st. charles paddlewheel riverboat tours

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St. charles paddlewheel riverboats.

8 North Ave., St. Charles, IL 60174

Cruise the scenic Fox River from Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles on the Fox River Queen or the St. Charles Belle paddlewheel riverboats. Daily afternoon sightseeing trips or private charter cruises May 1-October 15.

Enjoy travel from the era of Mark Twain through a green corridor of scenic beauty. Both boats have open-air upper decks for unobstructed sightseeing and the lower decks have windows that can be closed in cool or rainy weather. Public tours are reasonably prices from May to October. Enjoy recurring events, such as Kids Cruises, Sunset Cruises, and many more Private charters available, too. For more details and to purchase tickets: stcriverboats.com

• Boat Tours & Cruises
• Family friendly

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PADDLEWHEEL BOATS | All Aboard St. Charles Riverboats

FUN ON THE FOX RIVER

Paddlewheel riverboats.

ST. CHARLES–Take in the beauty of the Fox Valley aboard an historic paddlewheel riverboat – an iconic attraction in St. Charles for more than 75 years. This recreational activity that has spanned generations began in 1945 when the late Chet Anderson bought his first paddlewheel riverboat to charter cruises up and down the Fox River.

Traveling from the era of Mark Twain through a green corridor of scenic beauty, each riverboat trip offers something completely different. Sometimes you might see an eagle or a turtle, other times an osprey or a family of foxes. This completely unique way to explore the city and the beautiful Fox River is affordable and memorable for all ages during both public and private events.

On the public cruises, the riverboats tell stories from the past. While taking in the scenery, guests will learn about the Pottawatomi tribe that roamed the banks of the shore prior to St. Charles settlement and several historic landmarks. More fun is had when you hear the tales of icehouses and underground railroads as well as community lore regarding Al Capone’s infamous “hideaway.”

These beautiful boats and their homegrown story are something that St. Charles can truly be proud of, and rest assured, the Andersons’ legacy and the generations of family memories these boats carry is in good hands with the dedicated staff of the St. Charles Park District at the helm. Purchase online.

www.stcriverboats.com

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St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats

• Jun 14, 2022

Five great ways to enjoy the Fox River in St. Charles, IL

Riding a Paddlewheel Riverboat

Get the best views of the Fox River from the St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats , located at Pottawatomie Park. Stop in for a scheduled cruise, rent it out for a private party or take part in their themed nights!

Kayaking or Pedal Boats

Looking to cruise and explore the Fox River at your own pace? Try renting out one of the pedal boats or kayaks at the River View Miniature Golf Course. Pedal up and down the river and get some great exercise in!

Picnicking, playing and exploring at Pottawatomie Park

Enjoy the river from afar with a venture over to Pottawatomie Park! Pack a picnic, play around in the parks or explore some of the riverfront.

Enjoying the view from a riverfront patio

Grab a seat and treat yourself to some fantastic views, beverages and food with a spot on one of the riverfront patios! Stop in to fantastic spots like Alter Brewing + Kitchen , Flagship on the Fox , Pollyanna Brewing Co. , Kava Diem , Graceful Ordinary and Eden Restaurant & Events.

If you want to get carry out from one of the downtown restaurants, you can do that and then bring it down to First Street Plaza for some great river views!

Grab a spot in an Adirondack chair and enjoy a seat outside

Lounge and enjoy the sun with the various Adirondack chairs on First Street Plaza and outside the Reflections sculpture outside the Municipal Building.

#FoxRiver #LocalBusiness #Minigolf #StCharlesIL #StCharlesBusinessAlliance #WaterActivities #PaddlewheelRiverboat #StCharlesActivities #DowntownStCharles #Recreation #Kayak #PottawatomiePark #Picnic #Travel

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St. charles paddlewheel riverboats set sail this weekend, the boats, which take off at pottawatomie park, have been cruising the fox river for more than 70 years. weekend voyages are now available..

Erika Wurst , Patch Staff

ST. CHARLES—The St. Charles Paddlewheel Riverboats will make their 2021 debut along the Fox River this weekend, signaling that spring has sprung in Pottawatomie Park.

With special events like sunset cruises and pirate adventures, the boats offer something for everyone—children and adults alike. Cruises, lasting 45 minutes, are available every Saturday and Sunday through May 31. Come June 1, the boat rides will be open for Tuesday-Sunday voyages.

Boat riders can nosh on treats while they search for bald eagles along the Fox, or just sit back and listen to an audio script of historic sights and stories with highlighted spots along the river.

