Privately owned by Anderson Enterprise Inc. for over 60 years, the St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats operate two boats in the St. Charles, Illinois area. They are the St. Charles Belle and the Fox River Queen. Each boat offers passage to approximately 100 people and features open air decks for the best possible sightseeing.
These public riverboat cruises travel daily along the Fox River starting in St. Charles at Pottawatomie Park. It's a four-mile trip to go up the river and back and no reservations are required for public cruises. Prices for public cruises are $7.50 for adults, $6 for children 2 to 15, and any child under 2 rides free.
Public cruises do not serve food, but bottled water or soft drinks are available at an additional cost. If you wish to charter the boat for a special occasion or event, you can do so in advance. Group charters include lunch or dinner depending on what time of day you wish to embark.
St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats
2 North Ave.
St. Charles, Illinois 60174
630-584-2334
stcriverboats.com
The Spirit of Peoria paddle wheel boat travels on both the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. It is the only boat of its kind that offers overnight trips for its guests. The Spirit of Peoria cruises offer buffet-style meals and various forms of entertainment including sightseeing, music and storytelling.
Owner Alex Grieves had this boat built in 1988 and it's been in operation ever since. It's approximately 160-feet long including four decks. The boat can hold approximately 485 people at a time and travels up to 10 m.p.h. depending on the water current.
There are a variety of cruises you can embark on with the Spirit of Peoria including day trips, multi-day trips from two to five days in length, as well as private charters. There are also themed cruises at different times of year and for different Holidays including Mother's and Father's Day, murder mystery, moonlight, rock and roll with the tropics and Jimmy Buffet night and more.
The Spirit of Peoria
100 Water Street
Peoria, IL 61602
309-637-8000
spiritofpeoria.com
The Paddle Wheel Queen cruises New York's harbor and is said to be the state's largest party on the water. Party cruises are available all year round as are private event charters with an advanced reservation. This boat can accommodate from 50 to 400 people per cruise and embarks from New York's Skyport Marina. The Paddle Wheel Queen features a total of three decks, two which are climate controlled, a club like sound system, full bar and a menu tailored to your group's wants.
The Paddle Wheel Queen can be reserved for a wedding, birthday, corporate event or even a fundraiser.
Paddle Wheel Queen
NY Skyport Marina
East 23rd Street and FDR Drive
New York, NY 10010
212-213-2002
paddlewheelqueen.com
