American River Cruises That Will Take You Back In Time

By Jennifer Brunton 

With their majestic beauty, rich history and cultural importance, America’s mighty rivers are some of our country’s greatest glories.

Did you know that your family can voyage along many of them by paddleboat, schooner or other craft, learning about our country’s history as you bask in their splendor?

Offering lectures, themed meals and demonstrations, these cruises will give you a glimpse into our nation’s past along with all the beauty you’d expect from a scenic tour.

The Columbia And Snake Rivers: Follow Sacagawea And Lewis And Clark’s Path 

When you cruise these Pacific Northwest rivers, you’ll likely pass some of the region’s iconic sights, such as Mount St. Helens and Mount Hood. Because much of the landscape is still so natural, you’ll witness it all in much the same way as the early explorers did.

In the early 19th century, the Lewis and Clark expedition traveled from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean, exploring and mapping the vast wilderness that became the western part of the United States. 

Led by the young Shoshone woman, Sacagawea, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark became the first non-indigenous explorers to cross the Rocky Mountains. In what became Oregon and Washington State, their group traveled along the Snake and Columbia Rivers. They eventually reached the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Columbia. Their trail includes many points of historical interest, and too many stunning vistas to count.

A variety of cruise options will let you follow in the path of these legendary explorers. They include UnCruise Adventures, which offers history-based excursions for the whole family.

The Hudson River: Get Educated About History And The Environment 

Stretching from New York City in the south all the way to the Adirondack Mountains in the north, the majestic Hudson River might have witnessed more history-making events than any other American river. Those include key Revolutionary War battles, the first voyage of Robert Fulton’s steamship and the capture of Benedict Arnold.  

The timeless beauty of this river might be best appreciated from the deck of the Rip Van Winkle, a riverboat that offers cruises out of the charming, small city of Kingston, New York. You’ll find Kingston about 85 miles up river from New York City.

Your family might also enjoy a sailing excursion on the Clearwater, a replica of the wooden cargo sloops that were common on the Hudson in centuries past. A ride on the Clearwater, which has as its mission raising environmental awareness, involves folk singalongs and lots of information from crewmembers about Hudson River ecology and history.  

The Ohio River: Travel A Key Route In America’s Westward Expansion 

Whether your interest lies in indigenous traditions, U.S. history or this region’s natural beauty, there’s an Ohio River journey for you.

The Iroquois called the Ohio River “O-Y-O,” meaning “the great river,” giving name not only to the river but to one of the states it borders.  

In the 1600s and 1700s, the river formed a natural boundary between mostly British immigrants to the south and Native people in the north. It later bore settlers seeking to try their luck in the West.

Today, the Ohio still flows for almost 1,000 enchanting miles, from Pittsburgh to Cairo, Illinois, where it meets up with the Mississippi. 

Try a history-rich paddle boat cruise out of St. Louis, or any number of other steamboat and cruise ship tours.  

The Mississippi River: Learn About The River That Shaped Our Nation 

No river has played a bigger role in U.S. history and in the development of the continent than the Mississippi.  

The rich soil along the Mississippi’s edges made it possible to grow food and other crops in the surrounding areas, leading to population growth and wealth. The river also enabled goods and people to travel long distances north and south through the heart of the continent. When Union forces gained control of the Mississippi, it was a turning point in the Civil War. 

You can cruise along this storied river in just about any type of sightseeing vessel. And there are many great choices for history buffs. Explore antebellum history on the paddlewheel-propelled American Duchess or follow Mark Twain’s trail on an American Queen steamboat. 

The Buffalo River And Erie Canal: Encounter Early Sources Of U.S. Prosperity 

The busy port town of Buffalo, New York, is an endpoint of the Buffalo River and the gateway to the northwestern end of the Erie Canal. It’s also a key player in shipping to this day, with over a century’s worth of interesting industrial and residential architecture along its banks.

Buffalo River History Tours offers a couple of narrated cruises on the river that made Buffalo one of the biggest and richest cities in the world a century ago. You’ll pass grand riverside structures that date to the Gilded Age as you learn more about the historical forces that shaped this unique area of the country. 

Further east, you can take a Living History Cruise that features the story of the Erie Canal and a visit to the home of Revolutionary War General Nicholas Herkimer.

Remarkable River Experiences

Whether you take a day cruise or opt for a longer jaunt, these tours will stretch your mind, amaze your eyes and enable you to imagine what life was like on America’s great rivers long ago.   

A former academic turned freelance writer and editor, Jennifer Brunton lives and works in Vermont.

This article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to provide medical or legal advice, or to indicate the availability or suitability of any product or service for your unique circumstances.

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