Mississippi Riverboat Cruise

Day 1: Friday, July 7, 2017  Depart

All Happy Smiles board the coach in the Detroit area and travel West to Peoria, IL. Overnight at the Mark Twain Hotel.

Day 2:  Saturday, July 8, 2017 Peoria

This morning, enjoy breakfast aboard the Spirit of Peoria and depart for Clarksville, MO. In the afternoon, enjoy a “Build your own sandwich” Buffet on Main Deck as you cruise along the river. Live Piano, Vocal, Guitar/Banjo Music and Professional Riverlore will play throughout the afternoon along with an afternoon wine & cheese reception. Dinner will be aboard the Spirit of Peoria. After dinner, arrive at Meredosia Landing and motor coach to Springfield for the night. Overnight at the Abraham Lincoln Hotel. (B,L,D)

Day 3: Sunday, July 9, 2017 Springfield & Grafton

This morning, enjoy Breakfast at Abraham Lincoln Hotel. Step back in time as you tour the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, IL. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library is a dynamic institution with ever-expanding collections that are essential to understanding the history of Illinois and its most famous citizen, Abraham Lincoln.

This afternoon, enjoy a hot lunch buffet aboard the boat as you cruise along the river. Live Piano, Vocal, Guitar/Banjo Music and Professional Riverlore will play throughout the afternoon along with an afternoon snack. Enjoy dinner & evening entertainment aboard the Spirit of Peoria. Arrive at Grafton landing and overnight at the Pere Marquette Lodge. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Monday, July 10, 2017 Clarksville & Hannibal

Board buses for breakfast aboard the Spirit of Peoria and depart for Clarksville, MO. This afternoon, enjoy a hot lunch buffet aboard the boat as you cruise along the river. Live Piano, Vocal, Guitar/Banjo Music and Professional Riverlore will play throughout the afternoon along with an afternoon snack. Dinner will be aboard the Spirit of Peoria. After the boat docks in Clarksville, enjoy a scenic drive over to Hannibal where you will enjoy some free time in the evening. Perhaps best known as the boyhood home and inspiration for Mark Twain, Hannibal is home to the Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum, as well as other history museums where visitors can explore the rich past of this great river town. You’ll find tons of exciting attractions when you explore this historic river town! Walk the streets of Mark Twain’s boyhood home and see everything through his eyes and the eyes of famous characters like Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn. Overnight at the Best Western on the River. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Tuesday, July 11, 2017  Hannibal

Included hot Breakfast Buffet at the hotel. This morning, experience a guided bus tour of Hannibal. Aboard the Spirit of Peoria, enjoy a hot lunch buffet as you cruise along the river. Live Piano, Vocal, Guitar/Banjo Music and Professional Riverlore will play throughout the afternoon along with an afternoon snack. Dinner will be aboard the Spirit of Peoria.

Enjoy free time or choose an optional (included) guided tour of the Mark Twain cave and/or Cave Hollow West Winery. Mark Twain Cave is Missouri’s oldest show cave and boasts the status of being a national landmark. Experienced guides will escort you on a 60-minute tour of the cave where the walkways are smooth and there are no steps. The cave is not wheelchair accessible due to its natural state.  Mark Twain Cave stays a constant 52 degrees year round! A light jacket or sweater is recommended on the tours. Sensible walking shoes are suggested while you are on your tour. After your cave experience, sip some of Missouri’s finest wines and sample Missouri’s only cave-aged cheese at Hannibal’s newest winery, located at the Mark Twain Cave Complex. Overnight at the Best Western on the River. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Wednesday, July 12, 2017  Hannibal

Enjoy an included Breakfast at the hotel. Board buses for a tour of Mark Twain’s boyhood home and museum. It was the home of Samuel Langhorne Clemens from 1844 to 1853. Clemens, better known as author Mark Twain, found the inspiration for many of his stories, including the white picket fence, while living here. Enjoy Lunch and a show at the Historic Star Theatre. With a stage once graced by the likes of Amelia Erhart and Roy Rogers, the Star Theatre is a Hannibal landmark with a long, colorful history. After the show, board the motorcoach and travel to Champaign, IL to overnight at the Drury Inn. (B,L)

Day 7: Thursday, July 13, 2017  Return Home

After an included breakfast at the hotel, depart for home. (B)