Belle of Louisville Riverboats

Boat tour agency · West Main

Belle of Louisville Riverboats

Boat tour agency · West Main

3

401 W River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202

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Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null
Belle of Louisville Riverboats by null

Highlights

The Belle of Louisville is a historic steamboat offering scenic cruises with stunning river views, live music, and a delightful atmosphere for all to enjoy.  

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401 W River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202 Get directions

belleoflouisville.org
@thebelleoflouisville

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401 W River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202 Get directions

+1 502 574 2992
belleoflouisville.org
@thebelleoflouisville

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Last updated

Mar 14, 2025

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@onthegrid

"The Belle of Louisville can be seen cruising down the Ohio River serenading Louisville with her steam calliope. This Louisville staple originated in 1914 as a freight boat named Idlewild and now stands as the oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat in the world. Whether you want to soak in the history on a tour or relax on the deck as The Belle of Louisville voyages down the Ohio, she is a must see in town." - Fieldtrip

On the Grid : Belle of Louisville
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@onthegrid

"Belle of Louisville, Downtown. The Belle of Louisville can be seen cruising down the Ohio River serenading Louisville with her steam calliope. This Louisville staple originated in 1914 as a freight boat named Idlewild and now stands as the oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat in the world. Whether you want to soak in the history on a tour or relax on the deck as The Belle of Louisville voyages down the Ohio, she is a must see in town."

Louisville
View Postcard for Belle of Louisville Riverboats
@onthegrid

"Belle of Louisville, Downtown. The Belle of Louisville can be seen cruising down the Ohio River serenading Louisville with her steam calliope. This Louisville staple originated in 1914 as a freight boat named Idlewild and now stands as the oldest operating Mississippi River-style steamboat in the world. Whether you want to soak in the history on a tour or relax on the deck as The Belle of Louisville voyages down the Ohio, she is a must see in town."

Louisville
View Postcard for Belle of Louisville Riverboats

Nyle Masoom

Google
Lovely boat and lovely cruise. We were on the Mary Miller in early November. The fall colours were beautiful on both the Kentucky and Indiana sides. The top deck is wide open and covered from the sun, so I think it has the best views. The boat itself was obviously quite old, but mostly in a charming way. There's no parking specifically for the boats but there's a garage across the street with reasonable rates. I wish tickets were available at the door instead of online only. We didn't get the meals and I didn't buy any drinks so I can't speak to the quality of the food but I don't think that's the point here anyway. The ramp is wheelchair accessible, but you'd be limited to the bottom deck which is all indoors.

Stephen B Knutti

Google
The experience my wife and I had on the Belle of Louisville was incredible! We attended the Dream Within a Dream, the poetry and pose of Edgar Allen Poe, performed in the round! The cast was tremendously talented and the show was amazing! We are looking forward to going out on the Belle again! 5 paddle boat ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s from me!

LEANDRO TELLEZ

Google
I had a fantastic experience aboard the Belle of Louisville Riverboat! The scenic views along the river were stunning, and the historical charm of the boat added a unique touch to the journey. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, sharing interesting facts about the river's history. It’s a great way to relax, enjoy a gentle breeze, and soak in Louisville’s beauty. Perfect for families, couples, or anyone who wants to experience a bit of history on the water. Highly recommend!

Caitlyn Ivins

Google
We were in Louisville traveling with family when we found the Belle Riverboats. We had such a blast on this excursion! We went on a Thursday night on the “Throwback Thursday” night. This one that we did was not a dinner ride, but there was a concession stand with great options for snacks and soft drinks. There was also an onboard bar. The sunset was absolutely beautiful and so worth seeing! Definitely be sure to check this one out before leaving Louisville!

