Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin

With breathtaking scenery and riveting history, Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin is the oldest settlement on the Upper Mississippi River. Take one of our exceptional cruises and you'll see Effigy Mounds National Monument, the 500 foot majestic Pike's Peak Bluff and State Park, and the mouth of the Wisconsin River - just as the early explorers Marquette and Joliet did in their 1673 expedition! But that's not all... our cruises always depart the main channel of the Mississippi River. That means we always explore the scenic backwater sloughs and the wildlife-filled side-channels of the Upper Miss Wildlife Refuge. This is a unique and beautiful area that other passenger vessels are just unable to navigate. We'll stop at bald eagle nests, beaver lodges, otter runs, turtle hangouts, neo-tropical bird habitats, and much more. While at these interesting wildlife stops, our knowledgeable captains and wildlife naturalists will make sure to complete everyone's river experience with fascinating wildlife narration and insight. Once you join us on a cruise and explore the "hidden" backwater areas of the river, you'll be a true river rat! Don't forget to bring your binoculars and cameras, and yes, the boat is weather protected and has a restroom!

Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin
The name of Prairie du Chien came from the French for Prairie of the Dog, an early Fox chief who lived on the prairie. French Canadians, engaged in the fur trade, settled on St. Feriole Island by the river. Gradually the British took over much of the fur trade centered in Prairie du Chien. In the early 1800s, the Americans asserted their presence with the building of Fort Shelby. During the War of 1812, the British and Americans skirmished for control of the fort and the prairie. July 1814, the only battle of the war fought in Wisconsin happened here and is known as The Battle of Prairie du Chien. The fort was burned during the conflict, however, in 1816, Fort Crawford was built and remains today as a museum. If history is your passion, The Mississippi Explorer dock is just a couple of blocks south from the Villa Louis Historic Mansion, owned and operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Today, St. Feriole Island hosts several major annual attractions including the Prairie Villa Rendezvous, Town and Country Jamboree, the Rodeo, Prairie Dog Blues Fest and the Villa Louis Carriage Classic and home to Mississippi Explorer Cruises - Prairie du Chien. Come find us in this great little river town and explore not only the fascinating history of the area, but also the beautiful wildlife refuge! If you'd like to visit the Prairie du Chien Chamber of Commerce website filled with helpful tourism links and lodging accomodations, please click here.

CARRY-ONS ALLOWED
We do allow our passengers to bring aboard their own beverages and snacks. We also permit coolers to be carried on, but we ask that you keep them on the small side. If you have any questions regarding any of our cruises, please contact our Main Office at 877-647-7397 ext. 1 or 563-586-4444.

Cruise Schedule for 2012

See below for prices and cruise descriptions. Private Charters are available for groups of 20 or larger beginning mid-April and continuing through early November. Call for more information.

May (all cruises 2-hrs long unless noted otherwise)
May 5: Bald Eagle Watching on the River Cruise: 11 am.
May 6: Bald Eagle Watching on the River Cruise: 11 am.
May 12: Bald Eagle Watching on the River Cruise: 11 am.
May 13: Special Mother's Day Cruise: 11 am.
May 19: Bald Eagle Watching on the River Cruise: 11 am.
May 20: Bird-Watching for Dummies & Experts Cruise: 7 am.
May 20: Bald Eagle Watching on the River Cruise: 11 am.
May 26: Bald Eagle Watching on the River Cruise: 11 am.
May 26: Bald Eagle Watching on the River Cruise: 2 pm.
May 26: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
May 27: Bird-Watching for Dummies & Experts Cruise: 7 am.
May 27: Bald Eagle Watching on the River Cruise: 11 am.
May 27: Marquette & Joliet's Voyage of Discovery Cruise: 2 pm.
May 27: Music on the River Cruise: 6:30 pm.
May 28: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am.

June (all cruises 2-hrs long unless noted otherwise)
June 2: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
June 2: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
June 3: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am.
June 6, 7 & 8: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am.
June 9: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
June 9: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
June 10: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am.
June 13, 14 & 15: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am.
June 16: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
June 16: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
June 17: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am.
June 20, 21, & 22: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am.
June 23: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
June 23: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
June 24: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am.
June 27, 28, & 29: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am.
June 30: View Bald Eaglets on the Nest Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
June 30: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.

