Introduction
The Mississippi River is one of America’s greatest natural resources. The Mighty Mississippi is a product of many tributaries that flow from the Appalachian Mountains to the Rocky Mountains. It spans more than 2,300 miles and flows through ten states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee Arkansas Louisiana and Mississippi. It has been an important source of transportation since Native Americans used canoes to navigate its waters hundreds of years ago. Today people still enjoy traveling by boat along this long river—and there are plenty of options!
The many names of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi has a long and storied history, with many names including:
- Mississippi River
- Father of Waters
- Big Muddy
- Old Man River
- Muddy River
The headwaters of the Mississippi River
The headwaters of the Mississippi River are in Lake Itasca, Minnesota. The river flows south through the Great Lakes and drains into the Gulf of Mexico.
The source of the Mississippi River is a spring that feeds into Lake Itasca called “Lake Otter Tail”. This lake was formed by glacial action during an ice age about 12,000 years ago and has been well studied for its geological features due to its proximity to Minneapolis/St Paul – America’s 15th largest metropolitan area!
Paddleboat cruises and their history
Paddleboat cruises are a popular choice for travelers looking to explore the Mississippi River. These paddleboats are often large, flat-bottomed boats that use large paddles to move themselves along the river. They were invented in 1818, when steam powered engines were not yet invented and they were cheaper than steamboats. Most of these vessels were used by commercial businesses like shipping companies or farmers who wanted to transport goods down the river quickly and cheaply.
Paddleboat cruises also have quite a bit of history behind them as well: In 1819, there was an attempt by General Andrew Jackson to invade New Orleans with his troops on board paddleboats; however, this failed due to bad weather conditions that made it difficult for him and his men to reach their destination safely. A few years later (1826), Robert Fulton built his own company called “Fulton’s Steamboat Company” which allowed passengers on board who wanted boat rides down various rivers throughout America including The Ohio River, Mississippi River & Missouri Rivers which helped inspire other entrepreneurs around this time period such as James Eads who built several bridges across these bodies of water over time – making travel safer overall!
The length of the Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is 2,320 miles long. The river runs through ten states: Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama. It also flows through Minnesota and Wisconsin. The Mississippi River connects with the Ohio River in Cairo Illinois to form a single watershed that includes much of the central United States from eastern Texas to northern Minnesota.
The Mississippi River is the longest river in North America and fourth longest river in the world (behind only Asia’s Yangtze at 6300 miles long).
The age and depth of the river
So how old is the Mississippi River? Nobody knows for sure. It may have existed as far back as 20 million years ago. The Mississippi River has gone through many changes in its lifetime, and it’s still changing today.
The river is about 2,340 miles long—that’s about 1,000 miles longer than the entire length of California! That makes it the longest river in North America.
If you’re wondering why this information might be useful to you on a boat tour down America’s greatest river, let me put your mind at ease: it’s not. But if you’re like me and like doing research before going on vacation (or any sort of trip), then hopefully this will help make your time on the water more enjoyable and informative!
The mighty Mississippi River flows through ten states.
The mighty Mississippi River flows through ten states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana.
The Mississippi River is 2,350 miles long and is the longest river in the United States.
It’s also known as “The Father of Waters” because it flows from Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico.
Cruise on the Mississippi River with your pets.
There is one major caveat to consider when bringing your pet on a paddle boat. You must bring your own food and water. Since you will be out on the water, there is nowhere to buy anything during the trip. So get prepared beforehand!
This article was originally posted online:
http://www.paddleboatmiami.com/blog/great-river-cruises/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=great-river-cruises
Kid-friendly cruises along the Mississippi River
If you’re looking to take a trip down the Mississippi River with your little ones, there are plenty of kid-friendly options available. The most popular cruise lines tend to be run by the larger companies like Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International. These cruises will include activities and entertainment designed just for kids of all ages, so if you’ve got young ones who want to go on an adventure on a paddle boat or riverboat then these might be worth looking into!
Of course there are other options as well. Some smaller companies offer family cruises that can also be perfect for families traveling together. Some specialty cruise lines even offer special events just for children such as singalongs and dance parties where everyone has fun getting up off their feet as they enjoy special performances from talented entertainers from around the world!
Cruising in luxury aboard a paddle boat on the Mississippi River.
Cruising on the Mississippi River is a relaxing and fun way to see the sights. You can enjoy a cruise with your family or friends, or you can take a cruise in a paddle boat or on board one of our traditional ships. The Mississippi River is also home to many beautiful birds, exotic reptiles and mammals that are native to the area.
If you’re interested in taking a river cruise down this famous waterway, please contact us for more information about our available cruises!
Fall colors and paddle boat cruises on the Mississippi River.
Fall is the perfect time for taking a paddle boat cruise on the Mississippi River, because it’s when all of those gorgeous fall colors are in full bloom. The foliage is vibrant and beautiful, and you can enjoy them from your seat on board your vessel as you make your way through this historic river’s waters.
Paddle boats are great for families with children, as well as couples who want to spend some quality time together—they’re easy enough that anyone can enjoy them! No matter who you’re traveling with, a trip down this classic American waterway will be one to remember.
Southern charm, delicious food, and fun for the entire family await you on a paddle boat cruise down the Mississippi River.
You’re not from the South, so let me tell you this: You’ve never seen Southern charm until you take a paddle boat cruise down the Mississippi River. What happens on your river trip will be something you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
The food is fantastic, too! I mean, just look at it! My favorite station was where they served fried catfish and hush puppies—they were delicious! And then there were all those other stations with different foods too…and even if they weren’t your favorites, they were still made with love and care by our friendly crew members who wanted us to enjoy ourselves as much as possible during our vacation week on board their boats.
Conclusion
A paddle boat cruise on the Mississippi River is a unique experience. The river has been an integral part of American life and culture for more than 200 years. Now that you’ve learned all about it, why not step aboard one of these amazing vessels yourself? You’ll be glad that you did!