Basic Facts About Mississippi River Cruises In La Crosse, Wisconsin

Sailing on the Mississippi River in La Crosse can be a quite pleasant way to spend a few hours, catch a small glimpse of the history and culture of the Mississippi nearby areas and enjoy a sumptuous meal.

Houseboat Cruises

La Crosse Mississippi River Cruises

This sort of cruise, usually piloted by a professional or yourself, will allow passengers to visit “houseboat beaches” on the Mississippi River. Special moments as well as family memories can be “built” in a somehow private setting, and cruises may last overnight or several days. And with so many houseboat rentals being available these days, offering special amenities like, for instance, hot tubs, can make the trip be really romantic as well as fun.

Ecology Tours

For a small glimpse at more than just the shorelines of the Mississippi River, a wildlife eco tour might be just the thing for you. Mississippi Explorer will offer cruise tours to view bird migrations, wildlife, guided narration which will teach guests about the plant and animal life of the river, or fall foliage. Cruise tours will usually range from one-and-a-half-hour to over three hours.

Steamboat Cruises

La Crosse will provide the rich history of the Mississippi River, mixed with the romantic nostalgia of steamboat travel on board the La Crosse Queen. Being able to hold almost 150 guests, this riverboat is considered an authentic replica of the regular steamboats which once traveled this area. Lunch, dinner, moonlight cruises or private party tours will be provided, usually lasting for about one-and-a-half hours to over three hours.

These are only a few options of Mississippi River cruises in La Crosse, Wisconsin. For more info about other similar options, you will only have to do a small research over the internet and you will probably find other useful in-depth related info in a matter of minutes.

Remember only to only use the services of reputable companies, as these days there are more and more small companies which pretend to offer quality services only to find that their services are not at all so great.

Basic Descriptions About Several Mississippi River Steamboat Cruises

The mighty Mississippi River will stretch over more than 2.300 miles from Minnesota to the southernmost lands of New Orleans after which will empty in the Gulf of Mexico. Immortalized by Mark Twain or Jerome Kern, the composer of “Showboat”, this majestic river will attract travelers who are in the look of a ride on the river. Although many of the traditional steamboats which once plied the waters of the Mississippi have fallen on hard periods of time, you may still find several that will provide cruise tours, both downriver and upriver.

The Steamboat Natchez

Mississippi River Steamboat Cruises

Being operated by the New Orleans Steamboat Company, the Natchez is a popular classic steamboat which will provide dinner jazz as well as harbor cruise tours on a regular basis. Leaving out of the Toulouse Street Wharf in the French Quarter of New Orleans, this riverboat will provide a 2-hour Jazz Cruise which will leave at 19.00 and will include casual buffet dining, live jazz performed by the Dukes of Dixieland, indoor as well as outdoor seating, and extraordinary views of New Orleans and the Mississippi River. Reservations will be recommended for this specific cruise.

A 2-hour daytime Harbor Cruise is a wonderful way to do a little sightseeing. There is an optional Creole lunch on this riverboat, and the cruise will be narrated. Guests may enjoy a live Calliope concert as well. The Harbor Cruise will board at 11.00 and 14.00. Travelers should call ahead for schedules or availability information.

New Orleans Steamboat Company
400 N. Peters St.
504 586 8777
http://steamboatnatchez.com

The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen

This traditional paddle-wheeler steamboat, which has been launched in 1983, will leave from New Orleans. The Creole Queen will provide a 3-hour Dinner Jazz Cruise which will board at 19.00 at the Canal Street Dock. For around $64 per passenger, you will get the cruise, live jazz music, a Creole buffet dinner as well as a cash bar. The Creole Queen will be decked out in southern style, having wrought iron trim on its outer deck, bars which are made from Louisiana Cypress or Victorian draperies in the windows.

The Paddlewheeler Creole Queen
Riverwalk Market Place, Box 39
504 529 4567
http://creolequeen.com

The Riverboat Twilight

If you would like to splurge a little and include some overnight accommodations in your plans, you may want to take into consideration booking a 2-day trip on the upper Mississippi on board the Twilight riverboat. This boat will provide round-trip cruises which take passengers from Le Claire over 160 miles on the Mississippi River to Dubuque. There, you will spend your night at the Riverfront Grand Harbor and then return back to Le Claire the very next day. The hotel will include a 25.000-square-foot water park, nearby casino, full breakfast buffet and evening transportation. More modern than many other boats, the Twilight is considered a replica of 19th century steamboats with 21st century comforts, dining area, air conditioning or three sundecks. The overnight cruise will include performances by folk and jazz musicians, or Mark Twain impersonators. As of 2011, such a cruise cost around $330 and will include all meals, lodging and activities.

