Compare Ohio River Cruise by American Cruiselines vs Wonders of the American West by Insight Vacations

Day 1 St. Louis, MO
St. Louis is sure to win you over. Take in the Gateway Arch Riverfront, highlighted by the majestic Gateway Arch, the largest man-made monument in the U.S. Enjoy St. Louis’ many world-class attractions, including the Art Museum, Science Center, Anheuser-Busch Brewery, and the Missouri History Museum. End your day by relaxing at the Missouri Botanical Garden, one of the world’s most popular public gardens.

Day 2 Cape Girardeau, MO
Enjoy the charming features of this historic town that was once a French trading post and lively river port in the late 1800s. Today it boasts Civil War sites and a tranquil setting commemorating the Cherokee Trail of Tears. Marvel at the outdoor murals reflecting the area's rich heritage and enjoy shore excursions to Cape River Heritage Museum and the Red House Interpretive Center.

Day 3 Paducah, KY
Residing at the confluence of the Tennessee River and the Ohio River, Paducah will have you feeling as if you stepped back in time as you walk the streets of this Chicasaw village site. Discover Paducah’s rich history by exploring the Wall to Wall Mural Program, a collection of over 50 murals that covers a number of subjects including Native American history, the Civil War and area landmarks such as the Old Carnegie Library.

Paducah City Tour - Complimentary Excursion
Let our local guide take you through the quaint city of Paducah. This tour has been carefully divided into three distinct sections to make sure you experience all that Paducah has to offer. First, tour the downtown as our local expert guide points out the areas’ many historical sites. Then, take a leisurely stroll along the riverfront where you will witness more than 50 life-sized panoramic murals depicting elements of Paducah’s past. End the tour at the National Quilt Museum, the world's largest museum devoted to quilt and fiber art.

Art Demonstration Tour
Home to the nationally recognized Artist Relocation Program, Lowertown is situated just four blocks from the Ohio River and historic downtown Paducah. During this tour, you will visit the studios and galleries of Paducah’s resident artists. Here you will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on creative workshops, hear the artists’ personal stories and enjoy their works of art.

River Heritage Museum
Just a short distance from the ship’s docking location is the River Heritage Museum, where guests will learn all about the Four Rivers region. Explore state-of-the-art interactive exhibits such as the working lock and dam model and the pilothouse simulator which allows you test your skills and captain your own riverboat!

Day 4 Henderson, KY
You won’t miss the presence of notable resident, John James Audubon, who's “Birds of America” paintings are recreated in bronze statues throughout Henderson. Named after President Washington’s home on the Potomac, this bucolic river town is steeped in fascinating lore. Let our expert guide lead you on a tour of our famous first President's historic home and grounds.

Audubon Museum Tour - Complimentary Excursion
After docking in the tranquil port of Henderson, our morning will begin with a short narrated walk to the famous John James Audubon Museum. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, the museum features many original oil and watercolor paintings created by Audubon as well as many of his personal possessions. Your day will continue with the resident naturalist who will provide a narrated tour of the popular Nature Center, which was recently named one of the Top 25 Birdwatching Spots. At the conclusion of the tour, you’ll have free time for independent exploration.

Henderson Historic Walking Tour
At the end of the 19th century, Henderson was considered a major trading port due to its thriving dark tobacco export industry. The town’s prominence in the world market led to the construction of an increased number of extravagant homes. Discover the architectural ingenuity of these homes during a self-guided tour.

Day 5 Day of River Cruising
Sit back and enjoy the gentle sounds of the paddlewheel as it churns through the placid waters of the Ohio River. Delight in the picturesque, and ever-changing scenery as it passes by and experience the river as early explorers did centuries ago.

Day 6 Louisville, KY
Named after King Louis XVI of France, Louisville is best known for the famed Kentucky Derby, the first leg of the Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing. When you visit, you’ll also discover why Louisville is often referred to as either the northernmost Southern city or the southernmost Northern city in the United States.

Kentucky Derby Museum & Horse Park - Complimentary Excursion
Get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Churchill Downs, the site of the famed Kentucky Derby. Here, you’ll have exclusive access to every facet of the race, from the Press Box and Jockey’s Quarters, to Millionaire’s Row, the most coveted seats on race day. Visit the Kentucky Derby Museum to see actual Derby footage dating as far back as 1918.

Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory
Louisville Slugger is the maker of the world’s most popular bat. The company’s storied traditions and high standards for quality have produced some of the finest bats for amateurs and professionals alike. Enjoy a guided tour of the facility and museum, learning first-hand their processes from forest-to-factory and the scientific principles used to fabricate the most important tool in “America’s Game.” You’ll enjoy special seasonal exhibits, and even receive a free souvenir bat to commemorate your visit.

Jim Beam American Outpost
Bourbon enthusiasts will revel in a visit to the famous Jim Beam distillery. Celebrate “America’s First Family of Bourbon,” as you learn about their over 200 years of bourbon-making and view historic artifacts. Your private tour will include a visit to the home where three generations of Beam distillers lived. Step inside the Stillhouse Exhibit, which features an authentic 1800s copper still believed to be one of the oldest in America. Your tour will conclude in the rack house, where the bourbon is aged and the sampling begins. Visit the popular gift shop to purchase a variety of bourbons, bar ware, and other Jim Beam merchandise.

Day 7 Cincinnati, OH
As you disembark in Cincinnati, take some time to visit the numerous National Historic Sites via walking tours through Cincinnati’s oldest neighborhoods abounding in eclectic architecture. Visit the William Howard Taft National Historic Museum, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and Betts House.

Narrated City Tour - Complimentary Excursion
Explore both sides of the river on this fantastic, all-encompassing tour. Highlights include the floodwall murals, Eden Park, Downtown River District, Fountain Square and St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption, where you can admire the ornate stained-glass windows throughout.

Underground Railroad Freedom Center
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center celebrates the brave men and women who came together to create a secret network through which the enslaved could escape to freedom. From their example of courage, cooperation and perseverance, this center relates this uniquely American story to contemporary issues, inspiring everyone to take steps towards equality today. Discover a museum of American and African American history during a docent-led tour.

*Note: This tour is not offered by American Cruise Lines, but is recommended on cruises ending in Cincinnati, OH

Krohn Conservatory
Krohn Conservatory was built in 1933 in the heart of Eden Park. This art deco building is architecturally significant, but it’s the contents inside the aluminum and glass walls that make it truly special as it is home to more than 5,000 varieties of exotic, tropical, desert and orchid plants from around the world.

*Note: This tour is not offered by American Cruise Lines, but is recommended on cruises ending in Cincinnati, OH

Day 8 Maysville, KY
Maysville, KY is a quaint town on the Ohio River with a rich history. An important stop on the Underground Railroad, Maysville was host to Harriet Beecher Stowe in 1883. Your stop will include idyllic country scenery and the native sounds of original bluegrass country music.

Day 9 Day of River Cruising
Grab a good book and curl up in one of our spacious lounges as the Queen of the Mississippi makes its way down the Ohio River. Bird watchers and nature enthusiasts will find the Queen of the Mississippi's top deck to be the ideal location to identify different species of birds and other wildlife that call the Ohio River home.

Day 10 Marietta, OH
The second-largest city in the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna West Virginia-Ohio metropolitan area, Marietta was named in honor of Marie Antoinette. The town saw booming times during the 18th and 19th centuries, the city's economy was booming as its location on the Ohio River made it an attractive stop for commercial steamboats and travelers.

Day 11 Pittsburgh, PA
End your journey in the "steel city," Pittsburgh, PA. Long known for steel manufacturing, Pittsburgh was an essential stop along the Ohio River for national and international commerce making it a wealthy town in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Day 1: Arrive in Las Vegas

Welcome to glittering Las Vegas. On arrival at Las Vegas International Airport, your transfer will take you to your hotel. At 18:00, join your Travel Director and companions for a Welcome Dinner with wine at the award-winning Bacchanal Buffet.

Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.

Dinner with Wine

Day 2: The Wonders of the Grand Canyon

Journey on to Grand Canyon National Park. Choose to hike along the scenic Rim Trail with your Travel Director. Alternatively join a Local Expert, Canyon Tim, for a fascinating discussion on the wonders of this natural phenomenon, and learn about the local flora and fauna, and find out how you might be able to spot the local wildlife.

