Experience America’s Native Spirit with AQSC

As George Bernard Shaw famously opined, “Whiskey is liquid sunshine.”

For those who feel as Shaw did, the American Queen Steamboat Company offers two bourbon-themed cruises guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Cincinnati to Memphis (May 6-14, 2018)

Climb aboard the American Duchess for a nine-day cruise and get a behind-the-scenes look at Kentucky’s bourbon tradition on this sailing through America’s heartland. Passengers will delve into the history of how bourbon is made and learn how to distinguish the various characteristics that are unique to different distilleries.

The cruise begins in Cincinnati and departs for the quaint town of Madison, Indiana. This charming town is a prime example of Greek Revivalist architecture, and it offers a glimpse back in time.

Next stop is Louisville, Kentucky. As the largest in the state and one of the 30 most populous cities in the U.S., Louisville offers visitors a vibrant culture. Among the highlights are visits to the Kentucky Peerless Distilling Company and the Frazier History Museum. Passengers may also opt to tour Churchill Downs or take in the Kentucky Champion’s Experience (both premium shore excursions).

From Louisville, continue on to Brandenburg, Kentucky and pay a visit to the historic Fort Knox. The next day is spent enjoying the onboard amenities over the course of a day on the river. Paducah, Kentucky, is next on the itinerary and makes for an interesting day trip, due to its location at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers.

New Madrid, Missouri, is the next port-of-call and is sure to be a favorite, thanks to its charming small-town personality. The final day has passengers arriving in Memphis.

READ MORE: Cruise Your Way into Nashville

Memphis to Louisville (July 1-9, 2018)

The American Queen will be home for the duration of this nine-day cruise. The fun begins with two days in Memphis, where passengers can explore the birthplace of rock ‘n roll. No visit would be complete without excursions to such historic attractions as Beale Street, Graceland and Sun Studio.

Enjoy a full day of cruising, bourbon presentations and talks by special guest lecturers from Kentucky’s leading distilleries before arriving in Paducah, Kentucky. This charming town belies the fact that it’s home to the Moonshine Company where visitors can sample a little mash fresh from the still.

There's another day of river cruising before reaching Brandenburg, Kentucky, where travelers can enjoy the town’s natural beauty and the Brandenburg General George Patton Museum of Leadership before diving into the myriad wonders of the Jim Beam, Willett and Heaven Hill distilleries.

It’s off to Madison, Indiana, next, where passengers can explore the town’s history and culture through visits to a variety of museums and stately homes. Louisville is the final stop, and passengers can spend two full days sightseeing.

Be sure to check out American Queen Steamboat Company’s other themed cruises: Derby Cruise, The Mighty Mississippi, Holiday-Christmas Markets, Big Bang, Thanksgiving, New Year’s Celebration, the Civil War, Antebellum South, life on the Mississippi, the music of America and the 50’s and 60’s remembered.