8 Night Cincinnati to Nashville Cruise and Land Tour from Cincinnati

Enjoy your complimentary stay at the pre-cruise hotel. The evening is yours to become acquainted with the city. For your convenience, our Hospitality Desk will be located in the hotel, and our friendly staff can assist with everything from general questions about your upcoming voyage to reserving premium experiences. Representatives from American Queen Voyages and our local port/city partner will be available to provide you with dining, entertainment, and sightseeing options to maximize your time here.

If there was ever a city built upon a river, it is Cincinnati. First the Ohio River and then the Erie Canal opened this fast-growing trade and transport center, with major manufacturing ports to the south and east. Like most early American settlements, Cincinnati began life as a trading post along the Ohio River. In 1802, it was formed as a village, later becoming a city in 1819. Two major events helped to shape its future - the arrival of steam navigation for boats along the Ohio River and the completion of the Miami and Erie Canal in 1827. The mid-1800s were the boom years and Cincinnati's population swelled due to easy access via the river and canal network. When the railroad finally made its way to Cincinnati in 1836, the city's trading prospects expanded even further. The Little Miami Railroad offered new access to Lake Erie's ports on Sandusky Bay, as well as another major river for navigation. The prosperity that followed allowed Cincinnati to build its first streetcar system and by 1872, the entire city was laid out for public transportation. Take a stroll through Cincinnati - the birthplace of baseball and its own distinctive chili recipe. Bound by the many parks; each district has its own personality, and you can meet them all - because the city's compact downtown is anchored to the river. As the expansive riverfront continues its facelift known as The Banks, it's apparent that Cincinnati's next chapter in history will be just as successful as its past ones.

Tucked away between Cincinnati and Louisville is Madison, Indiana, a quaint river town rich in character. This charismatic port flaunts its personality throughout the streets, where a 133-block historic district showcases its collection of classic architectural artistry. Admire the antique machinery at the Schroeder House, or an example of fine craftsmanship at the Lanier Mansion State Historic Site. The downtown shopping district is a unique showcase of unbeatable hospitality, with each shop locally owned and operated. Madison's heritage is woven into every stop, ensuring a glimpse of beauty and history. Madison, Indiana, was founded in 1809 along the Ohio River. The city was bursting with commerce, had a very active steamboat port, and was home to Indiana's first railroad. Due to its unique location and transportation infrastructure, Madison was primed to be a link on the Underground Railroad. The neighborhood area known as "Georgetown" (which includes the African Methodist Episcopal Church) was designated in 2004 as the only Network to Freedom district. Four of the 11 sites listed for the Indiana Network to Freedom are in the Madison area. Construction began on the Madison Indianapolis & Lafayette Railroad in late 1836. It became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad system in 1921. The economic growth of Madison slowed. In 1924, the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Madison was established to aid business retention and expansion efforts. Madison now has the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark District in the country and features major architectural styles from the nineteenth and early twentieth century.

This authentically quirky port is a muse to artisans of mixed mediums - from sidewalk chalk to street fare, and home to cultural diversity that quickly captivates the heart of visitors. Named for King Louis XVI of France in appreciation for his assistance during the Revolutionary War, Louisville was founded by George Rogers Clark in 1778. While its initial growth was slow, the advent of the steamboat in the early 1800s sparked booming industrial development, and by 1830, Louisville had secured its place as the largest city in Kentucky. Visit the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, with its 120-foot statue that towers over the city. Order an old fashioned cocktail, according to local lore made better here than anywhere. The cocktail is made by muddling sugar with bitters and water, adding Bourbon, and garnishing with an orange slice or zest and a cocktail cherry. While Bourbon is a spirit that anchors the drink, it's also a "spirit" that defines the vibe Louisville - a city that combines authenticity with originality and heritage with innovation, in a way that's completely foreign to the South. From boundary pushing twists on Southern cuisine that made Louisville one of the "10 Best New Food Cities" in America to the one and only Urban Bourbon Experience, featuring the world's only, city-wide trail filled with micro-distilleries, exhibits, and craft cocktail destinations celebrating America's only native spirit. Other sites of interest include the legendary Churchill Downs - home of the Kentucky Derby, and the Muhammad Ali Center, the late boxer's hometown.

