If you’re missing the peaceful, easy feeling of life in the slow lane you’re in luck as you can catch a ride aboard a historic paddlewheeler – The Belle of Cincinnati – that will be rolling through the Tri-State this summer on its annual summer Ohio River tour.

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 25-26 in Portsmouth, Ohio. Boarding takes place one hour before the cruise leaves. Saturday, July 27, the Belle will be in Ashland, Ky. The Belle is in Huntington (at Harris Riverfront Park) on Sunday, July 28. The Belle rolls upriver to Gallipolis, Ohio on Tuesday, July 30 before rolling back to Cincinnati with stops in the historic town of Maysville, Kentucky on July 31-Aug. 1. 

 Here’s a closer look at the schedule and pricing: Thursday, July 25 in Portsmouth, Ohio. There’s a 7:30 p.m. cruise with prices for both sightseeing and dinner pricing. On Friday, July 26, 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 27, 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 28, 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 Tuesday, July 30,  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 Wednesday, July 31, there’s a 7:30 p.m. cruise with options for sightseeing or the addition of dinner. Then on Thursday, Aug. 1, the final day of the tour in Maysville, Ky. there’s a noon lunch or sightseeing cruise, a 3:30 p.m. sightseeing cruise and there’s a 7:30 p.m. cruise with options for sightseeing or the addition of dinner.

How Much to Ride the Belle 

Prices are: Lunch Cruises, $48 for adults and $31 for kids 4-12. Sightseeing cruises are $31 and $24 for kids 4-12. Dinner cruises are $65 and $47 for kids 4-12.

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