Capt. Mike Leebron
Master 100T COASTAL
USCG 2715129

TRIPS AND TOURS ABOARD THE BRAZOS BELLE
Guided Texas History Tour

Guests board the Brazos Belle at 4PM in the winter months and 5PM during daylight savings time for a trip back in time to the 1800's. The tour takes about an hour and half. On most Saturday's and Sunday's,The Belle departs "Belle's Landing" and heads up the Brazos River along the locations of the Willow Glen Plantation on the East bank (originally known as Brit Bailey's Plantation) and, on the West bank,  the Varner-Hogg Plantation which was also known as "Patton's Place." The colorful lives and contributions of these early settlers is discussed as well as a review of the historic significance that they made to our Texas history.

Going back downriver, the Brazos Belle passes through the narrow channel of the remains of the old Highway 35 Bridge, past Varner Creek and into the historic, river township of East Columbia (originally known as "Bell's Landing" after its founder, Josiah Bell). In the same manner that passengers boarded the steamboats of old, the "stage" will be lowered and those persons that wish to disembark will go ashore at "Dance Landing" to tour Texas' oldest boarding house, the "Ammon Underwood House." This Texas landmark is maintained by the First Capitol Historic Foundation and provides an excellent window to the past since great men such as Steven Austin, Sam Houston, and many other Texas' fathers stayed there when the Republic of Texas was first born.  In addition, those who wish to may tour the tiny "Sweeney-Waddy Log Cabin" which was an original slave home to the Waddy family during the plantation era.

The Brazos Bell's whistle will sound and the vessel will return to her homeport at "Belle's Landing."  

The cost of this tour is $25. per person and a minimum of twenty passengers is required. (Accordingly, reservations are a must since there is a maximum passenger capacity of 49 persons. In addition, weather and currents may prevent a passage for safety concerns. However, you will be personally notified by telephone should this become an issue or in the event that an insufficient number of persons sign up for that day's  tour.)

TO MAKE RESERVATIONS, CALL BELLE'S LANDING AT 979-345-2628 or contact  the Captain Mike at 713-906-3200 or tours@brazosbelle.com. In the event that your group has 20 or more persons, you may make reservations for times other than the usual afternoon run on weekends.

Other Types of Trips Aboard the Brazos Belle

The Brazos Belle is available for many other types of charters which include weddings, birthday parties, longer historic tours covering other parts of the Brazos River history, bird watching and naturalist tours, business meetings and just about any imaginable trip with the gorgeous  back drop of the quiet Brazos River and its wild scenery and wildlife along its ancient banks in the Columbia bottom lands.

For any tour or trip you require, simply call the Captain and discuss the arrangements and fees. Music and food may be provided if you wish and all beer and soda must be purchased at "Belle's Landing."