American Jazz has contemporary styling and modern amenities that make river cruising more attractive and comfortable than ever before. Featured is a gorgeous five-story glass atrium, private balconies in its spacious staterooms, and spectacular views from everywhere on the ship. American Jazz also features the same advanced opening bow and retractable gangway seen on all American Riverboats.
Day 1 Portland
Portland is well known for its cutting edge rock'n'roll, though Shakespeare, Broadway shows, ballerinas, chamber music ensembles and full blown classical orchestrations exist here. Try one of many outdoor activities available year round with views of some of the country's best scenery. Portland has historical and cultural monuments, museums, and historic sites. According to a recent CNN survey, Portland is one of the five most "kid-friendly" cities in the United States. Portland has OMSI (the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry), the nations fifth largest science museum, the Oregon Zoo, and the Children's Museum with a strict "please touch" policy. For adventure, head for the indoor North Clackamas Aquatic Park, with its four foot waves and water slides, or visit an old fashioned Oaks Amusement Park, featuring roller coasters, thrill rides, a train, go carts, and bumper cars.
Day 2 Columbia River Scenic Cruising
Day 3 Astoria
Astoria is a city of 10,000 people on the Columbia River, just a few miles from the Pacific Ocean. It is surrounded by the beauty of the forest, mountains, 3 rivers and the sea. Astoria is part of a nationally significant historic region at the western end of the Lewis & Clark Trail. Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies; a place that takes visitors back to simpler times, its architecture dominated by hundreds of Victorian homes clinging to steep wooded hillsides and with a revitalized 1920s era downtown; all set against a backdrop of tremendous natural beauty. Unspoiled and generally uncrowded, Astoria is near several first-class interpretive attractions including Fort Clatsop, the Columbia River Maritime Museum, the Flavel House, Fort Stevens State Park, the Astoria Riverfront Trolley and the Astoria Column. Because of its steep hills and beautiful Victorian homes, Astoria has been called the "Little San Francisco of the Pacific Northwest."
Day 4 Kalama
Day 5 The Dalles
Located at the northern border of Oregon, on the banks of the Columbian River, The Dalles was a major Native American trading center for thousands of years. The Fort Dalles Museum, housed in the only remaining building from the mid-19th century military outpost, features a collection of military artifacts, household goods and old medical equipment from the early days of the city. Recreational activities in The Dalles include river rafting, fishing and camping. Windsurfing is also a very popular pastime in The Dalles and the area has gained a reputation as one of the best places to learn and practice the sport.
Day 6 Columbia River Gorge
The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting the only sea-level route through the Cascade Mountain Range. It's 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep with the north canyon walls in Washington State and the south canyon walls in Oregon State.
Day 7 Richland
Day 8 Snake River
The Snake River, a major river in the Pacific Northeast, originates in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, at 9,500 feet. It joins the Columbia River near Pasco, Washington, 1,036 miles from its source. It is the largest tributary of the Columbia River. The River is important in American history and was originally named for Meriwether Lewis who was the first of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to sight the river in 1805.
Day 8 Clarkston
Clarkston is the gateway to Hells Canyon. Take a professionally guided jet boat tour of Hells Canyon, raft the Snake River, paddle a canoe down the Clearwater River on the historic Lewis & Clark Trail, rent your own jetboat, or try your hand at some of the best fishing in the Northwest! Follow the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, learn about the history of the Nez Perce Native American Indians, explore museums full of pioneering history and exhibits, or view bronze sculptures and paintings at local galleries. It is located within easy reach of Lewis-Clark Valley - which offers a wide variety of activities.
Day 9 Clarkston
Clarkston is the gateway to Hells Canyon. Take a professionally guided jet boat tour of Hells Canyon, raft the Snake River, paddle a canoe down the Clearwater River on the historic Lewis & Clark Trail, rent your own jetboat, or try your hand at some of the best fishing in the Northwest! Follow the footsteps of Lewis and Clark, learn about the history of the Nez Perce Native American Indians, explore museums full of pioneering history and exhibits, or view bronze sculptures and paintings at local galleries. It is located within easy reach of Lewis-Clark Valley - which offers a wide variety of activities.
