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Scenic River Tour

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 2 hours
• Cruise Ship Trip Distance: 40 miles

Relax & enjoy a scenic river cruise

Come enjoy a 40-mile scenic river tour and experience one of America’s great rivers.

Cruise the Ohio River where it can not be seen from a road.

Your Captain and crew will point out historic locations, share river stories and help spot wildlife like Bald Eagles, Blue Heron, Deer and maybe even a Bobcat.

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• Cruise Ship 155 miles
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2 Day Kentucky River Adventure

The 155 mile round trip two-day Kentucky River Adventure is the ultimate river experience and so much fun. Not another river tour like it anywhere.

• Cruise Ship 75 miles
• Hour Glass 5 hours

Midweek Lunch Excursion

Enjoy a 75 mile round trip 5 hour cruise on the Ohio River with a stop for  lunch at a river side restaurant near Louisville KY. Along the way hear amazing river stories and spot  Bald Eagles.  (Meal cost not included)

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7 Reasons A Stay On The World’s Largest Steamboat Is My Favorite U.S. Cruise

• Cruises and Sailing
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I have been on several cruises and travel adventures around the world, but recently, I’ve felt the need to focus on discovering great destinations closer to home. The U.S. is filled with countless experiences that travelers can unlock, and a river cruise offers the chance to see so many things in an efficient, hassle-free, and fun way.

Our summer cruise on the Ohio River took us from Pittsburgh to Louisville, and the itinerary included stops in Marietta, Ohio; Huntington, West Virginia; Augusta, Kentucky; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Madison, Indiana, before reaching Louisville.

I had been on voyages on the Mighty Mississippi River and even a couple in the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake rivers that traverse through Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. These itineraries are fairly well known, but I was fascinated to see what an Ohio River cruise was all about. I was happy to accept an invite from American Queen Voyages to review this special itinerary.

As it turns out, it’s filled with memorable experiences and a range of fun ways to spend your days. The best part about our trip, though, was how we got there. American Queen owns a special charm and an incredible river cruise program that makes it a favorite way to cruise within the U.S. Here’s why.

1. An Itinerary With Small Towns And Big Cities

Pittsburg, pennsylvania.

American Queen Voyages offers a pre-cruise hotel stay in Pittsburgh, and it was nice to explore the City of Bridges for a day. We had lunch at the famous Primanti Brothers, diving into our hearty sandwiches — complete with fries stuffed onto the pastrami between slices of Italian bread. And we washed it down with a couple of Iron City beers.

The embarkation pier for the riverboat sits at the doorstep of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ football stadium, making for a scenic sail away from the confluence of the three rivers (Ohio, Allegheny, and Monongahela).

Cincinnati, Ohio

The cruise also features a stop in Cincinnati and wraps up in Louisville, so travelers have opportunities to explore these interesting big cities and all they have to offer. We went for a bike ride on the riverfront, explored the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Museum, and had lunch and craft beers at Moerlein Lager House.

Louisville, Kentucky

In Louisville, cruisers can explore city highlights like the famed Churchill Downs (Kentucky Derby track) or the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory before catching flights back home.

These big cities are nice, but it’s the small towns that really make this trip shine. Residents gather along the banks of the river to cheer our arrival or give us a friendly sendoff each day. Each riverside destination, no matter how small, loves to show off its slice of American history and regional attractions, such as quirky museums, pretty churches, and, of course, its local shops and eateries.

Marietta, Ohio

In Marietta, Ohio, attractions included Mound Cemetery, one of the oldest in the original Northwest Territory, the Ohio River Museum, and the Childen’s Toy & Doll Museum.

Huntington, West Virginia

When I went ashore in Huntington, West Virginia, the hop-on, hop-off bus loop took us to the Touma Medical Museum, a delightful little open-air railroad museum (a yard filled with colorful old rail cars), Ritter Park Rose Garden, and the Marshall University Campus, which features a wonderful grounds filled with statues, sculptures, trees, and flowers.

