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Cruise aboard the Becky Thatcher riverboat and delight in the breathtaking scenery of the Connecticut River and historic landmarks including Goodspeed Opera House and Gillette Castle. Or, enjoy the golden hours of sunset aboard a Friday Night Sunset Cruise. Becky Thatcher is also available for private charters. Passengers board the Becky Thatcher riverboat from the Essex Steam Train at Deep River Landing.

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Becky Thatcher

(formerly Marietta, OH)

The Becky Thatcher was originally built as Mississippi (III), an inspection boat of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, in 1926. Her steel hull and machinery were new but the cabins came from her predecessor, the Mississippi (II). Although she was primarily a workboat she was outfitted with comfortable accommodations for 65 passengers. Because of her Texas deck she resembles more a packet boat than a workboat.

On April 19, 1961, she was retired and in 1963 sold to Mark Twain Enterprises of St. Louis, MO. In 1964 she was towed to Hannibal, MO, to serve as a restaurant and museum. In 1965 she was purchased by St. Louis Investment Co. and towed back to St. Louis. She was renamed to Becky Thatcher and extensivley restorated between June 1968 and February 1969. The boilers were removed and in 1973 also the engines which were sold to the New Orleans Steamboat Company. The Becky Thatcher broke her mooring lines in 1969 during a storm and was swept downstream. With 100 people aboard she passed two bridges but didn´t suffer any severe damages. The restaurant closed in 1974.

In 1975 the boat was purchased by a group of intersted citizens of Marietta, OH. They planned to bring her to Marietta as part of the Bicentennial project. Those citizens formed a not-for-profit corporation, the Ohio Showboat Drama Inc.. In September 1975 the Becky Thatcher was towed to Marietta, OH. In 1976 the production “Showboat” was performed by the Mid-Ohio Valley Players on the decks and an adjacent barge with 3,000 people watching from the shore.

In August 1977 the Becky Thatcher opened as a showboat after remodeling her first deck into a theatre. One month later the second and third deck opened as restaurant aera. The Becky Thatcher is moored near the W. P. Snyder Jr. on the Muskingum river.

The Becky Thatcher was entered into the National register of Historic Places by the National Park Service in October 1983.

In 1984 the boat sank during a spring flood with heavy damage to her hull and superstructure, but she was raised and returned after repairs for the 1985 season.

After having been out of service for a few years the Becky Thatcher has been sold and towed to a mooring near Pittsburgh, Pa., in October 2009. In February 2010 the Becky Thatcher sank at its mooring on Neville Island in the Ohio River, just north of Pittsburgh. She’s been considered a total loss.

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Rolling on the River: Gateway Arch Riverboat Cruises

No visit to the Gateway Arch in downtown St. Louis is complete without a riverboat tour of the Mississippi! Step back in time as you board the Becky Thatcher or Tom Sawyer and take a tranquil tour of the riverfront.

Before interstate highways crisscrossed the nation, people did their luxury traveling by train and steamboat. St. Louis was a bustling river town in the 1800’s with hundreds of steam powered paddlewheelers docked on riverfront! There’s a cool display of what St. Louis looked like back then at the Arch’s new museum –be sure to check it out on your next visit.

Riverboat Cruise at the Arch

The riverboats can take your family on a hour long tour of the riverfront –there’s a sightseeing cruise running every day from March to November.

But if you want to make it really special–book a dinner or brunch cruise! The Becky Thatcher is set up with a double decker dining room and takes visitors on a two-hour tour of the riverfront while you dine on a delicious buffet.

Brunch on the Riverboat Becky Thatcher

Sunday Brunch Cruises are a great way to celebrate Easter, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. Of course you don’t need a special occasion to enjoy a wonderful weekend at the Arch with your family! There’s one or two brunch cruises scheduled every month the boats operates. Check out their current schedule under “specialty cruises” here.   There’s also dinner cruises, dancing cruises, and a couple cruises up to see the lock and dam where the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers meet!

