Paddle Wheel Queen   

354 E 83rd St # L
New York, NY 10028
212-213-2002
www.paddlewheelqueen.com

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There are many ways to cruise the harbor: in one of those tinted-window megayachts, a speedboat with teeth painted on it, the Circle Line, and the best deal, the Staten Island ferry. But if you want your own party, you can do it Mark Twain style on the Paddlewheel Queen, a close enough fabrication of a wrought-iron railed, twin smokestack Mississippi River boat. No, the paddlewheel itself doesn't look very convincing, but the boat has pleasant decks and big windows to let all the nighttime sparkle in. Accommodating 50-400 guests, it's big enough to handle most parties, and small enough to be cozy for smaller groups. It's also the only boat with a neon sign, providing a tawdry quality perfect for their frequent Mardi Gras parties. All information except pricing can be found on their Web site, which incidentally really pushes visitors to "click here to see the boat movie." Go ahead, click it. -- Dan Glass