ON THE RIVER · USA RIVER CRUISES

The 15 Best River Cruises in the USA

72 river trips  ·  from $16 a head

Chicago sells architecture, New Orleans sells a paddle steamer and the Potomac sells monuments at night. These 15 are compared on what the commentary is actually about, plus price and season.

Chicago Architecture River Cruise - The first view: Chicago’s skyline from the water
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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 onboard architecture guide, passing the Wrigley Building, John Hancock Center, Willis Tower, Marina City, and more. Choose a Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue departure, enjoy a restroom and full bar, and bring your dog along. Guides such as Jim, Ashley, and Sam have earned praise for lively storytelling, though cold weather and onboard noise can affect the ride.

“We loved everything about this tour. Our guide was knowledgeable, friendly and kept everyone engaged.”

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Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River - Choosing among the three departure points
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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

You’ll tour Boston by restored World War II amphibious vehicle, with a personal ConDUCKtor covering Beacon Hill, Boston Common, Quincy Market, TD Garden, Copley Square, and more. The 80-minute trip includes a 20-minute Charles River cruise, three departure points, assigned seating, and a GPS audio app in several languages.

“Fine view of historical sites either good narrator. The part going on the Charles river is very very nice.”

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady - Boarding at Wacker Drive
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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

3.Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady

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

Spend 90 minutes on the Chicago River aboard Chicago’s First Lady, guided by a Chicago Architecture Center docent. You’ll see Marina City, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, 150 North Riverside, and more from the water. Choose an open-air upper deck or climate-controlled salon, with a full bar and restrooms onboard.

“Dress warm due to shade when weather is colder. The distance isn’t as far as I hoped. Plenty of seats were available”

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Chicago: Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line - Boarding and the first view from the water
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Chicago: Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line

4.Architecture River Cruise Skip-the-Ticket Line

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4,325 reviews · 1 hour - 90 minutes · from $39

Cruise Chicago’s three river branches for 60 to 75 minutes with a live English or Spanish guide. You’ll see landmarks such as Willis Tower, Trump Tower, Marina City, and the John Hancock Building. Guides including Chicago Bob, Jeremy, Juan, Kevin, and Brian bring the buildings to life, with a cash bar available on most boats.

“Cruise was beautiful and interesting, Juan was a fantastic guide”

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90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise - Boarding at 9 East River Street
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90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise

5.90-Minute Savannah Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise

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

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.”

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Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise - Checking in near the Wrigley Building
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Chicago: 45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise

6.45-Minute Family-Friendly Architecture River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,304 reviews · 45 min · from $28Best value

Cruise from Lake Shore Drive toward Willis Tower and back while an English-speaking guide explains Chicago’s architecture with humor and local detail. You get indoor climate-controlled seating, open-air decks, and a full-service cash bar with local beer and spirits. Guides such as Kenny, Zach, Sarah, and Alyssa have earned praise for keeping families engaged.

“The tour is great .. we were stuck in traffic and they allow us to join other group later … it was very kind of them to do so”

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Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise - Finding the dock near the DuSable Bridge
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Chicago: 1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise

7.1.5-Hour Lake and River Architecture Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,050 reviews · 1h 30m · from $44

See Chicago from two angles on a 90-minute cruise from the DuSable Bridge. An English-speaking guide such as Lucas, Jack, or Sarah explains landmarks from the Wrigley Building to Willis Tower, while the boat passes through the Chicago Lock to Lake Michigan. Choose open-air or climate-controlled seating, with snacks and drinks sold onboard.

“The boat ride was excellent, the information provided by the guide, Jack, was brilliant, funny at the same time. Highly recommended”

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Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise - The river ride past New Orleans
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Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

8.Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,948 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Spend about two and a half hours aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, hearing stories of New Orleans, the LeMoyne brothers, Hurricane Katrina, and the Battle of New Orleans. You will stop at Chalmette Battlefield for a guided visit, with food and drinks available to buy onboard. Guides may include Charles, Dr. Lauren, or Dr. Tarantino.

“A really enjoyable & relaxing afternoon on a paddle boat, a true icon of the Mississippi. The presentation from historian guide Doctor Lauren was both informative and very entertaining.”

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Savannah Land & Sea Combo: City Sightseeing Trolley Tour with Riverboat Cruise - Forsyth Park gives the trolley route its grandest view
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Savannah Land & Sea Combo: City Sightseeing Trolley Tour with Riverboat Cruise

9.Savannah Land & Sea Combo: City Sightseeing Trolley Tour with Riverboat Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,938 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend about five hours seeing Savannah by narrated trolley and riverboat. The 90-minute city tour covers Forsyth Park, the squares, Victorian District, City Market, and River Street. Guides such as Chris, Joyce, Stephanie, and Steve are known for lively storytelling, while the cruise adds port history, skyline views, and a possible dolphin sighting.