July (all cruises 2-hrs long unless noted otherwise)
July 1: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
July 1: Zeb Pike & the War of 1812 Cruise: 2 pm.
July 4, 5, & 6: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
July 6: Music on the River Cruise: 6:30 pm.
July 7: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
July 7: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
July 8: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
July 11, 12 & 13: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
July 14: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
July 14: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
July 15: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
July 18, 19 & 20: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
July 21: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
July 21: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
July 22: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
July 25, 26 & 27: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
July 28: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
July 28: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
July 29: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.

August (all cruises 2-hrs long unless noted otherwise)
August 1, 2 & 3: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
August 3: Music on the River Cruise: 6:30 pm.
August 4: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am & 2 pm.
August 4: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
August 5: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am.
August 8, 9 & 10: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am.
August 11: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am & 2 pm
August 11: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
August 12: Marquette & Joliet's Voyage of Discovery Cruise: 2 pm.
August 15, 16 & 17: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am.
August 18: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am & 2 pm
August 18: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
August 19: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am.
August 19: Science & Sacredness of the Upper Mississippi Cruise: 2 pm.
August 22, 23 & 24: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
August 25: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am & 2 pm.
August 25: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
August 26: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am.
August 29, 30 & 31: Wildlife Cruise (Lotus & Lily): 11 am.

September (all cruises 2-hrs long unless noted otherwise)
Sept. 1: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
Sept. 1: Sunset Wildlife Cruise: 6:30 pm.
Sept. 2: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Sept. 2: River Pirate Family Cruise: 2 pm.
Sept. 2: Music on the River Cruise: 5:30 pm.
Sept. 3: Black Hawk War & Treaty of 1805 Cruise: 11 am.
Sept. 5, 6 & 7: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Sept. 8: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
Sept. 9: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Sept. 9: Life on the Mississippi River Cruise: 2 pm.
Sept.12, 13 & 14: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Sept. 15: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
Sept. 16: Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Sept.19, 20 & 21: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Sept. 22 & 23: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
Sept.24, 25, 26, 27 & 28: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Sept. 29 & 30 Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.

October  (all cruises 2-hrs long unless noted otherwise)
Oct. 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Oct. 6: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
Oct. 6: Music on the River Cruise: 5 pm.
Oct. 7: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
Oct. 8, 9, 10, 11 & 12: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Oct. 13 & 14: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
Oct.15, 16, 17, 18 & 19: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Oct. 20: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
Oct. 20: Haunted River Cruise: 4:30 pm.
Oct. 21: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.
Oct. 22, 23, 24, 25 & 26: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am.
Oct. 27 & 28: Autumn Wildlife Cruise: 11 am & 2 pm.

November
Nov.  3, 4, 10, 11, 17 & 18: 3-hr Fall Migration Cruise*: 1 pm.
* Our 3-hr Fall Migration Cruises depart from our port of Lansing, Iowa (roughly 30 miles north of Prairie du Chien). These cruises depart from the Mississippi Explorer boat dock located at the foot of Main Street in Lansing. Boarding will begin 1/2-hr before departure time and passengers can pay either by check, cash or credit card (Visa or MC) at the boat upon arrival. Reservations are requested, but not required for these cruises and can be made by either phone or email. Passengers are allowed to bring their own food and drink. Cameras and binoculars are highly recommended. Although the boat cabin is heated, please dress appropriately for current weather conditions. The boat does have an onboard restroom.
Phone: 877-647-7397 ext. 1 or 563-586-4444 ext. 1
Email: info@mississippiexplorer.com

Prices
2-hr Cruises (except Music on the River):
Adults (12+): 19.99 + tax; Youth (ages 4-11): 14.99 + tax; Child (0-3 yrs): free.

Music on the River 2-hr Cruises:
Adults (12+): 24.99 + tax; Youth (ages 4-11): 19.99 + tax; Child (0-3 yrs): free.

Fall Migration 3-hr Cruises:
Adults (12+): 39.99 + tax; Youth (ages 4-11):34.99 + tax; Child (0-3 yrs): free.