What’s included with my ticket?

Your brunch ticket includes a buffet full of scrambled eggs, blintzes, French toast, sausage, prime rib, stuffed chicken, veggies, pasta, dessert, and coffee, iced tea, orange juice, milk and chocolate milk. Soft drinks, beer and cocktails are available at the bar for an extra charge.

What to Expect on your Riverboat Brunch Cruise

First, you’ll want to reserve your spot early by getting tickets online . Tickets are $45 for adults, $18 for kids 3-12 and free for little ones under 2. 

The boats are docked at the foot of the Gateway Arch. Stop by the ticket office to pick up your tickets by 12:30 — the boat leaves promptly at 1pm!

Then you’ll come aboard and be directed to your seat. Unlike the sightseeing tours, the Brunch Cruise has reserved indoor seating with white linen table clothes. Tables are located by the windows, so you can enjoy the whole cruise from the comfort of the cabin, or pop upstairs to watch from the observation deck. 

The food might be served buffet style, but you’ll also get a friendly waiter to serve your drinks and clear the plates. Don’t worry about standing in line either, the serving staff dismisses diners by table so the buffet isn’t overwhelmed.

And while you wait, enjoy a little Dixieland music!

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Best Photos of the Arch are Here

If you’re looking to get a postcard photo of the Gateway Arch, a riverboat cruise is where to be! You can also get a pretty cool one from the Malcolm W. Martin Memorial Park over on the East Side, but you don’t need to worry about pesky power lines messing up your shot here. ( Here’s a few more ideas for great photos with the Arch! )

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Becky Thatcher Riverboat

Photo Credit: Allie Marsh

Deep river , connecticut | c.1961.

Sporting smokestacks and three decks, the Becky Thatcher Riverboat looks as if it was plucked right off the Mississippi River during the late 19th century. Instead, the riverboat is very much a 20th century creation that travels the Connecticut River from the town of Deep River.

The origins of Deep River date back to the 1640s. Established by European settlers, the town began as a peasant village within the Saybrook Colony in Connecticut. In the early 19th century, small towns began to branch off of Saybrook, and the newly introduced railroad system started to connect these prospering towns throughout New England. By 1947, Saybrook changed its name to Deep River.

Deep River thrived as a shipbuilding and quarrying town and became the United States’ leading importer of ivory. From 1840 to 1940, as much as 90% of the world’s ivory came through Deep River with its primary purpose being to manufacture piano keys. The town grew so prosperous that it became known as “the queen of the valley”.

Two decades after the ivory trade closed, the 70-foot Becky Thatcher Riverboat was built. Designed as an 1870s-style Mississippi riverboat, passengers would board the ship from Deep River and take the Essex Steam Train back.

Today’s replica of the Becky Thatcher continues America’s longstanding riverboat tradition. These vessels once ruled the rivers in the 19th century. During the 1860s, even a young writer was inspired by his time working on steamboats when choosing his pseudonym, “Mark Twain” – a term used to note that a river was deep enough to navigate. Twain would later retire in Redding, CT, only an hour west of Deep River.

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View Thousands of Swallows From the Decks of the Becky Thatcher Riverboat

• Board Train at Essex Station at 4:30 p.m. for a 5:00 p.m. departure
• 3-hour cruise down the Connecticut River aboard the Becky Thatcher riverboat
• Train brings you back to Essex Station between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. (depending upon time of Swallow event)
• Food and bar service available at the fully stocked bar (Due to our liquor permit, no BYOB allowed)
• Due to time and length of excursion, the Swallow Cruise is not recommended for children under the age of 10 

Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

• September 22, 2017

Standard Ticketing Alert: Enter the monument through the Gateway Arch Visitor Center, which faces Fourth Street and the Old Courthouse. The Gateway Arch legs are exits only. Please allow at least 30 minutes to go through security. Tickets sell out early and often, advance reservations are strongly recommended.