Humza Murtza

Google
This is one of those experience's in life that stay with you because of how epic, immersing, fulfilling, and exciting it is. The water views, the wind, the history behind the powerful steamship, seeing it in live action, seeing the boiler room where water transports into, and everything overall made for a high quality experience. I went during September so the weather was pleasant, no long lines or hectic crowds. Once you enter, you can freely walk decks as you please as there's no assigned seating and each floor provides a different experience based off your mood. In a 2 hour cruise, it's fun to move around and see the water from different angles. There's open air or enclosed seating options, also live music and a small museum/historical context section on first floor as well. I read through some of the low reviews, and they're honestly just talking about anything BUT the actual/direct experience of this cruise. Yes, the parking isn't dedicated and sometimes the weather isn't in alignment to operate a 100+ year old ship if it's storming badly but I guess people expect perfection. All in all, I was visiting from out of town and this cruise was the highlight experience for me in Louisville. I chose the moonlight one at 8pm and I highly recommend this one as you get to see daytime/night views.

Nancy R.

Google
This was an unexpectedly wonderful event (we've been on a few elsewhere - so expected good, but not great - and it was the latter!). Took moonlight cruise at 8 pm. 2 hours. Live music. Well worth it and beautiful views of bridges and homes along the Ohio river. Drinks were fine, not special, so that’s an area for improvement. Don’t expect to eat on board - should have dinner before or after. Popcorn was especially delicious though! (chicken strips were fine to get some protein - but you don't want to make that a dinner). Staff was super friendly. Talk to the staff running the engine room - they are super knowledgeable and eager to share that knowledge - so you have the opportunity to learn & enjoy, a rare opportunity where those things collide. :) Would say this is a "must do" in your trip to Louisville.

Paula Szekely

Google
The 2024 Belle of Louisville Admiral's Dinner was truly a beautiful experience. Greeted with welcome cocktails and time to explore the Belle from the pilot to boiler rooms. The food was fantastic and plenty of it. Staff and crew were exceptional and always available to serve and answer questions. The music was very good and appropriate for the event. The evening cruise gave a new and gorgeous view of Louisville. Hope to make this a yearly event.

john hahaha

Google
Best experience ever! Love the sunset cruise! And it was throwback Thursday!! Dancing music and beat scenes along the river! Thanks for an unforgettable event on our road trip!

Ron A.

Yelp
I have been wanting to take a ride on the Belle for a while, technically we were on the Marry M. Miller for this particular lunch cruise. We waited for 12:30 so we could board. I was surprised that we had reserved tables for lunch. The staff was beyond friendly and helpful. We made our way to the back and ordered a couple of drinks before Lunch was served. Once we departed, they started letting us go to the buffet style lunch by table. Gastavo's catered in the food so it was good. Our trip only lasted 2 hours. I explored the boat, took lots of pictures from advantage points that I never had before, played trivia , met new friends and over all had a great time, even if it was only 2 hours. Looking forward to my next cruise.

Nick G.

Yelp
The Belle of Louisville Moonlight Cruise was an enchanting experience. Cruising along the Ohio River under the moonlight on this historic riverboat felt like stepping back in time. The boat's vintage charm, complete with a steam-powered calliope, added to the nostalgic atmosphere. The views of the Louisville skyline at night were stunning, and the gentle breeze on the deck made for a relaxing and romantic evening. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable, sharing interesting facts about the boat's history. Whether you're a local or just visiting, the moonlight cruise on the Belle of Louisville is a magical way to see the city from a unique perspective. Highly recommend.

Rosa H.

Yelp
Murder Mystery Dinner Theater was professionally carried out. Very entertaining. The food and drinks left quite a bit to be desired, especially for the price of tickets per person. The only gluten free options for our friend with Celiac disease: vegetarian/vegan lasagna (with plastic-like imitation cheese) and ham. Staff said they couldn't guarantee the roasted potatoes were gluten free, and the Ceasar salad had croutons tossed in it already so that wasn't a possibility either.

Sarah W.

Yelp
Belle of Louisville is a must-see for locals and visitors to Louisville. We have taken several trips and tours through the years and plan to return this season to enjoy it again. Easily accessible with several parking lots nearby. Tour choices are available on their business website and include simple cruises, lunch and dinner options, educational excursions, live music and dancing. Great for family fun or as a memorable date. They also offer special events that periodically access a downriver trip through the MacAlpine Locks and there is also the exciting annual Great Steamboat Race in late April leading up to the Kentucky Derby.