Day 10 Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park was established to protect the area's spectacular scenic values, as characterized by the geologic features of the Rocky Mountains and valleys and the native plant and animal life. The park encompasses approximately 1.4 million acres of wilderness and some of the most beautiful mountain scenery in the western United States. A combination of spectacular scenery, diverse flora and fauna, and relative isolation from major population centers have combined to make Glacier National Park the center of one of the largest and most intact ecosystems in North America - once the homeland of the Blackfoot and Kootenai Indian tribes and many sites in the park are sacred spiritual sites. There are over 50 glaciers in the park from which it gets its name. There are also over 200 lakes or streams in Glacier. There are over 730 miles of trails for hikers to enjoy in Glacier National Park.
Day 11 Yellowstone National Park
Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park is the first and oldest national park in the world. Preserved within Yellowstone are Old Faithful Geyser and some 10,000 hot springs and geysers, the majority of the planet's total. These geothermal wonders are evidence of one of the world's largest active volcanoes; its last eruption created a crater or caldera that spans almost half of the park. An outstanding mountain wildland with clean water and air, Yellowstone is home of the grizzly bear and wolf, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. It is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet. The human history of the park dates back 12,000 years. The events of the last 130 years of park history are reflected in the historic structures and sites associated with various periods of park administration and visitor facilities development.
Day 12 Yellowstone National Park
Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park is the first and oldest national park in the world. Preserved within Yellowstone are Old Faithful Geyser and some 10,000 hot springs and geysers, the majority of the planet's total. These geothermal wonders are evidence of one of the world's largest active volcanoes; its last eruption created a crater or caldera that spans almost half of the park. An outstanding mountain wildland with clean water and air, Yellowstone is home of the grizzly bear and wolf, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. It is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet. The human history of the park dates back 12,000 years. The events of the last 130 years of park history are reflected in the historic structures and sites associated with various periods of park administration and visitor facilities development.
Day 13 Yellowstone National Park
Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park is the first and oldest national park in the world. Preserved within Yellowstone are Old Faithful Geyser and some 10,000 hot springs and geysers, the majority of the planet's total. These geothermal wonders are evidence of one of the world's largest active volcanoes; its last eruption created a crater or caldera that spans almost half of the park. An outstanding mountain wildland with clean water and air, Yellowstone is home of the grizzly bear and wolf, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. It is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet. The human history of the park dates back 12,000 years. The events of the last 130 years of park history are reflected in the historic structures and sites associated with various periods of park administration and visitor facilities development.
Day 14 Yellowstone National Park
Established on March 1, 1872, Yellowstone National Park is the first and oldest national park in the world. Preserved within Yellowstone are Old Faithful Geyser and some 10,000 hot springs and geysers, the majority of the planet's total. These geothermal wonders are evidence of one of the world's largest active volcanoes; its last eruption created a crater or caldera that spans almost half of the park. An outstanding mountain wildland with clean water and air, Yellowstone is home of the grizzly bear and wolf, and free-ranging herds of bison and elk. It is the core of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest intact temperate zone ecosystems remaining on the planet. The human history of the park dates back 12,000 years. The events of the last 130 years of park history are reflected in the historic structures and sites associated with various periods of park administration and visitor facilities development.
Day 14 Grand Teton National Park
Towering more than a mile above the valley of Jackson Hole, the Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet. Twelve Teton peaks reach above 12,000 feet and support a dozen mountain glaciers. The west side of the range slopes gently, showing the angle of tilt of the Earth's crust. The Teton Range is the youngest range in the Rockies and displays some of North America's oldest rocks.
Day 15 Grand Teton National Park
Towering more than a mile above the valley of Jackson Hole, the Grand Teton rises to 13,770 feet. Twelve Teton peaks reach above 12,000 feet and support a dozen mountain glaciers. The west side of the range slopes gently, showing the angle of tilt of the Earth's crust. The Teton Range is the youngest range in the Rockies and displays some of North America's oldest rocks.
Day 16 Jackson, WY
This town hasn't changed much since the West was won, with historical architecture, authentic saloons, and a true wild western atmosphere.