Augusta, Kentucky

In Augusta, Kentucky, AQV passengers were able to walk just a few hundred steps from our spot on the river to explore the Rosemary Clooney Museum. This is the former home of actress, singer, and aunt to superstar George Clooney. Highlights of this charming town also include Bates Garden, the 1811 Jail, and Baker-Bird Winery.

Madison, Indiana

There was another railroad museum to see in Madison, Indiana, and the town also lists the Schroeder Saddletree Factory, the Broadway Fountain, and Lanier Mansion as top attractions for visitors to check out.

2. Enriching Entertainment

While each port stop features a variety of things for cruisers to explore, this fancy riverboat offers a daily program with a mix of musical performances, trivia competitions, movies, bingo, and variety shows. 

Music, trivia, and enrichment talks are held in American Queen’s majestic Grand Saloon theater space. During our cruise, we saw Phil Westbrook several times, as the singer and piano man performed a tribute to Frank Sinatra as well as entertained passengers at the intimate Captain’s Bar just outside the main J.M. White Dining Room.

We also dropped by the theater for shows by guitarist Logan Reeves and a song and dance variety production on TV theme songs from the American Queen Ensemble and the Steamboat Syncopators house band. The shows draw on plenty of nostalgia but definitely favor an era more familiar to cruisers 70 and older. However, the overall mood is quite fun.

A hip vibe can be found nightly at the Engine Room Bar, where the ship’s musicians get the crowd dancing with a great mix of blues and rock tunes.

3. Regionally Inspired Cuisine

The American Queen chefs kept us well-fed. Meals are served in the main dining room and in the casual eatery called the Front Porch, which offers wonderful views as you cruise on the river. When the weather is nice, it’s worth having at least one dinner outside there to enjoy the sunset and sailing.

The menu includes items like chicken fried steak, frog legs, and a variety of steak and fish preparations. The cuisine is more hearty than healthy, but you can find some fresh fruits and salads in the mix at the lunch buffets. We were always tempted by the mouth-watering selection of homemade pies and slices of chocolate cake set out each day at lunch. There always is a delicious soup, gumbo, or chili available, too.

If you need a snack, you can swing by the Front Porch for a bag of fresh popcorn, a couple of cookies, or a soft-serve ice cream cone or dish.

4. Set Your Own Pace

As a person who loves his daily workouts, I’m happy that a river cruise on American Queen makes it easy. Not only is there a well-equipped gym, but the ship carries a fleet of bikes. Colleen and I started several days with a run along the riverside trails through small towns or by grabbing a couple of bikes to go exploring independently.

In general, river cruising allows travelers the chance to explore on their own in a hassle-free way. It’s so easy to stroll onto and off of the ship at your leisure, and the towns and cities are mere steps away. You can go set your own schedule for the day if you’re not interested in rigorously following the ship excursion program.

Pro Tip: Ask crew members for their insight on nice places to eat or go shopping — or for their favorite places to get a coffee or craft brew. We received great insight from lead butler Adam, who is a coffee connoisseur and loves to find and frequent local cafes along all the river towns he visits.

5. Hop-On, Hop-Off Tours

American Queen Voyages provides a wonderful service in its hop-on, hop-off bus routes in each city and on each river itinerary that it operates. Passengers walk off the ship and straight onto waiting buses with clear signage at each stop along the route at the attractions in town.

Cruisers love being able to have peace of mind that they will see a nice mix of highlights in each port without worrying about transportation. You can get off at each spot or pick and choose what you are interested in on the loop.

6. Plenty Of Space Onboard

American Queen itself is an attraction. Built in 2012 and carrying up to 417 passengers, this is the largest steamship ever built. The décor takes you back in time to a golden era of steamship travel. The Grand Saloon resembles a 19th-century opera house with private boxes wrapped around the theater and hanging over the main level and the stage adorned with a large red curtain.

