Mississippi & Ohio River Explorer

Situated on the Chickasaw bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River, Memphis is revered for its blues music and barbecue. Some of the most famed names in blues, including B.B. King, got their start in Memphis, and the city has a well-deserved reputation as the home of this classic American music genre. Memphis is also celebrated for its culinary heritage and is renowned for its traditional barbecue restaurants serving flavorful dry rub ribs. Rich in history and culture, Memphis's many notable museums include the National Civil Rights Museum and Elvis Presley's Graceland.

The “Queen City of the South” is the birthplace of Memphis blues, popular in vaudeville shows of the early 20th century. With its strong trade in agricultural goods and other natural resources, it grew into one of the South's largest commercial centers. Memphis famously boasts a wealth of civil rights history, much of it along Beale Street and at the Lorraine Motel, site of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s assassination. It is also the home of Graceland, the mansion where Elvis Presley, “the King of Rock 'n' Roll,” lived.

The rich and varied landscape along the Mississippi River is characterized by wide floodplains, rocky outcroppings and sandy beaches nestled between fertile farmland and bustling bankside cities. Indigenous peoples used the river for thousands of years before Europeans began exploring the region during the 16th and 17th centuries. It became an important trade route during the 19th century, with the rise of steamboats and river commerce. Today, the river is an important ecological region, with diverse wildlife and habitats, including wetlands and forests.

Located at the confluence of the Tennessee and Ohio rivers, Paducah is one of Kentucky's hidden gems. A UNESCO Creative City, Paducah is famed for its preserved 19th-century architecture and historic buildings that line the main street. The city's Downtown streets are a delight to explore on foot. The National Quilt Museum houses a superb collection of contemporary style quilts by artists from around the globe. Paducah is also famed for its “Wall to Wall” murals, colorful paintings by different artists that document the heritage and history of the city and the region.

Nestled on the banks of the Ohio River, the natural landscapes of Henderson have been an inspiration for many of its residents, including the naturalist John James Audubon and blues musician W.C. Handy. Audubon State Park features a museum dedicated to the naturalist's work, while bronze sculptures inspired by his paintings can be found in the vibrant downtown area. Handy's legacy is celebrated annually alongside the city's barbecue tradition at the W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival, which has hosted performers, including Bill Monroe and Emmylou Harris.

Set on the south side of a deep bend in the Ohio River, Owensboro is considered by many to be the cultural and entertainment hub of western Kentucky. Its dedication to music is deeply rooted in its past. Bill Monroe, known as the “Father of Bluegrass,” was born and raised nearby, and the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum attracts visitors from around the world. Owensboro is also famed for its barbecue and distilleries; it is home to both an international barbecue festival and the Green River Distilling Company, one of the oldest distilleries in the state.

Renowned for its southern charm and rich history, Louisville is set along the Ohio River and is the largest city in the state of Kentucky. Perhaps best known as host city for the Kentucky Derby, one of the world's most prestigious horse races, the city attracts more than 150,000 visitors to the event annually as well as a television audience of millions across the globe. Beyond the racetrack, Louisville's sports heritage includes boxing. The city was the birthplace of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali and visitors can explore his legacy at the Muhammad Ali Center.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.