No river in the United States is more storied or more iconic than the Mississippi, and for good reason. Central to its history are stories of the tales of rowboats and life on and off the river, which offered a way out for many who had never ventured beyond the confines of their small towns.
These municipalities dot the banks of the Big Muddy, clinging to its waters as if their survival depended on it – because they did. With its rushing water and impressive lock system, the Mighty Mississippi feeds life into businesses and provides a shipping route for the goods locals want to buy and sell.
Today, riverboat travel along the Mississippi River offers an opportunity to experience some of the same strong promise and allure of bustling cities and small towns that have been forgotten since the dawn of air travel.
As the newest cruise line to offer scenic tours on the Upper and Lower Mississippi with its Viking Mississippi ship, Viking offers a glimpse of life on this fascinating waterway. The brand also has excellent pre- and post-cruise extensions that allow you to continue your journey in the beautiful destinations the ship is visiting.
My recent Viking Mississippi trip began with a two-night cruise in St. Louis before being transferred to Alton, Illinois, where I boarded a ship and headed north. After Alton, the schedule allowed me to visit six towns along the river. They included Hannibal, Missouri; Burlington, Iowa; Quad Cities, Iowa; Dubuque, Iowa; La Crosse, Wisconsin; and Red Wing, Minnesota. Then the transfer took me to St. Paul for a two night cruise – a total of 12 days exploring the Midwest.
What I experienced was a healthy dose of small town America on an itinerary I didn’t even know I wanted. If, like me, you’ve always been in awe of the Mississippi, that’s why a Viking river cruise is the perfect way to discover this part of the US.
A trip to the small towns you never knew you wanted to visit
The lore of the Mighty Mississippi is great for history buffs. When I first looked at the ports between the start and end points, my first thought was “I’ve never heard of these places.” But after researching the beach vacation options, the fun began. I noticed that many travel destinations were made famous by famous names from agriculture (John Deere in Moline, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities) and literature (Mark Twain’s Tom). Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in Hannibal) went to the cinematic (Field of Dreams in Dyersville, Iowa, near Dubuque).
Viking’s list of shore excursions is impressive, with one free excursion included in each port. I tried two free tours and three paid ones. While the extra cost ones were much nicer and higher quality than the free ones, the recommended ones were still pretty good.
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My favorites include the $89 tour of the Anheuser-Busch brewery and museum in St. Louis, where I saw some of the famous Clydesdale horses; a $99 exit to see the original Field of Dreams, where the movie was filmed; and a free tour of the John Deere family mansion. All the tours provided a great view of life in the American heartland.
In places where I didn’t book tours or where the trip was short, I spent some time wandering around the city on my own. What I found was interesting: an old candy store and soda fountain in Hannibal, home of Mark Twain; delicious cheese curds in La Crosse; and the popular bookstore in Red Wing, where the store owners choose a book to give you on your first visit.
Lovely people – on shore and on board
What surprised me most about my trip to Viking Mississippi was that the people benefited me as much as the cities themselves did. Nothing could surpass the kindness I received at Alton, the port where I first embarked. During my two night hike, I ran out of dental floss and planned to pick it up the next day in Alton. It turns out that no shops in the city area sell it. You need to walk a few miles to find supermarkets, and be lucky to get an Uber or taxi in a town that size.
When I walked into a thrift store and asked the woman working with her if she knew where I could get them, she said no but offered to give me her flossers. (I refused.) I walked about 15 minutes to the Google store, but when the girl working the register told me they don’t carry floss, she handed me hers, pointing to its bases and explaining. that you carry it with you at all times. That kind of help-your-neighbor hospitality and charm are qualities you rarely find in big cities.
Then there’s Paul Sherman, a Dyersville native and former professional baseball player who was cast as one of the ghost players in “Field of Dreams.” He uses his role to raise money for charity and still wears the uniform on the field today, where you’ll find him ready to tour, chat with visitors, pose for pictures in the nearby cornfield and talk all things baseball, Kevin Costner and Ray Liotta (who, as Sherman will tell you, never played baseball in his life before filming).
