Paddle Wheel Boat Cruises
An afternoon on the river or a week aboard: how the two compare.
Get Paddlewheel Cruise QuotesPaddle Wheel Boat Cruises: Two Ways to Ride
Paddle wheel boat cruises come in two sizes: the short outing you can take on an afternoon in a river city, and the overnight voyage that becomes your whole vacation. Both have the same charm — the slap of the wheel, the open decks, the river drifting by at walking pace — but they are planned and booked very differently.
| Day paddlewheeler | Overnight paddlewheel cruise | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | One to three hours | About a week or longer |
| Where you sleep | Your hotel | Your cabin aboard |
| Meals | Optional lunch, brunch or dinner | All meals aboard |
| Booked through | The local operator | A cruise line, via a travel advisor |
| Good for | An evening in a river city | A relaxed vacation covering many towns |
Life Aboard an Overnight Paddlewheeler
- Cabins range from inside rooms to suites with private balconies; many open onto the river.
- Dining is open seating in a main dining room, with regional dishes such as Southern and Midwestern specialties.
- Entertainment leans to live music — jazz, blues, country, rock and roll — plus guest speakers on river history.
- Ashore, guided tours of historic homes, battlefields, museums and music sites, often within walking distance of the landing.
- Dress is relaxed; layers help, as river mornings can be cool.
The Wheel Itself
Stand at the stern rail and you can watch the wheel’s paddles (called buckets) bite the water. It is hypnotic, and it is the photo every guest takes. The design dates to the steamboat era, when shallow-draft boats with stern wheels could work rivers too shallow for propellers. For the story of those boats — and of the famous steamers that are no longer sailing — visit our sister site Steamboating Cruises.
Paddle Wheel Boat Questions
Does the paddle wheel actually drive the boat?
On historic steamboats the wheel was the only propulsion. Modern overnight paddlewheelers combine the traditional wheel and look with modern engines, navigation and safety systems; how much work the wheel itself does differs from boat to boat.
Are there paddle wheel boat cruises near me?
Many river and lake cities have day paddlewheelers for sightseeing or dinner cruises. Along the Mississippi they are found in New Orleans, St. Louis, Hannibal and other towns. For a multi-day trip, the overnight paddlewheelers sail from New Orleans, Memphis, St. Louis and the Twin Cities.
Sternwheel or side-wheel?
Today’s Mississippi overnight paddlewheelers are sternwheelers, with the wheel at the back. Our sister site Sternwheeler Cruises goes deeper into sternwheel versus side-wheel design.
Planning your first overnight paddlewheel trip? Our route guide compares the Lower and Upper river.
Day Boat or Full Voyage?
Our cruise advisors at Mister Cruise can quote an overnight paddlewheel cruise and suggest day boats in your embarkation city.
Ask About Paddlewheelers