“Up the Lazy River”
Twilight Riverboat
Mighty Mississippi River
July 16-21, 2017
LeClaire, Iowa, nestled on the bank of the Mississippi River, celebrates its heritage and its historic ties to the Mississippi with the Twilight River Boat. You'll feel as though they've traveled back through time to the days when ferries were the main means of transportation up and down the Mississippi River. To begin our Up the Lazy River Tour, we'll have to travel "down" along scenic highway 61 along the Great Mississippi River Road to another well-known river town, historic Red Wing. Here we've included time at the Treasure Island Casino on the banks of the Mississippi for an evening of gaming and dinner. On the following day, The Twilight Riverboat departs from LeClaire, Iowa, our next destination. We'll travel 166 miles "up the Mississippi River", providing views of Iowa and Illinois. When the Twilight reaches Dubuque, Iowa, guests spend the night in the Riverfront Grand Harbor Resort. The next morning, guests re-board the boat and begin their trip back to LeClaire. But wait... there's more! Read on.......
Your Up The Lazy River Tour Includes:
Your Up The Lazy River Tour Includes:
- Round-trip Motor Coach Transportation from Northeast Minnesota and Central Minnesota Gr Rapids, Iron Range, Duluth & Cloquet and Brainerd, Little Falls, Rice and Sartell
- Five Nights Lodging (Red Wing; Two nights in LeClaire; Dubuque; Fort Atkinson, WI)
- Two Full Days of Cruising’ ~ Round Trip from LeClaire to Dubuque on the Twilight
- Admission to the Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium and Treasure Island Casino
- Reserved seats @ Fireside Dinner Theater in Fort Atkinson, WI Show: "Back to the 50's"
- Ten Meals: Five Breakfasts, Two Lunches and Three Dinners
- Luggage Handling , Taxes and Most Tips (~Tips for driver & on-board tour host are not included~)
- Fully Guided by a Happy Trails Tour Representative
Sunday - Day 1- July 16
We'll begin our journey this morning with early morning departures from both Northeast and Central Minnesota. We'll all blend together in North Branch after a morning break. Our Up the Lazy River brings us down the Lazy River along the banks of the Mississippi River. Just set your seats back and relax as we travel along. You’ll find the day will go by quickly as you enjoy the company of fellow travelers aboard. Stops will be made about every 2 ½ to 3 hours. We’ll arrive to Red Wing in the late afternoon. Tonight is at your leisure. OR.... you may step on board the coach for an evening of gaming at the Treasure Island Resort. Our lodging is the lovely Country Inn and Suites.
Monday - Day 2- July 17
After breakfast, we'll make our way to the historic downtown area so that you can enjoy a bit of time at your leisure. After lunch, we'll re-board the coach and meander our way to LeClaire, Iowa (about 300 miles away). Again... our goal is to travel through the scenic bluff country along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River. Our lodging is the Holiday Inn Express with an expected arrival in the late afternoon. There are many nice restaurants right within walking distance of the hotel. Enjoy tonight as per your own agenda.
Tuesday - Day 3- July 18
Breakfast is offered at the hotel but once we get settled on board the Twilight River Boat, another one awaits our arrival! The Twilight is a replica steamboat that captures the lavish style of the boats that ruled the river during the Victorian period. The ship's interior and exterior, all three decks of it, are adorned with ornate details, making it obvious why Mark Twain once referred to riverboats as "floating palaces." While the Twilight moves fast, its quiet, graceful and smooth movement promises a peaceful ride for those aboard. On board the Twilight, guests have a number of things to keep them busy. Guests often relax on the decks and do some sightseeing. On its way up and down the river, the Twilight River Cruise takes passengers past a number of noteworthy sights, such as the Spring Side House, a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture in Bellevue, Iowa, to the Mississippi Palisades State Park's stunning limestone bluffs in Savanna, Illinois. Live musical performances provide another source of entertainment. Inside, guests can play cards and enjoy each other's company. All meals on board the Twilight are included today. We'll arrive to Dubuque around 7:00 pm and check into the Grand Harbor Resort. Tonight is yours to enjoy as per your agenda.
