Mississippi River Boat Casino Cruise
- Mississippi River Boat Casino Cruises
- Mississippi River Boat Casino Cruise
- Mississippi River Gambling Boats
- Gambling On Mississippi River Cruises
Leave the navigation to someone else when you climb aboard these boats and explore Iowa's rivers and lakes.
1. Riverboat Twilight
Mississippi River Boat Casino Cruises
Cruises on the Mississippi River (2019 update) Mississippi River cruise itineraries are usually separated into the Upper and Lower part of the river. The Upper Mississippi is generally considered to be between St. Louis, Missouri and St. Paul, Minnesota; and the Lower Mississippi is between Memphis, Tennessee and New Orleans, Louisiana. 2 – Day Cruise Our Signature Cruise. LeClaire, Iowa to Dubuque, Iowa & Return. Includes: All Meals, 1 Night Lodging, Entry to the National Mississippi River Museum, Dubuque Shuttle, Entertainment & Activities Onboard. From $409 /person Double Occupancy.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Designed as a replica of a Victorian steamboat, the Riverboat Twilight has three decks, dining areas and sundecks. Take a short 1.5 hour sightseeing cruise on select dates, with Le Claire as your port of call. Want a true getaway? Two-day cruises depart from Le Claire to Dubuque and include all meals, lodging, on-board entertainment and admission to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium. One-day cruises run from Dubuque to Guttenberg. Operates Memorial Day weekend through October. Admission fee applies. Reservations strongly encouraged.
- Treat the mother in your life to a scenic brunch cruise on a paddlewheel boat along our beautiful Mississippi coastline and community. Come learn the history of the Betsy Ann, Mississippi Gulf Coast, Barrier Islands, and more. Select your Mississippi riverboat cruise below. Resort and Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi, MS 39530 173 Beach Blvd.
- Our Memphis sightseeing cruises are a great way to see and learn a bit of Mississippi River history while visiting Memphis, Tennessee. Guests have access to a cash/credit bar serving soda and spirits. Included is the most excellent house band playing a little of everything from R&B to Jazz, and of course the Blues.
2. Celebration River Cruises
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
For more than 30 years, the Celebration Belle has sailed the mighty Mississippi River with ports in Le Claire, Dubuque and the Quad Cities. The 770-passenger paddlewheel boat, the largest non-gaming riverboat on the Upper Mississippi, offers casual sightseeing, lunch, dinner and day-long cruises. Operates April through October. Admission fee applies.
3. Blue Heron Eco-Cruises
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Departing from Camanche, the 26-passenger Blue Heron pontoon boat provides an up close and personal look at the backwaters, sloughs and main channel of the Mississippi River. Public sunset cruises are offered Thursday evenings and some Saturday mornings out of Rock Creek Marina and Campground, May to October. Saturday morning cruises operate from May to Labor Day. Public cruises are free of charge and reservations are recommended.
4. Channel Cat Water Taxi
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Hop aboard this open-air boat that sails between several ports on both the Iowa and Illinois sides of the river in the Quad Cities. The ferry boat is part of the Quad Cities metro transit system and operates daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
5. Maiden Voyage Tours
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
In addition to a two hour long daily open boarding cruise, Maiden Voyage Tours in McGregor offers several charter options including the Tom Sawyer Adventure and Bird Eco Tours. Captain Robert, a former clammer, tells about the “hunters and gatherers of the Upper Mississippi” with clarity and humor – he’s a crowd favorite! Operates Memorial Day weekend through October. Admission fee applies.
8. American Lady River Cruises
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Choose a lunch, happy hour or sunset dinner cruise aboard this 80-foot Skipperliner yacht based in Dubuque.
9. Mississippi River Charters
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Groups of up to six can set out for two-, four- or eight-hour fishing or sightseeing trips on this charter based in Guttenberg.
10. Queen II
LAKE OKOBOJI
An Okoboji icon for more than 30 years, the Queen II provides a 60-minute narrated excursion around West Lake Okoboji. The steamboat can accommodate 200 people on its open-air upper deck and enclosed lower deck. Operates Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission fee applies.
