Louisiana holidays

Day 1 : Arrive New Orleans, Louisiana

Arrive into New Orleans early evening and enjoy a private transfer from the airport to your home for the next two nights at the Hilton Riverside.  In the evening take a stroll along the banks of the Mississippi River or enjoy an amble along lively Bourbon Street in the heart of the French Quarter.

Day 2 : New Orleans at leisure

Steeped in history and the influences of Europe, the Caribbean and Africa, New Orleans is a melting pot of culture, food and music. One of the best ways to experience the city is on foot. So, on your first full day in 'The Big Easy' we've included a two hour leisurely walking tour of the French Quarter. A local guide will lead you through the nooks and crannies of this fascinating place and tell you about the history of this unique part of the USA.

Bon Voyage would be delighted to make suggestions for tours, Cajun cookery lessons and pre-book restaurant reservations for you during your time in New Orleans.

Day 3 : Embark New Orleans

The American Queen will depart New Orleans early evening, so you have today to delve deeper into this southern city's colourful history. Stroll through the past and the present of this city on an intriguing cemetery tour, learn about the queen of Voodoo, Marie Laveau. Discover the birthplace of Jazz in historic Storyville, once the biggest Red Light district in the whole of the USA.

Once aboard the American Queen, you'll enjoy a festive welcome and farewell dinner.

Day 4 : Oak Alley, Louisiana

Today, you’ll visit Oak Alley planation home located on the Mississippi river in Saint James Parish. Considered the Grande Dame of the Great River Road, the grounds of this splendid home is full of 300 year-old oak trees and is a joy to explore. Here you’ll learn about the rich history of this iconic southern estate on a guided tour, complete with a refreshing Mint Julep cocktail to sip on as you stroll through the elegant rooms.

Day 5 : Natchez, Mississippi

Natchez is the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River and prior to the Civil War, over half of the millionaires in the entire United States lived here. They built elegant mansions unrivalled in size and elegance by any in the nation. Luckily, most of these splendid homes were spared during the Civil War, so today you can enjoy strolling around some of the most well preserved and architecturally stunning antebellum homes in the American South.

Your tour today around this oh-so quaint and refined town will take in Magnolia Hall, Stanton Hall, Rosalie Mansion and the William Johnson House. Before heading back to the American Queen there will be time for shopping opportunities in downtown Natchez, as well as a visit to the Natchez Association for the Preservation of Afro-American Culture Museum.

Day 6 : St Francisville, Louisiana

Next stop along Ol’ Man River is the quaint town of St Francisville located on the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Boasting over 140 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, St Francisville is your window to the past. Here you’ll enjoy a hop-on, hop-off tour of the city which will include visits to unique southern boutiques, museums and the Grace Episcopal Church. There will also be time for a coffee stop in Commerce Street and shopping at Spring Creek.

Day 7 : Vicksburg, Mississippi

Hospitality is alive and well and eagerly awaiting your arrival in the Red Carpet City of the South, Vicksburg. You'll discover the perfect blend of old and new south on the deluxe guided tour. Enjoy sights like the Church of The Holy Trinity, the Old Courthouse Museum and the Lower Mississippi River Museum. You'll love the shops and galleries in the historic downtown district and make time to view the 32 murals by artist Robert Dafford on Levee Street, depicting the history of Vicksburg.

Another must-do for history buffs is the 1,800 acre Vicksburg Military Park, one of America’s most monumental national military parks, where the fate of the nation was decided in 1863.

Day 8 : Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Your next stop, Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana is a seamless blend of the past and the present. On your tour of Baton Rouge, you will see something different at every turn. Start with a tour of the USS Kidd, a WW11 Fletcher-class destroyer. Then a visit to the Old Governor's Mansion, known as Lousiana's White House and on to the beautiful St Joseph Cathedral, built in 1853. Stroll along Main Street Market, where you can sample down-home Southern cooking, deep fried, of course. Be sure to stop by the Louisiana State Capitol building and enjoy a bird's-eye view of the Mississippi from the 27th floor observation deck.

Day 9 : Plantation Road, Louisiana

In its day the mighty Mississippi flowed past 400 homes along Plantation Road creating empires of wealth, icons of architecture, bastions or culture and legions of slaves. 

Day 10 : Disembark New Orleans

Disembark the American Queen after breakfast and transfer to the Hilton Riverside Hotel where you can store your luggage and enjoy free time in New Orleans, prior to your early afternoon flight back to the UK.

Your cruise ends here but your adventure doesn't have to. Perhaps you may decide to extend your stay and allow a few more days in Memphis or New Orleans or, if a music fan, maybe head over to Nashville and enjoy the home of Country music.

Call the USA travel specialists at Bon Voyage to discuss your perfect American Queen River Cruise - Lower Mississippi New Orleans Round Trip.