riverboat kentucky

Kentucky – Dixie Belle Riverboat

• Terri Weeks

With departures from Shaker Landing at the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky , the Dixie Belle is a 115-passenger riverboat that offers one-hour sightseeing cruises on the Kentucky River.

The cruise was narrated by the captain and included both cultural and natural history of the area. To be quite honest, my kids were expecting it to be boring, but the captain’s engaging style held their attention and they were pleasantly surprised that they found it to be very interesting.

Early in the cruise we crossed under High Bridge, which is a National Civil Engineering Landmark that was constructed in 1876. It is the tallest bridge above a navigable river in North America and was the tallest bridge in the world when it was constructed. Our captain told us that it is seven feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.

The cruise explores a very peaceful section of the Kentucky River that extends far beyond what can be traveled during the one-hour cruise. There are very few boats on this section of river because no fuel is available. That makes it ideal for kayaks and canoes to explore and keeps it clean as a source of drinking water for the region.

The Kentucky Palisades, formed of limestone, stretch along the river for 100 miles. We were able to see a relatively small section of the beautiful rock formations.

We passed a waterfall, but it was a little hard to see with all the lush vegetation surrounding it.

The captain did an excellent job spotting and pointing out wildlife.  We saw several turtles on logs along the shore.

We saw a vulture in the trees and followed a blue heron down the river.

My kids really enjoyed this cruise and definitely give it a thumbs up as a kid-friendly attraction.

Although the Dixie Belle Riverboat is part of the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, admission to the village is not required for the riverboat.  If you’d like to spend a full day exploring the village (which I recommend), you could ride the Dixie Belle the following day without having to pay for admission to the village again.

Ready to Visit?

Dixie Belle Riverboat

Purchase tickets at the Carpenter’s Shop Craft Store at Shaker Village Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill 3501 Lexington Road Harrodsburg, KY 40330 (800) 734-5611

Admission: $10 (13 & above), $5 (6-12), free for children 5 & under Ride Dates: Daily April 27 through November 3 Ride Times: 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM

Arrive at Shaker Landing 30 minutes prior to departure.  Bring an umbrella or rain jacket if rain is expected!

Many thanks to the Shaker Village and Harrodsburg / Mercer County Tourist Commission who provided complimentary tickets to me and my kids  so that I could write about our experience on the Dixie Belle.  All opinions here are our own.

Recent Posts

AFFILIATIONS

• (513) 885-9887 (513) 885-9887
• [email protected] [email protected]
• Monday - Thursday: 11 AM - 8 PM Friday: 11 AM - 5 PM Or By Appointment

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

View Events Calendar

Request Visitor Guide

• Bourbon Experience
• Arts & Entertainment
• History & Culture
• Spas & Wellness
• Daily Tours & Exhibits
• Restaurant Listings
• Top Restaurants
• Top Breakfast & Brunch Spots
• Lou's Brews
• Regional Foods
• Urban Bourbon Trail
• Coffee & Tea Shops
• Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants
• Hotels & Motels
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Short Term Rentals
• Book a Room
• Annual Festivals & Events
• Butchertown
• Clifton & Crescent Hill
• East Louisville
• The Highlands
• Old Louisville
• Shelby Park & Smoketown
• South Louisville
• Southern Indiana
• West Louisville
• Visitor Guide
• Newsletter Signup
• Visitor Information
• Louisville Transportation
• Weather & What to Pack
• Relocating?
• Online Reservations
• Destination Services
• Sports Events
• Group Travel Planning Toolkit
• International Travel
• Travel Advisors
• Contact Tourism Development
• Get Involved
• Stay in Touch
• Rose Awards
• Partner Login
• Media Requests
• Story Ideas
• Development Projects
• Filming in Louisville
• Marketing Plan
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Destination Strategic Plan
• Research & Publications
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Privacy Policy

Loading your recommendations…

• Calendar Of Events
• Where to Stay
• Attraction Tickets

Belle of Louisville Riverboats

401 W. River Rd. Louisville, KY 40202

Phone: (502) 574-2992 Fax: (502) 574-3030

• Alchohol_Beverages
• Bus_Parking
• Entertainment
• Handicap Accessible
• Reservations

Meeting Space

Meeting spaces, belle of louisville, mary m. miller, related deals.

$2.00 off Adult Sightseeing Ticket

Show your badge to receive $2.00 off one adult sightseeing ticket. Not valid on special events.

