Hearken back to a time when the average cost of a new car was $2,200 and the average American earned $5,010 per year. Gas was 25 cents a gallon, a loaf of bread would set you back all of 20 cents and you could head out to see the latest blockbuster for a dollar.
Turn on the radio and you might just hear Bill Haley "Rock(ing) Around the Clock," Elvis claiming to be "All Shook Up" or Fats Domino singing the virtues of "Blueberry Hill."
The legendary sounds of Motown and some of America's best-loved artists are evocative of the carefree, fun-loving days of the 50s and 60s. And what better way to relive them than on 'The 50s and 60s Remembered' cruise aboard the American Queen Steamboat Company?
Whether you personally miss those days or only know about them thanks to the magic of reruns of "Happy Days" and "Laverne and Shirley," the American Queen cruise will celebrate America's halcyon days as it takes passengers from Louisville to Alton (St. Louis) on a 9-day be-boppin journey.
Start in Louisville before embarking down the Ohio River on your way to Brandenburg, Kentucky. This peaceful community is an outdoor lover's paradise with two golf courses and endless opportunities for hunting and fishing. Visitors will enjoy learning about the town's role in the Civil War as well as an excursion to historic Fort Knox.
Next on the itinerary is Owensboro, Kentucky. It's the state's fourth-largest city and was named by Sports Illustrated Magazine as being the top sports town in the country, thanks to a wealth of sporting activities, sports complexes and a deep and abiding love for its numerous tournaments. Music lovers will want to swing by the International Bluegrass Music Museum, while art fans will enjoy time spent at the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art.
Continuing along through Kentucky, the next stop is Henderson, a former stop on the Mobile Railroad. Among the points of interest are the Depot Community Center, the Historic Henderson County Library, the John James Audubon Museum and the Audubon Mill Park.
Paducah is next on the itinerary. Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, this town is rich in history. Among the shore excursions is a trip to the National Quilt Museum; the Lowertown Arts District, known for its colorful revitalization; the Lloyd Tilghman House & Civil War Museum; the Paducah Railroad Museum, a must for train lovers; and the River Discovery Center.
[READMORE]READ MORE: St. Francisville, A Great Small Southern Town [/READMORE]
Cape Girardeau, Missouri, once inspired Mark Twain in his book "Life on the Mississippi," and Gen Ulysses S. Grant as he took over command of the Union Army. Today, it will inspire visitors with its charming riverfront and historic and cultural sites, including the Old St. Vincent's Church, the Cape River Heritage Museum and the Mississippi River Tales Mural, which depicts the city's rich history along a 1,100-foot mural.
Guests can enjoy the final days of their cruise with a series of spa treatments or simply sitting on deck and taking in the sites.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
