Belle of Louisville Riverboats provides community access to the river and to Louisville’s history by presenting fun, meaningful and engaging experiences on the water like no one else can. Passengers are encouraged to explore history, the arts and cultural heritage in a way that represents diverse stories and honest experiences. Whether aboard one of our two passenger vessels—the Belle of Louisville or Mary M. Miller—or visiting the Gift Shop aboard our historic wharf boat, the Mayor Andrew Broaddus, you’ll learn about our two National Historic Landmarks, as well as Louisville and the river that made it.
BELLE OF LOUISVILLE
Built
1914, James Reese & Sons Company, Pittsburgh, PA, named Idlewild
Comfort Passenger Capacity
650 – 180 Dining
Specifications
Fully heated and air conditioned • Concession stand and bar • Dance floor • Stage • Full on-board sound system • Indoor and outdoor seating • Non-smoking
MARY M. MILLER
Built
1985 by Marine Builders, Inc. Utica, IN. Originally named Missouri River Queen.
Year-Round Passenger Capacity
350
Specifications
Fully heated and air conditioned • Concession stand and bar • Bandstand • On-board sound system • Non-smoking • 95 gross tons • 90’ length • 30’ breadth • 6.1’ depth

Mayor Andrew Broaddus
Who Built the Belle? The Story of James Rees and Sons
In 1914, the West Memphis Packet Company commissioned the Idlewild. They had selected the best company in the United States to build the ferryboat they planned to use to transport people and goods across the Mississippi, James Rees and Sons of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Anyone who has been on the Belle has heard this much, but…
What does the Belle have in common with the Titanic?
Kids on the Belle, 110 years after it was first launched. The first experience of the Belle for many people is as a child, on a field trip. We love bringing school groups aboard every spring, and watching them look around in wonder. It’s some of their first experience on a boat, and for…
The Life Saving Service on the Ohio: a Short History
It may look peaceful now, but the Falls of the Ohio were once the most dangerous part of the Ohio River. This stretch consisted of 2.5 miles of whitewater rapids that split river navigation in half. It was the only obstruction in the Ohio River, all the way from Pittsburgh to the Mississippi. These rapids…
celebrating black history month with belle of louisville riverboats
There are so many powerful stories connected to Black Americans in the Ohio River’s history. This February, we wanted to bring some of them to light. Whether connected to the river, steamboats history or our own vessels, here are some of the people we have highlighted this month. York York Statue on the Louisville Belvedere,…
has a president ever been on the belle of louisville?
The Belle of Louisville is known fondly as Louisville’s Leading Lady. A showpiece of the city right in the middle of downtown, the Belle has welcomed thousands of visitors every year for most of her 109-year history. With President’s Day around the corner, we got to thinking – with so many illustrious guests aboard the…