Cincinnati by steamboat cruises!  What a way to experience the riverfront heartland of America.  Founded in 1788, Cincinnati could boast of being one of the busiest river boat ports in the United States.  Many of yesterday’s steamboats were built along the Ohio River.   As industry spread throughout the United States, steamboats became more luxury than industrial.  Now Steamboat cruises are available along the riverfront of Cincinnati.  One massive yearly event is the Tallstacks Steamboat shows and music jamborees.  This event isn’t just for seniors.  Every member of the family can join grandma and grandpa on these cruises! 

October is the month in which you’ll want to already be registered for your steamboat cruise.  With multiple numbers of steamboats available you’d think “what the hurry?”  “October is far away.”  Let me tell you that at this time of writing, there are already a couple of venues “sold-out.”   This event “Tallstacks” is a very healthy event with over $48 million dollars in revenue and at least 35% of people coming in from the other states and even from some foreign countries!  The Mid-West of America holds a very intriguing week of entertainment good for the young and old.   A list of handicap accessible steamboats is listed below.  You’ll need to plan ahead for your arrival one hour before your scheduled cruise.  Some steamboats required extra help for those with handicaps.  Due to the authenticity of some of the steamboats and other attractions, going alone in a wheelchair might prove to be difficult, so take a friend with you to help access the fun.   Here is the list of handicap accessible steamboats which will be moored against the Serpentine Wall – you’ll need that knowledge for referencing your steamboat’s location:

Celebration Belle

Colonel

Harriet Bishop

Magnolia Belle

PA Denny

Music City Queen

Spirit of Peoria

“A wheelchair ramp is located at the east end of the Serpentine Wall at the foot of the L&N Bridge (the purple bridge) and will provide easier access down to the river for our patrons in wheelchairs.”

Additional information regarding access for people with disabilities will become available, as the festival dates get closer.

To give you an idea of what‘s in store for you during this delightful week of steamboat cruising, here is a synopsis on some of the steamboats available:

Taken from the website of www.tallstack.com:

 Spirit of Cincinnati
Authentic Sternwheeler

The Spirit of Cincinnati is owned and operated by Queen City Riverboats located just up river from downtown Cincinnati on the Kentucky side. Originally named the Belle of the Lakes, she was designed as a one-deck open-air sightseeing boat. In 1983 a complete cabin superstructure, including the addition of a second deck, was built. The Spirit of Cincinnati regularly operates passenger cruises past one the most beautiful city skylines in the country.   This year will commemorate her 5th consecutive appearance in the Cincinnati event. 

General Jackson
Authentic Sternwheeler

Making its second Tall Stacks appearance in 2006, the General Jackson provides a unique opportunity for Tall Stacks patrons. Each cruise experience lasts just over 2 1/2 hours and offers two seating options for a buffet meal and a spectacular performance. The Stars of the Peking Acrobats®, a showcase of sensational Chinese acrobatics, comedy, balancing acts and more, will be featured during dinner cruises. Brunch and lunch cruises will feature a high-energy, Opryland-style music performance by Tim Watson and his band, Black Creek.

Based at the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, Tennessee, the General Jackson is known as “the grandest showboat of them all” because of her ornate, two-story Victorian Theater on the main and upper decks. The General Jackson will be cruising four times each day of the Tall Stacks event – a morning cruise, a midday cruise, an evening cruise and a late night cruise (except on Sunday).

Colonel
Authentic Sternwheeler (handicap accessible)

The Colonel cruises year-round out of Moody Gardens at her homeport in Galveston, Texas. This spectacular Victorian paddlewheeler, originally funded by the Moody Foundation and later donated to the city of Galveston, features imported carpeting and draperies, brass appointments and hardwood dance floors. Her historical displays and elegant design allow passengers to absorb a little of the past while enjoying climate-controlled comfort and beautiful sights. The Colonel will travel the farthest from home, over 1,700 miles, to join in the fun and pageantry of Tall Stacks.  When in her home port, the Colonel can be visited when visiting the Moody Gardens complex (avian sanctuary, aquarium, and IMAX theatre); an all around fun place for those who visit this Texas port – Galveston.

There are other sites and sounds of Cincinnati .  These include:  museums, music, historical sites, modern architecture, and laid back riverfront, and golf just to name a few.    So if you are in the mood for a leisurely cruise or several cruises within the weeks of October, Cincinnati’s Tallstacks events may just be your vacation of choice for 2006.  Wear comfortable walking shoes and loose clothing; take your bug spray along.   Happy Traveling!

(photos courtesy of www.tallstacks.com and the Cincinnati Office of Tourism)