Related Events

Harbor History 401 W. River Rd. Louisville, Kentucky 40202 Details   Open in Google Maps

Harbor History

On this longer narrated journey, you’ll learn more about our beautiful city, its history and connection to the river, factors that determined Louisville’s...

Sunset Cruise on the Belle of Louisville 401 W. River Rd. Louisville, Kentucky 40202 Details   Open in Google Maps

Sunset Cruise on the Belle of Louisville

There are few things as beautiful as Louisville at sunset. Enjoy yourself on the river with a gentle breeze and a delicious cocktail. Add in music from a live...

301 South 4th Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202

1.888.LOUISVILLE (1.888.568.4784)

CATCH THE BOURBON BOAT

"the nation's only boat-based bourbon tour".

Experience the  Kentucky Bourbon Trail ® by boat- a unique way to learn about the Kentucky River’s influence on the history of bourbon.

Come see why early whiskey distillers cherished this river, and decided to build their fortunes on it’s banks. discover the  kentucky bourbon trail ® from a new perspective, w ith kentucky river tours..

"Had a fun family outing to celebrate Father’s Day! Highly recommend a Kentucky River Tour. Captain Allison and Captain Nathan were super knowledgeable and friendly!"

Slide title

"A relaxing ride up the Kentucky River, filled with the beautiful sites and interesting information (both historic and current) about the area. Hosted by Captains Allison and Nathan, the tour could not have been more delightful. Best hour off my week. Highly recommend!"

"We did one of their tours today and highly recommend this company. Check it out!"

"My son came in town from Wisconsin and we decided to take the river boat ride. It is probably one of the best things to do in Kentucky. We were all extremely impressed with the way the trip was run and Captain Nathan was very knowledgeable of the events of history. We enjoyed it immensely."

"A beautiful, pleasant, informative trip on the river is such an awesome way to spend the afternoon. Pairs PERFECTLY with a trip to Buffalo Trace!"

"Had a great time on the new Bourbon Tour, Nathan is so knowledgeable about the Kentucky River, tons of fun and educational too."

Kate from Frankfort, Kentucky

"Captains Allison and Nathan are both great! They took us on a beautiful tour of Frankfort's Kentucky River. They showed us lots of points of interest and catered to our 3 year-old's love of turtles by slowing down the boat so she could see them sunbathing. The boat was pristine and had all of the necessary safety equipment. I would highly recommend this adventure!"

"This is our 2nd trip to the Kentucky area and the boat tour was a perfect add to the trip. Extremely informative and just relaxing. Is a great compliment to the bourbon trail and I would highly recommend!! Captain was fun, full of history and great to listen to and we Thank him for adding to our vacation."

"A trip with Captain Nathan and Allison is relaxing and as comfortable as if you were with old friends. Totally enjoyable ride along the lovely Kentucky river with those who know the history and share it’s interesting stories. The boat is quite comfortable and the ride was smooth. Even on a cloudy afternoon they fill it with Kentucky hospitality and charm. Would definitely recommend this delightful tour!"

We're an Official Sponsor of The

701 Wilkinson Blvd, Frankfort, KY 40601

(502) 219-3318

[email protected]

TOURS OFFERED

• Bourbon Themed Tour
• Historic River Tours
• Kentucky River Tour 
• Bourbon Tour
• River Boat Tours
• Buffalo Trace Tours
• Bourbon Trail Tours
• Bourbon Distillery Tour

| Kentucky River Tours | Accessibility Statement | Privacy Policy | Website by Creekmore Marketing

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

tap the   or   ICON in your browser and select 'Add to Home Screen'

CALL FOR RESERVATIONS

As we move into our new Newport Landing dock facility & event center, our online reservation system will be temporality unavailable. Please call 1(800) 261-8586 to book your reservation today. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to serving you in 2019!

Captain's Dinner Cruise

About this Cruise

Take in the skyline, watch the river go by, and enjoy a fantastic meal aboard one of our Captain's Dinner cruises. Click the "Book this Cruise" button to see up to the minute scheduling. Cruise schedule may change during off-season months. See all of our up-to-date special packages when you choose a specific date in our online reservation system.

Cruise Schedule

Wednesday December 31, 1969

Dinner Buffet

Adults General Admission

Children Ages 4-12

25% OFF Souvenir Photos

Pre-order a souvenir boarding photo when making your online reservation and save on your purchase.

Customize Your Cruise

Make your cruise unique by adding table decorations, appetizers, and desserts, guaranteed window seating, souvenirs and other enhancements!

