Enjoy the beautiful sights along with a narrated tour on our daily sightseeing cruises!
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La Crosse Queen Cruises

4.5
·587 reviews·La Crosse, United States

Experience the charm of the Mississippi on an authentic paddlewheel boat, offering scenic cruises, delicious dining, and a journey through history.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday evenings

Fewer crowds, romantic ambiance

CrowdLow
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Enjoy the beautiful sights along with a narrated tour on our daily sightseeing cruises!

La Crosse Queen Cruises

Best Time

Weekday evenings

Fewer crowds, romantic ambiance

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Experience the charm of the Mississippi on an authentic paddlewheel boat, offering scenic cruises, delicious dining, and a journey through history.

4.5
(587 reviews)

"What a great experience. Very inexpensive for what you get. Great views of the river and wildlife."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Book Lunch or Dinner Buffet

The 3-hour lunch or dinner buffet cruise is highly recommended for the full experience!

💰 Great Value for Money

Inexpensive for the experience, offering great views and a well-stocked bar.

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Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.5 · 587 reviews

Type

Tour Agency

♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Paddlewheel Riverboat Experience

Paddlewheel Riverboat Experience

Cruise the mighty Mississippi on an authentic paddlewheel boat, a modern replica of historic riverboats.

Instagram
Scenic Sightseeing Cruises

Scenic Sightseeing Cruises

Enjoy breathtaking views of the river, historical sights, and potential wildlife sightings like eagles.

InstagramReddit
Themed Dining Cruises

Themed Dining Cruises

Indulge in delicious lunch, dinner, or pizza buffets while enjoying the river scenery.

InstagramReddit
Lock and Dam Passage

Lock and Dam Passage

Experience the unique engineering marvel of navigating through a Mississippi River lock and dam.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Book Your Mississippi Adventure

Secure your spot on the La Crosse Queen for a memorable Mississippi River cruise. Options range from scenic sightseeing to delightful dinner and brunch buffets. Booking in advance is recommended, especially for popular weekend or holiday cruises, to ensure availability. Instagram

Timing is Everything

The cruise season typically runs from early May to late October. Consider the weather for your chosen cruise; spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures, while summer can be warm. Evening cruises, especially dinner options, provide a unique ambiance. Instagram

Best Times

When
Weekday evenings
Why
Fewer crowds, romantic ambiance
Crowd
Low
When
Weekend lunch buffets
Why
Great for families and groups
Crowd
Medium
When
Fall afternoons
Why
Pleasant weather, fall colors
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

📍La Crosse, WI -La Crosse Queen Cruises 🚢 Paddlewheel Cruises on the Mississippi River 💵 Starting at $19.95/person for 1.5 hour cruise 🌉 See historical sights 🍴 Brunch, lunch, pizza, and dinner buffet-style cruises! 🍹 Beer, wine, and liquor offered onboard
coddiwomple_chronicles
117 likes • 6.7K views

🎯 Book Lunch or Dinner Buffet

The 3-hour lunch or dinner buffet cruise is highly recommended for the full experience! Reddit

💰 Great Value for Money

Inexpensive for the experience, offering great views and a well-stocked bar. Reddit

When in the La Crosse Region ⛴️🌊 Have you been on the La Crosse Queen Paddlewheeler? This boat does daily cruises along the mighty Mississippi River! 📸: @lukeparmeterproductions #explorelacrosse #lacrossequeenpaddlewheeler #riverboatcruise #mississippiriver
explorelacrosse
71 likes • 2K views
🎆 Flashback to fireworks over the river! 🇺🇸 Happy 4th of July weekend from the La Crosse Queen! We're celebrating with sightseeing cruises, Pizza Cruises, and a Sunday Brunch Cruise. Book now via lacrossequeen.com and make it a weekend to remember! 🚢🍕🥞🎟️ #LaCrosseQueen #4thofJulyWeekend #RiverCruise #LaCrosseWI #WeekendPlans
lacrossequeencruises
16 likes • 470 views

🥂 Enjoy the Bar Service

The bar is well-stocked and the staff are welcoming, enhancing your cruise. Reddit

📸 Capture River Views

Bring your camera for stunning river vistas and potential wildlife sightings. Instagram

Take a trip with us around the Mississippi on the La Crosse Queen! 👑 @lacrossequeencruises 🚢 offers public and private cruises daily beginning in early May and ending in late October. 💡Fun fact: The La Crosse Queen is a modern-day replica of the grand river boats that plied the Mississippi in the 1900s, and is one of the few paddle wheel boats still in operation in the U.S. today. More info ➡...
aroundrivercity
20 likes • 501 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book Lunch or Dinner Buffet

