The greatest rivers in the U.S. are often best experienced on the water itself, instead of seeing them through a car windshield. Traveling by boat with one of the many river tour operators in the country gives tourists a greater opportunity to see the ecology of the river up close. They'll also experience many of the sensations that the first explorers saw as they navigated their way through uncharted waters.
Experience the Hudson River
- Accidentally discovered by explorer Henry Hudson in 1609, the Hudson River was once considered an inhospitable and dangerous journey by early explorers. Hundreds of years later, tourists can safely travel in river boats along the 300-plus miles of the river, to historic towns such as Troy, West Point and Peekskill. Cruising the Hudson River is an opportunity to learn about the historic Hudson River Valley, or simply sit back and relax in a tranquil environment. Tour operators on the Hudson River offer a variety of trip themes, including; New Orleans-style party and dance tours operating out of the town of Newburgh, military history tours leaving from the West Point Army Academy, or murder mystery and comedy tours originating from the state capital of Albany. Some tour operators offer multi-day trips spanning the length of the river, complete with lodging accommodations and dry land coach tours of different historic towns in the Hudson River Valley.Hudson River Cruises
hudsonriver.com/hudson-river-cruises
Cruise the Columbia River
- As one of the most important waterways in the Western U.S., the 1,200 mile long Columbia River travels through seven states and the Canadian province of British Columbia. The Columbia River Basin has 400 dams -- more than any single waterway in the world, all of which can generate more than 21 million kilowatts. There are many river cruise operators offering a variety of themes showcasing the Columbia's many uses. Popular cruise themes include wine and cuisine tours that highlight the fertile wine and farm regions of the Columbia River Gorge, as well as sport fishing tours seeking the region's world famous salmon, walleye, and sturgeon, among others.Columbia River Cruise West Adventure Cruises
cruisewest.net/pages/discovery.htmlColumbia River Fishing Guide
columbiariverfishingguide.com
Tour the Mississippi River
- The historic Mississippi River traverses through 10 different states, beginning in Minnesota's Lake Itasca at a depth of just three feet and ending 3,000 miles later in New Orleans, at a depth of approximately 200 feet. The types of cruises offered by tour operators are endless and include wildlife expeditions, gambling cruises, fishing tours and dinner jazz parties. One of the most popular cruises is offered on the Steamboat Natchez, the only authentic steamboat operating from New Orleans. This cruise offers jazz parties with regional cuisine specializing in seafood.Steamboat Natchez
steamboatnatchez.com