Chandeliers fill the main restaurant, rocking chairs line the railings on the front porch, and gingerbread ornamentation accents the staircases and stateroom patios of the bright white ship. The signature big red paddlewheel churns at the stern of the ship helping to power the voyage along the river.

American Queen features a large Mark Twain Gallery that serves as a reading room (with a small computer area). It’s outfitted with vintage lamps and antique chairs and all kinds of mementos of a bygone time, including river ship models, paintings, books, vases, and other collectibles.

There are two parlors at the very front of the ship ahead of the Main Twain Gallery, and these spots also are carefully decorated and ideal for working on puzzles, reading, or enjoying the river views while relaxing with friends.

7. Scenic Sailing

I found the periods of sailing from town to town one of the most relaxing and satisfying parts of this river cruise. It was fabulous to watch the world floating by, with the pretty evening sunsets, flowing waters, and subtle bends in the river. We would pass under a variety of bridge styles and see trains on adjacent tracks and tugboats pushing coal barges.

Cruisers also enjoyed the process of watching our big riverboat pass through the locks along the way.

Pro Tip: Make sure to head up to the top deck for sail aways each day. Crowds gather along the banks of the river to wave you off and wish you well on the journey. And one of the musicians will come out to play some tunes on the boat’s steam calliope. It’s a fun spectacle!

Related Reading:

• 9 Reasons You’ll Love A Princess Cruise In The Western Caribbean
• 7 Things People Always Forget To Take On A Cruise Plus 8 Things They Should Leave At Home
• I Just Sailed On Royal Caribbean With My Grandchildren — Here Are My 10 Key Tips

John loves to explore the world while prioritizing fitness and active adventures. He specializes in cruise travel, with more than 100 sailings of all types under his belt. His passion is deep exploration and connection. He loves talking sports and craft beer with people in every destination he visits. John has been a writer and travel journalist for more than 20 years, regularly contributing to top travel magazines and websites.

Grand Ohio River-American Heritage

Time to cruise east, leaving the familiar Mississippi behind for the Ohio River! Follow the history of the pioneers who kept pushing the boundaries of American identity in music, culture, architecture, and more. From St. Louis to Pittsburgh (or reverse), this Ohio River cruise will introduce you to the heartland of America. From the start of the cruise in St. Louis, you’ll pick up the rhythm of the river. The Queen of the Mississippi will continue that rhythm with the churning paddlewheel and joyful noise of the calliope! Journeying southeast, you’ll visit Paducah, where the Tennessee and Ohio Rivers come together. Where waters meet, so do people, making Paducah rich in history. Walk among the bronze ‘Birds of America’ statues in Henderson, based on the paintings of John James Audubon. Feel the spirit of the South alive in the northern Louisville. Walk through history along the river’s edge. Continue your 11-Day cruise northeast through ports of call in Ohio and Kentucky before disembarking in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Pittsburgh | Marietta | Maysville | Cincinnati | Louisville | Henderson | Paducah | Cape Girardeau | St. Louis

Cruise Details

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*Per person/double occupancy. Special single rates apply where listed. Excludes port fees. Itineraries may operate in reverse.

Your Itinerary

1 Pittsburgh, PA Welcome aboard the American Heritage! This itinerary includes a complimentary pre-cruise hotel stay in Pittsburgh!

2 Pittsburgh, PA Our ship docks near the famous point where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers join to begin the majestic Ohio River. As you cruise, delight in picturesque and ever-changing scenery, as early explorers did centuries ago.

3 Moundsville, WV Located along the banks of the Ohio River Moundsville, West Virginia offers a rich history. Deriving its name from the many Adena Indian burial mounds constructed here more than 2,000 years ago, the town is home to the largest conical burial mound in North America. Moundsville is a land of sacred pasts and promising futures, accented with quaint neighborhoods, and beautiful landscapes.

