Journey along the “Mighty Mississippi” with Viking’s Barry Johnston

[Music] welcome everyone I'm Barry Johnson Director of Business Development with Viking would like to thank you for watching our segment on Mississippi River cruising the Mississippi River it's massive it stretches from north to south some 2,300 miles from Minnesota all the way to Gulf of Mexico this cross country trip really allows you to be immersed in American history and culture you'll step on board the newest and most modern ship on the Mississippi it has all outside State rooms private Verandas spacious public areas and our signature clean Scandinavian design all reimagined for the Mississippi River all of our inclusive values that you're used to at Viking will be available for you and the one that I like the most is our included tour in every portol this included tour is picked for you as a great overview of that Port that you're in for that day I'm going to describe this itinerary day by day talk about that included tour and then maybe give you some ideas of the optional excursions that will be available for you to to choose to do by by purchasing those from [Music] Vikings this is America's Great River that's the itinerary we'll be talking about today this is our north to south itinerary from the top of the river to the bottom history and culture just unfold as you go from north to south on this huge Voyage it's 15 days you're going to enjoy relaxing Scenic sailing unparalleled bird watching you'll move from the Bluffs of the North to the bayu of the South you'll learn about the American Civil Rights movement you'll learn about the American Civil War along the way you'll get to tap your Fleet to the rhythm of American music and that's Folk Soul and jazz music that all come from this area of the country and then you'll get to taste a delicious array of regional Cuisine we have Regional cuisine on board the vessel for you as well as always available American Classics and then of course when you're out in ports of call take time to sample some of the local Specialties this itinerary is also offered in the reverse Direction so your travel advisor may give you an option to headle head from New Orleans up to St Paul for today's presentation I'll be covering this in the direction from St Paul to New Orleans you'll visit seven states along the way starting of course at Minnesota then sailing on to Wisconsin Iowa Missouri Tennessee Mississippi and finally [Music] Louisiana you'll arrive in St Paul this is where you Embark your ship and settle into your state room and then you'll have the entire afternoon to explore St Paul is where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers meet as St Paul welcomed its first settlers in 1838 a decade later later it was already the capital of the Minnesota territory by 1858 there were some 1,000 steamboats that frequented what was known as the last city of the East and that's the eastern part of the country everything to the west of St Paul was the frontier today St Paul is a very modern metropolis and it is the capital of Minnesota the city's historic residential districts feature late 19th and early 20th century Mansions along treelined streets for you to enjoy on a wonderful stroll [Music] day two of our journey will find us in Redwing Minnesota Redwing is known for its Redwing Shoes this is the company that made boots for our soldiers Sailors and Airmen during World War I and World War II the city itself was named for a sue Chief who carried around a red dyed Swan Wing to show his rank within the tribe settlers arrived in the mid 1800s new englanders first followed by German Irish and Scandinavian immigrants our included tour today is going to feature downtown Redwing in the eagle Center at the Eagle Center you're going to get to see American bald eagles and golden eagles up close and learn all about them there are 26 museums in the downtown area it also abounds with galleries cafes and shops an optional Excursion that's available here is the Redwing Pottery Museum this area of the country is known for its pottery and you'll visit the pottery Museum well you learn more about it and even have a hands-on experience to make some of your own pottery a third and final optional Excursion that's available here is an apple cidery tour in tasting you're going to head out to the maiden Rock farm this Orchard is a place where they grow apples and create a wonderful non-alcoholic cider that you'll be able to sample they'll walk through the entire process of Agriculture here which is a microclimate that's perfect for growing apples tell you all about that and then you'll get to sample some of their their wonderful [Music] cider day three will'll find us in Lacrosse Wisconsin lacrosse has a really deep connection to Norway Viking we are a a Norwegian owned company here a Norwegian immigrant population has created a really unique culture over several Generations Lacrosse today boasts numerous sites on the national register of historic PL places and it feels like a vast open air museum our included tour is called Rivertown Discovery gives you a chance to see the best of Lacrosse from top to bottom we're going to head up to a high Bluff that allows you on a clear day to see three states we'll visit downtown historical locations like the St Rose Convent as well as the Hixon house a 19th century Home full of things that this Lumber Baron who owned this home collected from his journeys all over the world after afterwards you'll have an opportunity to stroll the downtown area that is home to plentiful shops and restaurants we do have a privileged access optional Excursion you could choose to do here when we are docked in Lacrosse and that's to head over to Dora Iowa and to visit the