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Riverboats at the Gateway Arch

Enjoy some of the best views of the Gateway Arch and St. Louis’ working riverfront on a riverboat cruise. Whether you’re in the mood for a romantic dinner, a relaxing tour, or a floating party with live music and dancing, we have a cruise to suit your interests.

Please note: Access the St. Louis riverfront via Chouteau Ave.

St. louis riverfront cruise.

Catch some of the best views of the Gateway Arch and downtown St. Louis on a fascinating one-hour riverboat tour.

Daily cruises: 10:30 am, 12 pm, 1:30 pm, 3 pm, 4:30 pm, 6 pm, 7:30 pm (times vary day-to-day)

Pricing: Adult: $24, Child (3-15): $14, Senior (60+): $22, Infant (0-2): FREE, * Group pricing available

Tram & Cruise Combo : Save up to $2 by adding a Tram Ride to the Top of the Gateway Arch

Skyline Dinner Cruise

Make any night special on this scenic two-hour cruise.  Our flagship evening cruise features live music or a DJ, a chef-inspired menu, and captivating views of the St. Louis Skyline.

Specialty Cruises

All aboard for fun on one of our specialty cruises. Whether it’s a holiday celebration or a lively party cruise, the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch offer outings for guests of all ages. Reservations are required. See below for upcoming cruises.

Upcoming Specialty Cruises

Paddlewheel Café

The Paddlewheel Café – St. Louis’ only waterfront dining destination!  Order a made-to-order burger while you’re enjoying views of the Gateway Arch and traffic on the Mississippi River. Join us for happy hour and grab a specialty cocktail, draft beer, or soft drink from the Dockside Bar.

Open Monday – Thursday, 11 am – 4:30 pm Friday – Sunday, 11 am – 6 pm

Share your riverboat memories with us.

We would love to see the memories you’ve captured over the years. By submitting your photos, you have the chance to be featured on our official social media accounts, in our online gallery, and even on signage at our dock! Your photos will help us commemorate six decades of riverboat cruises and the many moments of joy, adventure, and history they have brought to countless visitors.

Private Charters & Events

For a unique and memorable birthday celebration, anniversary, reunion, business outing or company party, just add water. Let the Riverboats at the Gateway Arch be your host. We can customize your event with a variety of sit-down or buffet meals, bar options, and entertainment.

Group Reservations

Whether you’re looking for a short tour or an all-day outing, our team is eager to work with you to ensure the best possible experience for your guests. From tour groups and scout troops to corporate retreats, church groups and field trips to family reunions, we welcome groups of all ages, sizes, and interests.

Riverboat Address

50 S. Leonor K. Sullivan Boulevard St. Louis, MO 63102

Access the St. Louis riverfront via Chouteau Ave.

Cash parking is available on the levee.

For more information,  click here .

Please note:  Levee parking is not operated by the Gateway Arch or Riverboats at the Gateway Arch.

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You are here: Home » Travel Logs » St Louis, Missouri » Mississippi Riverboat Cruise on the Becky Thatcher

Mississippi Riverboat Cruise on the Becky Thatcher

The last major thing that we did during our St. Louis trip was to take a dinner cruise, on the Becky Thatcher, along the Mississippi River. Although it was raining profusely here at home in Kentucky (May 13, 2012) , we had a glorious, sunny day for our jaunt down the river.

Photo: Above, (Left): My mother at the riverboat dock Above, (Top, R) Our trusty Captain and Co-Captain, Above (Bottom, R): The talented musicians who entertained us with ragtime music.

You just wouldn’t believe the food that was provided on this dinner cruise: huge shrimp, salads of every type imaginable, prime rib, chicken cordon bleu, fruits, vegetables, and a sinful array of desserts. It’s going to take a while for me to drop the extra pounds I picked up over the course of this wonderful vacation, but at least it was totally worth it!

