I'm on a Riverboat, Don't You Ever Forget

I'm on a Riverboat, Don't You Ever Forget

Last week, I walked down the cobblestones at the foot of Union Ave. and climbed aboard the Island Queen for their daily 90-minute tour down the Mississippi.

Aboard the Island Queen, Memphis, Tenn.

The boat has three levels - an indoor, air conditioned dining level (with a full bar), a middle deck (where the tour guide hangs out), and a smaller, partially shaded upper deck. I took a seat upstairs, where the breeze was strong enough to make me temporarily forget that summer in Memphis can get a little unpleasant.

Under the bridges, Memphis, Tenn.

The tour leaves from the dock between Union and Monroe and heads south, just past the Old Bridge. The cruise south takes about half as long as the trip back upriver (against the Mississippi's strong currents). Along the way, there are amazing views of the Memphis skyline, close-ups of barges and a guided tour of the river with more nautical fun facts and Memphis history than I expected.

For instance, tugboats are allowed to push 30-35 barges at a time on the Mississippi River (though they can physically push more - the record is 72 full barges). Also, one loaded barge is equal to 15 large railroad shipping containers or 60 semi-trucks, making the river a super cheap way to move freight. Also, there used to be a town just on the other side of the river that was apparently the place to go for drinking, gambling and all manner of other illicit activities.

Memphis Skyline, Memphis, Tenn.

During the cruise I was on, most people stayed in one place, listening to the tour guide and soaking up the sunshine, but you're free to move around the boat at will. If a lesson isn't your thing, you can always catch one of the 2 hour long weekend dinner and music cruises.

Riverboats, Memphis, Tenn.

Tickets for the daily tour are $20 for adults and $17 for youth and $10 for kids under 10. If you've got a student or military ID or are more than 60 years old, you can ride for $17. The boat starts boarding at 1:30 p.m. for the daily afternoon ride and it leaves at 2:30 p.m. Reservations are possible, but not necessary.

Go there:

Memphis Riverboat Rides

45 S. Riverside Dr.

Memphis, TN 38103

(901) 527-BOAT

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Jeff
We did the day cruise on our "staycation" last year, it was a lot of fun. The guides do give a lot of history and it made me want to read more about Memphis's past.
July 28, 2011 6:51am
Tracie
My boyfriend took me on a day cruise after I returned from studying abraod this summer and we had a blast! Sometimes you forget what awesome adventures are available in your own backyard!
October 7, 2011 11:54am