Spirit of Peoria
Two to Five Day Paddleboat River Cruises on Illinois River and Mississippi River. Charters Available.
Contact Stoney Creek Travel
Weaverville / Asheville, NC
828-658-2582 / 877-658-2582
The Spirit of Peoria paddlewheel boat offers two and three day river cruises on the Illinois River. Passengers enjoy the natural beauty of the river, onboard entertainment, and delicious dining with fresh local produce when available.
Spirit of Peoria cruises are one night and two day cruises, two nights and three day cruises, and 4 night and 5 day cruises.
Cruises are on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Days are spent cruising and evenings are spent in lodges along the river.
The one night and two day river cruises depart from Peoria, IL and cruise to Starved Rock Park on the Illinois River. Passengers overnight at the Starved Rock Lodge and return to Peoria on day two. Dining is on the boat.
The two night and three day cruises depart Peoria, IL and cruise to St. Louis, MO, stopping at a small towns along the river. On day one, passengers stay overnight in Jacksonville, IL at the Econolodge. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are onboard the paddlewheel boat. On day two, the overnight is at Pere Marquette Lodge in the Pere Marquette State Park. Breakfast and lunch are on the boat. Dinner is at the lodge. On day three, The Spirit of Peoria cruises into St. Louis at 2 PM, docking near the Arch. Passengers have two hours of free time to visit the Arch. At 4 PM, the motor coach departs for Peoria. Breakfast and lunch are on the boat. The evening meal is not provided on day 3.
1 Night / 2 Day Cruises: Peoria - Starved Rock
$400 Single
$350 Per Person Double Occupancy
$330 Per Person Triple Occupancy
$310 Per Person Quad Occupancy
2012 Dates
June 4
July 9
July 30 (Ragtime on the River)
August 6
August 20
September 6
October 15, 18, 22
2 Night / 3 Day Cruises: Peoria - Starved Rock
$695 Single
$550 Per Person Double Occupancy
$530 Per Person Triple Occupancy
$510Per Person Quad Occupancy
2012 Dates
June 11
September 10
2 Night / 3 Day Cruises: Peoria - St. Louis
$695 Single
$550 Per Person Double Occupancy
$530 Per Person Triple Occupancy
$510 Per Person Quad Occupancy
2012 Dates
May 19
June 23
August 25
September 22
October 6
4 Night / 5 Day Cruises:
Peoria - St. Louis - Florence
$1195 Single
$950Per Person Double Occupancy
$920 Per Person Triple Occupancy
$900Per Person Quad Occupancy
2012 Dates
June 23
Riverboat pricing includes:
All Taxes and gratuities
All meals and snacks featuring:
Signature entrees such as chef carved prime rib
Gourmet cheeses accompanied with a glass of wine
Unlimited soft drinks, coffee, and tea aboard the cruise
Old-fashioned entertainment featuring:
- Professional Storytelling
- World-class ragtime piano
- River history
- There are four shows a day plus a variety of other entertainment venues.
- Calliope concerts
- Strolling minstrals
- Hiking with guides. See animals, birds, and fish
- •All-inclusive ticket pricing
- •Overnight lodging
- •Sumptuous Meals including prime rib dinner
- •Professional riverlore / storytelling
- •Tour of destination
- •Old-fashioned hospitality
- •Unlimited complimentary drinks
- •Historical information
- •Wildlife sightings
- •Indoor comfort
- •Outdoor relaxation
- •Live entertainment
- •Old-time banjo
- •Ragtime piano
- •Baggage handling
- •Round-trip transportation
- •Tax and gratuity
Lodging at Starved Rock Lodge For Two and Three Day Trips
Baggage handling
Friendliest crew on the river
Cancellation Policy
If you cancel more than 45 days prior to the date of your trip you will receive a full refund. If you cancel between 22 to 44 days of your trip you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel within 21 days of your trip you will receive no refund.
Please ask about trip insurance! Allows you to cancel up to the day prior to departure with no penalty.
Private Charters - Hourly or Daily
The Spirit of Peoria offers the Midwest's most unique setting for meetings and weddings. Not only is the interior elegant, but the scenic river cruise provides entertainment appropriate for almost any function. Christmas parties, weddings, reunions, fraternity/sorority formals, and business meetings are just a few of the functions hosted aboard the Spirit of Peoria. Both decks are equipped with dance floors, restrooms, microphones, wet bars, and a remarkable view of the river.
