The steamboat and popular tourism

Most authorities agree that the advent of popular leisure came with the railways from the mid-nineteenth century. This article argues that during the period 1825-45, before railways had a national network, the steamboat brought large-scale leisure travel via the day-long excursion trip. The article explores the characteristics of the steamboat which made it peculiarly appropriate for such pleasure voyages, the areas most served, and the types of attraction offered. Drawing on both primary and secondary sources, the article demonstrates that this form of leisure traffic was available in many coastal regions.