No river in the United States is more storied or iconic than the Mississippi, and for good reason. Its history is full of stories of paddlewheel boats and life on and along the river, which promised a way for many who had never ventured beyond the borders of their own small towns.
These municipalities dot the banks of the Big Muddy, hanging on its waters as if their existence depended on it—because it does. With its rushing currents and impressive lock system, the Mighty Mississippi breathes life into businesses and provides a transportation route for shipping goods that locals want to both buy and sell.
Today, a river cruise along the Mississippi offers the opportunity to experience the same enduring promise and charm of bustling cities and small towns that have been forgotten since the dawn of air travel.
As the newest cruise line to offer amazing tours on the Upper and Lower Mississippi aboard its Viking Mississippi ship, Viking offers a glimpse into life on this fascinating waterway. The brand also has fabulous pre- and post-cruise extensions that allow you to continue your journey to the amazing destinations the ship visits.
My recent Viking Mississippi voyage began with a two-night precruise stay in St. Louis before transferring to Alton, Illinois, where I boarded the ship for the trip north. After Alton, the schedule had me visiting six different riverside towns. They include 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 postcruise stay—12 days in total of exploring the Midwest.
What I experienced was a healthy dose of small-town Americana on an itinerary I didn’t even know I wanted. If, like me, you’ve always been fascinated by the Mississippi, here’s why a Viking River Cruise is a great way to experience this part of the US.
Itinerary of small towns you didn’t know you wanted to visit
A lore of the Mighty Mississippi is great for history buffs. When I initially saw the ports between the starting and ending points, my first thought was “I’ve never heard of these places.” But after exploring shore excursion options, the excitement began. I realized that many travel destinations were made famous by iconic names that ranged from agricultural (John Deere in Moline, Illinois, one of the Quad Cities) to literary (Mark Twain’s Tom). Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in Hannibal) to cinematic (Field of Dreams near Dubuque in Dyersville, Iowa).
Viking’s list of shore excursions is impressive, including one free excursion in each port. I tried two free tours and three add-fee tours. Although the premium prices were better and higher quality than the free ones, the complimentary ones were great.
Daily newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily Newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for the latest news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
My favorites include an $89 visit to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Museum in St. Louis, where I saw some of the famous Clydesdale horses; a $99 excursion to see the actual Field of Dreams, where the movie was filmed; and a free trip to visit the John Deere family mansions. All the tours provided a beautiful glimpse of life in America’s heartland.
In places where I didn’t book tours or where the tours were short, I spent some time walking around the city on my own. What I found was delightful: Mark Twain’s house, an old-time candy store and soda fountain in Hannibal; Delicious Cheese Curds in La Crosse; and a unique bookstore in Red Wing, where shoppers choose a book to gift you on your first visit.
Lovely people – ashore and on board
What surprised me most about my Viking Mississippi trip was that the people won me over as much as the towns did. Nothing excelled the kindness I found at Alton, the port where I first embarked. During my two-night precruise stay, I ran out of dental floss and planned to pick up some in Alton the next day. As it turns out, there are no stores in the downtown area that sell them. You need to travel several miles to find large stores, and good luck finding an Uber or taxi in a city that size.
When I went to a boutique thrift shop and asked the woman working if she knew where I could find some, she said she didn’t but offered to give me some of her own flossers. I refuse that she keeps it with her all the time. That kind of help-your-neighbor hospitality and charm are qualities you don’t find in big cities.
And 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 funds for charities and even today wears the uniform on the field, where you can find him giving tours, chatting with visitors, posing for photos in nearby cornfields and talking about all things baseball, Kevin Costner and Ray Liotta (who, as Sherman will tell you, never played baseball in his life before shooting the movie).
However, it’s not just the locals who are great. The crew on board the Viking Mississippi has its own cast of delightful characters. Tim, the cruise director, is full of dad jokes during daily trivia, and Richard is an absolute whiz behind the Pep’s bar in the Explorers Lounge.
If you smell something wonderful in the hallway near your cabin, it’s probably Michael, the room steward who is obsessed with the scent of Bath and Body Works. And don’t miss the chance to chat with waitstaff members Darrell, who is a perfect breath of fresh air 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 without the road
Because some of these towns are so small, they don’t have major airports, making them difficult to reach. Aside from a handful of annual festivals — such as Hannibal’s Twain on Main, celebrating author Mark Twain — that attract tourists as part of one-town getaways, this riverside municipality is often best suited for road trips.
But what if you don’t have a car, don’t like driving, or don’t want the hassle of planning road trip logistics like where to stop and how many days it will take you to get to where you’re going?
There comes a cruise. You don’t have to worry about the price of gas, finding the nearest rest stop to replenish your snacks, or finding a playlist that suits everyone in the car. On the Viking Mississippi, you can sit back and enjoy while someone else does the driving. Viking handles all logistics, including pre- and post-cruise accommodations, extending the trip by several days for those with vacation time to spare. Plus, every cabin has a balcony, so you won’t miss a relaxing view to keep your eyes on the road.
A unique hybrid onboard vibe
If you’ve cruised on one of Viking’s ocean ships or one of its European river ships, you’ll know that the atmosphere on board is remarkably Scandinavian, a nod to the line’s Norwegian heritage. It is similar to Viking Mississippi. However, it offers a little twist.
Mixed with Viking memorabilia, traditional Norwegian dress displays and an onboard shop that sells Norwegian wool sweaters are references to the Mississippi. Large maps of the river adorn the stairwell walls, along with larger-than-life quotes from Mark Twain novels featuring Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.
Although it may seem like an odd mix, it’s a way for passengers to enjoy the line’s hallmark Scandinavian elegance while still being reminded of the local elements they can experience ashore.
Viking Mississippi flies the American flag and is crewed by Americans, but you can still expect the refined, upscale elements that are the Viking signature – something that sets the line apart from its competition in the US market.
Fantastic onboard service
After experiencing questionable service with a different US river cruise line a few years ago while sailing with Viking Mississippi, I was pleased to find that Viking’s staff is excellent. Apart from a few minor issues with timing between food courses in the dining room, I was impressed with the professionalism of the crew.
Waitstaff and room stewards are consistently friendly and go out of their way to anticipate passenger needs. They handle special requests with ease and grace, and seem genuinely happy to do their jobs – something that doesn’t always happen on other lines.
When I sailed with another cruise line, I got undercooked pancakes that were still runny inside, and when I asked for a banana, the annoyed waiter came back 15 minutes later to announce that he couldn’t find it. By contrast, on the Viking Mississippi, my cabin attendant left extra clothes for me because she saw I used at least two a day, and a waiter at the River Cafe buffet saw me light up at the mention of coconut ice cream and brought me one. A dish for dessert before I had a chance to ask.
When you return from a busy day of coastal exploration, you can expect a level of service that will leave you feeling pampered and ready for the adventures ahead.
The bottom line
Something special happens when you take in the calm rush of the water from your cabin balcony and watch the world go by, but a river cruise on the Mississippi isn’t just about the onboard experience.
Viking Mississippi itineraries start and end in cities, but it’s the small towns along the way that really make the experience memorable. From antique stores and local art and super-friendly people to brands like John Deere and Red Wing Shoes that are synonymous with hard work, you’ll find plenty of surprises on a trip to 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’ve got you covered with these stories.