La Crosse Queen Cruises run up and down the Mississippi River, and when the boat is not out on the water, it can be found docked at Riverside Park during its season. Cruises range from an hour and a half to three hours long, showcasing the La Crosse area from the river.
The La Crosse Queen Cruises have been running since 1962. The paddlewheel river boat, named the La Crosse Queen, is actually the seventh version of the vessel. The boat features sternwheels in the back which propel the boat forward and complete the La Crosse Queen’s vintage style.
A variety of cruises are offered aboard the La Crosse Queen ranging from an hour and a half to three hours long.
“We’ve got lots of different options,” said La Crosse Queen Tour Guide Phoebe Karan. “The sightseeing cruise is super fun, and you get to learn about the area and see a lot. We also have a pizza and beer cruise if you just want a fun time on the river. It’s very chill. Then we also have other cruises like dinner cruises and whatnot… We offer a lot and it’s always a fun atmosphere,” said Karan.
La Crosse Queen Cruises also charters for private parties such as company events and wedding rehearsal dinners.
“This is the best way to experience a unique stretch of the Mississippi River,” said La Crosse Queen First Mate Braedan Calvillo. “You never know what to expect, it’s always something new.”
“It’s great to be out on the water and actually be on the Mississippi,” said Emily Gilmore, a guest of one of the cruises. “It’s a beautiful area.”
Most of the cruises head north on the Mississippi River towards Lock and Dam No. 7. Shorter cruises will view the lock and dam before turning back towards La Crosse, but any cruise two and a half hours or longer, weather permitting, will “lock through” the lock and dam, allowing for guests to enjoy the unique experience of traveling through the lock.
All northbound cruises will pass through the Canadian Pacific Railroad Bridge, a historic railroad bridge still in use today. When a large boat comes through, such as the La Crosse Queen, a portion of the bridge swings out to allow the vessel to pass.
In contrast to the majority of cruises offered, the Pizza Cruise usually takes a southern route down the Mississippi. “We say that cruise is captain’s choice on the route,” said Devin Benson, general manager of the La Crosse Queen Cruises.
On some of the cruises, a tour guide will join guests to narrate the trip. Karan, one of the tour guides, spoke passionately about the job.
“I love giving the tour! I think it’s so fun! There’s a lot of history in it, too, so you get to learn a lot of stuff you wouldn’t know about the river and La Crosse,” Karan said.
Cruises run every day of the week through the third weekend in October when La Crosse Queen Cruises shuts down for the season. They typically open the first weekend in May for the next season of cruising up the river.