11. Lady of the Lake
CLEAR LAKE
Enjoy a “boatload of fun” aboard the Lady of the Lake in Clear Lake. The authentic sternwheel paddleboat will take you on a 90-minute cruise around the natural, spring-fed Clear Lake. They also offer specialty cruises including the 4th of July fireworks cruise or annual Pirate Party cruises. Operates Memorial Day weekend through September. Admission fee applies.
12. Scenic City Empress
IOWA RIVER
Climb aboard the Scenic City Empress and you’ll see why Iowa Falls earned the nickname “The Scenic City.” The double-decker riverboat with an enclosed lower level cruises the Iowa River, offering beautiful views of limestone bluffs. Operates Memorial Day weekend through October. Admission fee applies.
Mississippi River Boat Casino Cruise
Go BackRiver islands, bluffs, woods, prairies and river towns flank the edges of the upper Mississippi River with a nostalgic charm worth seeing from the water. Red Wing, Minnesota, known for its pottery, boots and bluffs has long served as a port of call for the great paddle boats that still wheel up the Mississippi River from New Orleans. Seasonal riverboat cruises, originating in Red Wing or nearby, offer travelers the chance to view eagles, fall foliage and modern locks and dams.
Pearl of the Lake
Mississippi River Gambling Boats
A replica of the original riverboats that once wheeled up and down the great Mississippi River, the Pearl of the Lake (pearlofthelake.com) is a modern vessel that offers public cruises around Lake Pepin. Known as the largest lake on the Mississippi, Lake Pepin extends 21 miles long and its shores are dotted with communities, including Red Wing. While the Pearl of the Lake cruises up to Red Wing, it originates 17 miles south in Lake City.
Rusty’s River Rides
Captain Rusty Mathiasmeier loved the Mississippi River so much he joined the Merchant Marines when he was only 14 years old and he has been travelling the river ever since. He believes the stretch of river around Red Wing to be the most beautiful, which is why he started his own sightseeing cruises, Rusty’s River Rides (rustysriverrides.com). Originating from the Red Wing Port of Call, this cruise runs mid-April through October and offers binoculars to every adult passenger. You can choose from a 90-minute or 150-minute cruise that begins and ends in Red Wing.
Spirit of the Water
Just 11 miles north of Red Wing is Treasure Island Resort and Casino, which operates the Spirit of the Water (treasureislandcasino.com). You can enjoy different dining options while cruising past Red Wing in a 120-passenger yacht, such as pizza night or a formal brunch buffet. Summer cruises start in May and end in October, and are typically offered Wednesdays through Sunday. You can enjoy the river sights while cruising in style. Most cruises last a few hours, which is plenty of time to digest your meal.
Magnolia Blossom Cruises
Originating in St. Paul, Magnolia Blossom Cruises (magnoliablossom.net) offers day-long cruises to the Red Wing area. Reminiscent of an old steamer, this vessel accommodates up to 125 people and specializes in private parties. Like the Spirit of the Water, private or public excursions are built around meals and sightseeing. Often, Magnolia Blossom Cruises offers specialty cruises with a jazz band and has a stereo system and dance floor on the upper deck.
Charters
In addition to public cruises, any of the riverboats that ply the Mississippi in the Red Wing area contract their vessels and services for charter. Charters accommodate small weddings or receptions, corporate parties or team building outings and other group excursions. A riverboat cruise can be more than a scenic affair; it can be the backdrop to business or pleasure. Like public cruises, charters are seasonally available in the Red Wing area, typically between mid-April through October. Most of the cruises can provide catering.
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About the Author
Charli Mills has covered the natural food industry since 2001 as a marketing communications manager for a highly successful retail cooperative. She built teams, brands and strategies. She is a writer and editor of 'This is Living Naturally,' a consultant for Carrot Ranch Communications and a Master Cooperative Communicator.
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Gambling On Mississippi River Cruises
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