Nat A.

Yelp
First time cruising. A narrated tour. Katie was extremely knowledgeable about all things river, Louisville and Jeffersonville. Shared a lot of info and answered all of my questions. She was easy to understand and personable. Tom volunteered on our sailing. He was also friendly and helpful. Bought a lunch in advance and a few concessions on board. I'd encourage them to offer non-chocolate items for guests who don't/can't eat chocolate. It was a brisk day for our cruise. Perfect sailing weather. Not sure I need to experience another sailing, but it's something different for locals and visitors to try.

Abbie C.

Yelp
Beautiful river tour, informative, educational, friendly crowd. Interesting to see and learn about the locks. The lick gates were super cool!

Jennifer J.

Yelp
Thank you for refunding our money. as we were not allowed or made aware of how to dine with tix. Jenniferlove

Richard P.

Yelp
There's something about life changes that will make you revisit your personal history. As I've been reflecting upon childhood in recent months, I decided to revisit one of the happier icons of my childhood - Louisville's Belle of Louisville. The Belle of Louisville was built in 1914 and is the only remaining authentic steamboat from the American packet boat era. It's the most widely traveled steamboat in American history and a National Historic Landmark. It's easily one of the true icons of the Louisville waterfront area and it's difficult to imagine anyone spending any time at all on the Louisville waterfront without eventually immersing themselves in the history of the Belle of Louisville. It's worth noting that the Belle of Louisville is now an actual organization and includes a sister boat, the Mary M. Miller - named after the first woman steamboat captain in the U.S. who also happened to be from Louisville. My father is from Kentucky and my mother and I used to do a lot of religious conferences in Louisville. Belle of Louisville was one of my happy places. I've tackled the boat on both crutches and in a wheelchair and both are doable as a passenger (there are definitely areas that are not accessible - The Mary M. Miller is likely better in terms of access as it's a more modernized boat). The Belle of Louisville offers a variety of types of cruises - sightseeing, a four-course dinner, live music excursion, sunset cruises, school programs, dining cruises, kids cruises, and even private events. The Belle of Louisville was launched in 1914 under the name The Idlewild. In 1931, it began spending time in Louisville by offering excursions to Rose Island and Fontaine Ferry amusement parks. By 1934, it was staying it Louisville and did so through World War II. In the 1940's, it offered moonlight, big band cruises and was a USO night spot in support of the war efforts. In 1948, Idlewild's master made a death-bed wish to rename the boat Avalon and this was granted. In 1949, the boat was bought by Cincinnati investors and relocated. In 1962, it was retired and bought in auction for $34,000 and returned to Louisville. This was when it was named Belle of Louisville. After significant rehab, it was brought back to life in 1963 by participating in the Great American Steamboat Race against the Delta Queen. The Belle of Louisville has an elevator lift to help with wheelchairs and provide access to the Ballroom Deck, however the Texas and Hurricane decks are not accessible. I've never had difficulty accessing the Belle of Louisville either on crutches or now as a wheelchair user. I've consistently found employees to be helpful, enthusiastic, and kind. The Belle of Louisville offers both a food and bar menu. Prices are surprisingly affordable considering this is a tourist attraction. The full menu is on the Belle of Louisville website. The Belle of Louisville cruises rain or shine. If the National Weather Service predicts sustained winds 25 mph or more or gusts of over 30 mph, then cruises will be cancelled. Similarly if the U.S. Coast Guard issues a storm or lightning alert, then a cruise is cancelled. However, the Belle of Louisville has both open and covered areas and cruises in rain are actually quite lovely (and yes, I've done them). The Belle of Louisville offers discounts for active military and veterans (with ID). Strollers are allowed onboard, however, they must be carried between decks if one goes to multiple decks. It's important to note that the elevator is used only for wheelchair users. If you're expecting the Belle of Louisville to offer up something like a Disney cruise, you'll be disappointed. The Belle of Louisville is a historic landmark that is over 100 years and the experience is more about history than it is about luxury. I love this experience and revisiting it recently allowed me to reminisce about childhood and to also enjoy some of the updates made since my last cruise. I'll likely always be a fan of the Belle of Louisville and my recent visit made me realize how much I absolutely love this low-key, chill, and truly enjoyable experience.