Find out what's happening in St. Charles with free, real-time updates from Patch.

Guests who come early can sang a seat on the top deck for even greater views when the paddlewheel riverboats set sail.

Affectionately named St. Charles Belle II and Fox River Queen, the boats weren’t always owned by the St. Charles Park District like they are today.

The business’ roots began to grow in 1945 when Chet Anderson, manning a concession stand at Pottawatomie Park, got an idea and brought it to life.

He wanted to buy a boat to take picnickers on trips along the river.

Not long after, Anderson purchased his first boat, The Honeymoon Queen, for $200 and prepared it to set sail along the Fox River. The Honeymoon Queen is no longer in service, but it has been replaced by the two current boats, purchased in the 1980s. These boats included both upper and lower decks.

After captaining the boats for more than 40 years, Chet Anderson retired in the 80s, passing down the business to his son Rich, and a second captain. In 2018 the St. Charles Park District purchased the business from Rich Anderson, and pledged to continue the legacy that began 70 years prior.

Tickets can be purchased ahead of time here or can be purchased inside the Pottawatomie Community Center. Private charters are available.

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Private Weekday Cruises

Save & sail.

A Discounted 1-Hour Private Weekday Cruise

Book by March 31, 2024 and receive an additional $30 off!

Let’s have a party in the middle of the week!

Embark on a riverboat adventure up and down the tranquil Fox River. Great afternoon trip for a tour group, a ladies afternoon out or for colleagues to rejuvenate from a long work day. Guests are welcome to bring their own snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. Riverboats cruise rain or shine.

June-August • Tu-F

12-1pm or 3-4pm

$320 for up to 30 people • $7 add’l person (overall max 70 people)

To begin the booking process: click here 

Looking for a field trip for summer day camp? Check out Kids Cruises: click here

Paddle and pedal along the Fox River in St. Charles

Nestled along the Fox River, Pottawatomie Park in St. Charles has several great ways for visitors to enjoy the river without breaking the budget for fun.

Get a new perspective of downtown St. Charles while paddling down the river. Plus, kayaking is a great cardio workout. The St. Charles Park District offers four, single-person kayaks that can be rented hourly for only $16, said Recreation Supervisor Cayla Greenfield.

“That hour in the kayak can go quick and people often come and ask if they can go for another hour,” she said.

And for those seeking more kayak fun or experience, the Park District provides a variety of boating classes this summer including kayak fishing, kayak fitness and an introduction into kayaking, Greenfield said.

“We know owning a kayak can be expensive and it requires a vehicle to transport it too. Rentals and classes are an easy way to enjoy, or try out, the sport,” Greenfield said.

Individuals need to be age 16 and have a valid driver’s license or state ID to rent a kayak, and lifejackets are included in the rental.

For another way to enjoy time on the water, consider renting the park district’s pedal boats. Each pedal boat has four seats and individuals use a pedal, like a bicycle, to propel the boats through the water with a steering device in one of the seats.

“We see a lot of families with kids enjoying taking in views of nature while floating on the water,” Greenfield said. The pedal boat rentals are available for one hour and must have at least one individual age 18 and older for a rental. Each pedal boat rental is $20 per hour.

“You do not need any experience, it’s really easy to use,” she said. “It’s a lot of fun and an hour is plenty of time to go around in the designated area of the river.”

Kayak and pedal boat rentals are available adjacent to the River View Miniature Golf Course at the Refreshment Stand with plenty of snacks and beverages for visitors to enjoy.

If relaxing on the water is the aim then there’s no better way to travel than by paddlewheel riverboat. The Park District operates two paddlewheel riverboats that travel the Fox River with weekend cruises through October and daily cruises Tuesday through Friday at 1:30 p.m. beginning in June. During the summer, specialty event cruises are offered. Sunset cruises, for example, are timed to enjoy the beauty of the slow setting sun and spectacular views from the river.

To purchase advance tickets and learn more about specialty cruises, visit stcriverboats.com. Private charter cruises can be booked for special occasions and groups, such as company work outing, bridal shower or intimate wedding reception.

For those who prefer to enjoy the river while keeping their feet on dry land, Pottawatomie Park is a wonderful way to enjoy the views, whether strolling the trails, riding a bike, visiting the playgrounds or playing a game of miniature golf. Putt & Save specials are offered weekly June through August.

“If you find you need to wait for a pedal boat or kayak, you can always enjoy some mini golf or a snack. There’s plenty to experience in Pottawatomie Park,” Greenfield said.