Boat Rides on the Mississippi, Saint Louis – Insider Tips

Things to Do in Saint Louis Boat Rides on the Mississippi

The riverfront is a main attraction in downtown Saint Louis, along with the arch nearby. The best way to see St. Louis’ skyline and learn about its past is to take one of the narrated boat tours on the Mississippi River.

Gateway Arch Riverboats

No trip to Saint Louis is complete without cruising the Mississippi River, even though it is a little muddy looking. The ride starts at the Arch and continues for a very scenic ride down the river. The cruise lasts about 2 hours and takes you past the more Industrialized section of St. Louis. It offers a great view of the skyline and the arch. The tour guides are knowledgable and very helpful.

Muddy Waters

The Mississippi is very wide here, and very dirty. The entire downtown area around the arch next to the river looks very run down. There are a bunch of abandoned brick buildings that must have been some kind of industrial complexes or warehouses at one time, but are just empty now.

On a Budget

Take your own drinks and snacks on the boat – the onboard restaurant is expensive.

Photo Op

Overall, it’s a relaxing cruise down the Mississippi River, and it may be your best opportunity for a nice photo of the arch. Most of the other spots in Saint Louis are too far or too close from the arch to get a good picture.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about boat rides on the Mississippi in Saint Louis.