A day out on the water is always a good day. Especially when you can just sit back and relax and enjoy the ride, which is exactly what you can do on a Catawba Queen Riverboat Cruise — one of North Carolina’s best hidden gems and one of the most unique ways to see Lake Norman.
Believe it or not, there's a riverboat cruise just a short drive from Uptown Charlotte. The Catawba Queen Riverboat operates on Lake Norman in the small town of Mooresville just north of the Queen City. The boat launches from the docks of Queens Landing and offers several fun cruises.
The red and white Catawba Queen looks like a smaller version of the famous riverboats you'll see cruising down the river in Savannah and even New Orleans. Sight-seeing tours on the boat are offered almost every weekend throughout the year.
The boat has a full bar and kitchen with boxed lunches available for purchase. Guests can enjoy the panoramic views of Lake Norman from the open-air deck while learning about the lake's history from the Captain. He'll even point out a celebrity house or two. Dinner cruises featuring a chef-driven buffet with delicious options including prime rib, seared salmon and chicken marsala.
The Catawba Queen also hosts several fun events throughout the year that include a Mardi Gras themed party, New Year’s Eve celebrations and several charity galas. You can even book a private cruise or throw a wedding ceremony and reception aboard the riverboat.
Queens Landing is located at 1459 River Hwy., Mooresville. Tickets for the sightseeing tour start at $19 for adults and are $64.99 for the dinner cruise.