4 Marietta, OH Named for Marie Antoinette, Marietta shares a metropolitan area with Parkersburg and Vienna, West Virginia, with their location on the Ohio River making it a continually popular stop for tourists and steamboats.

5 Maysville, KY Maysville is a quaint town, surrounded by picturesque scenery with the sounds of bluegrass music on the wind!

6 Cincinnati, OH Cincinnati is a fascinating city, full of highlights to excite everyone. If you’re interested in history, you could visit the William Howard Taft National Historic Museum, or the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. If you’d rather experience natural wonders, take a tour of the Krohn Conservatory – an art deco building built in 1933 with more than 5000 varieties of plants from around the world. If you’re not sure what you want to see, start your day with the complimentary city tour to get a better understanding of the layout of Cincinnati, and an idea of where to go next.

7 Cincinnati, OH Spend a second day in this mesmerizing city. Explore The Cincinnati Museum Center, which encompasses history, science, and children's museums in the art deco Union Terminal. View picturesque Eden Park, home of the Cincinnati Art Museum, Playhouse in the Park, and Krohn Conservatory.

8 Louisville, KY Louisville – pronounced differently depending on where you’re from, but named for King Louis XVI of France and famously home to the Kentucky Derby! Louisville is home to the Louisville Slugger Museum and Factory, or you could visit nearby Clermont to tour the Jim Beam bourbon distillery.

9 Louisville, KY Take an excursion to the Kentucky Derby Museum and Horse Park, which has footage dating as far back as 1918.

10 Henderson, KY Notable Henderson resident, John James Audubon, has left a legacy of nature in town. His ‘Birds of America’ paintings have been recreated in bronze throughout town. The Audubon Museum Tour is complimentary on this cruise.

11 Evansville, IN Discover this delightful riverside city which is the perfect blend of modern and historic architecture. Evansville is home to Bally's Evansville, the state's first casino, as well as Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, one of the state’s oldest and largest zoos. Explore the area’s many museums and take time for shopping and strolling along the charming streets of this picturesque waterfront town

12 Paducah, KY Where rivers come together, so do people. At the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, you’ll find the building of history quite tangible. Walk through Paducah and remember the Chicasaw village which preceded the town. View the history through the Wall-to-Wall mural collection of more than 50 murals.

13 Day of Cruising Cruise from the Ohio River to the Mississippi River on your way to Cape Girardeau. Enjoy onboard activities such as trivia in the lounge or shuffleboard on the top deck. Or simply, relax on your private balcony and delight in the bucolic countryside and rolling river views.

14 Cape Girardeau, MO Perched on the western bank of the Mississippi River, Cape Girardeau is a town reminiscent of the days of pioneers, steamboats, and trading posts. You will feel as if you have stepped back in time, in this enchanting place which has been visited by the likes of Mark Twain, Lewis and Clark, and Ulysses S. Grant. Explore the impressive murals that decorate the historic downtown and chronicle its past and unique relationship with Ole Man River. Discover important Civil War sites and view a moving commemoration of the Cherokee’s forced migration along the Trail of Tears. Roam the quaint downtown and peruse the antique and specialty shops to find the perfect treasure to remember your visit

15 St. Louis, MO St. Louis is sure to win you over. Admire the scenic riverfront, highlighted by the majestic Gateway Arch, the largest man-made monument in the U.S. Enjoy St. Louis’ many world-class attractions, including the National Great Rivers Museum, which tells stories of the Mississippi River’s rich history, the people that rely on the river, and its many ecosystems.

16 St. Louis, MO End your journey in this unique city with frontier-town roots and Midwest modesty. On your travels home, reflect upon your many wonderful adventures, or choose to explore more in the Gateway to the West.

