Floating proudly on the banks of the Ohio river, the Belle of Louisville has carried passengers for 100 years. Left over from the once proud river boat era, the Belle is the oldest Mississippi River-style steamboat in the world. No longer needed for work as a ferry or freight work, she has been outfitted as an excursion vehicle for history and dinner cruises. We were scheduled for the 7:00 PM dinner cruise and, finding it was only a two minute walk from the Galt Hotel, we set out to explore the river walk before our 6:30 boarding time. Before our cruise I took a minute to stop and ask about dress code. “It’s pretty casual,” I was informed, “It gets hot out there.” On that note, I decided we were safe wearing shorts and found I was correct. Almost everyone was as casually dressed as we were.
When we entered the second floor of the Belle, we were directed to our table. As more and more passengers boarded, I wondered how the buffet was going to work. I could see people swarming the buffet, with lines backing out the door. Instead, a crew member came to each table individually and told them when to get in line. Although we were seated in the middle of the dining area, we were able to get our food quickly and return to our seat.
I have to talk a minute about the buffet. Can I just say, yum? It was truly a Southern spread, with three types of meat–fried chicken, roast beef and ham. There were plenty of sides; macaroni salad, potato salad, green beans, mashed potatoes, cole slaw and more, plus a spread of delectable desserts. I had a piece of rich, fudgey, chocolate pie, but I also had a bite of Bryan’s coconut pie; purely for taste testing reasons only. I would have had another sample bite, but he ate it all before I could.
After dinner, the buffet was cleared to make a dance floor, complete with a DJ taking requests for favorite songs. I wandered to the top floor of the boat and pulled up a chair by the deck to watch the river bank go by. The scenery was amazing and it was a perfect summer evening to sit on the deck and relax.
We chugged slowly back into town in time to watch the sun set over the horizon; the perfect end to a tranquil evening.
If you go:
Because the meals are catered, reservations have to be made 48 hours in advance.
We received complementary passes for the Belle of Louisville. All opinions are my own.
Wow, this seems to be such a beautiful place to spend an evening. The boat, the view and the food all seem to be truly wonderful.
Gorgeous pics! I would love to take a ride on this . Seems like such a cool experience.
We live in southern Indiana near Louisville and we went on the Belle of Louisville back a few years ago. It was so cool to ride on the river at night. We went with friends and had such a great time.
Sounds like a great experience. It’s very beautiful there – love the photography.
That food looks so delicious. I bet that would be so much fun to go on.
This looks like a beautiful place. I’d love to travel here!
My sister actually had a formal dance on here when she was in college. She went to Campbellsville and now lives in Berea. We’ll have to check it out next time we’re down to visit!
This looks awesome and what a view! My FIL lives in Louisville, we will have to check it out next time we visit.
what a great view. looks like a fun time
How much fun is that??? My first thought was “Culture Club: Karma Chameleon” and my second was… “I could sure go for some biscuits and chicken right now!”
My family would love that! What breathtaking views!
That sounds amazing. I would love to go some day!
Beautiful sunset! Looks wonderful
We just went on a very similar ferry ride recently in Savannah. I love taking ferry tours!
That looks like a beautiful date night! What a lovely meal.
I would LOVE to do a dinner cruise!! It looked amazing and actually affordable!
A chair on the top floor of the boat. Oh yeah, that sounds fan-tas-tic!
That’s an experience! I would totally pay that price for the delicious food, dancing and ride!
I would love this. Love the look of the boat and the southern charms. Food looks great too.
This looks like a wonderful experience and a fun way to spend an evening with family and friends. I know it is something I would enjoy! Thanks so much for sharing.
Love the concept of a dining boat. Super cool.
I would love to dine on that boat. Sign me up! 🙂
The cruise is very affordable, I’d totally want to do this with my family. Looks beautiful.
There are so many places in the south I’ve yet to visit, and a riverboat dinner cruise would definitely be on the agenda! Looks like a great date OR family night out!
I’ve always wanted to take a little river or lake cruise like that. Looks like so much fun and seems really affordable.
This looks so relaxing. Hubs and I would love to enjoy The Belle sans children!
This looks so fun! I was on a dinner cruise on a boat like that, but it’s been probably 20 years!
I’ve always wanted to do a dinner cruise. Your photos are beautiful. Such amazing views!
We went on a similar dinner cruise a while ago and it was fantastic! Your dinner looks so yummy, and I love that sunset.
This looks so fun! What a great day activity!
That looks like an amazing time! Beautiful photos of everything too!
Sounds wonderful and the views are stunning, what a nice relaxing time!
I have always wanted to do a dinner cruise. It looks like so much fun and the food looks tasty!
What an awesome experience! That southern spread… oh my goodness! There is nothing l ike good southern cooking!
Oh wow, that would be so fun and scenic. Great photos!
Oh I would love to take a boat tour like that! it would be so much fun and it is gorgeous!
Wow that looks amazing,I would love to go on that but i will have to take something as i can not get on any boat without feeling sick lol.The food looks tasty.
Looks like a beautiful trip! The food looks delicious! This is definitely something our family would love to do!
What a great experience. I want to do something like this. I had no idea you could eat a good meal on board one of these boats. That’s an impressive spread.
Oh my gosh… I just looked at their site last week. Been wanting to do a river cruise. I am so glad to see your post on this.
That looks awesome! I would love to go on that with my family! And the buffet is a bonus, we love those as well!
Mitch
We always get excited when there is a buffet meal, too! LOL.
Not a bad price at all. …and it looks so much fun. Dinner was okay looking….I hope you all enjoyed it.
Oh wow, I would LOVE that. I have seen boats like that on tv, but we don’t have anything like them up here.