Dennis B.

Yelp
Came to Louisville for a wedding. About 20 family members arrived early and decided to ride the Belle. We all arrived at different times and came aboard as the steam calliope played. That alone was impressive, how many of those still exist? We walked up the steps to the main ballroom , found the bar, got a beverage and went topside. Although it was hot outside, the was a nice breeze, which got better as the boat started cruising. The two hours went by quickly. Lots to see on shore and afloat. Watching the paddle wheel was a first for me. It is the propulsion for the boat, unlike other "paddlewheel" boats in our home state of Florida. Had a nice visit with the engineer as we looked at the boilers. Plenty of history on display and a glimpse of days gone by. Also, a great value here. How else can you get a 2 hour sunset cruise on the Ohio river for that price? Great experience, might repeat while we are still in town.

D.J. B.

Yelp
Spend some time with your family, loved one or alone on this steam run, antique paddle boat ride. The 2 voyage takes you down the Ohio River and back up before returning to downtown Louisville. There are light concessions and drinks on board (for a price) as well as a souvenir stand. On the 1st floor of the boat is the steam room/museum. You get to see the history and inner workings of the boat. On the 2nd floor is the grand ballroom. This is where they have the buffet dinner and entertainment. We did not do the buffet but from others i heard from on the boat - skip it and eat elsewhere before the boat ride. The 3rd floor is the observation deck. You can sit either under cover or in the air. Either way, the view is spectacular!!! If you are in Louisville and want to ride the Belle, take the opportunity to do so. You will not be disappointed!!!

Shavie J.

Yelp
Leisure Cruise Relaxing experience cruising down the Ohio River, enjoying views of KY and IN.

Hope N.

Yelp
For our 25th anniversary I wanted to share a childhood memory of cruising on the Belle of Louisville with my spouse. We live over 8 hours away so this would be part of a road trip. I saw they had a murder mystery cruise on Fridays, but by the time we were definite on going to Louisville this year, they were sold out. I went ahead and booked ahead of time tickets for the Saturday night (June 15th) sunset cruise. I didn't pay ahead for parking (and am glad...) We came into town Friday night and settled into our lodging. The ticket confirmation said to show up 30 minutes early to the wharf area and we showed up nearly an hour early. There were NO PARKING! Even the nearby "overflow" parking was full. Everywere we looked there was no parking and even cars illegally parked. As it turns out, there was a Juneteenth celebration happening nearby at the Lynn Family Stadium Racing center. The events for that day had already been going on for over 5 hours by this time and the parking was taken up by attendees. Parking itself costs a fee, but there is no designated "Belle" parking for those going on a cruise. We ended up not going on the boat because we couldn't find a parking space for the event. If you ever plan a trip like this, do not do it around a holiday (Juneteenth celebration, and Father's Day both in a weekend!) and do not pay ahead of time for ANYTHING.

Roxanne ..

Yelp
They cancelled the boat ride because there was an insane storm but still charged us for the food because they expected us to go Stand on this boat and eat while it was parked even though there was crazy wind, thunder and lightning. Ridiculous they will only give 50% refund when its mother natures fault. I'm not trying to go stand on a boat to eat tacos. Not happening in this crazy weather.

Brianna P.

Yelp
I booked an Edgar Allan Poe cruise not really knowing what to expect. Turns out, it was acting vs poetry reading and it was pretty neat! If you like spooky season things, you'd like this. They have a lot of selections for alcohol if that's your thing. The wine wasn't good but who cares! I am on a boat cruise, not a wine tasting. But really the highlight of our cruise was the accidental tour of some of the workings of the ship. During intermission of the Poe stuff, we went exploring and we got to talk to a lot of folks who work on the ship and it was SO INTERESTING! The staff was very kind and answered all our questions and showed us how the boat works. It's not necessarily an advertised thing, but the folks on the ship were great and this was such a cool, accidental experience. If you're on a more crowded boat, they might not be able to show you around, but if it's not too crowded, go down to the lower level of the ship and look around. Such a cool piece of history and engineering.

