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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Rolling on the River: Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises

No visit to the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis is complete without a riverboat tour of the Mississippi! Step back in time as you board the Becky Thatcher or Tom Sawyer and take a tranquil tour of the riverfront.

Before interstate highways crisscrossed the nation, people did their luxury traveling by train and steamboat. St. Louis was a bustling river town in the 1800’s with hundreds of steam powered paddlewheelers docked on riverfront! There’s a cool display of what St. Louis looked like back then at the Arch’s new museum –be sure to check it out on your next visit.

Riverboat Cruise at the Arch

The riverboats can take your family on a hour long tour of the riverfront –there’s a sightseeing cruise running every day from March to November.

But if you want to make it really special–book a dinner or brunch cruise! The Becky Thatcher is set up with a double decker dining room and takes visitors on a two-hour tour of the riverfront while you dine on a delicious buffet.

Brunch on the Riverboat Becky Thatcher

Sunday Brunch Cruises are a great way to celebrate Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Of course you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy a wonderful weekend at the Arch with your family! There’s one or two brunch cruises scheduled every month the boats operates. Check out their current schedule under “specialty cruises” here.   There’s also dinner cruises, dancing cruises, and a couple cruises up to see the lock and dam where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers meet!

What’s included with my ticket?

Your brunch ticket includes a buffet full of scrambled eggs, blintzes, French toast, sausage, prime rib, stuffed chicken, veggies, pasta, dessert, and coffee, iced tea, orange juice, milk and chocolate milk. Soft drinks, beer and cocktails are available at the bar for an extra charge.

What to Expect on your Riverboat Brunch Cruise

First, you’ll want to reserve your spot early by getting tickets online . Tickets are $45 for adults, $18 for kids 3-12 and free for little ones under 2. 

The boats are docked at the foot of the Gateway Arch. Stop by the ticket office to pick up your tickets by 12:30 — the boat leaves promptly at 1pm!

Then you’ll come aboard and be directed to your seat. Unlike the sightseeing tours, the Brunch Cruise has reserved indoor seating with white linen table clothes. Tables are located by the windows, so you can enjoy the whole cruise from the comfort of the cabin, or pop upstairs to watch from the observation deck. 

The food might be served buffet style, but you’ll also get a friendly waiter to serve your drinks and clear the plates. Don’t worry about standing in line either, the serving staff dismisses diners by table so the buffet isn’t overwhelmed.

And while you wait, enjoy a little Dixieland music!

Where do I park?

Best Photos of the Arch are Here

If you’re looking to get a postcard photo of the Gateway Arch, a riverboat cruise is where to be! You can also get a pretty cool one from the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park over on the East Side, but you don’t need to worry about pesky power lines messing up your shot here. ( Here’s a few more ideas for great photos with the Arch! )

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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

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Gain a new perspective while cruising the Mighty Mississippi. With a variety of sightseeing, dinner, and specialty outings to choose from, a riverboat cruise makes a unique and relaxing way to experience the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis.

Available March through November. Cruise dates and times vary. Located on the St. Louis Riverfront below the Grand Staircase of the Gateway Arch.

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Additional information.

Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises

The St. Louis riverfront offers two 19th-century replica steamboats, the Tom Sawyer and the Becky Thatcher, for cruising the Mighty Mississippi River. A variety of cruises are offered for any occasion. There are sightseeing cruises such as a cruise to Kimmswick or to mouth of the Missouri to experience going through the lock and dam system. There are entertainment cruises such as the Blues Cruises and dinner cruises such as the Sunday Brunch Cruises. And there are seasonal cruises that feature dinner and entertainment such as the New Year's Eve Cruise or the Octoberfest Cruise. The Gateway Arch Riverboats can be chartered to share a special occasion, such as a wedding, reunion or birthday party with family and friends.

Take a Cruise on the Gateway Arch Riverboats

Times and prices vary according to type of cruise. Both boats are equipped with indoor and outdoor seating areas, tables, chairs, restrooms, and a concession area and are wheelchair accessible. See website for cruise schedule and more info.

Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises Address and Phone Numbers

Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises St. Louis Riverfront 50 N. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd St. Louis, MO 63102 877-982-1410

Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises Related Links:

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Riverboats at The Gateway Arch

50 South L.K. Sullivan Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63102

TripAdvisor Rating:

The outside speakers need to be fixed or replaced.