River Cruises
P.O. Box 172
1 800 331 1467
http://riverboattwilight.com/index2010.htm

Basic Info On Three Different Mississippi River Dinner Cruises

The majestic Mississippi River will wind all the way from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, traveling through several states such as Missouri, Tennessee, Arkansas, Iowa, Kentucky, Illinois, Mississippi or Louisiana. Steamboats ruled this river since early 1800s as riverboats were the main way of trading along the waterfront. Mark Twain once wrote about these steamboats in his famous book, “Life on the Mississippi.” Now dinner cruise tours, wedding ceremonies, parties or daily trips are used to observe the natural wonders and city skylines which will take place on board a steamboat replica or riverboats along the Mississippi River.

Mississippi River Dinner Cruises

Padelford Riverboats

The Padelford Riverboats have welcomed since now more than 4.000.000 travelers since entered in service in 1969. This cruise line operates out of St. Paul`s Harriet Island Regional Park. Additionally to daily public cruise tours from early June through September, the paddle riverboat will feature a dinner cruise on Sunday, Tuesday or Friday evenings. The family may come on board for a meal and live entertainment. The menu is distinct each and every evening but will feature entrees like pasta, pot roast or ham. Side dishes will include potatoes, bread, roasted vegetables, Caesar salad, dessert or coffee. From the deck, passengers will enjoy the scenery offered by the Twin Cities skyline, the wooded banks of the Mississippi River as well as the sun set in the sky.

Padelford Riverboats
Paddleford Packet Boat Co., Inc.
800 543 3908
http://riverrides.com

Gateway Arch Riverboats

Hop on board the Becky Thatcher or Tom Sawyer Riverboat for a dinner cruise tour along the Mississippi River at St. Louis. The nineteenth-century steamboat replica will take passengers on a Skyline Dinner Cruise from late March through late November. This sit-down dinner will provide varied menu options, which will include seafood, chicken, red meat, and side dishes of potatoes, vegetables, bread and desserts. Live music will round out the entertainment of the evening.

The Gateway Arch Riverboats
707 N. First St.
877 982 1410
http://gatewayarch.com

Steamboat Natchez

Enjoy the sounds and sights of the New Orleans by getting on board the Steamboat Natchez. The nightly dinner cruise menu will feature a few entrees, which will include chicken, pasta, seafood or carved meats. Salad, bread, potatoes or vegetables will round out the side dishes. A wide selection of desserts will be served. Passengers may dine either indoors or outdoors and can enjoy the New Orleans`s view. Live jazz music will be offered by the Dukes of Dixieland.

Steamboat Natchez
400 N. Peters St.
800 233 2628
http://steamboatnatchez.com

Basics About Riverboat Cruises Along The Mississippi River In The Fall

Fall is considered one of the most popular seasons along the mighty Mississippi River. AS the leaves will change, warm autumn color will invite travelers from all over the nation to explore the longest river in the United States. For a unique experience, take into consideration to embark on board a fall cruise along the Mississippi River.

 Fall Mississippi Riverboat Cruises

The Spirit of Peoria

This 3-day cruise will take passengers down the Illinois River Valley on board the Spirit of Peoria ship, a traditional replica of a nineteenth century riverboat complete with twenty-one-foot diameter paddle-wheel. The cruise will leave Peoria for an overnight stay in Jacksonville and Grafton before it will stop at its final port in St. Louis. From here, a motor coach will offer transportation back to Peoria. While on board the boat, passenger may enjoy a lot of activities which will include homemade meals, live entertainment, professional river lore or historical info. Also included will be complimentary drinks or wildlife sightseeing. Ticket prices will be all inclusive and will include overnight lodging, round-trip transportation or baggage handling. This cruise tour will provide a few departure dates in August, September or October.