Ashley B.

Yelp
We originally booked for the Belle on an evening cruise. About 30 min before we could board a storm blew in. They got us all in the boat very quickly. Unfortunately, due to weather we did not sail and were able to rebook for the following day. We went in the Mary Miller the following day. Nice boat and the live music was nice. Not too loud. We sat in the 3rd deck for a bit, but it was good cold so we went inside. We did not know you could schedule for lunch, but they had some extras you could buy. My husband got the chicken salad croissant and it was descent size and good. I got the small charcuterie. It was ok, but I don't think it was worth $15 for what you got. The boat was smooth and did not rock. The sights were ok, nothing amazing. Don't take cruise for the sights. It's the experience.

Missy B.

Yelp
Went on the Murder Mystery cruise. Enjoyed ourself . The food was not good at all. Tasteless, bland. Even the chocolate cake was no good. Would never eat on the cruise again. We did enjoy the rest.

Kate C.

Yelp
I wasn't sure what to expect but this steamboat cruise was a great way to see Kentucky from the river. The cruise takes about two hours and you get to see Kentucky and Indiana. There are snacks and drinks onboard, as well as a small museum section. Unfortunately, you can only access the second floor with AC if you buy a ticket for dinner. It was 97 degrees at 7 pm in July, so we were definitely a little hot on the outside deck!

Tony S.

Yelp
My wife and I went for a cruise one beautiful Summer night and we had an absolute blast. Captain Mark Doty is the bomb!

Lisa S.

Yelp
We throroghly enjoyed a 2 hour boat ride down the Ohio river in an official, vintage steam paddle boat built in the 1870s and continuously restored for modern comfort. The interior was air-conditioned, had plenty of restrooms, and a dance floor "ballroom" deck where people danced to a DJ spinning 80's classics for 80's night. They had a concession area for snacks, burgers and drinks and a little gift shop. My husband also spent time in the boiler room taking a tour and talking to the mechanics on how they maintain the vessel. I even got a nice picture of the sunset right before we deboarded. Good time and I recommend this as a stop on your visit to Louisville.

Lauren O.

Yelp
I will always love the Belle of Louisville! My husband and I go on it every year for our anniversary as a tradition. Sometimes we do the dinner cruise, which is decent food! Sometimes we do the booze cruise, fun music and drinks. But no matter which cruise we take, we always have a good time! The staff is always friendly and kind. We usually purchase our photo, which is a pretty inexpensive souvenir.

Michael H.

Yelp
Incredible that we have such an experience in our community. Most things from its time period are behind glass - the Belle is still a working Lady. I find the staff and crew just as dedicated and committed. During our recent STEAM cruise aboard the Miller, we had trouble buying a captains hat for my girls on the boat. A member of the staff brought one down all the way from the life saving station - and saved the day! The membership is an incredible bargain and I met so many passengers aboard who strongly recommend it. 5 stars - long live the Belle!

Jessica W.

Yelp
Decided to take a boat ride on the Belle of Louisville. We had food and drinks before we boarded so we didn't eat or drink too much other than the Mr had some Woodford and Sprite. Ride was nice. Weather turned out nice even though we went through a brief storm. It's Throwback Thursday so the DJ played music from 70's, 80's and 90s. It was okay. Most of the crowd liked it so that's what matters. It's worth what it costs for the sightseeing tour.

Kathleen S.

Yelp
I started going on the Belle at 15 when they had the teen dances. It's a wonderful childhood memory and now whenever I am home on vacation, I make it a point to take the cruise! I totally recommend anyone who visits Louisville, take the cruise on the Belle! you will not be disappointed!

Ellen S.

Yelp
Had a great time! Good music, everyone was very friendly. You can buy drinks, both alcohol and non alcoholic. And they have snacks - It was a fun time and the history of the boat ia really cool.

Eric L.