Wednesday- Day 4- July 19
An included breakfast is served at hotel. After breakfast, you will have tickets to visit the National Mississippi River Aquarium and Museum along with a bit of time to shop before returning to the boat. A shuttle runs from the hotel to the historic downtown area every 15 minutes, so you may take the morning at leisure. By 11:20 am, it's time to re-board the Twilight and make our lazy journey down the river back to LeClaire. Lunch awaits our arrival. Just like the day before, entertainment such as singers and on -board games (like Bingo) are offered along your 80 mile journey. You can take in as much as you wish...or just relax on the deck and read a book if that is what you like. You decide. After dinner, we'll return to Le Claire around 7 pm and check back into the same property, the Holiday Inn Express. Again all meals are included today.
Thursday- Day 5- July 20
Breakfast is included this morning prior to our departure for Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Relax and watch the morning and afternoon go by. Our arrival to Fort Atkinson is expected around late afternoon. After we get checked in to our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) we'll take you to the Fireside Dinner Theater. Get ready for an unbelievable meal and show. The show tonight is entitled "Back to the 50's". Be sure to make time to visit their gift shops, a favorite as reported by our Happy Trails guests! Breakfast and dinner are included today.
Friday - Day 6- July 21
After breakfast, we'll board the coach and begin our journey home with many fond memories as well as newly made friendships.
1:30 pm- Estimated arrival to meet our Trobec Shuttle and say good-bye to our friends from central Minnesota.
4:30 pm- St Stephens; 5:30 pm Little Falls & Baxter (6:00 pm)
4:30 pm-Cloquet/ Duluth; 6:30 pm-Eveleth; 7 pm-Virginia; 7:30 pm-Hibbing; 8:15 to Grand Rapids.
We'll begin our journey this morning with early morning departures from both Northeast and Central Minnesota. We'll all blend together in North Branch after a morning break. Our Up the Lazy River brings us down the Lazy River along the banks of the Mississippi River. Just set your seats back and relax as we travel along. You’ll find the day will go by quickly as you enjoy the company of fellow travelers aboard. Stops will be made about every 2 ½ to 3 hours. We’ll arrive to Red Wing in the late afternoon. Tonight is at your leisure. OR.... you may step on board the coach for an evening of gaming at the Treasure Island Resort. Our lodging is the lovely Country Inn and Suites.
Monday - Day 2- July 17
After breakfast, we'll make our way to the historic downtown area so that you can enjoy a bit of time at your leisure. After lunch, we'll re-board the coach and meander our way to LeClaire, Iowa (about 300 miles away). Again... our goal is to travel through the scenic bluff country along the banks of the Mighty Mississippi River. Our lodging is the Holiday Inn Express with an expected arrival in the late afternoon. There are many nice restaurants right within walking distance of the hotel. Enjoy tonight as per your own agenda.
Tuesday - Day 3- July 18
Breakfast is offered at the hotel but once we get settled on board the Twilight River Boat, another one awaits our arrival! The Twilight is a replica steamboat that captures the lavish style of the boats that ruled the river during the Victorian period. The ship's interior and exterior, all three decks of it, are adorned with ornate details, making it obvious why Mark Twain once referred to riverboats as "floating palaces." While the Twilight moves fast, its quiet, graceful and smooth movement promises a peaceful ride for those aboard. On board the Twilight, guests have a number of things to keep them busy. Guests often relax on the decks and do some sightseeing. On its way up and down the river, the Twilight River Cruise takes passengers past a number of noteworthy sights, such as the Spring Side House, a prime example of Gothic Revival architecture in Bellevue, Iowa, to the Mississippi Palisades State Park's stunning limestone bluffs in Savanna, Illinois. Live musical performances provide another source of entertainment. Inside, guests can play cards and enjoy each other's company. All meals on board the Twilight are included today. We'll arrive to Dubuque around 7:00 pm and check into the Grand Harbor Resort. Tonight is yours to enjoy as per your agenda.
Wednesday- Day 4- July 19
An included breakfast is served at hotel. After breakfast, you will have tickets to visit the National Mississippi River Aquarium and Museum along with a bit of time to shop before returning to the boat. A shuttle runs from the hotel to the historic downtown area every 15 minutes, so you may take the morning at leisure. By 11:20 am, it's time to re-board the Twilight and make our lazy journey down the river back to LeClaire. Lunch awaits our arrival. Just like the day before, entertainment such as singers and on -board games (like Bingo) are offered along your 80 mile journey. You can take in as much as you wish...or just relax on the deck and read a book if that is what you like. You decide. After dinner, we'll return to Le Claire around 7 pm and check back into the same property, the Holiday Inn Express. Again all meals are included today.
Thursday- Day 5- July 20
Breakfast is included this morning prior to our departure for Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Relax and watch the morning and afternoon go by. Our arrival to Fort Atkinson is expected around late afternoon. After we get checked in to our hotel (Holiday Inn Express) we'll take you to the Fireside Dinner Theater. Get ready for an unbelievable meal and show. The show tonight is entitled "Back to the 50's". Be sure to make time to visit their gift shops, a favorite as reported by our Happy Trails guests! Breakfast and dinner are included today.
Friday - Day 6- July 21
After breakfast, we'll board the coach and begin our journey home with many fond memories as well as newly made friendships.
1:30 pm- Estimated arrival to meet our Trobec Shuttle and say good-bye to our friends from central Minnesota.
4:30 pm- St Stephens; 5:30 pm Little Falls & Baxter (6:00 pm)
4:30 pm-Cloquet/ Duluth; 6:30 pm-Eveleth; 7 pm-Virginia; 7:30 pm-Hibbing; 8:15 to Grand Rapids.
A few things you should know about your Mississippi River Tour
- Dress Code: The tour is completely casual and comfortable. It's summertime ... so plan accordingly. Though you can be inside, it‘s nice to be out on the deck, too! Sunscreen, sunglasses, rain jacket, umbrella, your camera and a good book.
- Motor Coach: The coach is chartered through Trobec Bus Company and has reclining seats, big windows, restroom on board, sound system, television, CD/ DVD player, WiFi and electrical outlets. We will not be rotating seats. The seat you get in the morning on the first day is the seat you’ll keep throughout the tour.
- Luggage: You may bring one suitcase (secure the enclosed yellow tag on it BEFORE the bus arrives). You may also bring one carry on bag inside the bus. Do not pack them heavier than what you can carry.
- Tipping: Most of your tips are covered in the package price. The tips we include are those for the porters at the hotel and any meals we include. However, tips for your on-board travel host and driver may be done individually at the end of the tour, as per your own discretion.
- Hotels: Some of hotels offered have indoor pool, lounge and restaurants. Those that do not offer full service restaurants have a variety of venues within walking distance of the property. Coffee makers, hair dryers, irons and ironing boards, alarm clocks are all in the rooms. We do suggest bringing your own alarm clock as sometimes wake up calls accidentally do not arrive when requested.
- Perfumes/ Fragrances: We always ask folks to refrain from using colognes and strong fragrances while traveling on the bus. Some people are highly allergic to them. We want everyone’s trip to be wonderful so I’ll thank you in advance for that.
- Boarding Sites & Leaving Cars Parked While Gone: Once your final documents arrive (about 3 weeks prior to departure) we ask that you only board at the site listed and try to arrive about 10 minutes early. Do not board at any other location listed unless cleared through our office first. Always call our office (1-800-635-7779) if you think you are running late or have a concern, you'll be given a cell number that you can call directly to your tour host in the early morning hours. Always let an establishment know if you are leaving a car parked while you are away.
- Special Needs: If you have any special needs you must tell us right away - Before the tour departs. These could include; dietary, diabetic, walking, motion sickness, difficulty climbing stairs, if you are bringing a walker, scooter, or a wheelchair, etc….. Thank you. It helps all of us prepare ahead of time allowing you a better vacation.
- Changes: Happy Trails reserves the right to adjust this schedule for the benefit of all traveling. We have no control over hotels, charters, attractions or restaurants. If we have to make a change, we’ll replace it with something of equal value or more. Thank you for your understanding.
- Disclaimer: Happy Trails Tours acts only as an agent for the various independent suppliers that provide hotel accommodations, transportation, theater, or other services connected with this tour. Such services are subject to the terms and conditions of those suppliers. Happy Trails Tours, INC and their respective employees, agents, representatives accept no liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, or any other default of any company or person in performing these services. Responsibility is not accepted for losses, injury, damages or expenses of any kind due to sickness, weather, strikes, hostilities, wars, terrorist acts, acts of nature, local laws or other causes. All services and accommodations are subject to the laws and regulations of country in which they are provided. Happy Trails Tours INC is not responsible for any baggage or personal effects of any individual participating in the tours/trips arranged by Happy Trails Tours. Individual travelers are responsible for purchasing a travel insurance policy, if desired, that will cover some of the expenses associated with the loss of luggage or personal effects.