The Cumberland, Ohio, Tennessee and Upper Mississippi Rivers between Nashville, Cincinnati, St. Louis and Memphis
The Cumberland River Valley
The Cumberland River Valley

In a region of the United States where fiddles and banjoes are as much a part of local color as muskets and coonskin caps, we offer excursions that are perfect adventures to share with friends and family.

The first European settlers in this region were French fur traders who arrived in 1717. When the pioneers followed Daniel Boone through the Cumberland Gap into what was then part of North Carolina, this lush, green region's fate was sealed. This valley, whose rich agricultural lands provided attractive sites to homesteaders, would surely grow and prosper. Established in 1779, the first settlement of Nashborough (present day Nashville) was named for Revolutionary War hero General Francis Nash. It became the focus of life in the area. Situated on the banks of the historic Cumberland River, Nashville today is a vibrant city whose businesses and industries have made the region prosperous and strong. One industry has earned worldwide attention: Nashville is America's official capital of country music, and has come to be known as "Music City, USA." Nashville offers opportunities from sightseeing and shopping to world-class entertainment, all within walking distance of our downtown docking location. Visit the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Wildhorse Saloon and more.

Settled in 1784, at the confluence of the Cumberland and Red rivers, Clarksville, Tenn., evolved as a river trading post for tobacco, grain and lumber. This river town was named for General George Rogers Clark.

Traveling on the Cumberland River, we'll pass through historic Tennessee Valley Authority locks and dams that were created to make the river navigable and brought electricity to the area following the Great Depression. More than 170,000 acres of the most beautiful lakes in America are found in this region. We'll see much of it, including Land Between the Lakes, a recreational area of lakes and shores that must be seen from our decks to be fully appreciated.

 		Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville
Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville
Customs House Museum in Clarksville Imagine chatting with friends on the Sky Deck, taking in the sights or relaxing in deck chairs while we show you this scenic river valley that winds its way to the Ohio, and eventually to the Mississippi. Visit exciting river cities like St. Louis or Paducah. The music, the rivers, the people and the shores: they're all calling you to go Barging Through America® on the Cumberland River for the special adventures we call Expanding Frontiers. Come aboard!
Customs House Museum in Clarksville
Confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers
Confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers
Nashville Round Trip
Tour Nashville and explore the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. See Land Between the Lakes. From Savannah, Tenn., take a trip to Shiloh National Military Park. Visit Florence, Ala., Guntersville, Ala., and picturesque Clarksville, Tenn., home to the Customs House Museum and Cultural Center. Plus there's much more to see on these gorgeous rivers.

 		Shiloh Military Park in Savannah
Shiloh Military Park in Savannah
Nashville-Memphis
Quilt Museum in Paducah See Nashville, "Music City, USA." Experience barging on the Cumberland River and Lake Barkley. On the Ohio River, visit Paducah, Ky., home of the world's largest quilt museum. Witness the amazing Confluence, where the Ohio and Mississippi rivers meet. Barge on the Lower Mississippi River and visit New Madrid, Mo. Learn about the largest earthquake in recorded American history. Enjoy the evening in Memphis, home of Beale Street, blues, barbecue and Elvis.
Quilt Museum in Paducah


Cincinnati-Memphis
Depart from either Nashville or Cincinnati. Nashville is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Enjoy great shopping before barging on the Cumberland River, Lake Barkley and the Ohio River. Visit varying river cities such as: Paducah, Ky., Louisville, Ky., Clarksville, Tenn., and Aurora, Ind. In Cincinnati, visit Fountain Square and the Krohn Conservatory.

 		Fountain Square in Cincinnati
Fountain Square in Cincinnati
Nashville-St. Louis
St. Louis-Nashville
Gateway Arch in St. Louis Depart from either Nashville or St. Louis. In Nashville, enjoy sightseeing, shopping and world-class entertainment. Barge on the Cumberland River, Lake Barkley and the Ohio and Upper Mississippi rivers. See the Confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Along the way, we'll visit varying river cities such as: Paducah, Ky., Cape Girardeau, Mo., Chester, Ill., Ste. Genevieve, Mo., Grafton, Ill., and Clarksville, Tenn. In St. Louis, visit the gleaming Gateway Arch and the Museum of Westward Expansion.
Gateway Arch in St. Louis