USA · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in the USA

345 tours  ·  from $13

From a ninety-minute architecture cruise in Chicago to a whale morning off Maui. The 15 below range across both coasts and the Great Lakes, each priced and clear about how long you are actually on the water.

Chicago Architecture River Cruise - Chicago’s architectural turning points
Boat Tours in Chicago, Chicago Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

Chicago Architecture River Cruise

1.Chicago Architecture River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15,756 reviews · 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39Our pick

Cruise the Chicago River with an expert guide, passing the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, John Hancock Center, Marina City, and more. Choose a Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue departure, enjoy onboard restrooms and a full bar, and bring your dog along. Expect a 60 to 90-minute ride, depending on the season and option.

“When booked they said there was a below deck to stay warm from the extreme cold in Chicago. Only flaps cover window below. It was freezing from the temperature and wind. They sold merch to warm peeps. For example flimsy blanket and gloves. Which looked like they were from the dollar store. The tour guide spoke so fast we lost interest after 12-15 minutes because we couldn’t understand him. We spent first 20 minutes asking each other what he said. Sounded like reading from a script. No fun facts no humor, no nuggets we could tell people about. Finally we gave up and turned on football game from our device.…”

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Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River - Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the first city views
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Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River

2.Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 9,378 reviews · from $59

Board a restored World War II amphibious duck boat from the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, or Prudential Center. A lively ConDUCKtor covers Boston landmarks, sports, and history before a 20-minute Charles River cruise. Bring headphones for the multilingual GPS app.

“Mike was our narrator and he was fantastic! Not only was he full of fun facts but he has us laughing the whole time! Would highly recommend!”

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Best Niagara Falls US Tour W/Boat Ride, Cave & More Wonders! - Cave of the Winds: prepare to get soaked
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Best Niagara Falls US Tour W/Boat Ride, Cave & More Wonders!

3.Best Niagara Falls US Tour W/Boat Ride, Cave & More Wonders!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8,372 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $139

See Niagara Falls from the river, gorge, islands, and Prospect Point on a four-hour guided tour from Niagara Falls, New York. You’ll ride the Maid of the Mist, brave Cave of the Winds, and visit American, Bridal Veil, and Horseshoe Falls. Guides such as Dale, Shelly, and Lenny add local stories and humor.

“Wonderful day with our excellent guide Lenny! He was the best. Well planned trip with a nice variety of activities. Be sure to wear your rain ponchos.”

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NYC: Circle Line 2h Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office - Pier 83, security, and the skip-the-box-office benefit
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NYC: Circle Line 2h Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office

4.Circle Line 2h Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 8,222 reviews · 2 hours · from $45

Board Circle Line at Pier 83 for a two-hour evening cruise past Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, and three major bridges. You get English commentary, multilingual audio, indoor and outdoor seating, and a bar serving drinks and snacks. Guides such as David, Alexis, George, and Andy bring plenty of personality.

“Get there early to get good seats! It is a fantastic trip with the best views around!”

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Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise - Setting out from the DuSable Bridge
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Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise

5.Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 8,046 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

Cruise Chicago’s main river and north and south branches with guides such as John, Sarah, Alex, and Scotty D. See the Wrigley Building, Marina City, Willis Tower, Aqua, and more from open-air or climate-controlled decks, with local drinks and Garrett Popcorn available onboard.

“Unreal tour guide, super knowledgeable. Stunning views, great day out.”

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New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option - One hour aboard before the boat moves
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New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

6.New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7,533 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $58

Meet at Toulouse Street Wharf in the French Quarter for a one-hour dockside boarding period, then cruise the Mississippi from about 7 to 9pm. Explore the Steamboat Natchez, hear the Dukes of Dixieland, listen to river narration, and add a Louisiana buffet dinner if desired.

“It was wonderful, beautiful night and the dinner was scrumptious. But having to leave a long review isn't the best.”

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Miami: Biscayne Bay Millionaire's Homes Sightseeing Cruise - Finding Bayride Tours at Bayside Marketplace
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Miami: Biscayne Bay Millionaire’s Homes Sightseeing Cruise

7.Biscayne Bay Millionaire’s Homes Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,348 reviews · 1h 30m · from $20Best value

Board a comfortable yacht at Bayside Marketplace for a 90-minute Biscayne Bay cruise with live English and Spanish commentary. See Star Island, Fisher Island, South Beach, Miami’s skyline, and waterfront mansions. Choose climate-controlled seating or the breezy upper deck.

“My daughter and I loved being on the water and viewing the homes of the famous Miami residents”

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NYC: Circle Line 2.5 Hour Best of NYC Boat Cruise - Pier 83: what to expect before departure
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NYC: Circle Line 2.5 Hour Best of NYC Boat Cruise

8.Circle Line 2.5 Hour Best of NYC Boat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 7,268 reviews · from $39

Spend 2.5 hours circling Manhattan aboard Circle Line’s climate-controlled sightseeing boat. An English-speaking guide points out more than 100 sights, seven major bridges, five boroughs, and the Statue of Liberty from as close as 100 feet. Audio commentary is available in eight additional languages.

“Excellent trip guide told us lots of history about New York”

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady - The Chicago Architecture Center connection
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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

9.Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,536 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $57

Cruise the Chicago River for 90 minutes aboard Chicago’s First Lady while a Chicago Architecture Center docent explains the city’s buildings, bridges, and past. You’ll pass Marina City, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and 150 North Riverside. Cynthia, Laura, Amy, Russell, Nick, and Mark are among the guides praised for lively talks.

