The 15 Best Boat Trips & Cruises in the USA

Chicago Architecture River Cruise - Boarding at Navy Pier or Michigan Avenue

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

Review of Chicago’s architecture river cruise, with skyline views, expert guides, practical tips, cold-weather advice, and value details.

“Such an amazing experience! A must see while in Chicago! Tour guide was funny & knowledgeable, I did not realize there was so much history regarding the architecture of Chicago at all! I left the tour feeling so proud to be there exploring the city, that experience really fueled my fire to learn more!”

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Boat Tours in Boston, Boston Tours, City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

Tour Boston by land and water in an amphibious Duck Boat, with lively history, major sights, and a 20-minute Charles River cruise.

“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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Cruises & Boat Tours, Niagara Falls Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

Review of Niagara Falls US tour with Maid of the Mist, Cave of the Winds, scenic viewpoints, hotel pickup, tips, value, and practical advice.

“It was great to have a guide if you don't mind being given specific amount of time for things. They share information about history, include all the major things you would like to see and some others each included in the tour price. I thought it was a great way to get to see everything.”

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2-Hour Experiences, Boat Tours in New York City, Cruises & Boat Tours, New York City Tours, Tour Reviews

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

See NYC after dark on a two-hour Circle Line cruise with Statue of Liberty views, bridge crossings, live commentary, and onboard drinks.

“Absolutely wonderful!!! I've done so many things in Manhattan, but this cruise offered a completely new perspective on the city! The views were absolutely breathtaking. We were especially lucky because a supermoon began to rise just as we were approaching Battery Park, giving us the perfect view of the Brooklyn Bridge bathed in its glow. Truly magical. The atmosphere on board was top-notch, and our tour guide (unfortunately, I can’t recall her name) was one of a kind. She brought the city to life with her knowledge and energy, and we even ended the tour with a stunning vocal performance that left everyone in awe. If you’re in New York,…”

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Boat Tours in Chicago, Chicago Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews

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

See Chicago’s greatest buildings from the river on a 90-minute guided cruise with expert commentary, open decks, and climate-controlled seating.

“It was the most interesting architecture tour I have ever been!! The tour guide was very charismatic and made us laugh at lot, we explained everything in a very passionate way and we had a blast!”

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Boat Tours in New Orleans, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, New Orleans Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Review of New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise, with Mississippi views, live Dixieland jazz, buffet dinner, tips, and honest value advice.

“The food and entertainment was excellent! I would suggest taking this cruise in warmer weather to truly enjoy all it has to offer.”

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Boat Tours in Miami, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dinner & Sightseeing Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Miami, Miami Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Review of Miami’s 90-minute Biscayne Bay cruise, with mansion views, bilingual guides, skyline scenery, practical tips, and honest value advice.

“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.”

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Boat Tours in New York City, Cruises & Boat Tours, New York City Tours, Tour Reviews

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 Manhattan in 2.5 hours with Statue of Liberty views, live narration, famous bridges, indoor comfort, and outdoor decks.

“this cruise was fantastic, fabulous sightseeing and pic opportunities, me and my 14 yr old grandaughtet loved it,the guide was very knowledgeable,”

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Boat Tours in Chicago, Chicago Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Review of Chicago’s First Lady architecture cruise, with river views, expert docents, practical tips, pricing, and what to expect.

“Excellent tour of Chicago. Fantastic experience!! Mark was very knowledgeable and entertaining to listen to. Very friendly and organized staff. Boat was spotless and comfortable. Recommend the evening tour.”

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Boat Tours in New Orleans, Cruises & Boat Tours, New Orleans Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

Review of New Orleans Honey Island Swamp tour, with boat wildlife viewing, Cajun culture, transport, costs, tips, and seasonal advice.

“Very informative. An enjoyable day. Saw birds and alligators. Learned about the history of the swamp/bayou.”

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Boat Tours in New Orleans, Cruises & Boat Tours, New Orleans Tours, Tour Reviews

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 aboard the Steamboat Natchez with live jazz, river history, skyline views, and an optional Creole lunch.

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

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Boat Tours in New York City, Cruises & Boat Tours, New York City Tours, Statue of Liberty Tours, Tour Reviews

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

See Lady Liberty, Ellis Island, Brooklyn Bridge, and lower Manhattan on a 50-minute harbor cruise with skip-the-box-office access.

“Excellent all round. Our guide was extremely informative and engaging. The only thing that could have been improved on was the weather 😁”

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Boat Tours in New York City, Cruises & Boat Tours, New York City Tours, Tour Reviews

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

Review of Circle Line’s 90-minute NYC cruise, with Statue of Liberty views, bridge crossings, guide tips, price advice, and practical details.

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

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Boat Tours in Boston, