Exploring America: Mississippi steamboat cruises take travelers through the heartland of history

Posted: Friday, February 15, 2013 12:00 am | Updated: 2:31 am, Sat Feb 16, 2013.

They say that travel is about the journey, not the destination. While there’s plenty of room to argue that destinations really do matter, there’s no disputing that going on a journey is one of the most enriching experiences you can have. When it comes to travel in America, perhaps the greatest journeys to be taken are steamboat cruises on the Mississippi. Riding the current of this remarkable artery through America’s heartland will show you an unfolding story that covers centuries of history, much of which has played a central role in making the country what it is today.

For a journey down the Mississippi, how you travel is an important factor. Traveling by steamboat on the river itself provides not only spectacular views, but an element of history. Instead of driving roads adjacent to the river, you’ll be plying the same waterways that river traffic has followed for hundreds of years.