The outside speakers on this boat really need to be fixed and replaced. About 5 minutes into the tour there was a group of us who wanted to actually hear it and we all stood underneath the speakers...

Fine dinner cruise once we actually found the parking area.

As of December, 2023, the directions on how to get to parking area were confusing. They say don’t use GPS but neglect to explain how hard it is to find the entrance to drive/park to the river front...

Decent Boat Ride

It's a nice way to spend an hour, but it's not a must do if you're visiting the area. The rivershore of st. Louis is not stunning like Chicago is. Good view of the Arch though.

Cruises: Mar.-Nov., 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

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Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises

Type: Family Friendly , Tours and Excursions

Last updated on June 29, 2015

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800 N 1st St St. Louis, MO 63102

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Visiting the Gateway Arch: Enter the monument through the Gateway Arch Visitor Center, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exits only. Please allow at least 30 minutes to go through security. Tickets sell out early and often, advance reservations are strongly recommended. Pending availability, additional tickets may be available for same-day purchase beginning at 9am each day through our website, call center, and ticket center at the Gateway Arch. Same-day ticket availability is not guaranteed and sells out early and often.

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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch: Holiday Cruises

ST. LOUIS– The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch, located below the Arch on the St. Louis Riverfront, will celebrate the holiday season with a lineup of cruises for all ages and interests, including breakfast with Santa Claus, a holiday dinner cruise, a festive drag show brunch and a New Year’s Eve party.

“Create lasting memories this holiday season aboard the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch,” said Mary Lamie, Executive Vice President of Multi Modal Enterprises, Bi-State Development. “The riverboats have a festive cruise for everyone and offer unique experiences that can’t be found anywhere in St. Louis.”

A complete cruise schedule is available at gatewayarch.com /riverboats. Reservations are required for all cruises. Cruises sell out fast, so it is highly encouraged to make reservations early by calling 877-982-1410 or visiting gatewayarch.com/buytickets .

PJs and Pancakes with Santa Cruise It’s a holiday outing for the entire family: Cruise the Mighty Mississippi on a replica paddlewheel riverboat with the big man himself—Santa Claus! Come dressed in your favorite PJs and enjoy a bountiful breakfast buffet, holiday crafts and other activities, unique views of downtown and the Arch, and take a photo with Santa. WHEN: Saturdays: November 23 & 30, December 7 & 14. 9:30-11:30 a.m. TICKETS: $38 per person. Children 2 and under are free.

Jingle & Mingle Holiday Dinner Cruise Celebrate the holidays in style and make memories aboard the Jingle & Mingle Holiday Dinner Cruise. This floating extravaganza features: DJ spinning festive classics and today’s hits; chef-prepared buffet dinner with all your holiday favorites; cash bar featuring beer, wine and cocktails; and festive lights and decor from top to bottom. WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, December 5-15. 7:30-10 p.m. TICKETS: Thursdays: $50 for adults; $30 for children; Fridays-Sundays: $53 for adults; $33 for children. Children 2 and under are free. Discount alert: The more, the merrier! Bring your friends, family or co-workers together for the celebration, and enjoy discount pricing on groups of 20 or more.

Blues Cruise Dance the night away and take part in a St. Louis tradition, as the Soulard Blues Band provides rocking, live entertainment and you enjoy illuminated views of downtown St. Louis. WHEN: Thursday, December 12. 8:30-11 p.m. TICKETS: $22 per person. Cash bar. Must be 21 or older.

Brunching with Queens Cruise Don’t let your weekend be a “drag”! A merry Sunday Funday is guaranteed as you enjoy a fabulous brunch buffet and host Jade Sinclair and St. Louis’ most glamourous queens provide live, holiday-themed entertainment. WHEN: Sunday, December 15. 1-3 p.m. TICKETS: $47 per person. Cash bar. Must be 21 or older.

New Year’s Eve Party Cruise Ring in the New Year with a view of the magnificent St. Louis skyline. Featuring an elegant three-course dinner, open bar, DJ entertainment, and midnight champagne toast. WHEN: Monday, December 31. 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. TICKETS: $99 per person. Must be 21 or older.

LOCATION AND PARKING The Riverboats at the Gateway Arch are located below the south leg of the Gateway Arch at 50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63102. Parking is available on the Mississippi River levee in front of the boats for a cash fee.

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