And, of course . . . I would be remiss if I didn’t remark on the fabulous views from the boat. Not only was the arch clearly visible, but much of the city of St. Louis, as well as all of the sights that go along with the river itself: barges, the brother boat to the Becky Thatcher (which is, of course . . . the Tom Sawyer), old manufacturing plants, beautiful bridges, etc. . . It was a lovely day, a lovely cruise, and one of the most relaxing experiences I have had in quite some time.

The end of the riverboat cruise also marked the end of our St. Louis adventure, but we all felt exhilarated by all of the wonderful things we had done and seen, so we were all ready to get back to our homes. We stopped in an out-of-the-way little spot for a bite of supper several hours into our drive home, and found this beautiful sunset (photo by my mother) . . . it was a lovely sight to behold, and a special way to end our wonderful vacation.

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Essex Steam Train and Riverboat

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Event Pricing

The Oliver Jensen Gallery is a bright 1,000 square foot private room featuring wooden floors and white walls adorned with rotating art and photograph exhibits. The gallery is an ideal space for events up to 110 people. Four-hour rentals begin at $500. Optional Additions: Padded bottom / back chairs $2 ea White ceremony style chairs $4 ea Black leather chairs $10 ea 2' stand-at bistro table $10 ea 8' rectangle table w/ white linen $15 ea 5' round table w/ white linen $20 ea Sound system (speakers & microphone) $100 Podium $40 Projector $40 Video screen $15 Television $40 DVD player $20 White board $40 ea Table centerpiece $10 ea

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Please contact us for our complete terms & conditions.

River Valley Junction Hall with nearly 3,000 square feet, recently went thru a spectacular renovation, and is perfect for events up to 200 people. Four-hour rentals begin at $600.00. Optional Additions: Padded bottom / back chairs $2 ea White ceremony style chairs $4 ea Black leather chairs $10 ea 2' stand-at bistro table $10 ea 8' rectangle table w/ white linen $15 ea 5' round table w/ white linen $20 ea Sound system (speakers & microphone) $100 Podium $40 Projector $40 Video screen $15 Television $40 DVD player $20 White board $40 ea Table centerpiece $10 ea

Enjoy all 4,000 + square feet all to yourself for your special event. Four-hour rentals begin at $750.00. Optional Additions: Padded bottom / back chairs $2 ea White ceremony style chairs $4 ea Black leather chairs $10 ea 2' stand-at bistro table $10 ea 8' rectangle table w/ white linen $15 ea 5' round table w/ white linen $20 ea Sound system (speakers & microphone) $100 Podium $40 Projector $40 Video screen $15 Television $40 DVD player $20 White board $40 ea Table centerpiece $10 ea

Juice / soda bar $6 pp Coffee station $6 pp Box lunch $14 pp Buffet cocktail food package $20 pp Buffet food package $40 pp Premium buffet food package $60 pp Optional Additions: Padded bottom / back chairs $2 ea White ceremony style chairs $4 ea Black leather chairs $10 ea 2' stand-at bistro table $10 ea 8' rectangle table w/ white linen $15 ea 5' round table w/ white linen $20 ea Sound system (speakers & microphone) $100 Podium $40 Projector $40 Video screen $15 Television $40 DVD player $20 White board $40 ea Table centerpiece $10 ea

Essex Steam Train ride $14 pp Essex Steam Train & Riverboat ride $22 pp Lunch Train & Riverboat excursion $49.95 pp Essex Clipper Dinner Train excursion $80 pp

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The rich history of our beautiful station adds to its romantic charm. We have two spacious rooms that will perfectly accommodate a ceremony and reception.

Supported Layouts and Capacities

Come aboard the Becky Thatcher for a truly unique reception, or take a journey aboard Lady Katharine Cruises’ elegant yacht, “Lady Kate”.

Bring your guests back in time. Have your dinner reception aboard our 1920’s Pullman dining cars while enjoying the Connecticut River coastline. Visit our website to see a full list of train cars!

