Steamboat or bus? The clever livery on American Cruise Line buses may leave you wondering. The buses depart the Winona levee when river boats dock. Here looping around Windom Park: “See Princess Winona in the fountain. And to your right, a lumber baron’s home from the 1880s.” Images: Steve Lunde
City tours $50 to $75, bottled water included
\WINONA, Minn. – American Cruise Lines has a fleet of tourist buses that follow its river ships port to port and take passengers to local sites. Charges range from $50 to $75 per person for Winona shore excursions, bottled water included. The tours, all additional revenue for the cruise line, include:
> A guided bus tour with stops at the Winona history museum downtown , the Minnesota Marine Art Museum, and the Garvin Heights lookout.
> A guided bus tour to historic places with attention to architecture and stained glass and downtown shopping, eating and strolling.
> A river trip to the Fountain City dam and the Upper Mississippi Wildlife Refuge with narration by City Council member and part-time magician Aaron Rupinki, who owns the boat. Advice: “Bring your camera and binoculars to view local wildlife like eagles, deer, turtles, snakes and beavers.”
> A guided 60-minute walk downtown to see the architecture and hear stories.
With larger cruise ships, 100 passengers typically disembark for tours.
Earlier: Paddle-wheeler stop signals new river tourism visit