About La Crosse Queen Cruises
Our Story
The La Crosse Queen is a modern-day replica of the grand river boats that plied the Mississippi River in the early 1900’s. The Queen has been in operation since 1976. Cruising out of Port La Crosse, Wisconsin, she is one of the few authentic paddlewheel river boats still in operation in the United States today. In keeping with early traditions, she was built with sternwheels that are her only means of propulsion.
The La Crosse Queen has a split sternwheel and each half is run by a twin diesel engine; these power hydraulic motors turn the paddles. The split paddlewheel gives the Queen greater maneuverability and dependability. This is in contrast to most Mississippi River paddlewheelers in operation today. Many paddlewheelers today operate using a “free wheeling” paddlewheel at the stern of the boat for visual effect, but have a traditional screw-type engine hidden for their real means of propulsion. The La Crosse Queen is U.S. Coast Guard inspected for safety and is licensed to carry 149 passengers.