Map & Gallery

Cabin Categories

*Prices may vary due to seasonality

Onboard Experience

The American Cruise Line fleet of ships are the newest and most environmentally friendly small ships in the US. The cruise line prides itself on their hospitable staff, and that you’ll be graciously received no matter which ship you cruise on. The large staterooms with interior entrances ensure you have a relaxed, private area to watch the river from, or visit any of the many onboard lounges. Daily entertainment will be brought onboard, including musicians, historians and naturalists.

Regionally-Inspired Menus

American Cruise Lines uses fresh, local ingredients to show off the culinary glory of the region you’re cruising in. On the Mississippi River, that could mean Andouille Gumbo, a po’boy with red beans and rice, and bourbon pecan pie. In New England, you could find Littleneck clam ceviche on the menu followed by a spiced apple pudding with maple whipped cream. In the Pacific Northwest, you’ll find fresh fish on the menu, including shrimp bisque or Dungeness Crab cake, and a marionberry cheesecake that’ll make your mouth water! Your ship will provide you with a list of all the locally-sourced ingredients when you unpack.

Eagle Society

Once you’ve cruised aboard any American Cruise Line ship, you are an Eagle Society member. It’s free to be a member, but your loyalty to American Cruise Lines is greatly rewarded. You’ll receive Eagle Society luggage tags, and member-only gifts when you board each cruise. After 3 cruises, you’ll receive complimentary premium shore excursions. After 10 cruises, you’ll get a complimentary 11th cruise. There are special Eagle Society cruise dates every year. Plus all Eagle Society member benefits can be used when booking with USA River Cruises, plus you’ll still be eligible for our loyal customer benefits as well.

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Signature Cruises

Experience Cincinnati and the Ohio River like never before and unwind on a day or evening cruise aboard one of the magnificent BB Riverboats. We aren’t your typical cruise company. Choose from a wide variety of our signature cruises, Read More all of which include a fully stocked bar and delicious food from our buffet. Plan a date night with your loved one on our Stonebrook Winery Sunset Cruise, relax the day away with friends on our Captains’ Lunch Cruise, or bring the kids and have some family fun and bonding on our Sunday Family Dinner Cruise. Our Signature, or Specialty Cruises are offered daily throughout the season. Read Less

Specialty Cruises

Are you looking for a unique and memorable way to spend an afternoon or evening in Cincinnati? BB Riverboats cruises have plenty of options for you, whether you're looking for family fun during the day, or a way to spend an evening with friends that you'll never forget. Read More Join the excitement and take an adventure on one of our themed dinner cruises. These riverboat cruises are designed for all tastes and interests. Bring your kids to a Princess, Pirate, or Super Hero Cruise; take your husband or wife to sightsee along the Ohio River; or grab your friends and listen to live music. For a fun guy’s night out, we offer a Bernstein’s Batch Bourbon Dinner Cruise; and for the ladies, a Girl’s Night Out with Pure Romance Cruise. Tasty cocktails at our full bar and exciting entertainment compliment all cruises. Read Less

Holiday Cruises

Are you looking for a fun way to spend the summer holidays with family and loved ones? Forget the movie theatre or dinner at a boring restaurant and come aboard one of our lavish Riverboats to sail on the mighty Ohio. Read More Spend Father's Day, July 4th or Labor Day on a boat cruise that is sure to be one of the highlights of your summer! Our dinner cruises travel along the Ohio River and give you the greatest of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky sightseeing. Whether it is dining at our extensive buffet, sipping cocktails at our full bar, or busting out your best moves on our dance floor, you are sure to make memories your family and friends will cherish forever. Read Less

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There is nothing more important than the well-being of our customers and crew. Learn more about the steps we’re taking to make sure your BB experience is safe and enjoyable.

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Why travel with adventure life, recognized by.

Here's why these canoers are making a 250-mile voyage down the Ohio River

C anoes manned by a group of river enthusiasts made a stop in Cincinnati on Thursday, five days into an extensive journey down the Ohio River.  

