10 Best Boat Rides Every Iowan Should Take
Iowa may be better known for rolling fields and charming small towns, but it also offers some truly unique water adventures. Whether you want classic river cruises, lake excursions, historical crossings, or underground boat tours, these experiences are perfect additions to any Iowa road trip. Here are ten boat rides every Iowan (and visitor) should take:
1. Twilight Riverboat — LeClaire, Iowa (Mississippi River)
📍 LeClaire Marina, 199 Front St, Le Claire, IA 52753
🌐 riverboattwilight.com
The Twilight is Iowa’s most iconic riverboat, offering Mississippi River cruises from LeClaire. Options range from short 90‑minute sightseeing trips with narration and wildlife watching to longer multi-day journeys between river towns.
2. Celebration River Cruises — Quad Cities / Mississippi River
📍 2501 River Drive, Moline, IL 61265
🌐 https://www.celebrationbelle.com/
Board the Celebration Belle for sightseeing, lunch, or dinner cruises along the Mississippi near the Iowa–Illinois border.
3. American Lady Yacht — Dubuque, Iowa
📍 1630 East 16th Street, Dubuque, Iowa 52001
🌐https://americanladycruises.com/
The American Lady offers intimate river cruises on the Mississippi with lunch or dinner options.
4. Lady of the Lake — Clear Lake, Iowa
📍Seawall, Clear Lake, IA 50428
🌐 https://www.cruiseclearlake.com/
Cruise Clear Lake aboard the Lady of the Lake, perfect for family outings and sunset rides.
5. Scenic City Empress — Iowa Falls / Iowa River
📍 1113 Union St, Iowa Falls, IA 50126
🌐http://www.empressboatclub.org/
Experience central Iowa’s waterways on the Scenic City Empress, navigating the Iowa River with scenic views and limestone bluffs.
6. Blue Heron Eco‑Cruises — Camanche, Iowa (Mississippi Backwaters)
📍 Camanche, IA
🌐 Blue Heron Eco Cruises
For nature lovers, Blue Heron Eco-Cruises explore river backwaters and wetlands. Cruises are sponsored by Clinton County Conservation and are free, but reservations are required. They offer a variety of cruises, including sunset, weekend mornings, and other special cruises.
7. Cassville Ferry — Cassville, WI to Turkey Creek, IA
📍 Cassville Ferry Landing, 110 Ferry Ln, Cassville, WI 53806
🌐 explorecassville.com
The Cassville Ferry is a historic river crossing across the Mississippi. It takes about 15–20 minutes and is operated by simple signaling from the landing.
8. Spook Cave Boat Ride — McGregor, Iowa
📍 Spook Cave & Campground, 216 Spook Cave Rd, McGregor, IA 52157
🌐 spookcave.com
Float through the flooded limestone cave on a guided boat tour.
9. Maiden Voyage Tours — Marquette, Iowa
📍 Marquette Marina, 101 Water St, Marquette, IA 52158
🌐 maidenvoyagetours.com
Maiden Voyage Tours offers guided sightseeing and sunset cruises with local narration on the Mississippi River.
10. Queen II — West Lake Okoboji, Arnolds Park, Iowa
📍 37 Lake Street, P.O. Box 609, Arnolds Park, IA 51331
🌐 arnoldspark.com/queen-ii-2
The Queen II offers narrated cruises around West Lake Okoboji, continuing the tradition of lake cruising in the Iowa Great Lakes..
🧭 Planning Your Boat Adventures
- Book ahead for popular cruises in summer and fall.
- Bring layers — open decks, river breezes, and caves can be cool.
🚤 Why These Rides Belong on Your Iowa Road Trip
From historic riverboats to underground cave tours and scenic lake cruises, these ten rides show a side of Iowa you won’t see from the highway. They offer scenery, history, and fun for all ages, making them must-do stops for any Iowa road trip.
