7 Incredible River Cruises You Can Only Take In Illinois
By Elizabeth Crozier|Published April 16, 2017
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Elizabeth Crozier
Author
An Illinois transplant who grew up and went to school in Indiana for 22 years, Elizabeth holds a BFA in creative writing and has enjoyed traveling across the country and parts of Europe. She has visited half of the states, as well as parts of Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, and regularly travels home to the Hoosier State to see friends and family. With more than five years of writing experience, Elizabeth’s articles have been featured on several websites, and her poetry and short stories have been published in multiple literary journals.
When most people think of a cruise, they think of life on the open ocean, but you can get a boating experience just as good, if not better, right here in Illinois.
Travel the rivers the way Mark Twain used to as you wind up and down the Mississippi River or make your way through one of the greatest cities in the U.S. on the Chicago River. From riverboats to yachts, and day trips to extended excursions, you can travel nearly the entire state by waterway.
Stationed in Moline, this riverboat cruising experience is available for lunch or dinner and often includes a narrated tour of the Mississippi River. The interior may be stunning, but don't forget to enjoy those amazing views.
Enjoy gorgeous state rooms, dining rooms, and hangouts on deck aboard the America Queen. It runs the length of the Mississippi River making stops in Illinois along the way.
As part of Chicago's architecture tours, you can see the city like never before on Chicago's First Lady. Enjoy both daytime and twilight tours along the Chicago River.
Climb aboard the Hakuna Matata River Rambler cruise, a 49-passenger excursion with themes like sunset or wine. From spring through fall, you can even plan a private event on this Mississippi River cruise. Pictured above is the beautiful Grafton Harbor.
Cruise along the scenic Fox River and enjoy the wonder of the nature preserve. All cruises leave from Pottawatomie Park and may be rented for private events. The ocean has nothing on these stunning river views.
