Because of the potential for commerce, many inland cities were established and thrived along major navigable rivers. Many of these cities became important centers for trade and crossroads for the movement of goods and people. This group of cities on rivers includes some of the major cities in America.

St Louis, MO — Right along the banks of the Mississippi River, the city of St Louis welcomes visitors with its Gateway Arch, commemorating the Westward Expansion of the United States in the 1800’s.

Gateway Arch

New Orleans, LA — At the mouth of the Mississippi River is one of America’s most fun cities. New Orleans combines great music, great food, and a party atmosphere that never ends.

St Louis Cathedral

Chicago, IL — The Chicago River bisects the city of Chicago, one of the world’s great metropolises. Its skyline is second to none as it sits along the banks of Lake Michigan.

Chicago River

Kansas City, MO — On the border between Missouri and Kansas, Kansas City lies on the Missouri River and has become a bustling metropolis filled with the charm of the Midwest.

Union Station and the Kansas City Skyline

San Antonio, TX — The San Antonio River which runs through the center of the city has become a wonderful example of the resurrection of a city center. The Paseo del Rio (Riverwalk) draws thousands of visitors and locals to the downtown.

Riverwalk

Pittsburgh, PA — Once an industrial giant, Pittsburgh has reemerged as a center for the Arts. The impressive city lies at the confluence of three rivers (hence the Pittsburgh Steelers’ Three Rivers Stadium), the Monongahela, the Allegany, and the Ohio Rivers.

Pittsburgh, PA