Explore America along its waterways
Rivers north and south offer visitors varied, unique landscape

Seasoned travelers know that one of the best ways to see a country can be via its rivers and waterways.

Just as a journey on the Blue Danube provides a unique perspective of Europe's treasures, a growing number of Americans are discovering that river and coastal cruising can provide an unforgettable way to experience the natural beauty and distinct regional cultures of the United States.

Here are three American travel experiences that experts say are best seen by river:

•The mighty and historic Mississippi. From St. Paul in the north to New Orleans in the south, the Mississippi River allows travelers to experience the heart and soul of America on the great river that helped shape the country's history. One of the best ways to experience this is aboard the grand American Queen. Although it carries just 436 guests, it is reportedly the world's largest river cruise ship. This modern ship has state-of-the-art technology yet pays homage to the legendary vessels that once defined luxury river travel in the late 19th century.•

The Columbia River Gorge. Nowhere is there a more stunning view of this picturesque natural wonder than from the river itself. A trip through this 80mile canyon highlights nature's unbridled strength and showcases its majesty with black basalt cliff walls soaring 4,000 feet above the river, lush firs and a bounty of plummeting waterfalls.

•A truly wild Alaskan experience. Majestic America Line is the only cruise line to offer a voyage into the mouth of the fastflowing Stikine River, considered one of the last truly wild rivers in North America. This glacier-fed river was once a major navigation route to the Klondike.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.