Yelp
The price for the river boat ride was extremely reasonable. The Mary M Miller river boat is smaller than the Belle of Louisville but there was plenty of space to move on the inside. The length of the trip was good. The only real negative aspect of the trip was the price for food and drinks. They were a little expensive but that did not stop me from having a good time with friends

Heather C.

Yelp
Boat was overbooked and not everyone could sit down. The cabin had ac but the thermostat was set at 80°. It was far less than we expected. I would not go again or recommend.

Jeff M.

Yelp
My parents and I went to the Mother's Day brunch cruise, and we had a wonderful time! The staff was extremely friendly and helpful, and we really enjoyed ourselves. I would highly recommend for a fun and relaxing outing!

Jeremy J.

Yelp
The Bella Louisville is a staple here in Derby city. He's been around for many many many years and is one of the more popular attractions here in Louisville. It has different cruises and dinners and shows nightly daily whenever. It is most popular of course during the derby in spring and summer months. I've been on a few different times and it's always a lot of fun Definitely worth checking out

Kevin P.

Yelp
Celebrated my girlfriends birthday on the Bell of Louisville and everything was perfect, the staff and crew were friendly and helpful the catered food was amazing, the band Derby City Dandies sounded great and the view was beautiful. Will definitely be planning another trip soon

Bill S.

Yelp
We went on the Belle on May 10 for the Murder Mystery Cruise. The staff was top-notch and kept us all moving as we boarded and got seated. The catered meal was delicious (except they ran out of CHEESECAKE!!! ). The acting group was great too, wandering throughout the passengers (in character) while the buffet was served. The weather was perfect. It's been a decade or two since we last took a Belle cruise. She's in good hands.

Ken U.

Yelp
Great experience, scenery, entertainment and views. Even with slight showers, a great time.

Christian B.

Yelp
Historic Narrative tour-,very informative. However, comment that barges or TOWS have "almost no environmental impact" compared to "road transportation" needs to be amended. It could be stated as "immeasurably less" impact, as the diesel engines still have emissions and contribute to both air and water pollution, disturb the river beds dislodging marine species as well as settle pollutants, can have materials fall overboard such as residential and commercial plastics, coal, etc. , as studied from an Environmental Scientist...

Whitney M.

Yelp
We wanted to do something different while on this trip and who doesn't love time on a boat? I was really surprised that the Belle of Louisville really seemed to be the only option for boat cruises, so we kind of had to settle for it. Going into it, we knew it maybe would be an older more touristy scene, and we weren't wrong. The night we went was trivia night, which focused all around Louisville facts, which honestly was not what I was expecting it took up nearly the entire time on the boat, which made it hard to walk around and enjoy the other parts of the boat. The mask mandate was a joke, no one was following. It was a reasonable price and my expectations were already kind of low. I'd say if you have the time and the weather is nice, go for it!

Ben S.

Yelp
The sunset cruise was a relaxing experience. It wasn't a narrated tour, but just a chill cruise. While there was a DJ trying to start a dance floor on the inside, the music on the outer deck was just nice background noise. There isn't a ton to see on the shore after maybe the first 30 minutes of cruising so it was just a relaxing cruise. Get a side rail seat on the right side of the boat for the best views and get up occasional to walk to the back for bridge sunset photos. After maybe 80 minutes the boat turns back to the dock arriving literally right on time. As we docked we were treated to a nearby fireworks show which was a nice surprise. The only con was the bar line. They have to figure it out because it was way too long and never really died down. The cruise does board 30 minutes prior to departure so I guess you can just show up early and deal with having to stand in line. And get a back up drink to your back up drink.

Ron C.

Yelp
the narrated tour from Kate was awesome. so much historical information was shared. Her passion for the Belle of Louisville and sharing its history was incredible. we will definitely be back.

Shelley S.

