Amercian Queen Steamboat Cruise - Spokane/Clarkston / Vancouver WA
We invite you to experience the serenity of wilderness in the Pacific Northwest aboard the American Empress. The Columbia and Snake Rivers are flowing passageways to rare ventures. Take time to linger on the deck. Soothing waterways lead to wine country, and allow the ever-moving world around you transform into a vessel of tranquility and peace – ripe for adventuring. The natural world is alive here – unlike anywhere else on Earth – and through historic sites and locks and dams, it flows. Sea lions sunbathe on buoys as the distant horizon unblankets the sky to reveal its snow-capped mountains. The silence of each evening brings calmness and peace. Cotton-candy sunsets give way to a stargazers’ paradise. Our Milky Way, scattered stars and the moon decorate the darkness, and remind us how small we really are, as if to whisper, “There’s more to existence than the daily hustle and bustle of the world.” The constant transformation of wind carries birdsong and the sweet smell of earth through open window and door as guests wallow in relaxation. Upon porting, a world of discovery awaits beyond the sunburned hillsides and graceful waterfalls that grace the riverbanks. Embrace dramatic scenery and relive the daring exploits of frontiersmen and adventurers. It’s here that history thrives in the parade of a quiet land, uplifted by the rocky cliffs and ripened trees that stretch from the ground below. Trace the passageway of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark along the Columbia and Snake Rivers aboard the American Empress.
- Day 01: Spokane - Clarkston, WA
- Day 02: Clarkston, WA
- Day 03: Clarkston, WA - Richland, WA
- Day 04: Richland, WA
- Day 05: Scenic River Cruising
- Day 06: The Dalles, OR - Stevenson, WA
- Day 07: Stevenson, WA - Astoria, OR
- Day 08: Astoria, OR - Vancouver, WA (Portland)
- Day 09: Vancouver, WA (Portland)
Spokane - Clarkston, WA
1 Day
"Near Nature. Near Perfect', that's what the city of Spokane says about itself. The town lies on either side of the Spokane River, which flows into a waterfall and is surrounded by numerous city parks. Riverfront Park is the most popular park. Spokane is nicknamed 'Lilac City' because of its many lilacs. The surroundings of Spokane are rich in lakes, golf courses, wineries and ski resorts. Spokane is located about halfway between Mount Rainier and Glacier National Park.
Clarkston, WA
1 Day
180 km
Today is the big day! Spend a few hours exploring the beautiful city of Spokane before heading to Clarkston, Washington, where you will board the American Empress on the Columbia River. The ship leaves for a lovely dinner cruise and then returns to Clarkston for an overnight stay on board.
Clarkston, WA - Richland, WA
1 Day
Richland, WA
1 Day
220 km
Richland is close to the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia Rivers, the northernmost point reached by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. Richland was first established in 1910 and remained a small agricultural community until the Army acquired it and 670 square miles of adjacent land in 1943 as the site of the Hanford Engineer Works which was used to produce plutonium during World War II and the Cold War. Today the historic B reactor and other important historical sites are part of the new Manhattan Project National Historic Park. The city is also home to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and a branch of Washington State University.
Scenic River Cruising
1 Day
Spend a relaxing day on the ship and you can enjoy the picturesque surroundings. You can relax on your veranda and enjoy the spectacular scenery or enjoy a variety of activities on board. If you prefer a day ashore, you can also opt for a premium experience that will take you to Pendleton, Oregon while the ship is underway. There you will have the opportunity to explore the Wild West city, enjoy a delicious lunch, go shopping in the city centre and get a tour of the Pendleton Woolen Mill and the factory outlet store.
The Dalles, OR - Stevenson, WA
1 Day
80 km
At the end of the Oregon Land Trail, The Dalles has a unique place in history as a starting point for pioneers, soldiers, gold diggers, adventurers and revolver heroes. Lewis and Clark camped at this location at Rock Fort Camp during their historic journey in 1805 and 1806. Fort Dalles was founded in 1850. The pioneers of Oregon Trail ended their journey over land at The Dalles, and were forced to build rafts and take the "river road" west to Fort Vancouver, and then to the valley of the Willamette River. Ten thousand years of Indian trade took place on the banks of the Columbia River, formed by the Ice Age floods in Missoula. The city lay at the foot of a series of dangerous rapids that the furriers of the Hudson's Bay Company called "The Dalles of the Columbia".
Stevenson, WA - Astoria, OR
1 Day
210 km
A walk along the Rock Cove path or the waterfront of the Columbia River is a great way to take in the area. Downtown Stevenson is home to unique shops, art galleries and restaurants. Stevenson is located in the heart of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Explore the eastern entrance to Mount St. Helens or the spectacular Lewis River Valley.
Astoria, OR - Vancouver, WA (Portland)
1 Day
80 km
Astoria is known as the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. For thousands of years, the Clatsop Indians inhabited the land now known as Astoria. In 1805, Lewis and Clark led their expedition through the city and spent the winter in Fort Clatsop. In 1813, a British warship sailed up the Columbia River and acquired possession of the city and remained in control until 1818, when they finally agreed to a joint occupation of the country. The British only left Astoria completely in 1846.
Vancouver, WA (Portland)
1 Day
End of this incredibly beautiful journey! Enjoy Vancouver, free stay.
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