vesterheim museum the vesterheim museum is the national Norwegian americ Museum it's nestled among the Rolling Hills there of Dora Iowa uh you will visit this Museum that has over 33,000 artifacts 12 historic buildings folk art school and library and in the museum you'll learn all about the history of of American Immigration and its influence on the [Music] Midwest day four will find us in dubuke Iowa Timber and boat building were Central to the growth of this city right on the Mississippi today the city's praise for its livability and its Riverside developments our included tour is historic debut in the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium you'll see deuk main site explore its Historic downtown learn about its history culture and more then we'll head over to the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium it's world-renowned interactive displays five aquariums and numerous exhibits will help you learn all about the Mississippi River in its history and the wildlife that abounds Up and Down the River we do offer an optional Excursion that gives you a guided immersion at the national Mississippi iipp rivie Museum and Aquarium this takes you even deeper you'll get to go behind the scene see some of the conservation methods and spaces that are reserved for endangered species that are being preserved and and being brought back by the work of the museum and Aquarium an optional Excursion here is also Frank Lloyd writes tiian this is a modern architectural Masterpiece tiian served as the architect's private residence studio and school from 1911 until his death in 195 9 and it is a National Historic Landmark you'll see the example of his style that was really ahead of his time and our last optional Excursion is Field of Dreams an American story if you build it they will come gives you a chance to drive through Scenic Iowa to the Farmland that was the set of the wonderful film Field of Dreams that's all about Americana and baseball you'll step back in time see some of the movie props that are still part of the home today you'll even have a historic base Bas player walk out of the corn field to talk with you and and maybe even pay a little little pitch you'll also get to visit a local Craft brewery on this [Music] tour day five finds us in Quad City's Iowa today the Quad Cities rest amid the fertile Farmland where the Mississippi and rock rivers meet this area is known as America's bread basket the nation's most expansive and Scenic agricultural region is all all abounding out from this spot of the Mississippi and it is home for aggra bus Giants that include John Deere and that's our included tour we're going to head to the John Deere Pavilion and the John Deere home and you'll discover the the Machinery that actually made America the Farmland that it is today and now that Machinery of course is sold worldwide you'll see the deer family home and see all of their inventions at this fantastic collection of of memorabilia farm equipment and technology an optional Excursion is to visit the putam museum this is where you can learn about Native American Heritage the putam is Davenport Iowa's Premier Natural History and Science Museum this is a privileged access tour where you'll actually have the curator of the museum take you through a guided section of a very special exhibit called River Prairie and people and you'll learn about the Museum's collection of artifacts from the time period of the American West as immigration and movement Westward was causing friction with the Native Americans in the region the Iowa farm visit this is an optional Excursion here too a chance to visit cinnamon Ridge this is a family run Midwestern Farm it's been in the same family for five generations and you'll get to learn how they sustainably produce milk Beef Pork and soybeans after the tour you'll get to enjoy cinnamon Ridge cheese tasting some cheese that's from the the milk from the cows right there on the farm they'll pair that with some local beers and wines followed by some free time to explore we have some active excursions available here in Quad Cities you might choose to do kaying on the Rock River or you may choose to do [Music] bicycling day six will find us in Burlington Iowa the US flag was first raised over Iowa in Burlington in 1805 by Lieutenant zebon Pike this was during his Mississippi River Explorations it quickly became a fur trade Outpost and then a major port during the steamboat era today the city is home to many magnificent buildings that are on the national register of historic places including the art deco Capital Theater and the Gothic Revival St Paul's Church our included tour will take us through historic Burlington this is really the best of small town America you'll experience American life with a guy tour of this really Charming City the De Moine County Heritage Center is in the former Gothic Revival style Library you'll visit that you'll learn about bur Burlington's railroad Heritage and its role today is one of America's largest railroad Depots we'll head back to the ship and on the way you'll see snake alley this has been named by Ripley Believe It or Not as the world's most crooked street and you'll see why in person an optional Excursion here would be to visit old Old Fort Madison you can really step back in time at the upper Mississippi's oldest military Garrison this Outpost was active from 1808 to 1813 and it was the first permanent US military fortification on the Upper Mississippi you'll visit the cemetery there where there are 22 soldiers buried along with the unknown number of civilians and also Native Americans they'll meet are many artifacts items that were retrieved in archaeological digs of the fort itself you'll also see a flint lock musket