Minneapolis / St. Paul - St. Louis - 9-Day Journey

Enjoy a trip to Norskedalen Nature and Heritage Center in Coon Valley, a short 45-minute drive. A Sons of Norway costumed step-on guide will explain about how Norwegian immigrants came and settled the area. He will describe the life of a settler and give other facts about early Norwegian life in the area.

At Norskedalen, watch a video, tour the Bekkum Homestead (Norwegian settler farm) and enjoy Norwegian pastries. Then settle back and be entertained by the Norskedalen Trio, a 3-piece band that plays traditional Scandinavian folk tunes laced with Ole and Lena jokes.

All shore excursions, prices, and information are subject to change without notice.

Transportation:

Included

Price:

$69.00

Duration:

4 hours

Tour Capacity:

110 guests

Discover Americana and the Midwest at their best: baseball, toy Chevrolets and apple pie.

Start your day by visiting the National Farm Toy Museum. Retrace and retread tractor history at this museum. With thousands of toys and exhibits scattered throughout its two-story exhibition space, the museum pays tribute to historic and contemporary crop contraptions. Fun-loving farm enthusiasts may peruse the museum's frenzy of farm implements, including trucks, pedal tractors and a life-size John Deere soil-sifter illustrating
scale. Miniature farm replicas convey to visitors the relative growth of American farming, and the increased size of farms themselves. See if you can find a Chevy!

Then it’s on to the iconic Field of Dreams. Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa—a place of fertile soil, traditional values and simple pleasure. At the century-old Lansing family farm, with its quaint, oh-so-recognizable house, baseball still ranks as a favorite pastime for all ages. What better place to carve a baseball diamond from a corn field and to make a movie about pursuing one's dream, no matter how much effort it takes?

Finally, we make a stop at Breitbach's, where everything is made fresh from scratch every day. Delicious homemade soups, salads and pies are prepared daily by Mike and Cindy and their staff. In fact, customers often buy soups, salads and desserts to take home. Apple pie, anyone?

All shore excursions, prices, and information are subject to change without notice.

Transportation:

Included

Price:

$69.00

Duration:

3 1/2 - 4 hours

Tour Capacity:

110 guests

Named One of America's Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust of Historic Preservation

Nestled in the rolling hills of northwest Illinois, Galena enchants visitors with historic sites and attractions, wonderful specialty shops and unlimited dining options.  Once larger than Chicago, Galena was a commercial center for mining and steamboating in the mid 1800’s.  During the Civil War, Galena gave the Union Army nine generals including Ulysses S. Grant, who later became the 18th President of the United States.  Enjoy a narrated historic trolley tour of Galena to see the Desoto House Hotel, the Old Market House and the Belvedere Mansion.  Conclude your visit with a guided tour of Grant’s Home before spending time in the restored downtown for shopping and dining.

All shore excursions, prices, and information are subject to change without notice.

Transportation:

Included

Price:

$49.00

Duration:

4 hours

Tour Capacity:

28 guests

The history of the Amana Colonies, a National Historic Landmark and one of America’s longest-lived communal societies, begins in 1714 in the villages of Germany and continues today on the Iowa prairie.

By working cooperatively and sharing their property, the community, now numbering some 1,200 people, was able to carve a relatively comfortable living. They called their community the Ebenezer Society and adopted a constitution that formalized their communal way of life.

Today we will explore these fascinating people and their community.  On our extensive tour led by one of the communal members, we will visit the Amana Colonies Heritage Museum, as well as several other historical sites.  We then will arrive for a traditional Amana family luncheon at the Ox Yoke Inn. After lunch, you will have free time to explore some of the other museums and shops that Amana has to offer.

All shore excursions, prices, and information are subject to change without notice.

Transportation:

Included

Price:

$89.00

Duration:

6 hours

Tour Capacity:

110 guests

Your experience begins as John Deere himself boards your Steamcoach to tell the story of his journey from New England to Moline. He will captivate you with this true American success story. Your first stop will be at the plow monument where his first factory was in Moline; from there, it’s just a short walk to the John Deere Pavilion.

Then he will personally take you to his family home, where you will enjoy a personal escorted tour. After the home tour, you will visit one of John Deere’s manufacturing facilities. You’ll be amazed at the technology that goes into making the world’s best farm equipment.

On our way back to the boat, you’ll make a sweet stop at Lagomarcino’s, a landmark since 1908, where you’ll be treated to their famous fudge sundae. Don’t forget to buy some candy for the rest of your journey!

All shore excursions, prices, and information are subject to change without notice.

Transportation:

Included

Price:

$59.00

Duration:

4 hours

Tour Capacity:

55 guests

Discovered by hunter Jack Sims in 1819, Mark Twain Cave has long been a favorite of visitors to Hannibal. Samuel Clemens explored the cave as a child and later, under the pen name Mark Twain, included it in five of his books. The cave became famous in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, where Tom and Becky get lost in the cave. Transportation will be provided by our Hop On-Hop Off Steamcoach.

All shore excursions, prices, and information are subject to change without notice.

Transportation:

Included

Price:

$13.00 additional

Duration:

3 ½ - 4 hours

Tour Capacity:

55 pax

Enjoy a tour of the Ayers Pottery shop and working studio where you will see unique pottery pieces created by a professional artist, followed by an introduction to basic wheel throwing from a master potter.

Then get ready to suit up and do it yourself! Head down to the workshop and become the artist as you sit at a potter's wheel and create your own work of art.

Your piece will be fired and shipped to your home as a final souvenir of your Hannibal adventure. Protective apron/suit will be provided, but keep in mind that creativity can be a messy business! Let your creative juices flow!

All shore excursions, prices, and information are subject to change without notice.

Transportation:

Included

Price:

$69.00 additional

Duration:

2-3 hours

Tour Capacity:

20 pax