“The tour was very educational and interesting. We had a great time. We learned a lot of the history of Savannah.”

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Memphis City Tour with Optional Riverboat Cruise & Sun Studio Add-On Options - Starting on Beale Street
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Memphis City Tour with Optional Riverboat Cruise & Sun Studio Add-On Options

10.Memphis City Tour with Optional Riverboat Cruise & Sun Studio Add-On Options

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,804 reviews · 2 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $45

Start with downtown hotel pickup and explore Memphis by narrated mini-coach, from Beale Street and Victorian Village to the Lorraine Motel, St. Jude, and the Pyramid. Add Sun Studio or a paddlewheel cruise. Guides such as Sam, Darryl, and Michelle bring humor and local stories, while the compact Sun Studio has stairs and the riverboat involves a steep walk.

“Great tour of Memphis. Our tour guide was really good. Learning about St. Jude's hospital was extremely uplifting.”

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Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale - The first hour: Fort Lauderdale from the water
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Jungle Queen Riverboat 90-Minute Narrated Sightseeing Cruise in Fort Lauderdale

11.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”

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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour - The Wrigley Building and the grand entrance to downtown
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Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

12.Chicago River 90-Minute Architecture Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,635 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Cruise all three branches of the Chicago River for 90 minutes while guides such as David, Hillary, Heath, and Colleen explain the city’s buildings, engineering, and past. You’ll see the Wrigley Building, Willis Tower, Aqua Tower, Merchandise Mart, Chinatown, and Navy Pier from an open or enclosed deck. Arrive early for the best seats.

“Beautiful Chicago architecture explained by an experienced knowledgeable guide. So glad we took the time to take this boat tour.”

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Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show - Dinner by the river, served cowboy style
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Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show

13.Moab: Colorado River Dinner Cruise with Music and Light Show

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,302 reviews · from $108

Join Canyonlands By Night & Day two miles north of Moab for a cowboy-style Dutch oven dinner, then board a flat-bottomed boat on the Colorado River. Guides such as Izzy and Rory share local stories before a 40,000-watt canyon light show brings the area’s creation and settlement stories to life. Bring a jacket and expect hard seats.

“Thoroughly enjoyed the meal - delicious meats and sides as well as salad bar. Appreciated the fact that it was a family owed business in Moab. Boat ride on the river was unique and was a nice way to spend an evening.”

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National Mall Tour with 10+ Stops, Boat Cruise, Entry Tickets - The Capitol and the first look at federal Washington
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National Mall Tour with 10+ Stops, Boat Cruise, Entry Tickets

14.National Mall Tour with 10+ Stops, Boat Cruise, Entry Tickets

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,212 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $87

Spend about six hours touring Washington DC by air-conditioned coach, stopping at the Capitol, White House, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, MLK Memorial, and more. Guides such as Tyrone, Jerome, and Dwayne are known for lively historical commentary. In season, a narrated Potomac cruise replaces several winter stops.

“Good way to see a lot of monuments and buildings in a short time. Our driver went the extra mile and took me back for something I forgot. Our guide was very knowledgeable and great to talk to.”

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Savannah: Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise - The narration is the heart of the trip
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Savannah: Riverboat Narrated Harbor Sightseeing Cruise

15.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.”

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Just added to USA River Cruises

★ 4.9Fairbanks: Riverboat Cruise and Local Village TourFrom $127309 reviews
★ 5.0NYC: Hudson River Fall Foliage Sailing TripFrom $1439 reviews
★ 4.8Fast and More 60 minute Airboat Tour on the Homosassa RiverFrom $7126 reviews
★ 5.0Miami: Everglades River of Grass Small Airboat Wildlife TourFrom $750 per boat (seats 6)7 reviews
★ 4.8Crystal River: Sunset Cruise in Kings BayFrom $4127 reviews
★ 4.7Crystal River: Manatee Viewing CruiseFrom $35204 reviews
★ 4.7Cocoa Beach: Thousand Islands Banana River Boat CruiseFrom $4872 reviews
★ 4.7Cocoa Beach: Banana River Sunset CruiseFrom $4866 reviews
★ 4.7City Cruises Chicago: Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner River CruiseFrom $84128 reviews
★ 3.5Thanksgiving Gourmet Lunch Cruise on Chicago RiverFrom $1164 reviews
★ 3.8Tiki Bar Cruise on Chicago River or Lake MichiganFrom $4116 reviews
★ 4.5Chicago River 90-Min Architecture Boat TourFrom $3224 reviews
★ 4.9Chicago River: 90-Min Architecture Boat TourFrom $3229 reviews
★ 4.7Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Riverboat TourFrom $5793 reviews
★ 5.0Lake and River Tour on a RIB BoatFrom $854 reviews

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