Yelp
What an incredible local treasure! I remember riding the Belle as a little girl. After not ordering zoo tickets early enough, I had to save Easter, and found a riverboat cruise. This was a memory maker for sure. The weather could not have been any better. We arrived early, try to be 30-45 mins early. Parking is in a lot, grab your license number you need it to pay for parking. Then you stand in line to have bags checked, temps checked and to take pictures. We opted for the cruise only did not do the meal. We did buy the unlimited soft drinks for $3 a person. That's a great value. Once aboard the boat, people were able to space out and we felt very safe even when lowering our masks to drink or eat. They also have a bar and concession stand. I can easily see this as an née tradition.

Dianna L.

Yelp
Lovely sunset ride. A piece of history. Highly recommend. Beautiful scenery. Plenty of seating. Live music. Concession and bar. Souvenirs onboard. Lunch and supper also available.

Emily C.

Yelp
If you're visiting Louisville, I highly recommend a cruise of the Belle of Louisville be on your agenda. It's a staple and icon of Louisville. She is over 100 years old and is a historic landmark! All sorts of cruises are offered -- sunset and moonlight cruises, dining cruises (brunch, lunch, and dinner), and they do special event cruises as well. I have been on their Friday evening cruise (Anchors Away Friday) for only $10 a ticket! They offer snacks, drinks, and adult beverages at the bar, and on that particular cruise, they had trivia going on. I really appreciated how courteous and polite all of the employees were. I am looking forward to warmer weather when they start cruising again!

Breann M.

Yelp
We booked the sight seeing cruise, expected either an audio recording or guided tour with what we were seeing, but that was it included. Don't wait in line on 2nd deck if your looking for hot food. Wish I could've tipped the people who helped me the most, they were only taking donations at the bar. The sight seeing cruise goes on at the same time as the dinner cruise, which was sold out, but seems that there were tables available. However, sight seeing cruise did then get the best seats outside that we're all taken when the dinner was over. Hot snacks were good, water was free!

Seth A.

Yelp
For any tourists or first time visitors exploring the charming city of Louisville, I'd highly recommend taking a boat cruise along the Ohio River! There is this...the iconic steamboat Belle of Louisville, which I chose to navigate on and have my tour with. Or you can pick the Mary M. Miller cruise boat as an alternative. Actually, depending on what day and times you have available to make a trip out on the water...it would probably just be best to choose whatever boat is available at the time. Since I had a flexible schedule while hanging out in Louisville for a few days, I decided to buy a ticket for the Belle of Louisville. Although tickets are pricey, especially if you're just looking for a simple sightseeing tour, they range anywhere from $35-$45 per adult. It does include food service and sitting down to a meal. But for a picture enthusiast like myself, I was solely interested in hanging out on the top deck and soaking up the sights and fresh air of Kentucky....especially for being my first visit ever to the Bluegrass State! I just wanted to backtrack one moment. When you're hanging out on the pier and walking along the water's edge of downtown Louisville, I found it pretty inspiring and motivating to want to get out on the Belle or the Mary M. Miller and immerse myself in as much of this city as I could. And I must say....Louisville is a little hidden gem masked behind the likes of New York, Chicago, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle just to name a few. This place really goes unnoticed in what I found to be an awesome little weekend getaway retreat for myself. Louisville deserves a LOT MORE ATTENTION! The best part about hopping on the Belle and appreciating the scenery of Louisville is the AMAZING SKYLINE! Wow...who woulda thought Louisville? But when the boat left the deck as we sailed down the Ohio River, I genuinely took some wonderful and unimpeded photos of the heart of the city. Of course, it certainly helped that the day was perfectly sunny without one cloud in the sky. But seriously, Louisville's skyline is beautiful! Who woulda thought Louisville??? LOL It was picturesque to the point that the $$ price for my ticket ultimately didn't matter. Living in the moment and admiring my time drifting down the river was fulfilling enough. I was left with fond memories of the panoramic scenery. Even though I came to Louisville to see Churchill Downs, explore a few museums and to try my first ever "Hot Brown", what I will highly remember from my extended little getaway is this boat cruise that I took on the Belle of Louisville.

Leslie W.