Pricing:
Sunday–Thursday
1 Deck $1,800 (2 hour cruise / l hour dock time)
Entire Boat $2,500 (2 hour cruise / 2 hour dock time)
Friday–Saturday
1 Deck $2,500 (2 hour cruise / l hour dock time)
Entire Boat $3,000 (2 hour cruise / 2 hour dock time)
Additional dock time available
Additional cruising time available
To reserve private deck during regular sightseeing cruise:
$1,000 2.5 hours aboard vessel (1.25 hr cruise, 1.25 hr dock time)
Guests have their choice to bring any caterer aboard the Spirit of Peoria; however, they have the facilities, chef, linen, china, and professional wait staff that can guarantee a fantastic dining experience so you can relax and enjoy the cruise. You are responsible for your own musical entertainment, but the Spirit of Peoria does have a list of live bands and local DJ services from around the area.
Starved Rock Lodge
On two day steamboat river cruises, passengers are treated to an overnight stay at the beautifully rustic Starved Rock Lodge in Starved Rock State Park. Nestled within 2630 acres of forest with 18 lush canyons and waterfalls, the lodge sits atop a wooded bluff, overlooking the Illinois River.
This historic lodge boasts a garden-like indoor pool complex with a lap-size pool, Jacuzzi, children's pool, sauna, poolside tables. The resort has a full service restaurant, cafe, 3 gift shops, and elevators. Massage service is available.
The spacious rooms feature a charmingly, fashionable decor while maintaining their rustic beauty. Each room has a coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and board, free HBO, TV and DVD. All rooms are nonsmoking.
Eagle at
Starved Rock State Park
One of 18
Waterfalls
Guided Nature Hiking
Starved Rock Lodge Great Hall
Photos Courtesy of Spirit of Peoria, Starved Rock Lodge,
Pere Marquette Lodge & Winery
Pere Marquette Lodge and Winery
On the second day of the three day cruise, passengers disembark the Spirit of Peoria for an overnight stay at the Pere Marquette Lodge and Winery in Grafton, IL. This beautiful resort is located on 9,500 scenic Pere Marrquette State Park acres.
The resort has a lovely atrium swimming pool / whirlpool, and sauna. Delicious meals are presented in their full service restaurant.
Rooms are nonsmoking, have individual climate control, cable TV, radio, phone with data port, coffee maker, and hair dryer.
Embark on a journey South from Peoria to the "Gateway to the West," Saint Louis, MO.
Day one will take you through 2 locks & dams, the first being just 1/2 hour into your cruise. The second lock & dam is just south of Beardstown, IL. The boat will land in Meredosia, IL. Established in the 1890s, Meredosia boasted 4 button factories. The pearl button business dried up in 1948. Your first evening will be in Jacksonville, IL.
Relax in the sun on one of the Spirit’s peaceful decks, spot river wildlife with Riverlorian and Master Storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis, or visit the pilothouse and learn the rules of the river with your Captain, Alex Grieves.
From Meredosia, the cruise will continue south to Grafton, IL and the Pere Marquette Lodge. Grafton sits at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. The Pere Marquette Lodge which is just 5 miles upstream from Grafton is situated among 8,000 acres making it Illinois' largest state park.
From Grafton, the cruise will continue to St. Louis. The Spirit of Peoria will travel through two more locks on the Mississippi before landing at the Gateway Arch.
The cruise includes all meals, taxes and gratuities, entertainment and lodging. The motor coach will make a stop on the way back to Peoria, if you would like to purchase dinner it will be on your own.
Cruises depart between 7 AM and 8 AM
Driving in from out of town? Try one of these hotels! Each is located within 5 blocks of the Spirit of Peoria and offers complimentary shuttle service for cruise guests
Mark Twain Hotel
866-325-6351
Four Points by Sheraton
309-674-2500
Pere Marquette Lodge and Winery
About Spirit of Peoria - The Boat
The Spirit has no props or thrusters, and is powered by twin Caterpillar 3412 diesel gensets, producing 700 kilowatts combined in 208 volt 3-phase voltage. The power is rectified using railroad-style rectifiers, probably from a GM GP38. The DC voltage goes to two traction engines, also from a GM locomotive, which drive the paddlewheel via two forty-foot-long by one-foot-wide chains. This allows the boat to be comparatively fast and efficient, burning approximately 15 gallons (57L) of diesel fuel an hour, with a top speed of over 15 mph (24 km/h).
Its shallow draft of 4' enables the Spirit to land in just about any river town. Boarding is by 30' long boarding stages
