USA · CRUISES & BOAT TOURS

The 15 Best Boat Trips in the USA

272 tours  ·  from $13 a head

A lot of American cities were built facing the water and still look better from it. The 15 below range from a ninety-minute harbour run to a full day under sail, each priced and clear about how long you actually spend on deck.

Chicago Architecture River Cruise - The skyline from the Chicago River
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Chicago

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 Chicago’s river with an architecture guide, passing the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Hancock Center, Willis Tower, Marina City, and Aqua. Choose a Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue departure, then enjoy live commentary, skyline views, a restroom, and a full bar. Dogs are welcome, but winter passengers should dress warmly.

“The cruise was fun but could not hear the tour guide over the many screaming babies on board. The tour operators should consider a minimum age requirement. Boat was clean and drinks were great! Crew friendly too.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boston Duck Boat Sightseeing City Tour with Cruise Along Charles River - Downtown Boston: parks, markets, and the Freedom Trail area
City Sightseeing Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Boston

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 vehicle through Boston with a live ConDUCKtor, then splash into the Charles River for skyline views. Choose departures near the Museum of Science, New England Aquarium, or Prudential Center. The GPS audio app adds Spanish, German, French, Japanese, and other language options, but you must bring headphones and cellular service.

“It was great. Our tour guide/narrator was so much fun and very knowledgeable. This is an easy tour you just sit and enjoy the view.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Best Niagara Falls US Tour W/Boat Ride, Cave & More Wonders! - Three falls from the park’s closest viewpoints
Cruises & Boat Tours, Niagara Falls Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in Niagara Falls

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 Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, Prospect Point Tower, Goat Island, Luna Island, Terrapin Point, and more. Pickup and drop-off are included from Niagara Falls, New York. Guides such as Dale, Shelly, Lenny, Patty, and Vic add local stories, though the fast schedule can feel rushed.

“Pat R was amazing Very informative, picked us up and dropped us off at our hotel entrance. Stopped for a snack at a wonderful bakery. Would definitely recommend this company!”

Check availability →Read our full review

NYC: Circle Line 2h Harbor Lights Cruise Skip-The-Box-Office - Starting at Circle Line’s Midtown pier
2-Hour Experiences, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in New York City

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

Cruise New York Harbor for two hours with an English-speaking guide, indoor and outdoor seating, and close views of the Statue of Liberty. You’ll pass Ellis Island, One World Trade Center, South Street Seaport, DUMBO, and three major bridges. A bar serves drinks and snacks, while audio guides cover eight additional languages.

“the tour guide explained buildings which we past and there history”

Check availability →Read our full review

Chicago River: 1.5-Hour Guided Architecture Cruise - Boarding near the Michigan Avenue Bridge
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours in Chicago

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 Wendella Tours & Cruises tracing Chicago’s architectural story from the Michigan Avenue Bridge to the river branches. Guides such as John, Sarah, Alex, and Scotty D mix building facts with humor. Choose an open deck or climate-controlled seating, and buy local beer, spirits, and Garrett Popcorn onboard.

“Only option for us on the boat was at the front and it was very hard to hear the guide at times.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option - The Steamboat Natchez is part museum, part stage
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Jazz, Gospel & Live Music Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in New Orleans

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 on the Mississippi. Enjoy a calliope concert, river narration, views of New Orleans at dusk, and live music from the Dukes of Dixieland or another New Orleans jazz group. Add a Louisiana-style buffet with gumbo, crawfish étouffée, fried chicken, and bread pudding.

“Wonderful experience. The food was ok, could have been better. But overall everything else was a 10.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Miami: Biscayne Bay Millionaire's Homes Sightseeing Cruise - Finding Bayride Tours at Bayside Marketplace
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dinner & Sunset Cruises, Tour Reviews, Tours in Miami

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

Spend 90 minutes on a comfortable yacht cruising Biscayne Bay from Bayside Marketplace. You will pass Star Island, Fisher Island, the Venetian Islands, South Beach, PortMiami, and Miami’s downtown skyline while a live guide shares stories in English and Spanish. Guides such as Ricky, Marlon, Nancy, and Veronica are known for lively commentary. Drinks are sold onboard.

“Great tour, was quite busy for sunset so queue up a bit earlier to get the best seats (though you can of course move around). There’s a mojito bar on board which was 15$ for all different flavours.”

Check availability →Read our full review

NYC: Circle Line 2.5 Hour Best of NYC Boat Cruise - Starting at Pier 83
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in New York City

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

From Pier 83, you’ll circle Manhattan aboard a spacious, climate-controlled Circle Line boat with indoor and outdoor seating. An English-speaking guide points out more than 100 sights, from the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge to Yankee Stadium and The Cloisters. You’ll also have free Wi-Fi and an audio guide in nine languages.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Chicago Architecture Center River Cruise aboard First Lady - Boarding, seating, and choosing your best view
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Chicago

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

Spend 90 minutes aboard Chicago’s First Lady with a Chicago Architecture Center docent explaining the river, skyscrapers, bridges, and city planning. You’ll see Marina City, Willis Tower, Navy Pier, 150 North Riverside, and more from the water. Choose an open-air seat or the climate-controlled salon, and arrive 30 minutes early for first-come seating.

“This was a great tour aboard the First Lady, and the docent, who was a volunteer from the Chicago Architecture Center, was so knowledgable and gave a great tour. He gave the history of Chicago and its architecture and the tour provided a chance for pictures at choice locations. There was plenty of room on the boat. I would highly recommend this tour. Well worth it!”

