USA · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

Boat Trips in the USA: The 15 Best Days on Deck

286 tours  ·  from $13

Harbors, rivers, reefs and swamps, all of them better from a deck. The 15 below range from a forty-minute airboat run to a full day under sail, each priced and clear about how much time you spend on the water.

Chicago Architecture River Cruise - What you see along the river
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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 for about 60 to 90 minutes while an expert guide explains Chicago’s buildings, engineering, and Great Fire of 1871. You’ll pass the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, John Hancock Center, Willis Tower, Marina City, and Aqua. Boats have restrooms and a full bar, and dogs are welcome.

“Wonderful excursion with a highly knowledgeable guide. Jim was a terrific guide with real passion for Chicago. His tour alone would make you want to come back.”

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Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River - Rolling past Boston Common and the Public Garden
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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

Ride a restored World War II amphibious duck boat through Boston with a lively ConDUCKtor, then spend about 20 minutes on the Charles River. You will pass Boston Common, Quincy Market, TD Garden, Copley Square, the State House, and Bunker Hill. Choose departures from the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, or Prudential Center.

“Fast, fun and lots of interesting facts! There is so much history in Boston and you get a bunch of it in an hour and a half! Definitely worth it!!”

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Best Niagara Falls US Tour W/Boat Ride, Cave & More Wonders! - Maid of the Mist brings you toward Horseshoe Falls
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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

This four-hour Niagara Falls tour combines the Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Prospect Point Tower, Goat Island, Luna Island, and more. Pickup is available from Niagara Falls, New York. Guides such as Shelly, Lenny, Dale, and Vic add local stories, but the fast pace and possible waits require sturdy shoes and good timing.

“I had an awesome time it was my boyfriend's birthday and we really enjoyed ourselves and the tour guide she was excellent”

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NYC: Circle Line 2h Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office - Getting to Circle Line and choosing your seat
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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

Settle into Circle Line’s large indoor or outdoor seating for a two-hour evening ride past Lower Manhattan, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, DUMBO, and three major bridges. English-speaking guides such as Alexis, George, David, and Andy add humor and city history, while an app provides commentary in eight additional languages. Arrive early for an outdoor seat.

“Alexis our tour guide was very humerus and gave out a lot of detail about our destination and sights along the way. It was very windy and trying to get a photo of the Statue of Liberty was difficult as we were getting blown around as were our phones. This made for a great bit of humour. A lovely hot chocolate was purchased on board. It was a great way to see the city lit up and learn some facts about certain sights. A good couple of hours spent on this trip.”

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Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise - The main branch, from Wrigley to Wolf Point
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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

Spend 90 minutes with guides such as John, Sarah, Alex, or Scotty D, cruising from Michigan Avenue through Chicago’s main, north, and south river branches. You’ll see Marina City, Willis Tower, the Merchandise Mart, and modern landmarks from an open deck or climate-controlled cabin, with a cash bar serving local drinks and Garrett’s Popcorn.

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

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New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option - Jazz by the Dukes of Dixieland
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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

Board the Steamboat NATCHEZ at Toulouse Street Wharf for a three-hour evening experience, including one hour dockside and a two-hour Mississippi cruise. Hear the calliope, explore the engine room, enjoy live jazz from the Dukes of Dixieland or another New Orleans jazz group, and add a Louisiana-style buffet with gumbo, crawfish étouffée, fried chicken, and bread pudding.

“Incredible time with friends. The food was really good and plentiful. The service was exceptional. The jazz musicians were really good and the calliope at the beginning was fun. The ride was so smooth you forgot you were on a boat.”

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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

Set out from Bayside Marketplace on a 90-minute yacht cruise around Biscayne Bay. Your English and Spanish guide points out Star Island, Fisher Island, the Venetian Islands, South Beach and Miami’s skyline, along with homes linked to the rich and famous. Choose air-conditioned seating or the open upper deck. Drinks are sold onboard.

