Lake Okoboji Queen II ToursA visit to Okoboji is not complete without an excursion on the Queen II. The Queen II takes passengers around West Lake Okoboji. This replica of the original steamer, the Queen, offers a unique view of the lake and the surrounding landscape. The ride comes with a history lesson from the captain and tasty concessions.
Travel around West Lake Okoboji started on strung together rafts when settlers first arrived. As the lumber industry increased settlers began to build row boats to maneuver the waterways. Since there were no roads around the lakes water travel was the quickest way to get around. Sailboats began to offer options for transporting larger groups across the lakes. These were soon replaced by steamboats. In the late 19th century the lake region became a resort area and the small steamboats and sailboats could not keep up with the flow of vacationers. The Queen, a large steamer, was constructed, along with other larger boats, to accommodate this new need. By the 1920s, the construction of roads around the lakes brought about the demise of most of the fleet. The Queen stayed in service for those people who wished to see the lake by water. In 1973 the Queen was finally retired, after 89 years of service. The Queen II was commissioned and built in 1986 and she was designated the ?Flagship of the Iowa Navy.? The Queen II is 75 feet long with a beam width of 19 feet, the same length and 2 ½ feet wider than the original Queen.The Queen II allows passengers a chance to see the lake region as it was seen by the early settlers. The excursion last approximately 90 minutes, with new trips leaving every two hours from noon to 8 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the Queen II Dock, and it may be chartered for private parties also. A relaxing ride on her, with its narrated history lesson, is the sort of thing family traditions are made of. A visit to the Iowa Great Lakes Maritime Museum is a great follow-up to a trip on the Queen II. |
Contact Okoboji Real Estate for questions on residential real estate, community info, or any other questions. We offer real estate info in and around the Okoboji, Spirit Lake, and Iowa Great Lakes.
3plains LLC & Re/Max Results 2100 Ford Parkway #201 St. Paul, MN 55116 c/o Matt Barker A licensed real estate agent in MN. (612) 366-1527
|