When deciding when to sail the Mighty Mississippi, the answer isn’t immediately obvious, largely because of the river’s sheer length. Stretching for about 2,340 miles, it flows from Lake Itasca in Minnesota down to the Gulf of Mexico, passing through or bordering on 10 states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi and Louisiana. Unsurprisingly, the weather shifts dramatically along its course, and most cruises explore just a portion rather than the full stretch.
For clarity, it helps to think of the river in three parts:
- Lower Mississippi, covering sections of Louisiana, Mississippi (the state), Arkansas and Tennessee
- Middle Mississippi, spanning Missouri and Kentucky
- Upper Mississippi, taking in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa
At a glance
- The Lower Mississippi is best explored in the autumn and winter when the weather is mild and events like Mardi Gras are celebrated
- The Middle Mississippi is most appealing in spring and autumn, owing to pleasant temperatures, local festivals and colourful foliage
- The Upper Mississippi is ideal from spring through early autumn, thanks to warm days, scenic cruising and spectacular autumn colours; keep in mind winter is typically too cold to cruise here
Spring
Cheat sheet:
- Lower Mississippi: Yes
- Middle Mississippi: Yes
- Upper Mississippi: Yes
Spring gives you a good chance of sailing the entire Mississippi. It’s a bit of a Goldilocks season: not too sweltering in the Lower Mississippi, and not too chilly up north. In May, New Orleans enjoys an average of around 24 °C, Memphis hovers at about 22 °C and St Paul sits comfortably in the low twenties.
There’s plenty to celebrate, too. The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival is well worth planning your trip around if you’re a music lover, with an impressive line-up each year. The Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival is another standout, while Memphis hosts the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.
The only caveat? Spring can bring higher-than-usual water levels, thanks to heavy rain or snowmelt. This can sometimes disrupt or alter cruise itineraries. With increasingly unpredictable weather patterns, it can be hard to gauge the risk of flooding during these months.
Summer
Cheat sheet:
- Lower Mississippi: for the brave
- Middle Mississippi: Yes
- Upper Mississippi: Yes
The Deep South gets intensely hot and humid at the height of summer, so some cruisers steer clear of the Lower Mississippi altogether. In New Orleans, average highs hover around 32 °C in July and August, but it’s not unheard of for the mercury to reach 40 °C. The humidity can make it feel even more stifling. Sudden thunderstorms can be dramatic and atmospheric, but relentless mosquitoes and thick, muggy air are far less appealing. It’s also worth remembering that hurricane season runs from June to November.
Further along the river, conditions remain warm but slightly more manageable. Memphis sees temperatures in the high twenties or low thirties at times, but many visitors still come in August for Elvis Week.
The weather is similar on the Middle Mississippi, and cities along it also tend to host summer events and riverfront festivals. Take St Louis, for instance, where you can experience the Blues at the Arch in August.
Meanwhile, destinations along the Upper Mississippi, like Minnesota and Wisconsin, enjoy temperatures in the high twenties, though there is occasional humidity. It’s peak season for exploring these Midwest states, with plenty to do outdoors, from hiking and wild swimming to alfresco beer tastings and summer music festivals.
Autumn
Cheat sheet:
- Lower Mississippi: Yes
- Middle Mississippi: Yes
- Upper Mississippi: Yes
Autumn – or ‘fall’, as our American cousins call it – is one of the very best times to sail the Mississippi from start to finish. The weather is generally pleasant, or at least more mellow, throughout. In October, average highs sit around 26 °C in New Orleans, 23 °C in Memphis and about 15 °C in St Paul.
Best of all, the foliage is at its most spectacular, especially along the middle and upper river. Expect fiery displays in states from Missouri to Minnesota. The latter in particular has an impressive network of parks for hiking and cycling, along with tree-lined avenues that burst into colour. Locals embrace ‘sweater weather’ with enthusiasm, and there are plenty of cosy cafés where you can grab a pumpkin spice latte after an afternoon of leaf peeping.
Time it right, and your Mississippi cruise might even coincide with Halloween – a holiday that Americans celebrate with gusto. Alternatively, states like Wisconsin and Minnesota go all out for Oktoberfest.
Winter
Cheat sheet:
- Lower Mississippi: Yes
- Middle Mississippi: Yes
- Upper Mississippi: No
Winter isn’t a good time to sail the Upper Mississippi, given the frequent sub-zero temperatures. In Minnesota, average lows can reach minus 10 °C across the winter months, with limited sunshine adding to the chill.
Meanwhile, states in the Middle Mississippi are typically cold but not extremely so. Daytime highs usually sit in the single digits, and overnight lows often are at or below freezing. Light to moderate snowfall is fairly common, along with some rain.
That said, winter is an excellent time to sail the Lower Mississippi. The weather is relatively mild, hovering in the mid- to high-teens. It’s also peak season for big-ticket events in places like New Orleans. From December through early spring, the city is alive with festivities. There’s Christmas, of course, but more importantly, Mardi Gras, which usually falls in February or early March.
Even if your visit doesn’t coincide with the revelry, it’s still a wonderful time to enjoy the Big Easy’s outdoor attractions in relative comfort, from wandering its historic cemeteries to exploring its celebrated sculpture garden in City Park.
What else should you know about cruising the Mississippi?
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