serene landscapes as we journey down the riverbanks towards Dubuque, Iowa. We arrive this afternoon at the Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium to explore its aquatic exhibits and enjoy a short film, enriching our travel experience.

Later, we arrive at our accommodations in Moline, Illinois and check-in for a two-night stay.

Day 2 : Mississippi River Dinner Cruise

After breakfast, start the day with a visit to the John Deere Pavilion where you can experience the famed machines firsthand. Climb into a cab to test your abilities with state-of-the-art simulators and witness some of John Deere's largest machines, appreciating world-class innovation.

When we arrive in LeClaire, Iowa, have time at leisure and find lunch in its quaint Cody Road Historic District.

Then visit the Buffalo Bill Museum before our enchanting Mississippi River dinner cruise.

Tonight, board the Celebration Belle, the largest riverboat of its kind in the Upper Mississippi River, and enjoy an evening of onboard music and dance over dinner.

Day 3 : Arrive in Hannibal

Begin the day with breakfast in Moline.

Arrive in Nauvoo, Illinois for a guided motorcoach tour of the little city rich with Mississippi Valley history from indigenous American tribes, early European explorers, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints led by Joseph Smith in 1839 whose influence resulted in a city so large it rivaled Chicago as a metropolis until they were forced out west via religious persecution.

We journey to Hannibal, Missouri, the boyhood home of classic American author Mark Twain. Begin with touring the Rockcliffe Mansion. Built in 1898, this Colonial-Revival-Style home was built by lumber baron John J. Cruikshank, Jr. and sits on a rocky perch above the historic downtown district. Tomorrow, we explore all-things-Twain.

Day 4 : Mark Twain's Hannibal

This morning, we tour the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum. Located on the west banks of the Mississippi River, explore the site and consider Twain’s creative inspirations as you explore various properties, artifacts, and exhibits that keep his literary legacy alive.

Then, embark on a Mark Twain Riverboat Cruise for full immersion in Mississippi beauty, recalling the fun and wonder of Twain’s storytelling as we view the backdrop of his tales from the water.

We stop for photos at Lover’s Leap bluff before touring the Mark Twain Cave. This network of caves was discovered in 1819 and Twain played in them throughout much of his childhood and later were made famous through his writing.

After, enjoy Mark Twain Live, a delightful one-man performance that captures the essence of “The Wild Humorist of The West.”

Enjoy time at leisure in Hannibal tonight. You may choose to visit the Huck Finn House or Freedom Center, the Mark Twain Interpretive Center, the Cave Hollow West Winery, the Molly Brown Birthplace & Museum, and more!

Day 5 : The Gateway Arch

We journey today to St. Louis, Missouri, gathering first at Gateway Arch National Park to view the famous monument with time to visit the observation deck and enjoy a documentary about the arch as we contemplate this place where Lewis & Clark started their epic expedition.

Find a tasty bite for lunch at Union Station.

Then come back together for a narrated tram ride around the lovely Missouri Botanical Garden, learning about the gorgeous displays filled with flowers and lush greenery and famous buildings and sculptures along the way.

Enjoy dinner of your choice in the city tonight and the first of two overnights in delightful St. Louis.

Day 6 : St. Louis at Leisure

St. Louis is yours to explore today! You may visit the world-famous Anheuser-Busch Brewery, the St. Louis Aquarium, St. Louis Zoo, Citygarden urban park and sculpture garden, Busch Stadium, the Moto Museum, Laclede's Landing, and the Bottle District, once home to thousands of Irish immigrants in the 1800s and now a mixed residential and entertainment district. Your Tour Director will help identify even more interesting neighborhoods, museums, and attractions for you.

Enjoy a hearty included dinner in St. Louis this evening.

Day 7 : Springfield: The Land of Lincoln

Arriving in Springfield, Illinois this morning, we begin by witnessing The Lincoln Tomb, the final resting place of our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln.

Then, we visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum which documents his life and the American Civil War. With its life-sized dioramas, traditional scholarship, and cutting-edge showmanship technology, it ranks among the most frequented U.S. presidential libraries.

On our August 13 departure, spend the remainder of the day at the Illinois State Fair! Enjoy agriculture, arts, crafts, entertainment, and track down your favorite fair food.

On our July 16 departure, tour the Dana Thomas House, a spectacular home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, America's greatest architect, in his first "blank check" commission featuring 35 rooms and 12,000 square feet.

Enjoy a relaxing evening tonight.

Day 8 : Return to Dubuque

Returning back north towards Dubuque, we stop along the way at the Caterpillar Visitors Center to marvel at massive Cat® 797F Mining Trucks and take virtual rides into mine sites.

Continuing on, we'll make stops in Peoria and Eagle Point Park to grab lunch, stretch our legs, and take photos.

We arrive in Dubuque, Iowa for the night and celebrate our exciting getaway with a Holiday Vacations Farewell Dinner among new friends.

Day 9 : Arrive Home

We conclude our classic motorcoach vacation in La Crosse. Grab lunch in downtown and then gather at Riverview Park to board the La Crosse Queen for a leisurely afternoon Mississippi riverboat cruise. Later, transfer home with wonderful memories from our vacation along this great, storied river.