Check availability →Read our full review

New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation - Boarding the 22-passenger flat-bottom boat
Airboat & Everglades Tours, Airboat Tours in New Orleans, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Tours in New Orleans

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 board a quiet 22-passenger boat with a local captain such as Steve, Scottie, Marc, or Jody. Expect narrow waterways, lush foliage, alligators, raccoons, birds, and stories about Cajun life. Wildlife is less active in cold weather, so season matters.

“Great experience with Justin as the tour guide! I had a great time learning about the rich history. Will do this again!”

Check availability →Read our full review

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise - What you actually see on the two-hour route
Cruises & Boat Tours, Jazz, Gospel & Live Music Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in New Orleans

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 in the French Quarter for a two-hour Mississippi River cruise. You’ll hear live New Orleans jazz by the Steamboat Stompers, listen to commentary about the river and port, and view the city from open decks or climate-controlled cabins. Add a Southern-style buffet lunch if you want a fuller outing.

“Interesting commentary down the Mississippi. The ship is beautiful and the music was great as well .”

Check availability →Read our full review

NYC: Statue of Liberty Express Skip-the-Box-Office Cruise - Starting at Pier 16 in South Street Seaport
Cruises & Boat Tours, Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in New York City

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

Cruise from Pier 16 past One World Trade Center, the Brooklyn Bridge, Ellis Island, and Governor’s Island before pausing beside the Statue of Liberty for photos. Live English guides such as Debbie, Nathan, George, and Michael add history and humor. You get indoor climate-controlled seating, an outdoor deck, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and a multilingual audio guide.

“The tour guide was FANTASTIC and the views were obviously beautiful”

Check availability →Read our full review

NYC: Circle Line 1.5-Hr Landmarks Skip-The-Box-Office Cruise - Pier 83 and the first look at Midtown
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in New York City

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

Cruise from Pier 83 past Lower Manhattan, Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, Midtown, and three East River bridges. Your English-speaking guide adds stories about the city, while an app offers narration in eight other languages. Choose the outdoor deck for photos or a climate-controlled cabin for comfort.

“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.”

Check availability →Read our full review

Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise - Reaching Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Boston, Whale Watching

Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

14.City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

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

Set out from Boston’s Long Wharf on a high-speed whale-watching boat with outdoor decks, heated indoor seating, snacks, and New England Aquarium naturalists. Expect about 3.5 to 4 hours on the water, including roughly 1.5 hours near Stellwagen Bank. Humpbacks, fin whales, minkes, dolphins, and other marine life are possible sightings.

“Andrew was a great tour guide and was very enthusiastic. We saw many whales and even dolphins.”

Check availability →Read our full review

New Orleans: Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner - The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS replaces the NATCHEZ
Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, Jazz, Gospel & Live Music Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in New Orleans

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 the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS at 6pm for a 7pm to 9pm Mississippi River cruise. Hear live jazz by the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland, listen to Captain’s narration, walk four decks, and buy cocktails, beer, or wine. Add the Creole buffet if you want dinner onboard.

“This was a wonderful experience I enjoyed every moment of it”

Check availability →Read our full review

New in Cruises & Boat Tours

★ 4.0Key West Glass-Bottom Boat Tour with Sunset OptionFrom $69576 reviews
★ 4.5Dry Tortugas National Park Day Trip by Catamaran from Key WestFrom $220433 reviews
★ 4.5Key West Reef Snorkel & Sail AdventureFrom $79540 reviews
★ 5.0Key West Full-Day Ocean Adventure: Kayak, Snorkel, SailFrom $152767 reviews
★ 5.0Small Group Key West Adult Sunset & Moët Sail & Amazing CheesesFrom $108954 reviews
★ 5.0Key Largo Sunset CruiseFrom $60469 reviews
★ 4.5Ni’ihau and Na Pali Coast Snorkel Boat TourFrom $361428 reviews
★ 4.5Na Pali Sunset & Sightsee Boat TourFrom $2631,168 reviews
★ 4.5Leila Na Pali Sunset Dinner SailFrom $263524 reviews
★ 5.0Kauai’s Na Pali Coast Snorkel and Sail TourFrom $292541 reviews
★ 5.0NaPali Boat Tour on the Amelia KFrom $2141,240 reviews
★ 5.0Kauai’s Ultimate South Island Zodiac Boat Snorkel AdventureFrom $161394 reviews
★ 4.5Kauai Waimea Canyon, Wailua River Boat and Fern Grotto TourFrom $278533 reviews
★ 5.0Kalapaki Kai Sunset Catamaran CruiseFrom $109349 reviews
★ 5.0Na Pali Coast Power CatamaranFrom $274403 reviews

Keep browsing

Dinner & Sunset CruisesFerries & Speedboat RidesAirboat & Everglades ToursSnorkeling, Shark & Manta Ray ToursDolphin & Manatee ToursCanoes & KayaksWhale Watching
Scroll to Top

Explore the United States

Pick a skyline, a canyon or a stretch of water.

City days

Observation DecksWalking ToursSightseeing ToursHop-On Hop-OffMuseum Tickets

On the water

Boat TripsSunset CruisesAirboatsSnorkellingKayaks

The Southwest

Grand CanyonAntelope CanyonHoover DamSedonaOff-Road Days

After dark

Ghost WalksBroadwayShowsLive MusicBar Crawls