Breathtaking views from the Becky Thatcher riverboat set the stage for a memorable party, wedding, rehearsal dinner, family reunion, or corporate event. Our riverboat, a Connecticut River Valley fixture, is available for evening charter, May – October.

The Oliver Jensen Gallery is a bright 1,000 square foot private room featuring wooden floors and white walls adorned with rotating art and photograph exhibits. The gallery is an ideal space for events up to 110 people.

Enjoy all 4,000 + square feet all to yourself for your special event.

River Valley Junction Hall with nearly 3,000 square feet, recently went thru a spectacular renovation, and is perfect for events up to 200 people.

The Essex Clipper Dinner Train is available for charter and private events – for lunch, dinner, weekdays and weekends (as available). We also charter our Steam Train for groups and events.

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• Max Number of People for an Event: 250

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Sunset Cruise

September 9, 2016 @ 8:30 pm - september 30, 2016 @ 8:30 pm.

Friday Night Swallow Cruise

  In September, take the Becky Thatcher to a spectacular natural phenomenon as hundreds of thousands of Tree Swallows converge on the lower Connecticut River and swarm as a beautifully choreographed flock over Goose Island before settling in on a giant communal roost each evening at sunset. The birds come from as far as 30 miles away and in such number that they show up on weather radar.

September 9 – 30

• Board the train at Essex Station for a 5:00 pm departure
• 3-hour cruise down the Connecticut River aboard the Becky Thatcher riverboat
• Train brings you back to Essex Station between 8:30 and 9:00 pm (depending upon time of Swallow event)
• Food and beverage service are available at the fully stocked bar (Due to our liquor permit, no BYOB permitted)
• Due to the time of day and duration of the cruise, Swallow Cruise is not recommended for children under 10
• Tickets are $35, advanced tickets recommended – purchase online
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Connecticut's Taco And Tequila Cruise Makes For An Unforgettable Evening

Natalie Clunan

Natalie is a writer and travel enthusiast who loves uncovering new places along the East Coast. Contact: [email protected]

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We recently gave you the map to Connecticut’s Margarita Marathon , a short walking tour taking you to fantastic Mexican eateries to sample flavorful cocktails. Today you’ll need to steady your sea legs because this Taco And Tequila Cruise is a spicy summer adventure you can’t refuse.

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Historic riverboat, Becky Thatcher, sinks in Ohio River

Historic riverboat sinks in Ohio River The Becky Thatcher had a long and lustrous history. Built in 1926 in Jefferson, Ind., as The Mississippi (III) by the Army Corps of Engineers, the stern-wheeler originally was used for inspecting and surveying rivers. Despite being a workboat, it was outfitted with comfortable accommodations for 65 passengers.

The boat was retired in 1961 and in 1963 was sold to Mark Twain Enterprises, which set it up as a restaurant and museum in Hannibal, Mo. In the late 1960s, it was towed to St. Louis, where it was renamed the Becky Thatcher and extensively restored.

In the years that followed, the boat was used as a floating dinner theater and a bar and restaurant. In 1975, it was purchased by a group of citizens in Marietta as part of that town’s bicentennial celebration. Moored along Front Street on the Muskingum River, the first production performed aboard it by the Mid-Ohio Valley Players in 1976 was “Showboat.”

The National Park Service entered the boat into the National Register of Historic Places in October 1983.

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The Valley Railroad Company

The Valley Railroad Company – operating the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat – has been serving the lower Connecticut River Valley since 1971. Our company’s mission is to keep alive the rich mechanical, industrial, and transportation heritage of our state through the continual operation of our vintage steam and diesel locomotives and passenger coaches, as well as the operation & maintenance of the facilities and infrastructure that support these. We welcome visitors from throughout the state of Connecticut, the New England region and all over the world to ride our railroad, relax aboard our riverboat and visit our unique facilities.

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If you have specific questions regarding Essex Steam Train events, offerings and operations, contact us today!

1 Railroad Ave, Essex, CT 06426

860-767-0103 or 800-377-3987, [email protected].