Mississippi River Cruise: St. Louis to St. Paul
About a week, nine states’ worth of river towns and some of the finest scenery on the river.
Get Upper Mississippi QuotesThe Mississippi River Cruise St. Louis to St. Paul, Town by Town
A Mississippi river cruise St. Louis to St. Paul covers roughly the upper half of the navigable river in about a week. Here are the landings you are most likely to see, south to north. Lines vary the list, so treat this as a guide to the possibilities rather than a fixed schedule.
| Stop | State | Known for |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis / Alton | MO / IL | The Gateway Arch and riverfront; Viking boards upriver at Alton |
| Hannibal | MO | Mark Twain’s boyhood town and the setting he used for Tom Sawyer |
| Burlington | IA | Snake Alley, a steep switchback brick street, and old river mansions |
| Quad Cities (Davenport) | IA / IL | Four cities facing each other across the river; Rock Island Arsenal |
| Dubuque | IA | The river museum and aquarium, and a funicular up the bluff |
| La Crosse | WI | Grandad Bluff views over three rivers and a lively downtown |
| Winona / Wabasha | MN | Bluff-top parks, and the eagle center at Wabasha |
| Red Wing | MN | Barn Bluff, Red Wing pottery and the boot company’s home town |
| St. Paul | MN | State capital, cathedral and the gateway to the Twin Cities |
Highlights Along the Way
Hannibal is the stop most passengers remember. The Mark Twain Boyhood Home & Museum preserves the white-fenced house, the Becky Thatcher house and several other buildings tied to Samuel Clemens, who went on to pilot steamboats on the Mississippi before he became a writer.
Dubuque is home to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, an affiliate of the Smithsonian, with river creatures, historic boats and exhibits on the people who worked the river. Allow a few hours if you are keen.
La Crosse and Red Wing sit where the valley is most dramatic. Climb, or ride, to a bluff-top lookout for the view the riverboat pilots used to steer by.
Arriving in St. Paul
Northbound cruises end in St. Paul, where the river turns through the heart of the Twin Cities. The federal Mississippi National River and Recreation Area protects 72 miles of river corridor here, with trails, visitor centers and the falls at St. Anthony in Minneapolis.
If you have a spare day, our sister guide Best of MSP covers the Twin Cities, and Twin Cities hotels on RoomsCheap lists places to stay. Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport is a short ride from the riverfront.
Pace of the Week
Distances between ports are short, so many days begin with an early arrival and a morning ashore, followed by an afternoon of scenic cruising. Expect at least one stretch where the boat passes several locks in a row, and an evening or two moored at a town where you can stroll the levee after dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Mississippi river cruise from St. Louis to St. Paul?
Usually eight days with seven or eight nights aboard. Some packages add a hotel night or a motorcoach transfer at one end.
Is it better to sail north or south?
It is mostly about flights and timing. Sailing north builds toward the highest bluffs and ends in the Twin Cities; sailing south finishes under the Arch. The ports are much the same either way.
Will every cruise stop in the same towns?
No. Each line picks its own ports, and the order changes with direction. Hannibal, the Quad Cities, Dubuque, La Crosse and Red Wing appear often, but always check the specific departure.
Find Your St. Louis to St. Paul Sailing
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise will check which towns each departure visits and quote the ones that fit.
Compare Sailings