The voyage, called the Ohio River Way Challenge, is taking a team of paddlers on a 250-mile trip from Portsmouth, Ohio, to Louisville, Kentucky in an effort to highlight the beauty of the river and the towns along its banks.  

Who are the travelers? 

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The challenge is named after Ohio River Way, a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing communities along the Ohio River and taking advantage of its opportunities for recreation.  

A group of volunteers are leading the expedition, and sponsors enabled students from the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville, Shawnee State University and Western Kentucky University to tag along, according to Forest Clevenger, an Ohio River Way spokesperson 

The trip is taking place over a 10-day span, and students from the various universities are hopping aboard for increments along the way. Students and faculty members from the University of Kentucky were on board for the last three days and disembarked in Cincinnati to return to Lexington.  

Those students were interns for Community and Economic Development Initiative of Kentucky . Their program is focused on revitalizing the waterfront in Maysville, Kentucky.  

“Our job is to going to be: go into their community, figure out what the people their want, what they value, and then help them draft up some ideas,” University of Kentucky student Sylvie Eckel said of the program’s partnership with Maysville.  

Why are they doing this? 

This year’s Ohio River Way Challenge comes as advocacy increases to improve the river’s conditions and encourage activity on the river. 

Ohio River Way holds this challenge annually, but the anticipation surrounding this year’s is tied to a major goal: earning the Ohio River National Water Trail designation . 

Ohio River Way is seeking the designation for a stretch of the Ohio River from Ironton, Ohio to West Point, Kentucky, according to Brewster Rhoads, the nonprofit's chair. The 250-mile stretch of river being traversed for the challenge constitutes a significant portion of that length. 

National Water Trails fall under the National Recreation Trails Program and receive a blend of support from federal, state, local and nonprofit entities to conserve the water system and boost access to recreation along waterways, according to the National Parks Service .  

“We believe it can be a national destination,” Clevenger said. “We are working with our communities here to build out the amenities to make that possible,” he said.  

There are 36 National Water Trails, according to the online trail finder . 

In 2023, the Ohio River was named among the most endangered rivers in America by American Rivers, an organization that works to reduce river pollution and protect their ecosystems. When announcing the river’s placement on the list, American Rivers called on Congress to designate the river as a protected water system and to commit funding to ensure safe drinking water and support the river’s ecosystems.

Paddlers make stop in Cincinnati

The paddlers are setting up camp in a new river town each day of their 10-day journey. They arrived in Cincinnati at the Ohio River Launch Club in East End on Thursday morning after staying Wednesday night at the Thomas More University Biology Field Station.  

Several public figures spoke at the visit about projects to encourage activity on and by the river, including Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus, City Councilmember Mark Jeffreys and Ohio Sen. Catherine Ingram, who represents the 9th Senate District.

One project discussed by Cincinnati Parks Director Jason Barron regarded the addition of a canoe launch at Smale Park in Downtown.  

Erosion at the park is forcing Cincinnati Parks to reinforce a 2.75- to 3-acre patch along the shoreline to prevent the situation from worsening, Barron previously told The Enquirer . Parks is working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to design a solution.  

Public feedback about the project sparked the idea to add a spot for people to access the water with paddleboats, Barron said.  

“There’ll be a spot where if you were to park in one of the Bengals' tailgating lots, you could car your canoe down, you can enter the river there,” Barron added.  

After a brief stop, the paddlers continued to Gilday Riverside Park where they’re slated to stay Thursday evening.

Where else are the paddlers stopping? 

Cincinnati marked the halfway point of the 10-day trip. See the traveler’s remaining itinerary below:

• June 6: Stay in Cincinnati 
• June 7: Stay in Rising Sun 
• June 8: Stay in Vevay 
• June 9: Stay at Payne Hollow with dinner in Madison 
• June 10: Stay at 18 Mile Island with dinner in Westport 
• June 11: Arrive in Louisville 

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Here's why these canoers are making a 250-mile voyage down the Ohio River