The Mississippi Queen was the second-largest paddle wheel driven river steamboat ever built. The ship was the largest such steamboat when she was built in 1976 by the at a cost of $27 million and was a seven-deck recreation of a classic Mississippi riverboat. The Mississippi Queen had 206 state rooms for a capacity of 412 guests and a crew of 157. It was 382 ft. long and 68 ft. wide. It was a genuine stern paddle wheeler with a wheel that measured 22 ft. in diameter by 36 ft. wide . The steamboat also featured a 44 whistle steam calliope, a steam driven organ-like musical instrument.
A $2.6 million renovation in 1989 added a spa pool, gingerbread trim above the pilot house, and enough modern comforts to satisfy royalty while reserving a 19th century charm and a breathtaking view of the steam-powered stern paddle wheel. The Mississippi Queen was sold for scrap in 2009.