St. Louis riverboats have plied the Mississippi River since the early 1800s. Nowadays, these floating destinations feature restaurants, casinos and live dinner shows. You may choose from lunch or dinner cruises. Note that two of the riverboat dining establishments even offer children's menus. Selections range from pizza and deli sandwiches to steaks and fine dining.
Gateway Riverboat Cruises offers dining excursions from March through December. The company operates two riverboats, the "Tom Sawyer" and the "Becky Thatcher." Passengers may choose from entrees such as prime rib, Alaskan pollock or chicken saltimbocca while listening to a live Dixieland jazz band. Children's meals are offered, and cruises depart at 7:30 p.m. Standard prices are $42 for adults and $20 for children under 12.
Gateway Riverboat Cruises
800 North First St.
St. Louis, MO
314-621-4040 or 877-982-1410
gatewayarch.com
The Alton Belle, the first riverboat casino in St. Louis, docks on the east side of the Mississippi River in Alton, Illinois. This floating casino features the Outfitter's Grill, the Captain's Table Buffet and the La Cantina pizza, chili and sandwich shop. Prices range from approximately $5 for a sandwich, to $13.99 for a dinner buffet or Sunday brunch, to $19.99 for a USDA choice steak with all the trimmings. The Alton Belle is a non-smoking establishment, as is mandated by the Smoke-Free Illinois Act.
Argosy Casino - Alton
1 Piasa St.Alton, IL 62002
800-711-4263
argosy.com
The Casino Queen is a four-story replica of a 19th century paddlewheeler, located on the east side of the Mississippi River directly across from the Gateway Arch. The Queen offers fine dining in the Prime Steakhouse, a full smorgasbord in the Market Street Buffet and a variety of appetizers and sandwiches in the Deli and Chips restaurant. Prices range from $7 for a prime rib sandwich to an average of $22 for steaks and seafood.
The Casino Queen
200 South Front St.
East St. Louis, IL 62201
800-777-0777
casinoqueen.com