The Spirit of Peoria
100 Water St.
800 676 8988
http://spiritofpeoria.com

The Twilight

This 2-day cruise will take passengers through a 160 mile stretch along the Mississippi River in Iowa. Passengers will be able to travel on board the Twilight riverboat, which will feature ornate architectural detailing reminiscent of a Victorian steamboat from the 19th century. The cruise will leave Le Claire and will travel through 7 points of interest before reaching its overnight destination in Dubuque. Passengers may enjoy overnight accommodations at The Grand Harbor Resort in the Port of Dubuque, before getting on board the riverboat for its return back to Le Claire. While on board the boat, passengers may enjoy many interesting activities like spacious dining salons, homemade meals or furnished decks. Also, an expert river guide, sightseeing opportunities or live folk musicians will be available as well. Ticket prices will be all inclusive and will include all meals, interesting activities, overnight lodging and baggage handling. This cruise tour will depart each and every Sunday, Tuesday or Thursday from early June through late October.

River Cruises
406 Franklin St.
800 331 1467
http://riverboattwilight.com

Mississippi River Foliage Cruise

These 3-day cruises will take passengers on board a historical tour from Iowa all the way to Wisconsin. Beginning in Indianapolis, passengers will board a motor coach bound for Dubuque. While being in Dubuque, passengers may visit the National Mississippi river Museum and Aquarium before will enjoy overnight accommodation at Hotel Julien. In the morning, passengers will embark the Celebration Belle, a luxurious paddle-wheel riverboat, for an entire day along the Mississippi River while enjoying meals and live music. After staying in overnight accommodations at the House on the Rock Resort, a motor coach will be taking passengers to Spring Green to tour Taliesin, the home of Frank Lloyd Wright, before getting back to Indianapolis. Ticket rates will be all inclusive and will include deluxe motor coach transportation, meals, beverages, baggage handling, overnight accommodations or sightseeing. This trip will depart from Indianapolis on October 5, every year.

Ambassadair
201 West 103rd St.
888 225 9919
http://ambassadair.com

Basic Info About Three Different Mississippi Riverboat Cruises In St Louis

St. Louis is considered a vibrant city which is located on the mighty Mississippi River. Known for traveler attractions such as the Anheuser-Busch Brewery or the Gateway Arch, as well as professional sports teams like Rams and Cardinals, St. Louis is considered home to Mississippi riverboat cruises as well. Gateway Arch Riverfront, as part of the National Park Service, provides dinner, entertainment or sightseeing cruises for visitors of all ages or groups of all sizes.

One-Hour Cruises

Riverboats named for the well known Mark Twain characters Becky Thatcher and Tom Sawyer will be the setting for 1-hour historical tours of the riverfront of St. Louis. Tour participants will be able to hear about St. Louis` history from the tour captain as well as learn about the past of the Mississippi River from a National Park Service ranger. The tour will depart from the levee below the Gateway Arch of St. Louis. Passengers who will make reservations for these cruises will also have the option of selecting box or hot dog lunch.

The Gateway Arch Riverfront
707 North First Street
877 982 1410
http://gatewayarch.com

Kimmswick Cruises

Travelers who are in the look of a little charm may enjoy a cruise on board the Tom Sawyer Riverboat departing from St. Louis to the nearby town of Kimmswick. Located on the majestic Mississippi River, the town is popular for antiques, historic houses or quaint shopping. Gateway Arch provides both 2-hour and 4-hour Kimmswick tours. Either cruise tour will offer guest time for visiting the town and both will include lunch at the Blue Owl Restaurant and Bakery.

The Gateway Arch official website will note that passengers of the Kimmswick cruise tours should expect stairs or gravel roads while they will be on these tours. It will not be recommended for travelers who are in the need of walkers or wheelchairs, or for those certain people with physical limitations. Gateway Arch will recommend Kimmswick cruise participants wear comfortable walking shoes, if it is possible.

Skyline Dinner Cruise

Travelers to St. Louis who are in the look for a leisurely dinner cruise tour will most likely enjoy Gateway Arch Skyline dinner cruise. It will provide cocktails as well as a delightful menu of chicken and prime rib, vegetarian manicotti, side dishes or dessert. Diners can enjoy live jazz music while taking in some of the views of St. Louis nearby areas. Kids` meals will be available as well, and passengers can pre-arrange for wine, hor`doeuvres as well as party favors for special events.