America’s Great River

Experience small-town American life with a guided tour of this charming city. During your motor coach ride into town, listen as your onboard guide narrates the sites you will see. Call at the Des Moines County Heritage Center in the former Gothic Revival–style library—Iowa’s first free public library. Explore its exhibits and learn about the region’s agricultural history. Discover Burlington’s railroad heritage and its role today in one of North America’s largest railroads. Then, visit the Garrett-Phelps House Museum, an elegant Victorian home filled with antiques and textiles dating to 1774. Enroute back to your ship, stop at Snake Alley, named the world’s most crooked street by Ripley’s Believe It Or Not. This fascinating road is made of limestone and blue clay, to keep the slant to the outside, and features five half curves and two quarter curves.

Celebrate creativity, admire local artistry and try your hand at a painting project. After visiting a local artist’s studio to see the creative process in action, you will venture to the Art Center of Burlington. Located in the historic downtown area, the Art Center showcases the works of local, regional and international artists and craftspeople. Explore the gallery, with mediums including pottery, jewelry, painting, sculpture, woodwork, metalwork, photography and glasswork. Then, enjoy a guided watercolor pencil art session creating your choice of a Mississippi River or Snake Alley scene. Afterward, venture to the refurbished Capitol Theater, a community fixture for four decades before its closing in 1977. Here, take a tour, admiring its classic Art Deco architecture while learning more about Burlington’s booming art scene.

Learn the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) at this important early settlement. After facing opposition in Missouri, LDS Church founder, Joseph Smith and his followers settled in Nauvoo, “the Beautiful Place,” in 1839. It was a relatively peaceful town until 1844, when a local newspaper began printing highly critical material which led to the arrest of Smith and his brother, Hyrum. Nauvoo also came under siege and the residents fled westward; this exodus, on what became known as the Mormon Trail, led to the establishment of hundreds of cities in the West. While in Nauvoo, view the river from a scenic bluff and take a horse-drawn wagon ride as you tour the town's historic buildings to see frontier craftsmanship. Catch a short musical performance and admire the facade of the rebuilt Nauvoo Temple, before returning to your ship.

See how small-town farms can grow into a year-round industry by reaping the benefits of sustainable farming. Learn how Iowa’s sustainable farming practices support local economies and promote environmental stewardship. Meet the owners of Hinterland Dairy and discover their passion for ecological agriculture. Learn how they raise healthy cows; care for the land; and produce high-quality, 100% natural milk and cheese. Hinterland Dairy takes pride in the fact that their cattle are raised on feed produced right on the farm. Only non-GMO crops are grown here, using techniques that include cover cropping, no-tillage planting and diverse crop rotations. Continue to Harvestville Farm, where you will learn about its history and successful use of sustainable farming practices from its owner as you explore the grounds. Then, enjoy a homemade treat and beverage before returning to your ship.