Tossed salad topped with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Red Onions served with homemade ranch and Gluten Free Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressings

Roasted Chicken

Roasted Seasoned-Crusted Striploin au jus served with Creamy horseradish Sauce

Whipped Potatoes

Fresh Seasonal Vegetable

Bakery Fresh Rolls and butter

Chef’s Choice of dessert

Dietary Restrictions?

If a member of your party requires a vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meal, please note this selection when making your reservation and other options will be made available on your cruise.

More Cruises Like This

Signature cruises.

Experience Cincinnati and the Ohio River like never before and unwind on a day or evening cruise aboard one of the magnificent BB Riverboats. We aren’t your typical cruise company. Choose from a wide variety of our signature cruises, Read More all of which include a fully stocked bar and delicious food from our buffet. Plan a date night with your loved one on our Stonebrook Winery Sunset Cruise, relax the day away with friends on our Captains’ Lunch Cruise, or bring the kids and have some family fun and bonding on our Sunday Family Dinner Cruise. Our Signature, or Specialty Cruises are offered daily throughout the season. Read Less

Specialty Cruises

Are you looking for a unique and memorable way to spend an afternoon or evening in Cincinnati? BB Riverboats cruises have plenty of options for you, whether you're looking for family fun during the day, or a way to spend an evening with friends that you'll never forget. Read More Join the excitement and take an adventure on one of our themed dinner cruises. These riverboat cruises are designed for all tastes and interests. Bring your kids to a Princess, Pirate, or Super Hero Cruise; take your husband or wife to sightsee along the Ohio River; or grab your friends and listen to live music. For a fun guy’s night out, we offer a Bernstein’s Batch Bourbon Dinner Cruise; and for the ladies, a Girl’s Night Out with Pure Romance Cruise. Tasty cocktails at our full bar and exciting entertainment compliment all cruises. Read Less

Holiday Cruises

Are you looking for a fun way to spend the summer holidays with family and loved ones? Forget the movie theatre or dinner at a boring restaurant and come aboard one of our lavish Riverboats to sail on the mighty Ohio. Read More Spend Father's Day, July 4th or Labor Day on a boat cruise that is sure to be one of the highlights of your summer! Our dinner cruises travel along the Ohio River and give you the greatest of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky sightseeing. Whether it is dining at our extensive buffet, sipping cocktails at our full bar, or busting out your best moves on our dance floor, you are sure to make memories your family and friends will cherish forever. Read Less

BB is Back! Here's How We’re Cruising Safely

There is nothing more important than the well-being of our customers and crew. Learn more about the steps we’re taking to make sure your BB experience is safe and enjoyable.

Explore The Ohio River Aboard Kentucky's Favorite Historic Riverboat

Andrea Limke

A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.

More by this Author

The Ohio River makes up a portion of our state’s border and it has always been a significant part of Kentucky’s history and purpose. Along the riverfront, there are many small towns, as well as smaller cities and even a few big cities that are home to a large section of our population. The largest of the Kentucky cities on the river is Louisville and this vibrant town is filled with things to do. One of the most favorite activities for all ages, locals, and visitors is a ride on the historic riverboat in Kentucky, the Belle of Louisville or its fleet companion, the Mary M. Miller. There are a variety of trips available on both boats and these outings are some of the most memorable in the state.

Related Stories

The Gobblers Arch Is A Hidden Sandstone Formation In Kentucky Worthy Of A Day Hike

The Cherokee Park Scenic Loop Is My Favorite Trail in Louisville

Reconnect With Nature When You Stay At These Charming Rentals In Kentucky

If you have yet to take a ride on this historic riverboat in Kentucky, keep it in mind for the next special occasion. Whether you’re looking for a romantic sunset cruise, a fun-filled family outing, or a place to celebrate a big event on the water, the Belle of Louisville and the Mary M. Miller are two favorite destinations in the Bluegrass. Have you been aboard a historic riverboat in Kentucky? We’d love to hear about your experience in the comments!

For more information on the Belle of Louisville and everything that is currently offered, visit its website and also follow along on Facebook .

And for another boat tour in Kentucky that’s totally different and very unique, check out this excursion that takes you right up to a waterfall.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Kentucky in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Kentucky!

An error occured.