Yelp
I grew up, literally, on the river. Our house was in the path of the Belle's cruise route. I have countless memories of hearing the calliope music co e through my open, bedroom windows on pretty Saturday afternoons. So, I was very excited to go hear some Kentucky musicians play a concert during an evening cruise this past Tuesday. The concert - Joan Shelley and Friends (that included Bonnie Prince Billy and Daniel Martin Moore) - played in a benefit for the KY Waterways Alliance. We arrived around 6:50 or so and lined up for the 7:30 loading. There's paid parking adjacent to the docks, near Joe's Crab Shack, but we parked for free a couple blocks away and enjoyed a post-dinner walk and got some more steps in that evening. The stage, a dance floor, and seating was set up in the interior room (2nd or middle deck). Air conditioning made the room very comfortable. A full bar and a concession stand offered guest ability to buy everything from an ice cream sandwich to a martini. I thought the prices for concessions and liquor were very reasonable (a large soda is $2.50, not bad for a concert or tourist attraction). The sound could have been better in the room and the bathrooms are a bit hard to navigate due to toilet being on a small step. Other than that, I thought it was an amazing experience. We were able to venture up onto the deck and take in the night sky and city skyline while hearing the music from down below. We had free range of the middle and upper decks and could I've freely wherever we wished. I hope the Belle hosts more concerts as it was a wonderful night for music on the river.

Elaine J.

Yelp
We had a group of 34 and everyone enjoyed the event. The box lunch was delicious, and the staff was great to work with in organizing the outing. Louisville should be proud of this local treasure. Elaine from Louisville

Karen J.

Yelp
Lots of fun! Easy to use ticket app. Everything on time, clean and well arranged. Only 2 things band was way too loud, over 120 decibels for such a small too . 2 days later, ears still ring! We sat under an A/C unit that spit out small pieces of black foam onto our table and into our drinks. Kind of gross. Shaped like rodent waste so beware!

Katherine A.

Yelp
I was very pleased to see the COVID-19 precautions taken by the Belle of Louisville (we actually rode on the Mary T. Miller. All staff were masked, and there was plexiglass in front of the main snack bar. There was a temperature check to get in, and it seemed like the boar was not full, despite being sold out. I would say about 60% of people worse masks inside, though, and the dining tables (for people who purchased a meal), were all occupied and close together. I would feel comfortable going again once my son is vaccinated. We had a great time, though!

Kimberly C.

Yelp
We did the narrated historic cruise this past Friday afternoon. It was fantastic! I have lived in Louisville my entire life and been on the Belle of Louisville many times, but really getting to learn about her history was great. We were able to walk down to the engine room and see how everything works. We talked to the crew and they answered all of our questions. There was a live narrator that told about all kinds of different things along the way. i think this is a great cruise for families with school age children. My son was very engaged and liked to learn all about the history.

Ken P.

Yelp
For the love of god, please tune the calliope pipes. They are so out of tune. They are quite a distraction to staying nearby. It's grating to the ear. And unfortunately, nearby people cannot just turn it off.

Roxanne B.

Yelp
Great views on this beautiful Sunday, wasn't crowded at all. I would however skip the buffet it wasn't very good, the food was very bland. I probably would have rather enjoyed the nachos or the hot dogs that you could buy Al la carts if you did not buy a meal ticket. there is plenty of seating outside the air conditioned area all around the boat. they even have are covered area that's great for if the Sun is beating down on you. over all the staff wasn't very friendly. In fact, they hardly talk at all. I felt for the money they could do a whole lot better.

Omibashira S.

Yelp
A must boat ride if you are in Louisville, KY . We bought the father's day brunch package. Drinks were house or well, I didn't like that. Meals were ok, not top notch as it should be considering the price we paid. I think going for the scenery would have been best then to buy the meal and drinks package. But I still recommend it.

Christine B.

Yelp
So glad we booked this! We chose the sunset cruise, it was a bit cloudy so not much of a sunset, but still 100% enjoyable and relaxing. To see the bridges lit up and night as you cruise towards and under them a site to see. Be sure if you want memorabilia you get it before they dock as they do not have access after a certain time. Oh and they also take your photo as you board and you can purchase them before you leave.