Grand Canyon National Park Lodge

Breakfast

Day 3: Grand Canyon and Lake Powell

Wake up to the backdrop of the Grand Canyon and enjoy some peace and tranquility before the day trippers arrive. You may take an optional flight-seeing helicopter ride for stunning views over the Grand Canyon before departing for the majesty of Lake Powell. Stop at Glen Canyon Dam to learn about its impact on the Colorado River before arriving at your lakefront resort. Check in to your room and enjoy the evening at leisure. Watch the sunset as you dine or relax by the pool.

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas.

Breakfast

Day 4: A Leisurely day at Lake Powell Relaxed Start

Spend the day doing entirely as you please. Perhaps join an optional float trip (signed liability waiver required) down one of the most scenic stretches of the Colorado River or take to the skies and see the sights of Lake Powell, Glen Canyon Dam, and Horseshoe Bend with a 20 Minute landing on Tower Butte. ​The incredible 360-degree panoramic view this high is unlike any other. In the evening, enjoy an authentic dinner and performance at Red Heritage, a Navajo owned and operated performing arts theatre.

Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 5: Monument Valley and the Navajo Nation

Journey on through the barren beauty of the desert to Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park, where you will MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®. Board a Jeep 4x4 to explore the valley with your Navajo guide. These sturdy all-terrain vehicles offer open sides for spectacular views and a roof to protect you from the sun. Learn about Navajo history from your guide and more about life on their beautiful land. The area is also the backdrop for many Western Hollywood hits, including "Stagecoach" and "Fort Apache." Inspired by these iconic movies, you’ll find “John Wayne’s cabin” at nearby Goulding’s Lodge. This small structure was used for exterior shots in "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon," starring Wayne himself. The venue also holds a cinema dedicated to Wayne and his impressive movie portfolio. Enjoy a Navajo cookout Highlight Lunch amid the giant buttes and mesas of this unique landscape before making your way to Mesa Verde National Park, where the day draws to a close. Your lodge inside the park offers sweeping vistas reaching into three states.

Far View Lodge, Mesa Verde.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner with Wine

Day 6: Mesa Verde and Moab

Enjoy a comprehensive visit to the fascinating Mesa Verde National Park. View the ancient pueblo dwellings known as Cliff Palace. Settle in for a relaxing stay at your modern hotel superbly located on the charming Main Street. Later, enjoy a Dine-Around evening and choose from a hand-picked selection of excellent restaurants.

Homewood Suites, Moab.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 7: Delve into Canyonlands and Arches National Parks

In the morning, visit Arches National Park, housing the greatest concentration of natural arches in the world. Stop and take a short hike to the Delicate Arch Viewpoint to view the iconic arch. Then it's on to Canyonlands National Park for a drive onto the Island in the Sky, a mesa resting 1,000 feet (305 metres) above the surrounding countryside, offering spectacular views over the dramatic sandstone formations. Back at the hotel, your evening is at leisure. Perhaps enjoy the outdoors or relax in this beautiful natural setting.

Homewood Suites, Moab.

Breakfast

Day 8: Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon National Parks

Magnificent scenery awaits at Capitol Reef National Park, best known for its Waterpocket Fold, a 100- mile-long (160 kilometre) warp in the earth's crust. Journey along scenic Byway 12 - one of the most beautiful roads in the world, winding through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. End the night at The Lodge inside Bryce Canyon National Park. Officially designated as a Dark Sky Park, brightly hued sunsets and starry nights are likely to be found here.

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon.

Breakfast

Day 9: Whimsical Bryce Canyon National Park Relaxed Start

Start the day traveling through Bryce Canyon National Park, the great natural Amphitheatre. These whimsical eroded rock formations that characterize this Utah National Park are some of most unusual shapes imaginable, having an abstract artistic feel to them. Learn how wind, erosion and iron oxidation created the spellbinding hoodoos with your Travel Director.  In the evening, join your fellow travelers for a memorable Celebration Dinner set overlooking the park's vivacious orange and red rock formations.

The Lodge at Bryce Canyon.

Breakfast, Dinner with Wine

Day 10: Zion National Park, back to Las Vegas

Enjoy a last look at Bryce Canyon, glowing in the early morning light. Head on to Zion National Park - one of the most scenic canyons in the United States. Here, join a guided tour by a private Zion Canyon Shuttle, with live commentary, and views of the park's best sites. Your journey ends with a departure transfer to Las Vegas International Airport, arriving at 16:00.

Breakfast