Private Charters:
Private tours such as company/organization outings, bus groups, school field trips, family reunions and even bachelorette/bachelor parties are available April - October. Cost's average $10 per hour per passenger, but established group rates can reduce this base price. School's looking for educational cruises can qualify for additional and very competitive discounts. For more information, please call the Mississippi Explorer-PdC office toll-free at: 877-647-7397 ext. 1 or 563-586-4444 ext. 1.

Cruise Descriptions:
Please note: All of our cruises venture off of the main-channel of the Mississippi River and into the scenic and wild backwaters. Extraordinary wildlife can be seen on each and every one of our cruises. However, in order to give you the best "Mississippi River" experience, we'll visit the unique natural events that occur at certain times throughout the year. This is why we feature "Bald Eagle Watching", Lotus & Lily", "Nesting Bald Eagles", "Autumn Wildlife" and other exciting cruises periodically. They're still our fantastic Wildlife Cruise, but with a different spotlight angle!

"Wildlife Cruise"
Spend an afternoon on America's River with our signature 2-hr backwater cruise designed specifically for nature lovers and sightseers. Explore a variety of wetland habitats including open water, narrow backwater sloughs, and side channels along riverside bluffs and floodplain forests.  Highlights include up close views of Bald Eagle nests, Beaver Lodges, sunning Turtles, Great Blue Herons, Egrets, Red Fox, playful River Otters, and much more! This is a fully-narrated cruise with interesting insight from the captain and onboard naturalist.

"Lotus & Lily"
Incorporated into our Wildlife Cruises during the last part of July and into mid August, these cruises highlight the flowering American Lotus and Water Lilies. Come with us as we slowly navigate through the open-water pathways found in the immense fields of these breathtaking and fragrant aquatic plants. Not many folks known that the American Lotus is the largest flowering plant in North America with large yellow flowers up to 10 inches in diameter and leaves reaching 2 feet across - come see for yourself!

"Sunset Wildlife Cruise"
What could be better than a Mississippi River backwater cruise? A Mississippi River backwater "Sunset" cruise! Join us on this scenic and relaxing cruise as we head into the Upper Mississippi River's wildlife refuge. These cruises pair back the narration and are designed for an intimate tour of the river at a very special time. Many of our animal friends stay hidden during the warm afternoons and wait until this time to venture out - we'll be right there to see them! Bring along your own food and beverage of choice (perhaps a bottle of wine) and prepare for an evening of pure delight. There is no better time to be on the Mighty Miss!

"Music on the River Cruise"
This cruise has quickly become a passenger favorite! Our "Live Music" cruise combines the elegant beauty of the backwaters with a unique blend of folk, blues, and bluegrass, provided by Jon "Hawk" Stravers ft. the Big Blue Sky Band. Not only is Hawk a great locally-grown musician, but he's also a leading researcher and coordinator for National Audubon's Mississippi River Initiative. Hawk weaves his river and nature-loving experiences into not only his songwriting and performance, but into interesting insight and stories between sets and songs as well. You'll also notice that the tour departure times coincide with the sunset for a truly beautiful river experience. Many passengers pack a small cooler with their own fare and refreshments for a romantic night on the river!  This is a minimally-narrated cruise due to the onboard live music, just sit back… unwind … and soak in the river's splendor and song for a truly distinctive river evening.

"Autumn Wildlife Cruise"
Forget New England! Travel less and discover more by taking a 2-hour cruise through our endless Mississippi River backwaters. Don't worry... this is still a Wildlife Cruise, but we change the name to emphasize Mother Nature's seasonal achievement. View the spectacular fall foliage colors on the towering bluffs surrounding the river valley inside or outside of our heated sightseeing riverboat cabins. With the vegetation dying back and the leaves fall off the trees, it's also a fantastic time to spot many of the critters that call the Upper Miss wildlife refuge home. A very popular cruise for autumn color sightseers with great photo opportunities for everyone! This is a fully-narrated cruise with interesting insight from the captain and onboard naturalist.