loading and firing [Music] demonstration day seven finds us in Hannibal Missouri Hannibal is the childhood home of Samuel Langhorn Clemens better known of course as Mark Twain this town was the inspiration for his Works Tom Syer and Huckleberry fin our included tour is going to take you through the footsteps of Tom Syer and Huckleberry fin we'll see the SES of this town that inspired Mark Twain to write these wonderful novels we'll see the white picket fence that he had to whitewash at least that Tom sawer had to to whitewash as well which is inspired by his own whitewashing of this fence you'll see the museum Gallery admire 15 original Norman Rockwell paintings that all depict the scenes from Twain's novel The Books really do come to life as you walk through Hannibal [Music] Missouri day 8 finds us in St Louis Missouri during the 19th century St Louis was a Gateway into the Louisiana territory today it's home to Rich architectural Treasures among them the cathedral Basilica of St Louis with its 41 million piece Mosaic the Renaissance Revival City Hall the 19th century Old Courthouse and of course the Gateway way Arch St Louis is also our first stop for great barbecue home of St Louis style ribs that are served thick with sauce got a sample of th some of those while you're in town our included tour is called Gateway to the West and it gives you a a chance to become acquainted with St Louis and all of those those architectural gems that I mentioned before as well as the The Arc we'll also visit the St Louis will Union Station Bush Stadium and many other landmarks that are in area St Louis was home to a really thriving immigrant population you'll pass through Lafayette Square and you'll see Victorian homes from the 19th century these were owned by German French and Italian residents and they've been lovingly restored an optional Excursion here is anheiser Bush Brewery this is one of America's oldest brewery the grounds actually include three locations buildings that are on the National Historic Landmark the brewery is in a neighborhood that was full of immigrants and the location was chosen by the families that founded anheiser Bush because it was wonderful access of course to the Mississippi River the large presence of German immigrants in the area and the natural cave for formations where the beer could be stored natural Refrigeration if you will you'll learn the history of beer brewing in America and through the stories of the anheiser and the bush families you'll gain insight into lives of the St Louis 18 Century German immigrant community that lived here there'll be a beer tasting you'll get to see the Clydesdales the Beachwood aging Sellers as well as the historic Brew House the national Blues museum is another optional Excursion here in St Louis this Museum features acclaimed interactive displays they're going to teach you all about the blues and the blues are considered the foundation for all modern American music day nine is Scenic cruising it's an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful landscapes as we're traveling between St Louis and Memphis there's bird life picturesque Landscapes deep Green Forest Lush wet lands fertile farmlands The Lure Mississippi just abounds with natural beauty this will be a day to enjoy the views from perhaps the Explorer lounge or the top D deck where we have our aquavite Terrace and River Cafe you'll get to sample some Regional Cuisine that we are our chefs are preparing for you they in the restaurant as well as those locations up on the top of the ship maybe enjoy the plunge pool as we are sailing down the [Music] Mississippi day 10 finds us in Memphis this is situated on the Chickasaw Bluffs that Overlook the Mississippi River Memphis of course is known for its blues music and it's barbecue some of the most famed names in blues including BB King all got their start right here in Memphis it's also celebrated as a culinary Heritage and renowned for the traditional barbecue restaurants that serve flavorful dry rub ribs with the sauce on the side you can add the sauce which is a little spicier than what we found up in St Louis you can add that to the ribs as you would like the city's really rich in history culture and of course food our included tour in Memphis is the deluxe graceand this is a chance to visit the fabled estate of Elvis Presley this is a rock and roll pilgrimage you're going to walk through the famous gate with its sheet music theme and into the home that Elvis inhabited for 20 years from 1957 to 1977 you'll see of course the living room with the famous 15t long couch you'll see his parents' bedrooms you'll visit The Jungle Room and other rooms in the mansion you'll continue under the trophy building while you see gold and platinum records other Presley family momentos and then we'll visit Elvis's collection of cars in private planes we'll have some time in the meditation Garden to reflect this is where Elvis is buried before we head back to the ship an optional Excursion here in in Memphis would be the national Civil Rights Museum in the Mason Temple uh this is a period that you know many of the seminal moments of the 20th century civil rights history occurred right here in Memphis your tour is going to highlight some of those the Smithsonian Affiliated National Civil Rights Museum is how housed in the site of the Lorraine Motel which is where Dr Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in 1968 so the adjoining Legacy building features over 260 artifacts and multimedia exhibits that Chronicle the five centuries of the Civil Right struggle in America you'll see the nearby Mason Temple which is home of the Church of God in Christ in the second largest black denomination in the country and it was here at this