If you’re missing the peaceful, easy feeling of life in the slow lane from those sternwheelers that lined the riverbanks from the revival of the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta, you’re in luck.

 There’s still a few places to catch a ride aboard a historic paddlewheeler plying inland waterways near us this summer.

About The Belle

 Folks have seen it at the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and the Kentucky Derby Festival’s Great Steamboat Race, but in late July, the Belle of Cincinnati slow rolls its way through the Tri-State on its annual summer tour. 

 Based out of Newport, Ky. (the southern side of Cincinnati), the Belle has been owned and operated by the Bernstein family since 1979. Known for its lavish Victorian decor on three, climate-controlled decks, the Belle has seating for up to 700 inside where there are full bars, buffet restaurant seating and access up to an open air deck.

When the Belle Is In Town 

 The Ohio River tour schedule for the Belle of Cincinnati is Thursday and Friday, July 21-22 in Portsmouth, Ohio. Boarding takes place one hour before the cruise leaves. Saturday, July 23 the Belle will be in Ashland, Ky. The Belle is in Huntington (at Harris Riverfront Park) on Sunday, July 24. The Belle rolls upriver to Gallipolis, Ohio on Wednesday, July 26, before rolling back to Cincinnati with stops on Thursday and Friday, July 27-28 in the historic town of Maysville, Kentucky.

 Here’s a closer look at the schedule and pricing: Thursday, July 21 in Portsmouth, Ohio. There’s a 7:30 p.m. cruise with prices for both sightseeing and dinner pricing. On Friday, July 22, there’s a 3:30 p.m. sightseeing cruise and then a 7:30 p.m. cruise with options for sightseeing or the addition of dinner.

 In Ashland, on Saturday, July 23, there’s a noon lunch or sightseeing cruise; a 3:30 p.m. sightseeing cruise and then a 7:30 p.m. cruise with options for sightseeing or the addition of dinner.

 In Huntington, on Sunday, July 24, there’s a noon lunch or sightseeing cruise; a 3:30 p.m. sightseeing cruise and then a 7:30 p.m. cruise with options for sightseeing or the addition of dinner.

 In Gallipolis, Ohio on Wednesday, July 26, there’s a noon lunch or sightseeing cruise; a 3:30 p.m. sightseeing cruise and then a 7:30 p.m. cruise with options for sightseeing or the addition of dinner.

In Maysville, Kentucky on Thursday, July 27 there’s a 7:30 p.m. cruise with options for sightseeing or the addition of dinner.

And on Friday, July 28, in Maysvile, there’s a noon lunch or sightseeing cruise and a 3:30 p.m. sightseeing cruise.

How Much to Ride the Belle 

Prices are: Lunch Cruises, $46 for adults and $29 for kids 4-12. Sightseeing cruises are $29 and $23 for kids 4-12. Dinner cruises are $63 and $45 for kids 4-12.

 Go online at https://bbriverboats.com/cruises/summer-tour for more information