Entertainment

American Queen returns to La Crosse, but Viking arrival is postponed again

Published

2 years ago

August 31, 2022

Brad Williams

The American Queen riverboat docks at La Crosse's Riverside Park on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2022. (PHOTO: Brad Williams)

One of the popular paddlewheelers on the Mississippi River was back in La Crosse for the first time this season.

The American Queen docked at Riverside Park early Wednesday, following visits earlier in the summer by similar boats — the American Duchess and American Countess.

A few more stops by the Queen are scheduled for La Crosse before the end of October.

Another big boat, the new Viking Mississippi, is tentatively scheduled to dock in La Crosse for the first time from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday.

Five previously scheduled dates, including Sept. 1, were removed from the company’s itinerary.

Earlier this week, the cruise boat reportedly was doing a dry run near St. Louis.

A fleet of buses from Viking Cruise Lines arrived in La Crosse on Wednesday, briefly parking near the riverfront as they prepare to take future passengers from the Viking Mississippi around the area while they’re in La Crosse.

Buses for Viking Cruise Lines visited La Crosse Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2022, ahead of the start of Viking visits to the city (PHOTO: Brad Williams)

Brad Williams

A native of Prairie du Chien, Brad graduated from UW - La Crosse and has worked in radio news for more than 30 years, mostly in the La Crosse area. He regularly covers local courts and city and county government. Brad produces the features "Yesterday in La Crosse" and "What's Buried on Brad's Desk." He also writes the website "Triviazoids," which finds odd connections between events that happen on a certain date, and he writes and performs with the local comedy group Heart of La Crosse. Brad been featured on several national TV programs because of his memory skills.