Related Articles

• The Saunders Springs Nature Preserve Loop Is One Of The Best Waterfall Hikes In Kentucky
• Get Off The Freeway And Onto This Scenic Back Road Between Arthur And Cave City, Kentucky
• I Tried The Fried Chicken At The Birthplace of Kentucky Fried Chicken
• The Incredible Road Trip Through Kentucky That Leads You To 6 Stunning Lakes
• 12 Weekend Travel Destinations Across The U.S. For A Quick Trip
• 12 Fantastic Travel Destinations Across The U.S. For Large Groups
• Hand-Picked: 17 Amazon Prime Day Deals On Our Favorite Must-Have Travel Products
• We’re Dreaming Of A Waterfront Getaway And We Found 13 Perfect Spots In The South

Featured Addresses

Juvenile possibly drowned in Kentucky River; search suspended for the night

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - Crews are searching the Kentucky River for a juvenile possible drowning victim.

Officials say they were called to Fort Boonesborough State Park just before three Tuesday afternoon for a possible drowning.

First responders from four different counties, along with several state agencies, spent the rest of the day searching for a missing juvenile.

After more than six hours of searching the green waters of the Kentucky River first responders called off their search with daylight dwindling.

Captain Jackson Roederer with the White Hall Volunteer Fire Department says they were the first agency to arrive on the scene and establish command of the incident.

“He was swimming in the river. He came down to the beach to swim, and his friends noticed some trouble, and then from there, we’re not 100% sure on everything at this time”

Fire officials tell us the boy went under then and didn’t resurface.

It’s exactly what Raymond Stevens, who was camping at Fort Boonesborough State Park, hoped he wouldn’t hear.

“Because there is bad undercurrents and stuff in there. Either way, it’s sad,” Stevens said.

Stevens has been camping at Fort Boonesborough State Park for the past couple of weeks and has enjoyed the area ever since he was young.

“You come to have a good time. You don’t come to see this or certainly wouldn’t expect one of your children to have an accident,” Stevens said.

His campsite ended up being just yards away from a massive first responder scene as crews use a park boat ramp to stage their searches.

“We have crews in the water using sonar, underwater robots with cameras to try and locate anything further, and we’re also doing land searches on the banks on each side,” Roederer said.

Roederer says this is a call they never want to get, but they’re not giving up on their extensive efforts.

“We want to remain hopeful at all times, no matter what. We don’t always get the best outcome, but we train to push for that as best we can,” Roederer said.

Roederer says they have probable areas where the boy could be, based on factors like the speed of the current in the water.

They have reduced the size of the search area after consulting with the National Weather Service, but with nothing found at this point, all possibilities remain open.

They’ll resume at the break of dawn on Wednesday.

The Madison County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead on this investigation.

They say some deputies will stay at the park overnight to keep the scene secure until crews resume their search in the morning.

We will update this story as we learn more information.

Teen recovered from Kentucky River identified

MADISON COUNTY, Ky. (WKYT) - We now know the name of the teen whose body was recovered from the Kentucky River.

The Madison County Coroner’s Office identified the body as Damien Chamberland.

The body of the 16-year-old was recovered just after 5:30 p.m.

The teen went under the water in the river at Fort Boonesborough State Park on the Madison-Clark county line.

The search resumed at 8 a.m. Wednesday morning after being suspended Tuesday night.

Teams from Madison, Clark, and Laurel counties were searching for him.

Copyright 2024 WKYT. All rights reserved.

Beshear ‘serious’ candidate for Democratic Party vice presidential nomination if President Biden withdraws, report says

School start dates around Kentucky

Police looking for suspect after deadly Lexington shooting

KSP identifies human remains as missing Monroe County woman

Biden pushes party unity as he resists calls to step aside, says he’ll return to campaign next week

A faulty software update causes havoc worldwide for airlines, hospitals and governments

Credit card skimmer found in Lexington store

Latest news.

2 hurt after crash on W Main St in Lexington

Time running out for in-person help applying for disaster assistance

Famous film festival could be coming to a city near you

Body found in Kentucky last December confirmed to be that of wanted man

How the global tech outage impacted Lexington businesses

Kentucky hospitals share how global technology outage impacted them

Weekend Roundup: Concours d’Elegance; Grand Tour of Homes; Woodford Humane Society Summer Gala

Closures planned for River Road starting Saturday. Here's what to know and how to detour

Drivers heading to downtown Louisville and Waterfront Park along River Road will face delays starting this weekend as closures for maintenance will impact the thoroughfare.

Projects by both Louisville Metro Public Works and the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet will force either partial or full closures on River Road beginning Saturday. Here's a look at what they are and when to expect them.

