riverboats in louisville

The Belle of Louisville is a national historical landmark and an icon of our waterfront. Whether you’re boarding the steamboat for your first or tenth river cruise, it’s always a memorable experience.

To board the Belle of Louisville is to do more than see the city and the Ohio River from a unique perspective. You are embarking on a piece of American history. Steamboat travel and transportation revolutionized our river, our city, and our nation. The geography of the area played a central role in Louisville’s founding and why it became the Bourbon Capital of the World.

At over 100 years old, the steamboat is steam-powered and paddlewell-propelled. No matter what you’re boarding for — sightseeing, a four-course dinner, live music, or a unique event — you are in for a special treat. Also, check out the Belle’s sister, the Mary M. Miller, the newest riverboat addition to our waterfront.

Book a Trip

For more details on how to book your next trip or to view the calendar of family-friendly programming and unique river cruises, visit the Belle of Louisville or call 502.574.2992 .

Address: 401 W. River Road (4th & River Road)

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Belle of Louisville Riverboats

• 401 W. River Rd, Louisville, KY 40202
• 502-574-2992
• 866-832-0011

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Louisville, KY

See also:  Jeffersonville, IN, which is very close by, right on the opposite side of the Ohio River.

Steamboat BELLE OF LOUISVILLE

Built in 1914 as steamer IDLEWILD (#2728) and renamed AVALON (#0403) in 1948 the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE (#0524-A) was purchased by the Jefferson County Fiscal Court in 1962. The boat underwent a complete renovation and was renamed. On April 31st 1963, the BELLE OF LOUISVILLE ran a staged race against the DELTA QUEEN (#1504). This Kentucky Derby Steamboat Race is held every year. The BELLE OF LOUISVILLE and her sister SPIRIT OF JEFFERSON are running sightseeing cruises (lunch and dinner available). See website for schedules.

Belle of Louisville www.belleoflouisville.org

From I-64 West take Third Street Exit and turn left onto River Road, veer right of highway r amp at Second Street. From I-64 East take Ninth Street Exit, left onto Market Street, left onto Seventh Street, follow curve to River Road, veer right of highway ramp at Second Street.

Howard Family’s grave site

The Howard Family’s grave site is located in Cave Hill National Cemetery in Louisville. The main monument is a tall obelisk on each side are engraved panels with the life history of James Howard and the shipyard. See Google Maps link below for the exact location of the grave site.

Cave Hill National Cemetery www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/cavehill.asp

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The Riverboat Cruise In Louisville You Never Knew Existed

More by this Author

If you’re from the city, you probably know that the Belle of Louisville is a landmark attraction, but visitors and natives alike may be surprised to learn about this beautiful historical boat. Check out the article below to learn more about cruises on the Belle of Louisville!

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Have you ever taken a cruise on the Belle of Louisville? Let us know in the comments or on Facebook! If you enjoyed this article, check out this one about the Dixie Belle in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

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

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Things to do in louisville, ky.

Experience Louisville by taking part in events, arts & culture, shopping, sports & outdoor activities, tours and much more.

With more than 120 attractions Louisville has something for everyone to see and do. The iconic Churchill Downs and Kentucky Derby Museum pay homage to the thoroughbred horse – a hallmark of what makes Kentucky so special. The bat of most major league baseball teams is made at Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory . The Belle of Louisville is the oldest operating steamboat still in existence. And, Louisville’s native son, Muhammad Ali, is now remembered with a self-guided tour of “Ali’s Footsteps of Greatness." Another hallmark of Kentucky – Bourbon – has taken center stage as a “must do” when visiting the city. The Urban Bourbon Experience is comprised of more than ten distilleries that are open for public tours and tastings. The Urban Bourbon Trail boasts over 35 bars and restaurants with more than 60 bourbons and bourbon-inspired culinary delights – so download the passport, collect your stamps and enjoy a special prize at the end. If the arts are more to your liking, Louisville is one of only a handful of U.S. cities with a professional full-time orchestra, opera, ballet, children’s theatre, dinner theatre and Broadway Series. The Speed Art Museum and the KMAC both showcase the visual arts in their own stunning spaces. These, plus a zoo, amusement park, breweries, historic homes, confectionaries, parks and music festivals comprise the fabric of Louisville’s cultural scene. If you need help planning your trip, contact our destination experts! Give us a call at (888) 568-4878 or send an email to [email protected] (hours of operation are Monday - Friday, 9am to 5pm EST).

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21c Louisville Museum 700 W. Main St. Louisville, KY 40202 Details   Open in Google Maps

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We are a full service Salon and Spa in the heart of the highlands! We combine a relaxing and luxurious interior with a...

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Entertaining comedies, dramas & musicals including annual favorites - Dracula, A Christmas Carol & the Humana Festival of...

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301 South 4th Street Louisville, Kentucky 40202

1.888.LOUISVILLE (1.888.568.4784)

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

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