Passengers can embark on an authentic paddle wheel boat river cruise in several states throughout North America. Riverboats are propelled by rear-facing paddle wheels and feature vintage architecture, Victorian decor and antique furnishings. From vast inland lakes to the mighty Mississippi River, guests can travel along scenic routes as they listen to historic narrations by the ship's captain. Many cruise companies also offer evening dinner cruises, theme nights and murder-mystery adventures.
Queen of Seattle Paddle Wheel Cruises is located in northwestern Washington and offers a variety of two-hour cruises. Passengers will depart from Lake Union in Seattle and continue through the Lake Washington Ship Canal. Attractions of the sightseeing cruise include the houseboat used in the film "Sleepless in Seattle," the Fisherman's Terminal and the Hiram Chittenden Locks. Other cruise themes include a 1890s gold rush dinner cruise, murder mystery events and holiday celebrations. The ship features a dance floor, four decks and a viewing area of the steam engine room.
Queen of Seattle Paddle Wheel Cruises
860 Terry Avenue North
Seattle, WA 98109
877-783-3616
queenofseattle.com
Dubuque River Rides is located in northeastern Iowa and offers a variety of sightseeing and dinner cruises. Passengers will depart from Ice Harbor in Dubuque as they travel along the Mississippi River. Cruises range from one-and-a-half to four hours in duration and feature themes such as sightseeing, sunset dinner and fall foliage. The company also offers several specialty and holiday cruises throughout the year. The ship features an air-conditioned dining room, open-air upper deck and a fully-stocked bar.
Dubuque River Rides
500 East 3rd St.
Dubuque, IA 52001
563-583-8093
spiritofdubuque.com
BB Riverboats is located in northern Kentucky and offers a variety of dinner, sightseeing and specialty cruises. Cruise durations range from one to four hours as passengers depart Newport on the Ohio River. Travel options include six different dinner cruises, seven holiday cruises and a Cincinnati sightseeing cruise. The company offers two paddle wheel boats that feature climate-controlled decks with fully-service bars and open-air upper decks.
BB Riverboats
101 Riverboat Row
Newport, KY 41071
859-261-8500
bbriverboats.com
New Orleans Paddlewheels is located in southeastern Louisiana and offers daily sightseeing and dinner cruises. Passengers will depart from New Orleans on a three-hour cruise. Two types of cruises are offered: an evening jazz dinner cruise and the Chalmette Battlefield River Cruise. On the Chalmette Battlefield River Cruise, passengers can disembark the ship and tour the site of the 1815 Battle of New Orleans. The ship features three private dining rooms, air conditioned decks and an entertainment stage.
New Orleans Paddlewheels
1 Poydras St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
800-445-4109
creolequeen.com
Savannah River Boat Cruises is located in southeastern Georgia and offers a variety of sightseeing, dinner and live entertainment cruises. Passengers will depart from the Savannah as they travel through the Savannah River Channel. Cruises are one or two hours and feature themes such as murder mystery and moonlight dancing. Entertainment cruises include live gospel music and Gullah Geechee performances. The company offers two paddle wheel boats that feature air conditioning, dance floors and open-air decks.
Savannah River Boat Cruises
9 East River Street.
Savannah, GA 31412
800-786-6404
savannah-riverboat.com