River Road to close at Edith Road, Frankfort Avenue this weekend

River Road will be closed while crews replace a railroad crossing near Edith Road and Frankfort Avenue Saturday and Sunday, Metro Public Works said in a statement. Vehicles traveling westbound on River Road will have to detour at Edith Road, continuing at Mellwood Avenue, Brownsboro Road and Story Avenue, before ending at Main and Preston streets.

Drivers will also not be able to access River Road from Preston Street and instead will have to detour at Preston and Liberty streets, according to the map from Public Works. The detour continues at Chestnut Street, Baxter Avenue, Main Street and Mellwood Avenue, before ending at Edith and River roads.

One lane of River Road to close at Seventh Street starting Monday

A section of River Road will be down to one lane next week while engineers perform a routine inspection of the Interstate 64 bridge, the state transportation cabinet said in a news release. The closure begins at River Road and Seventh Street and ends where River Road intersects with Bingham Way, just over a half-mile away.

The closure will begins Monday and will occur daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. through July 26.

Reach reporter Leo Bertucci at [email protected] or @leober2chee on X, formerly known as Twitter

More: Meet Patty, the Louisville Zoo's new gorilla. Here's what we know about her and her troop

Body of ‘Top Chef’ alum Naomi Pomeroy recovered from Oregon river after tubing accident

• Copy Link URL Copied!

The body of celebrity chef and “Top Chef” alum Naomi Pomeroy has been recovered from a river in western Oregon, authorities confirmed Wednesday.

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office said Pomeroy’s body was located Wednesday morning in the Willamette River about half a mile upstream of Hyak Park between Corvallis and Albany, Ore.

People canoeing on the river spotted a body and called 911, the sheriff said in a Facebook update. Sheriff’s deputies arrived shortly after and “located a deceased female on a shallow section of bedrock near the middle of the river with about one to two feet of water.”

Deputies identified the body as that of Pomeroy, who had been missing since July 13. They released her body to a funeral home and notified her family of the recovery, the post said.

The 49-year-old chef, who helped put Portland on the culinary map, competed on Season 10 of “Top Chef” when it was set in Seattle and on “Top Chef Masters” in 2011.

She was the first drowning victim of the year, the sheriff’s office said. A sheriff’s investigation determined that three floaters on tubes and a paddle board, which were bound together, had been “caught on an exposed snag in the water,” the sheriff said Tuesday in a Facebook post that has since been updated.

“One of the floaters, Naomi, was pulled under the water and held by the paddle board leash,” the post said.

Corvallis Fire Department personnel were unable to recover Pomeroy’s body at the time, but recovered the two other floaters on shore and safely transported them to a boat launch.

Pomeroy had been tubing with her husband, Kyle Webster, and another individual when she went underwater, Benton County Patrol Lt. Toby Bottorff told local news station KEZI .

Sheriff’s deputies searched the area using sonar, underwater cameras and drones but were unable to locate any signs of Pomeroy due to heavy debris. Search efforts were paused overnight; however, the office said a sheriff’s boat had been on the water every day since Saturday for the recovery mission.

“I am dedicated to locating Naomi to bring her home to her family and loved ones,” Sheriff Van Arsdall said. “I want to thank all involved in the search and recovery mission and support during this difficult time.”

The sheriff’s office warned the public about the rivers being “inherently dangerous with current and hazards” and encouraged people to scout them beforehand.

“If you float rivers, do not tie yourself to a paddle board unless you have a quick release leash,” the sheriff’s statement said. “Also, do not tie two or more inner tubes together; this requires you to have a life jacket for each person. Kids 12 and younger must wear a life jacket.”

More to Read

Hotel worker in San Diego stabs guest, then intentionally drives off a pier, police say

July 8, 2024

Oakland firefighter drowned off a San Diego beach

June 27, 2024

Longtime Inland Empire restaurant critic dies in Missouri car crash

June 12, 2024

The complete guide to home viewing

Get Screen Gab for everything about the TV shows and streaming movies everyone’s talking about.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Nardine Saad covers breaking entertainment news, trending culture topics, celebrities and their kin for the Fast Break Desk at the Los Angeles Times. She joined The Times in 2010 as a MetPro trainee and has reported from homicide scenes, flooded canyons, red carpet premieres and award shows.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Multiple fires break out in L.A. County amid hot, dry conditions

‘Erratic and assaultive’ man armed with machete shot by Riverside County sheriff’s deputy

Hollywood Inc.

Trump’s big night at Republican convention draws 25 million TV viewers

July 19, 2024

Climate & Environment

Biden administration seeks to eliminate single-use plastics in federal government by 2035