Brandenburg highlights everything that's great about rural living, but with all the benefits and amenities offered by larger urban settings. Here you can find history, entertainment, scenery, and culture. From Otter Creek Outdoor Recreation Area's walking trails, fly fishing for trout and to scenic views of the Ohio River, from hiking a woodland trail to a bluegrass concert at Riverfront Park, from a morning of antique shopping to an afternoon on a perfectly groomed golf course, from an old-fashioned country fair to a classic car show. The essence of Kentucky radiates, from its bourbon traditions to a tableau of rolling farmland. Mysteries of the Civil War enlist lifelong learners on the battlefield while sprawling parks and trails make way for recreation. For over ten thousand years, Native Americans were drawn to Brandenburg and Meade County because of the river, abundant game, fish nuts, berries, and ground for planting corn, and especially, a high-quality flint. The fact that they lived here at different periods is evidenced by the artifacts, burial grounds, and shell mounds found along the riverfront. Although many artifacts have been sold to domestic and international collectors, a movement has begun to honor this heritage with a museum. It is a subject of debate as to who the early settlers were, however, it is recognized that the Native Americans here were closely related to the Cherokee and Shawnee tribes. Given the large number of years (10,000 to 12,000), it is likely that the tribes were mixed across the centuries.

Greetings from Henderson, Kentucky - a walkable community wrapped in warmth. Since 1797, this port on the banks of the beautiful Ohio River has inspired commerce and influenced two world-renowned artists who turned life into beauty, art, commerce, and success. Ornithologist John James Audubon and famous blues musician W.C. Handy both once called Henderson home. Audubon spent time here in the 1800s studying and painting the birds that travel through this area on their migratory routes. His namesake museum offers a permanent collection of artwork and exhibits, as well as a downstairs gallery of rotating exhibits, including wildlife photography and paintings by local and regional artists. At the end of the 19th century, Henderson held a unique place in history due to the export of dark tobacco. Worldwide shipping from Henderson's port resulted in Henderson becoming the richest community per capita in the United States during tobacco's heyday. This led to the construction of many of the stately homes and buildings still standing in the vibrant downtown district. Wide streets welcome American Queen Voyages guests and showcase historic preservation that inspires storefronts and homes. Discover nature fingerprinted with humanity in the many parks and trails that showcase artistry throughout the town. With a great selection of galleries and annual art events, there are many types of art to view. Enjoy the many public sculptures located throughout downtown created by Louisville sculptor Raymond Graf or step in the OVAL Gallery to see the rotating art exhibits on display.

Paducah's significant American heritage can be traced to the city's strategic location at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers. Paducah, originally known as Pekin, was settled around 1815 in McCracken County. The community was inhabited by a mix of Native Americans and Europeans who lived harmoniously, trading goods and services. In 1827, William Clark, of Lewis and Clark fame, arrived in Pekin with a title deed to the land he now owned. The town was platted out and named in honor of the largest nation of Native Americans that ever roamed North America, the Padouca Indians. Lewis and Clark had made acquaintance with many of them on their trek west. Discover how Paducah played a pivotal role in American history from rivers to railroad transportation, the Civil War to civil rights. Museums and riverfront "Wall to Wall" murals by the Dafford Murals Team weave the story of Paducah's past and guide viewers to experiences and landmarks throughout the town, where historical markers detail the significance and cultural heritage. In the hands of artists, modern Paducah was thrown into form. Fingertips muddied with passion and eased by the vision of river water glided along the surface to pull up the community and create the National Quilt Museum. Residents backstitch past into present, then bind appreciation for culture - ensuring that the seams of history will not soon come undone. The people of Paducah have taken great care to orchestrate every crevice of its community into a symphony of craft and color.

In 1805, a state-appointed commission purchased a 30-acre plot on the Cumberland River from Robert Nelson and established the county seat of Dover. By 1850, the Tennessee frontier town had blossomed into a large river trade center and the second-largest steamboat port on the Cumberland. A resting dock meets American Queen Voyages guests in Dover, a town that reveals the value of serenity in river living, where peace and quiet are interrupted only by birdsong and cricket chirps. Adventure through Fort Donelson - Dover's touchpoint during the Civil War - which has been resurrected into Fort Donelson National Battlefield Park, a nexus of history and natural riches. Fort Donelson was the site of a major Union victory. Here, hilltops harbor somber stories, country roads lose themselves in golden horizons, and historic treasures are kept secret behind the tree lines. Union troops, who had occupied the town since the fall of Fort Donelson in 1862, set fire to Dover to prevent the town from falling into the hands of General Nathan Bedford Forrest; only four buildings survived the conflagration. Capture the romance of this little river town's past and experience the everyday phenomenon of its future at Cross Creeks National Wildlife Refuge, an 8,862-acre habitat for waterfowl and aquatic plant life. Or venture to Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, one of the largest blocks of undeveloped forest in the eastern U.S. with over 170,000 acres of forests, wetlands, and open lands on a peninsula between Kentucky and Barkley lakes in Western Kentucky and Tennessee.

As your American Queen Voyages journey concludes, there are other opportunities for you to take in the town - whether it's an optional premier post-cruise experience or a quick transfer to the airport for your final trip home - your AQV team can pre-arrange everything for you.