mississippi river dinner cruise la crosse

Public reservations can be booked online four weeks in advanced to cruise date.

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Saturday Dinner Cruise

Have an unforgettable meal while floating down the Mississippi River.

Quick Details

• Hour Glass Duration: 2.5 hours
• Users Ages: All ages
• Clock Start time: 6:00 p.m.
• Info Booking: Public reservations can be booked online four weeks in advance

Saturday Nights on the Mississippi!

Bring your sweetheart, friends, or family aboard for a magical evening on the Mississippi River. Sit back and relax while the La Crosse Queen paddles along the main channel. A tasty, chef-carved prime rib and chicken dinner will be provided in a fine dining atmosphere. As a special treat on this two-and-a-half-hour riverboat cruise, we will “lock thru”  Lock and Dam No. 7 , river conditions permitting. Advanced reservations are necessary. Beer, wine, and liquor are available for purchase.

• Chef-carved prime rib and baked chicken dinner
• “Locking Thru” river conditions permitting

Related Cruises

• Clock 10:30 a.m.
• Users All ages
• Hour Glass 2.5 hours

Captain’s Sunday Brunch

Enjoy a delicious brunch while learning about the Mississippi River on this narrated river tour!

• Clock 7:30 p.m.
• Hour Glass 2 hours

Friday Dinner Cruise

Have a delicious buffet-style dinner while enjoying live music on this evening tour of the Mississippi River!

• Clock Varies
• Hour Glass 3 hours

Three-Hour Lunch Cruise

Spend the afternoon cruising along the Mississippi River and enjoying a buffet-style lunch!

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La Crosse Queen Cruises

405 Veterans Memorial Dr, La Crosse , Wisconsin 54601 USA

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• Credit Cards Accepted
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“Riverboat Tours”

The La Crosse Queen is a modern-day replica of the grand river boats that plied the Mississippi River in the late 19th Century. Cruising out of LA CROSSE, WISCONSIN, she is one of the few authentic Mississippi River paddlewheel river boats still in operation in the United States today. In keeping with early traditions, she was built with sternwheels that are her only means of propulsion. The La Crosse Queen has a split sternwheel and each is run by a twin diesel engine that powers hydraulic motors which turn the paddles.  This is in contrast to most Mississippi River paddlewheelers in operation today that have a "free wheeling" paddlewheel at the stern of the boat for visual effect, but have traditional screw-type engines hidden for their real means of propulsion. 

Reviewed by John F.

Nice 1 1/2 hour cruse up and down the Mississippi River. This was a lunch cruse that started at 11:00. You could either do the cruse with food, or without. We shared the boat with about 25... Read more

Reviewed by Christine L.

A fun experience for spending time on the water! I definitely recommend getting here EARLY as it's first come first serve on seating (you'll want a seat upstairs, in the shade, and nearest the... Read more

Reviewed by Jennifer S.

It was a nice sightseeing cruise on the Mississippi River. Hour & 1/2 with drinks for purchase on board. $18.75 per tix for adults. Only 150 seats, buy tix the day b4 or very early the day of,... Read more

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• Sun, Sat: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
• Mon - Fri: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

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Dinner Cruise

Trip Highlights

A delicious dinner buffet, live musical entertainment, relaxing or dancing to the music, soaking in beautiful scenery along the mississippi river, description.

Enjoy a night of dinner and dancing on this cruise on the Mighty Mississippi. Indulge in a delicious buffet and share a wonderful dinner with your family or friends, then enjoy live music from the dance floor or the deck.

Once on board, you are escorted to your table, then you are free to roam the boat until the captain announces that dinner is ready. After dinner, you are free to dance or sit back and enjoy the music. Live entertainment is included on our Dinner Cruises. It may be The Rivermen playing modern jazz (Saturday night from Memorial Day thru September), or you might get to enjoy the music of Tim Hart (Mondays & Tuesdays), or Adam Ledbetter and David Damm (Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). Listen or dance to their favorite tunes — and they have been known to take a request or two. And you never know when a crew member or two may step up on the stage and join in.

Departure time: 6:30 p.m. Yearly availability: May 3 - Oct 28 Weekly availability: Varies - check calendar

300 Riverfront Drive, Hannibal, MO. 63401

Why take this tour?

It’s a fun night of music for the young and the young at heart! You never know when members of the crew might take up a mic and sing you a song. Our dancefloor is available after dinner if you are so inclined, or you can choose to dance under the stars on the outer decks (no dancing on the tables and chairs, please).

A cruise aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat is great for family events. Whether you are a visitor or resident of Hannibal, our unique riverboat experience makes a wonderful memory for you to take home with you! We’re looking forward to having you on board!