“fantastic afternoon activity! Friendly team,and a really nice clean boat to cruise on. Would definitely do this again:)”

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NYC: Circle Line 2.5 Hour Best of NYC Boat Cruise - The Statue of Liberty photo stop
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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

Circle Line’s 2.5-hour cruise shows you Manhattan from the water, passing three rivers, seven major bridges, five boroughs, and more than 100 sights. Expect clear English commentary, indoor and outdoor seating, close Statue of Liberty views, and guides such as Alexis, Jordan, and Andy on some departures. The full island route can change with tides or river conditions.

“Very nice boat tour, comfortable boat and spacious, well worth seeing all from the river. the digital pictures they make its worth buying as well as it have many of them with a variety of backgrounds.”

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Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady - What the 90 minutes actually covers
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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 aboard Chicago’s First Lady for 90 minutes of architecture and city history. A Chicago Architecture Center docent, such as Cynthia, Laura, Amy, or Mark, explains landmarks including Marina City, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, and 150 North Riverside. Choose an open-air seat or the climate-controlled lower salon, with a full bar onboard.

“I’m really glad I took the tour. It’s a great way to spend 90 minutes if you want to learn more about Chicago during a short trip. The guide was fantastic, she knew so much about Chicago’s history, especially the river, the bridges, and the buildings. The bar was great too: warm and cosy, and a perfect place to enjoy a couple of beers with friends. You won’t regret it.”

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New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation - Boarding the 22-passenger boat
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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 for a two-hour boat trip through narrow waterways and thick foliage. A local captain points out alligators, raccoons, birds, snakes, and other wildlife, while explaining Cajun life and wetland preservation. Boats hold up to 22 people, and guides such as Steve, Scottie, Marc, and Jody are known for lively, attentive commentary.

“Not what we expected. The company is very big and there are several boats in the same stretch of water at the same time. The “wildlife” is actually domesticated by the food offered by the captains to attract them to the boats to please the tourists and we’ve been constantly “reminded” to leave five star-reviews and tips in a way that made us feel uncomfortable. I had a very different and more authentic experience years ago with a small tour operated by a Cajun family.”

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New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise - The paddlewheel boat and its three decks
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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

Board the Steamboat Natchez at Toulouse Street Wharf for a roughly two-hour paddlewheel cruise on the Mississippi. You’ll hear live jazz from the Steamboat Stompers, listen to commentary about New Orleans and the Battle of New Orleans, and pass the Chalmette Battlefield. Add the Southern-style buffet lunch if you want a full meal on board.

“Good time with a nice meal. Very informative while on the river and the band was great to listen to.”

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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

This 50-minute Circle Line cruise from Pier 16 takes you past the Brooklyn Bridge, One World Trade Center, Ellis Island, and Governor’s Island before pausing near the Statue of Liberty for photos. English-speaking guides such as Debbie, Nathan, George, and Michael keep the ride lively, while indoor cabins and an outdoor deck work well in changing weather.

“Debbie you are simply great - sensational trip - highly recommend.”

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NYC: Circle Line 1.5-Hr Landmarks Skip-The-Box-Office Cruise - Lower Manhattan from the Hudson
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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

Take a 90-minute Circle Line cruise from Pier 83 past Lower Manhattan, Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, Midtown, and three major bridges. A live English guide narrates the ride, while audio guides cover eight more languages. Choose the outdoor deck for photos or a temperature-controlled cabin when wind, heat, or fog gets in the way.

“The tour guide or MC on the boat was very informative with a great sense of humour. He was easy to understand and gave very interesting facts.”

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Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise - Why Stellwagen Bank is worth the long ride
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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

Cruise from Boston’s Long Wharf to Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary aboard a comfortable high-speed boat. New England Aquarium naturalists explain humpback, fin, and minke whales, plus dolphins and other wildlife. You get outdoor decks, large-window indoor seating, snacks for purchase, and about 3.5 to 4 hours on the water.

“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 - The 7 p.m. departure and the changing river view
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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

Board at 6 p.m. for a 7 to 9 p.m. cruise from the French Quarter. You’ll hear live jazz from the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland, listen to a captain’s narration, explore four decks, and see New Orleans from the Mississippi. Add the Creole buffet if you want dinner onboard. The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS currently replaces the NATCHEZ on evening cruises.

“Loved this trip.. very informative , loved hearing all the history along the river and views on night were spectacular. Band were amazing too!”

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