The 3-hour lunch or dinner buffet cruise is highly recommended for the full experience! Reddit

💰 Great Value for Money

Inexpensive for the experience, offering great views and a well-stocked bar. Reddit

🥂 Enjoy the Bar Service

The bar is well-stocked and the staff are welcoming, enhancing your cruise. Reddit

📸 Capture River Views

Bring your camera for stunning river vistas and potential wildlife sightings. Instagram

🍕 Try the Pizza Cruise

A fun option for a casual outing, especially on Sundays. Instagram

What Travellers Say

4.5
(587 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the La Crosse Queen Cruises for its excellent value, enjoyable dining options, and the unique experience of cruising the Mississippi on an authentic paddlewheel boat. The passage through the lock and dam is frequently highlighted as a memorable part of the journey, alongside spotting wildlife. While the onboard amusement system is basic, the welcoming staff and overall wholesome experience make it a highly recommended activity for all ages.

"The 3 hour cruise with dinner or lunch is so worth it!! Had gone in the sightseeing tours before and am so thankful we did the lunch buffet!! Going through the lock and dam was so neat!! Spotting Eagles and spending time with my bestie made it the best cruise we've been on!!"

Josie Kay

"Wholesome experience. The internal amusement system is limited, although you can't from this small sized cruise. But, their behavior, welcoming gesture would give you the joy in whole ride. I would recommend to try this journey."

S.M. Ashfaqur Rahman

"What a great experience. Very inexpensive for what you get. Great views of the river and wildlife. The bar is well stocked and very welcoming."

Jason “Jas” Sanger

What People Like

Great value for money
Unique paddlewheel experience
Scenic river views

What People Dislike

Limited internal amusement

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The La Crosse Queen Cruises dock is conveniently located in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Specific directions can be found on their website, and it's easily accessible by car. Parking information is usually available upon booking. Instagram

Yes, parking is typically available near the dock. It's advisable to check the official La Crosse Queen Cruises website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date parking details and any associated fees. Instagram

While public transportation options might exist in La Crosse, most visitors opt for driving or ride-sharing services to reach the dock. Check local La Crosse transit schedules for current routes. Instagram

La Crosse is accessible by car, and there are also regional airports nearby. Many visitors find driving to be the most flexible option for reaching the city and the cruise departure point. Instagram

Yes, La Crosse offers a variety of hotels and accommodations within a short distance of the cruise dock, making it convenient for overnight stays. Instagram

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Ticket prices vary depending on the cruise type. Sightseeing tours start around $19.95 per person for a 1.5-hour cruise, while lunch and dinner cruises may have different pricing structures. It's best to check their official website for current rates. Instagram

Tickets can be purchased directly through the La Crosse Queen Cruises official website (lacrossequeen.com) or potentially by calling them. Booking in advance is recommended. Instagram

The La Crosse Queen typically operates from early May to late October. Daily cruise schedules vary, so it's essential to check their website for specific departure times and availability. Instagram

It is highly recommended to book tickets in advance, especially for popular weekend cruises, dinner cruises, or during peak season, to guarantee your spot. Instagram

While not always advertised, keep an eye on their website or social media for potential promotions or group rates. The base pricing is generally considered very reasonable for the experience. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

The La Crosse Queen offers a variety of cruises, including scenic sightseeing tours, lunch buffets, dinner cruises, and pizza cruises. They also host special event cruises. Instagram+2

Cruise durations vary. Sightseeing tours are typically around 1.5 hours, while lunch and dinner cruises are often 3 hours long. InstagramReddit

Yes, some of the longer cruises, particularly the lunch and dinner options, include a passage through a Mississippi River lock and dam, which is a unique experience. Reddit

The dinner cruises often feature buffet-style dining with a selection of dishes. Reviews suggest the food is good and the service is excellent, making it a great way to celebrate special occasions. Reddit

Yes, the La Crosse Queen has a well-stocked bar offering beer, wine, and liquor, as well as soft drinks. InstagramReddit

📸 📸 Photography

The entire cruise offers fantastic photo opportunities, from the paddlewheel boat itself to the expansive Mississippi River views, historical landmarks along the shore, and potential wildlife like bald eagles. InstagramReddit

Early morning or late afternoon often provide the best lighting for photography, with softer light and beautiful golden hour hues. Evening cruises can also offer stunning sunset views. Instagram

Yes, you can generally move around the accessible areas of the boat to capture different angles and views. The open decks provide unobstructed photographic access. Instagram

There are typically no restrictions on personal photography. However, professional or commercial photography might require prior permission. Instagram

A versatile camera with a good zoom lens is ideal for capturing both wide river vistas and distant wildlife. A smartphone with a good camera is also perfectly adequate for most visitors. Instagram

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