Peoria, IL to St. Louis, MO to Florence, IL (5-day, 4-night)

What do you get when you mix one part history and one part scenery with some great food, music, relaxation, and adventure? You get a wonderful five-day Illinois and Mississippi River getaway on the Spirit of Peoria riverboat!

Step back in time aboard the Midwest’s most unique and historic riverboat as it travels the Illinois River valley between Peoria and the “Gateway to the West,”—Saint Louis, MO. The Spirit of Peoria is a full-blown replica of the nineteenth century riverboats that inhabited the nation’s waterways. Decorated in the “wedding cake” style, the Spirit mirrors a Mark Twain era riverboat, complete with an enormous 21-foot diameter paddle wheel, which believe it or not, is the only source of propulsion!

Like our 3-day/2-night cruise to Saint Louis, this cruise features three lock and dam experiences; the Peoria on the Illinois River and the Mel Price and Chain of Rocks on the Mississippi River.

The first stop will be on the riverbank of Frederick, IL with an overnight stay in Springfield, IL at the President Abraham Lincoln Hotel and a visit in the morning to the Presidential Museum and Library. With an afternoon departure on Day Two the boat will arrive in Grafton, IL where the Illinois River meets the Mississippi River. All guests will stay overnight at the historic Père Marquette Lodge. Our third day will be spent traveling down the Mississippi River, eventually landing on the cobblestone just below the Gateway Arch in downtown Saint Louis. The magnificent Hotel Lumiere, just blocks away is where we will spend the evening in the heart of St. Louis. The following morning, all guests will have an opportunity to tour the Gateway Arch and museum before boarding the boat upbound for Grafton. Once again, staying overnight at the Père Marquette Lodge everyone will be able to stretch their legs on one of many guided hikes through the park. The following morning our guests will board the boat upbound on the Illinois River for the quaint town of Florence, IL. Finally, a motor coach will provide transportation back to Peoria.

In these times of jet airplanes and super trains, the Spirit of Peoria offers a more classic and somewhat classier, alternative. If you’re ready to put relaxation back in your vacation, consider a St. Louis trip on an amazing riverboat. It may just be what you’re looking for!

Trip Includes

• All-inclusive ticket pricing
• Overnight lodging
• Sumptuous Meals including prime rib dinner
• Professional riverlore / storytelling
• Tour of destination
• Old-fashioned hospitality
• Unlimited complimentary drinks
• Historical information
• Wildlife sightings
• Indoor comfort
• Outdoor relaxation
• Live entertainment
• Old-time banjo
• Ragtime piano
• Baggage handling
• Round-trip transportation
• Tax and gratuity