"Marquette & Joliet's Voyage of Discovery Cruise"
Join historian Michael Douglas, and Smithsonian Archivist, Captain Jack Libbey, and explore the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers. Learn the fascinating story of the remarkable explorers Marquette and Joliet. This two-hour cruise is a must for river and history buffs alike. This is a fully-narrated cruise with interesting insight from the captain and onboard historian.

"Black Hawk War & the Treaty of 1805 Cruise"
Explore the confluence of the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers as our fascinating onboard historian,  Michael Douglas, tells the story of the Black Hawk War and resulting treaty of 1805. This is an educational cruise that is sure to please history-lovers of all ages! This is a fully-narrated cruise with interesting insight from the captain and onboard historian.

"The Science & Sacredness of the Upper Mississippi Cruise"
Join us as we welcome Christine Hall, a former park ranger and archaeological technician with the National Park Service, who will share what the scientific research has revealed about the archaeology of the Upper Mississippi River, including first documentation of Indian mounds, 1880’s excavations by the Bureau of Ethnology, early archaeologists of the area and what is going on in today’s archaeological world along the big river. Additionally, Chloris Lowe, a member of the Thunderbird Clan of the Ho-Chunk Nation and former Tribal Liaison for the National Museum of the American Indian – Smithsonian Institution will be sharing his insights to this sacred home of his ancestors. Twice elected leader of the Ho-Chunk Nation, he will discuss the oral traditions of his people and how these stories relate to archaeological discoveries. He will be available to answer questions related to the many Native American cultural sites of the Upper Mississippi River Valley.

"Life on the Mississippi River Cruise"
Join our very own Captain Jack Libbey, a noted Smithsonian Archivist, as he shares his extraordinary life experiences onboard various Mississippi River vessels, including: keel-boats, steamboats, passenger vessels, and towboats & barges. This cruise will transit the navigation channel, backwaters and view massive barge loading and unloading facilities. You'll never have a better opportunity to learn the ins and outs of Mississippi River transportation! This is a fully-narrated cruise with interesting insight from Capt. Jack and the onboard naturalist.

"Fall Migration Cruise"
Departing from our Lansing, Iowa port, these spectacular cruises are our last of the year! These migration tours offer an extended first-hand birding experience in key Mississippi River Flyway habitats. Experienced bird-watchers and river naturalists will accompany each cruise and provide interpretation and bird-watching identification and assistance. Visitors will experience amazing close-up views of thousands of elegant tundra swans and hundreds of thousands of a wide variety of ducks plus numerous bald eagles, Canada geese, pelicans, cormorants, and other wildlife. With this being said, the 3-hr venture itself is a gorgeous journey alongside the towering limestone bluffs surrounding the river. Snacks and drinks will be served at no extra charge aboard these season-ending cruises. This is a very popular tour and we do suggest making advance reservations - cruises will be filled on a first come, first served basis. This is a fully-narrated cruise with interesting insight from the captain and onboard naturalists.

Tickets and Reservations:
Tickets can be purchased dockside at Lawler Park 1/2-hr prior to departure (the boat is docked across from the Depot Bar and Grill) or at our Ticket Booth located on Blackhawk Avenue (at the Lawler Park entrance) 1-2 hours prior to departure. Although walk-ups are always welcomed, reservations are suggested by calling ahead or via email.

Reservations do not require any deposit. If you are interested in one of our cruises, please call. If we are unavailable, leave your name, phone number, cruise name and date, and how many seats you'd like to reserve. We'll save you your spot and call you back with a confirmation as soon as possible.
 
Tickets can be purchased with check or cash. MasterCard and Visa credit cards are also acceptable.

For more information regarding tickets, reservations, schedules, and/or private charters, please call us toll-free at (877) 647-7397 ext. 1.

Contact Us:
Phone:
Toll-free: (877) 647-7397 ext. 1
Local: (563) 586-4444

Email: info@mississippiexplorer.com

Mailing Address:
Mississippi Explorer Cruises - PdC
1913 Old Mill Drive
Lansing, IA 52151

Map:
Prairie du Chien: (across from The Depot Bar & Grill) 200 N. Water Street, Prairie du Chien, WI 53821


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