The Mississippi River is one of the largest rivers in the United States. Tied to its rich history are the river boats that have been used for numerous purposes such as transportation for passengers or even shipment of goods from one part of the country to the other.
Families making plans to travel to a new and exciting destination might want to consider a place that is rich in history – making it both fun and educational.
Find out here how you can learn about the history of the river boat and the Mississippi River so you can make plans to create a trip of a lifetime for the entire family.
Let’s take a look at what you need to know.
Go On Interactive Tours at Museums
If there is one idea you and your family should consider, it’s going on interactive tours at the museums that offer an immersive experience.
Especially if you want to learn about the early history of the Mississippi River and how it became a major route for transporting goods from north to south (and vice versa). You and your family can enjoy the interactive exhibits to learn about how the Mississippi Riverboat cruises work mechanically and participate in some of the hands-on activities such as knot-tying or even river boat designing (no engineering skills needed).
Take a Trip On A Riverboat Cruise
What better way to cap off a trip of a lifetime than a riverboat cruise along the river itself? You’ll get to take in the scenery of the Mississippi River and the many communities that are situated along its banks such as Natchez and Vicksburg.
Both of these cities also offer different tours about the history of their towns and how they had been so important for river transportation in the 19th century for passengers.
If you are in Natchez, check out the National Historical Park. Did you know that Natchez was one of the oldest settlements along the Mississippi River? It was a French settlement in 1716 and since then has become a site of cultural significance, including in the time when America’s cotton industry was thriving.
River History-Inspired Arts and Crafts
Gather whatever newfound knowledge you have and use it to make numerous craft projects based on what you and your family have learned about the history of the Mississippi River.
This can include building model riverboats, designing costumes based on the riverboat workers and captains of the 19th Century (and making a costume party out of it). Or you can create a 3D diorama inspired by the river towns, the local ecosystem, and yes, even model boats that serve as the centerpiece of the Mississippi River of ages past.
This will give you and your family a chance to leverage that newfound knowledge while taking advantage of their creative skills. There’s nothing better than arts and crafts to revisit their stories that allow them the chance to learn about the Mississippi River and the boats that made them famous.
Make A Trivia Night Out Of It
Yes, there’s nothing quite like a game of trivia that is fun for the whole family. The best part is that it’s another great opportunity for you and your family to use.
Another way to approach trivia is by sharing the facts about steamboats and the history of the Mississippi River and then asking a “pop quiz” question to keep them on their toes (and to see if they have been paying attention).
By sharing fascinating pieces of information, it can start conversations about what someone has learned about river history. It might even segue into a conversation that may lead to yet another fun and educational trip someplace else (and create a travel fund for it). Who says that the best trip ideas don’t come from conversations that are tied to the last trip?
Capture What You See As Interesting And Learn More
During your trip, it might be a good idea to capture what you see that might be found as interesting. It can be something like a river boat you see on the water or a historical landmark that you saw but didn’t have the time to visit.
You can take pictures using your camera and digitally store it so you can be able to learn more about it later on. For example, if you take pictures of a river boat that caught your eye, you can plug in the name of it on Google and learn about its history.
Final Thoughts
The Mississippi River and the communities lined alongside it each have its own historical significance. The majestic river boats that ruled the mighty river are still a sight to behold even to this day.
You can climb aboard one and tour the river and learn about its rich history with your family. Be sure to take plenty of pictures and take notes of whatever you find interesting. You’ll never know what you might use that newfound knowledge for.