Alcoholic beverages

Things to know.

They are available for purchase from our fully stocked bar and concession stand

Sunday - Friday Nights

Enjoy the music of Adam Ledbetter on piano and David Damm on a variety of instruments. Listen or dance to their favorite tunes. They might even take a request or two! You never know when members of the crew might take up a mic or drumsticks and join them.

Saturday Nights

The tradition of music on the river continues with the sound of modern jazz, big band, blues, and just about everything else from The Rivermen, a four-piece (or more) ensemble. More than 50 years of entertaining qualifies this ensemble to offer all ages a good time. The Rivermen show you why the river, Hannibal to New Orleans, is musical in many ways.

Departure Time

All cruises depart from Center Street Landing on the waterfront in historic Hannibal, MO. Boarding begins 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Adults (Ages 13 & Older) - $54.95

Children (Ages 5-12) - $24.95

Wee Ones (Ages 2-4) - $8.00

Babies (Ages 2 & Under) - Free

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Sightseeing Tour

This one-hour sightseeing cruise travels along the mighty Mississippi River, allowing you to soak up the scenery at a relaxing, rhythmic pace. Listen as the captain guides your cruise with historical commentary on the history, legends, and sights of the Mississippi River.

A cruise aboard the Mark Twain Riverboat is great for family events. Whether you are a visitor or resident of Hannibal, you can make wonderful memories aboard our unique riverboat experience! Looking forward to having you onboard!

Departure time: Varies - check calendar Yearly availability: April 1 - Nov. 4 Weekly availability: Daily

Mississippi Explorer Cruises

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Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Mississippi Explorer Cruises - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

La Crosse, WI

Steamboat JULIA BELLE SWAIN

The sternwheel steamboat JULIA BELLE SWAIN (#3180) was designed and built by Capt. Dennis Trone at Dubuque Boat & Boiler Works being the last steamboat built there in 1971. The steam engines came off the steam ferry CITY OF BATON ROUGE (#1050) which can still be seen in Le Claire, IA, as landing boat for the riverboat TWILIGHT. The JULIA BELLE SWAIN is equipped with a steam calliope.

The boat has been located at La Crosse’s Riverside Park for many years, offering overnight cruises and local dinner cruises in summer, until 2008. After several attempts to renovate the boat and get her back to business, she’s still laying on idle – potentially on the Black River near Copeland Park with little hope for a happy end …

Riverboat LA CROSSE QUEEN

The paddlewheeler LA CROSSE QUEEN is located at the north end of Riverside Park (west end of State St) providing excursion cruises from May til October.

La Crosse Queen Paddleboat Cruises lacrossequeen.com

Riverside Museum

The nice little Riverside Museum on the north side of Riverside Park is concentrating on the Mississippi River and its importance to the area. Exhibits range from prehistoric artifacts to a large collection of birds and fresh water clams. A video of the history of La Crosse is shown and artifacts of the steamboat WAR EAGLE (#5691) are on display. Within a walking distance from the boat landing.

Riverside Museum www.explorelacrosse.com/project/riverside-park/

Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin

The Murphy Library hosts the largest collection of steamboat photographs started by Ralph DuPae. Copies are available. Researchers should call ahead.

Murphy Library, University of Wisconsin Special Collections & Area Research Center www.uwlax.edu/murphylibrary/

Granddad Bluff

Granddad Bluff is a 600 ft. high bluff and city park overlooking the city of La Crosse and the Mississippi River valley and the tri-state area of Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Be sure to have a day with clear air and good visibility.

Directions: Follow Main St which becomes Bliss Rd as you ascend the bluff. Turn right at Granddad Bluff Rd.

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La Crosse Queen Paddlewheeler

The La Crosse Queen is one of the few "true" paddlewheelers still in operation in the country, experience history today!

La Crosse Queen

The La Crosse Queen is a modern-day replica of the grand riverboats which used to ply the Mississippi in the early 1900s. She is one of the few “true” paddlewheelers still in operation in the country today. In keeping with early traditions, she was built with stern wheels which are her only means of propulsion.

Daily sightseeing excursions early May through late October. Luncheons available on this cruise for groups of 30+, please inquire. La Crosse Queen’s dinner cruises, Friday-Sunday feature a double entree buffet. Enjoy fine cuisine, a full-service bar, and panoramic scenery during the evening cruise. On the Mississippi River, boarding in Riverside Park.

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• 405 Veterans Memorial Drive La Crosse, WI 54601

More information:

• https://lacrossequeen.com/

• Last Updated On
• December 28, 2023

This Three-Day Mississippi River Cruise Adventure Starting In Wisconsin Is A Unique Family Getaway

Ready for an off-the-beaten-path adventure on the water?