“Evening was the perfect time to view the architecture along the river and Amy was a great tour guide.”

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New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation - What you might see among the cypress and reeds
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New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation

10.New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5,399 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $70

Ride from the French Quarter to Honey Island Swamp, then cruise narrow waterways on a quiet 22-passenger boat with a local captain. Guides such as Steve, Marc, Scottie, and Jody explain wildlife, Cajun life, and wetland loss. Wildlife sightings vary, especially in cold weather.

“Incredibly beautiful area so close to New Orleans! Excellent bus ride with a great driver. The tour was so well organized. Our Captain Dave was so informative and fun! You could tell he loved his job and where he lives. Saw beautiful birds, wild pigs raccoons, fish jumping and beautiful scenery. And it was December! Always satisfying to see such a beautiful area protected. Well done.”

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New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise - A slow ride down the Mississippi
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New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

11.New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,334 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $43

Cruise the Mississippi River for about two hours aboard the Steamboat Natchez, with live jazz from the Steamboat Stompers, narration from the captain, and views of New Orleans and the Chalmette Battlefield. Add a Creole-style buffet lunch if you want a fuller outing.

“Will come again and also don’t for get to try the chicken salad it was delicious!!!!! Very friendly people…”

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NYC: Statue of Liberty Express Skip-the-Box-Office Cruise - Starting at Pier 16 in South Street Seaport
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NYC: Statue of Liberty Express Skip-the-Box-Office Cruise

12.Statue of Liberty Express Skip-the-Box-Office Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4,873 reviews · 50 min · from $24

From Pier 16, enjoy a 50-minute harbor cruise past One World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. Guides such as Debbie, Nathan, George, and Michael add lively English commentary, while indoor cabins and an outdoor deck keep the ride comfortable in changing weather.

“My family and I LOVED the Liberty Cruise tour! Our guide was knowledgeable, entertaining and enthusiastic !!! Definitely worth the price! We got many memorable photos to kick off our family Christmas vacation!!!”

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NYC: Circle Line 1.5-Hr Landmarks Skip-The-Box-Office Cruise - Lower Manhattan, Lady Liberty, and Ellis Island
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NYC: Circle Line 1.5-Hr Landmarks Skip-The-Box-Office Cruise

13.Circle Line 1.5-Hr Landmarks Skip-The-Box-Office Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 4,778 reviews · 1h 30m · from $34

From Pier 83, Circle Line’s 90-minute cruise sweeps past Lower Manhattan, Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, Midtown, and three major bridges. An English-speaking guide such as David, Alexis, George, or Malachy may narrate the ride, with audio available in eight additional languages.

“Great way to see Manhattan from a different angle. The Tour Guide was very knowledgeable.”

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Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise - The long run to Stellwagen Bank
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Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

14.City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,710 reviews · 3h 30m · from $85

Join Boston Harbor City Cruises at Long Wharf for a 3.5 to 4 hour trip to Stellwagen Bank. New England Aquarium naturalists, including guides such as Amanda and Andrew, explain whale behavior while you watch from outdoor decks or large-window cabins.

“We were very lucky to have a fine day for this activity and although I do suffer from motion sickness I felt absolutely fine for the whole trip. We were given an interesting dialogue on the way out to the whale watching area and it was wonderful to manage to see three magnificent whales.”

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New Orleans: Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner - A newly renovated riverboat, with a seasonal vessel change
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New Orleans: Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

15.Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 4,548 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Cruise the Mississippi from the French Quarter aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS, with live jazz from the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland, captain’s narration, city views, and optional Creole buffet dinner. Boarding begins at 6pm, with sailing from 7pm to 9pm.

“Everything was nice but I feel like it should be a menu to select from for dinner instead of food just being prepared and served”

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New in Cruises & Boat Tours

★ 4.0New York City Dinner Cruise with Live MusicFrom $149377 reviews
★ 5.0Manhattan Architecture Yacht CruiseFrom $1131,395 reviews
★ 4.0Statue of Liberty & NYC Skyline Cruise – Freedom Liberty TourFrom $341,499 reviews
★ 4.5Circle Line: 1.5hr – New York City Landmarks CruiseFrom $341,073 reviews
★ 4.5Express Sightseeing Bus Tour with Statue of Liberty Cruise ComboFrom $29337 reviews
★ 4.5Circle Line: 1hr – NYC Liberty CruiseFrom $27734 reviews
★ 3.51-hour New York City Skyline Sightseeing CruiseFrom $16391 reviews
★ 5.0New York City Sightseeing Bus Tour and Boat RideFrom $197349 reviews
★ 4.5VIP Jazz Dinner Cruise with Private Tour and Open Bar OptionFrom $190838 reviews
★ 4.0Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise in New OrleansFrom $43889 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure with TransportationFrom $601,008 reviews
★ 4.0New Orleans City Tour and Steamboat Natchez Harbor Jazz CruiseFrom $88446 reviews
★ 4.5Guided Boat Tour of New Orleans BayouFrom $351,452 reviews
★ 5.0Honey Island Swamp Boat TourFrom $34750 reviews
★ 5.0Honey Island Swamp Boat Tour with Transportation from New OrleansFrom $64361 reviews

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