ON THE RIVER · RIVER SIGHTSEEING CRUISES IN THE USA

Top 8 River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA

8 river trips  ·  from $30 a head

This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 8 river sightseeing cruises in the USA worth the fare, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to check before you book.

90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise - Boarding at 9 East River Street
River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise

1.90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 3,367 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $41Our pick

Cruise the Savannah River for 90 minutes aboard a traditional red, white, and blue riverboat. Choose a climate-controlled observation deck, open-air patio, or upper-deck bench. The captain narrates Savannah’s port, history, and visiting ships as you pass Old Fort Jackson. Food and drinks are sold onboard, but lunch is not included.

“Good food and prices. Clean. Excellent information about the area. Staff friendly. I wish all the bottom was clear window.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale - The first hour: Fort Lauderdale from the water
River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale

2.Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,753 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $31

Board the Jungle Queen at 801 Seabreeze Blvd for a fully narrated 90-minute cruise through Fort Lauderdale and along the New River. Guides such as Mason, Monica, Steve, and Nick are known for warm, funny commentary. Expect calm waterways, lavish homes, mega yachts, onboard restrooms, and drinks or snacks for purchase.

“Was fun. Commentary was fun. Cocktails were good. Mason was a superstar. Easy on and off boat. Worth the money”

Check availability →Read our full review

Savannah: Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise - The narration is the heart of the trip
River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Savannah: Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

3.Savannah: Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,206 reviews · 1h 30m · from $41

Spend 90 minutes aboard a Savannah Riverboat Cruises vessel, listening to an English-speaking captain explain Savannah’s port, river history, container ships, and Old Fort Jackson. Choose indoor air-conditioned seating or outdoor decks, and buy food or drinks aboard. Gage is one guide known for adding humor to the history.

“I enjoyed the boat ride. The narrator was great very interesting.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Kingston - Setting out from Kingston on the historic Rip Van Winkle
River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Kingston

4.Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Kingston

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 807 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $43

Board the historic Rip Van Winkle in Kingston for a 90-minute cruise toward Hyde Park and back. Choose an air-conditioned lower deck, shaded middle deck, or open upper deck. A guide narrates the shore sights, while the onboard bar serves drinks and light snacks for purchase.

“It was a nice cruise around the Hudson. However, I feel it would be much nicer in the fall when the leaves are turning colors. We might do it again then.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Cincinnati: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise on the Ohio River - The first stretch: daylight, river traffic, and city views
River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Cincinnati: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise on the Ohio River

5.Cincinnati: Sunset Sightseeing Cruise on the Ohio River

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 615 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Board a BB Riverboats sightseeing cruise at Newport Landing in Kentucky for a two-hour evening ride past Cincinnati. Expect outdoor seating, skyline views, an onboard bar, and music from a DJ or live band. Seasonal Friday and Saturday cruises from June through September feature live bands, while other departures use a DJ.

“Loved the Sunset Vibe and Views. The Directions and Info about Food/Dinner could use improvement”

Check availability →Read our full review

Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Albany - Seeing Albany from the Hudson River
River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Albany

6.Hudson River Sightseeing Cruise from Albany

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 515 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Board Dutch Apple Cruises at 141 Broadway for a narrated 90-minute ride along Albany’s Hudson River waterfront. A Hudson River historian covers the city, port, buildings, commerce, and wildlife. You’ll have indoor and outdoor seating, a snack bar, full bar, accessible middle-deck boarding, and possible bald-eagle sightings.

“If you want to learn a bit about the area's history, I would highly recommend this relaxing sightseeing cruise. The weather was perfect, and the staff were incredibly friendly and attentive. It was an all-around great little excursion.”

Check availability →Read our full review

City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise - Brunch, lunch, or dinner: choosing the right sailing
Chicago River Cruises, Lunch Experiences, River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise

7.City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 128 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $84

Sail the Chicago River aboard the glass-enclosed Odyssey Chicago River for a three-course brunch, lunch, or dinner. You’ll pass landmark buildings from the DuSable Bridge to Willis Tower, with architectural narration on daytime cruises and a DJ at dinner. Brunch includes bottomless mimosas, while a cash bar serves cocktails, wine, and beer.

“Wonderful! A great date night/ family celebration experience; although I was the only single diner, I was made to feel welcomed & included. The entire crew seemed happy & wanted to make sure everything was perfect . Mimmo, the chef, obviously cooks with love- the food was delicious & plated with care. I’m vegetarian & was delighted with my choices ( not to mention the tasty cocktails.) The view from the river was enchanting. My favorite Chicago memory!”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boston: Charles River Sightseeing Cruise - Leaving from CambridgeSide Mall
River Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises, River Sightseeing Cruises in the USA, Tour Reviews, USA River Cruises

Boston: Charles River Sightseeing Cruise

8.Charles River Sightseeing Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 109 reviews · from $30Best value

Spend 70 minutes on the Charles River with a live English-speaking guide and views of Beacon Hill, Back Bay, MIT, Harvard, Boston University, and the CITGO Sign. You can sit under cover or move to the front for clearer views. Captain Tina and mate Dillon have helped make some sailings especially lively.

“Verry interesting and the guide was fun and had a lot of informations about Boston and fun facts.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Other lists on this water

Canal Cruises191Dinner Cruises116Nile Cruises85Sunset River Cruises39Luxury River Cruises53River Sightseeing Cruises52
Scroll to Top

Explore by river

Pick a waterway, a city or a kind of evening.

Great rivers

Nile CruisesThe SeineThe DanubeThe ThamesThe Douro

Canals

Canal CruisesAmsterdam CanalsDutch CanalsBangkok KlongsVenetian Canals

Kinds of evening

Dinner AboardSunset SailingsAfter DarkLive ShowsLuxury Boats

How you ride

Hop-On PassesAudio GuidePrivate ChartersYachts