Let’s steer away from the usual and hop aboard a riverboat journey that’s brimming with charm, history, and good old family fun.

It’s time to uncover a hidden gem of the Midwest—a three-day Mississippi River cruise that’s nothing short of a unique family getaway !

Embarking on this leisurely voyage, you’ll find yourself aboard the Celebration Belle, a vessel that’s a throwback to another era with its classic paddlewheel design, yet with the comfort of modern amenities.

Crafted in 1986, this riverboat was born from the skilled hands of Patti Shipbuilding in Pensacola, and it’s ready to transport you through time and water.

Departing from the historic river town of Dubuque, the Celebration Belle sets a course for Prairie du Chien, about 60 miles upriver.

With every meal included, you won’t have to fret about where to grab a bite—you can sit back, relax, and savor the flavors while the Mississippi’s landscapes unfurl around you.

As the Celebration Belle chugs along the mighty Mississippi, you’re in for more than just a scenic jaunt—you’re on a floating feast!

It’s like your favorite family dinner, only with ever-changing waterfront views.

No squabbles over who picks the restaurant—here, the only debate is window seat or aisle.

And trust me, with the sights you’ll see, you’ll want to snag that window seat faster than a seagull on a French fry.

It’s a relaxing, belly-filling journey that will have the whole family beaming brighter than a lighthouse on a dark night.

All aboard for good eats and grand times!

Entertainment on board?

Absolutely!

From toe-tapping tunes to captivating storytelling, there’s something to keep everyone in high spirits as the paddlewheel churns through the mighty Mississippi.

And let’s not forget the magic of the mighty Mississippi itself.

It’s like a floating block party where the guest of honor is the river.

There’s a banjo plucker that could give any string a run for its money and stories so rich, you’d think Mark Twain himself was whispering in your ear.

Between the belly laughs and the soft sway of the boat, you’ll find yourself bonding with your family and making friends with folks you’ve just met.

It’s like summer camp for all ages, except the campfire is a grand old river, and the s’mores are, well, still s’mores because who can pass up on those?

Arriving in Prairie du Chien, there’s no need to stress about logistics.

The boat company has it all figured out—they’ll whisk you off to a cozy hotel with a shuttle arranged for your convenience.

Once you’re nestled in that hotel, you’re not just a guest—you’re family.

And in Prairie du Chien, the pillows are fluffier than a marshmallow convention.

There’s no fuss here—it’s all about kicking back, maybe with a local treat in hand.

Tomorrow’s adventures can wait.

Tonight, we feast on hospitality!

Related: Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Wisconsin

Related: Places to Visit in the Badger State

Related: Travel Guide for Wisconsin

Your second day is an immersion into Prairie du Chien’s rich tapestry of history.

The Fort Crawford Museum is a treasure trove, revealing tales of the fort that loyally stood watch over the city from 1816 to 1856.

As you wander through Fort Crawford Museum, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a time machine—minus the futuristic gadgets and the risk of altering history with an ill-timed sneeze.

Here, the past doesn’t just whisper—it tells stories louder than my Aunt Ida at a family reunion.

Each exhibit is like a chapter of a page-turner, except here, the characters are real, and the battles don’t need any CGI enhancements.

It’s a place where kids can play soldier without turning the living room into a no-go zone, and parents can marvel without spending a fortune.

Cruising back downriver is where the magic happens.

This eight-hour journey offers a tranquil escape through breathtaking stretches of river country.

It’s a chance to let time slow down and soak in the natural beauty that surrounds you.

As you meander back down the river, think of it as nature’s lazy river ride—without the plastic tubes and the splash fights, unless you’re into that, which, by the way, is totally fine!

This is the kind of place where eagles soar overhead like they’re part of a top-notch airshow, just for you, and the trees along the banks wave as if they’re old friends cheering you on in the slowest race ever.

And the best part?

There’s no Wi-Fi, which means you’ll actually have to talk to your family—and you’ll want to because this scenic route is the ultimate conversation starter.

Travelers come from near and far, some journeying over 1,000 miles for this experience.

The Celebration Belle’s reputation even caught the attention of Swedish royalty—yes, the king and queen themselves have graced its decks!

This Wisconsin excursion, along with other Mississippi River adventures offered by the Celebration Belle, is more than just a trip—it’s a lasting memory for the whole family.

Discover the wonders of Wisconsin and dive into the adventures that await along the mighty Mississippi with just a click on their website .

Curious about where the Celebration Belle is?

This handy map will show you the spot.

Where : 2501 River Dr, Moline, IL 61265

So, aren’t you curious to see what all the fuss is about?

Why not join a tradition that’s been charming travelers for years?

What’s holding you back from setting sail on your next great family story?