However, the locals are not nice. The crew on board Viking Mississippi has its own fun characters. Tim, the cruise director, is full of dad jokes during the daily trivia, and Richard is the absolute wiz behind the Paps Bar in the Explorers’ Lounge.
If you smell a wonderful smell in the hallway near your cabin, it’s probably Michael, the room manager who is obsessed with Bath & Body Works fragrances. And don’t miss the chance to chat with waitstaff members Darrell, who is absolutely breathtaking in the morning, and Kindra, who can give you great recommendations for what to watch next on Netflix.
The benefits of a road trip — but off-road
Because some of these cities are very small, they do not have major airports, making them difficult to access. Aside from a few annual festivals — such as Hannibal’s Twain on Main, in celebration of author Mark Twain — that often draw visitors as part of one-city getaways, those riverside municipalities are often worth a road trip.
But what if you don’t have a car, don’t like driving or don’t want the hassle of planning road trips like where you live and how many days it will take you to get to your destination?
This is where the cruise comes in. You won’t have to worry about gas prices, finding the nearest rest stop to restock your snacks or finding a playlist that will suit everyone in the car. In Viking Mississippi, you can sit back and enjoy while someone else drives. Viking handles all the arrangements, including pre- and post-cruise stays, extending the trip by several days for those with vacation time to spare. Plus, all cabins have balconies, so you won’t have to miss a relaxing view to keep your eyes on the road.
A unique hybrid onboard vibe
If you’ve ever sailed on one of Viking’s ocean liners or one of its European river ships, you’ll know that the ambience on board is very Scandinavian, with a nod to Norwegian history. Same with Viking Mississippi. However, it offers a little twist.
Interspersed with Viking memorabilia, a display of traditional Norwegian clothing and a store selling Norwegian woolen sweaters are Mississippi references. Large maps of the river adorn the stairwell walls, along with larger-than-life quotes from Mark Twain’s novels including Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
While it may seem like an odd mix, it’s a way for passengers to enjoy the iconic Scandinavian line while still being reminded of the local features they’ll find along the coast.
Viking Mississippi flies the American flag and is American-owned, but you can still expect the refined, high-quality materials that are Viking’s signature — something that sets the line apart from its competition in the US market.
Amazing onboard service
After experiencing questionable service with a different US cruise line a few years prior to sailing with Viking Mississippi, I was pleased to find that Viking’s staff was excellent. Apart from some minor issues with the time between courses in the dining room, I was impressed with the professionalism of the staff.
Waitstaff and room stewards are consistently friendly and do their best to anticipate passengers’ needs. They handle special requests with ease and kindness, and seem genuinely happy to do their jobs – something that isn’t always the case in other lines.
When I cruised with another line, I found uncooked pancakes still running inside, and when I asked for a banana, the waitress who was attended to came back 15 minutes later to announce that she couldn’t find them. In contrast, at Viking Mississippi, my housekeeper left me extra washcloths because she saw that I used at least two a day, and one of the waiters at the River Cafe buffet saw me light up at the mention of coconut ice cream and brought me a dish for dessert before I had a chance to ask.
When you return from a busy day exploring the beach, you can expect a level of service that will leave you feeling pampered and ready to take on the adventure ahead.
Bottom line
Something special happens as you take in the still water from your cabin balcony and watch as the world slips by, but a cruise on the Mississippi River isn’t just about the onboard experience.
The Viking Mississippi tour starts and ends in cities, but the small towns along the way really make the experience memorable. From antique shops and local art and very friendly people to brands like John Deere and Red Wing Shoes that are like hard work, you will find many surprises during a cruise in the region. But, with Viking, you can also expect great service, comfortable accommodation and the opportunity to relax.
Want to learn more about Viking and Mississippi river cruises? We have this news for you.
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