Temple that Dr King made his famous I've been to the mountaintops [Music] Beach day 11 finds us in Greenville Mississippi Greenville is Mississippi's largest River Port sits at top the highest point on the Mississippi River between Vicksburg and Memphis its rural setting belies a diverse artistic Heritage The Muppets Creator Jim Henson was born here and the city has been home to numerous Arthur including noted historian Shelby foot Greenville is also steeped in the history of Blues music so our included tour is going to take you to Cypress Groves museums and the Hebrew Union Temple which is still the largest Jewish congregation in [Music] Mississippi D12 takes us to Vicksburg Mississippi this is also located on a high Bluff this is where the yazu river flows into the Mississippi Vicksburg is the epitome of Southern Heritage and charm it was incorporated in 1825 and with its prime local in the Mississippi it grew into a very important port during the Civil War Abraham Lincoln called it the key to the South and very important battle in the Civil War was fought here so that's our included tour we're going to be visiting Vicksburg National milit Park this is a chance to revisit the battlefield that really turned the tide of the Civil War uh this battle allowed the north to completely control the full Mississippi the South surrendered to ulysis S Grant on July 4th of 1863 and really split the south in half you'll tour them with the licensed Battlefield guide who will narrate to you tell you about the historic trenches markers and monuments uh you'll see exhibits at the visitors Center and learn about the Battle of the battle's impact on the lives of the locals but the civilians who lived here in the [Music] area day 13 takes us to nchas Mississippi nachas is one of the highest concentration of historic Southern Estates in the country there are more than 200 perfectly preserved homes along its Avenues it's the oldest city on the Mississippi EST established in 1716 by French colonist so our tour here is the best of naus it's a chance to really learn about local history we'll visit top sites of the city in historic homes we'll visit St Mary's Basilica and King's Tavern we do have an optional Excursion here that takes you to the lown and Joseph ston house for a concert as well as some local Southern Classic cocktails there'll be a cocktail demonstration as well as tasting a mixologist will demonstrate how they make their the famous Southern cocktails the mint julip and others and maybe give you a taste as [Music] well day 14 brings us to Baton Rouge Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana uh it is a city that grew due to its location on the river it's protected by a natural Bluff so flooding did not happen here and was um founded by French explorers so our included tour is Baton Rouge Panorama you'll see the important sites of the city is the the capital par Museum the capital here is the tallest state capital at 450 ft tall in the United States you'll also see Tiger Stadium home of the LSU Tigers and the venue can house more than 100,000 fans and is the eighth largest stadium in the world an optional Excursion is the Cajun Heritage Tour this is a chance to visit the Rural Life Museum that's on campus at Louisiana State University and this is a chance to step back in time you'll sample Cajun quisine enjoy music dance performances and it goes through the 18th and 19th century of of how louisian would louisianans which were a blend of French Spanish Native American African German and British influencers all came together uh to form this cjun uh in Creole culture day 15 this is that day that we all uh do not look forward to when we're cruising it is time to leave the ship we've arrived in New Orleans our crew will be sad to see you go but you'll be filled with many memories from a very amazing sailing from St Paul all the way here to New Orleans while you're in New Orleans make sure to sample some of the local Cuisine you know hearty dishes that have bold flavors creative uses of spices and seafood you know Regional favorites are gumbo crawfish atou jambalaya and pooy sandwiches that are filled with fried seafood or meat you have to try some of that before you leave this city and speaking of which you may want to stay longer Linger Longer um either come in a little early or stay a little later on either end of your cruise we have some pre- and post packages that have hotels and some tours already included so let's talk a little bit about those you see those on now we have the Twin Cities discovery which is one night a chance to arrive one day before your cruise begins and you can explore the Minneapolis St Paul area uh on on your own and then we have cultural capitals Minneapolis in St Paul this is a a two nights day that dives a little deeper gives you a more fullframe picture of Minnesota in Minneapolis and St Paul now you see a couple of options of extensions in the southern part of this itinerary so you could begin these before your journey or after your journey we have the best of The Big Easy which is two nights in New Orleans giving you more time to explore this great City I recommend going to the National World War II museum one of my favorite museums in the world right there in New Orleans a second is called the best of the value you head over to Acadian Lafayette which is really Louisiana's Cajun Country and The Unofficial capital of that you'll he here zido music and fantastic Creole and cun Cuisine here in the Bayou Country thank you so much for watching today and we would like to thank the travel adviser that invited you to [Music] attend

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Id: CBjCkHapNj8

Length: 25min 46sec (1546 seconds)

Published: Wed Feb 21 2024