Cape Girardeau MO (Missouri)

Cape Girardeau is a Mississippi River cruise port and city in Missouri USA, with population around 40,000 (metro around 135,000). The town is approx 185 km (115 mi) southeast of St Louis Missouri and approx 280 km (175 mi) north of Memphis Tennessee. By population, it is ranked the state's 17th-largest.

The settlement was founded in 1733 as a trading post. The town was officially incorporated in 1843. Its economy was based on shipping trade being back then the biggest riverport on Mississippi between St Louis MO and Memphis TN. The city is best-known for the battle of Cape Girardeau (1863) between the armies of The Union and Confederacy. In 1928, the states Missouri and Illinois were connected via bridge (Old Bridge) over Mississippi River built here. In 2003 was opened the new Emerson Bridge (4-lane, cable-stayed, with height 91 m / 300 ft).

Among the city's best-known landmarks is Mississippi River Tales Mural with 24 panels (total size ~1700 m2 / 18000 ft2) spanning downtown's entire length. The Riverfront Park is a large recreational complex with dock for riverboats (also serving as cruise port berthing). The city's current-day economy is based on top-employers like Southeast Health, St Francis Medical Center, Procter & Gamble Company (Cincinnati-based consumer goods corporation), Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau Public Schools, Drury Hotels Company, LLC (mid-scale hotels chain), Jackson R-2 Foundation (School District), Robinson Construction Company, Isle of Capri Casino Inc (gaming company), Mondi Group (manufacturer of premium standup pouches, side gusset bags, rollstock), private schools and colleges.

The city is served by Cape Girardeau Regional Airport (city-owned airport) located approx 9 km (6 ml) southwest of downtown. The airport serves United Express flights linking to Chicago IL (O'Hare Airport) and Paducah KY (Barkley Airport).

As cruise port, Cape Girardeau MO is included in the schedules of USA's largest river cruise companies - ACL (American Cruise Lines) and AQSC (American Queen Voyages/Steamboat Company). The port is visited on regularly scheduled itineraries operated by the riverboats Queen of the Mississippi/American Heritage, American Duchess, American Queen, American Harmony, America/American Splendor.

The next table shows Queen of the Mississippi's 8-day itinerary from Nashville to St Louis (northbound) with prices from ~USD 3100 pp.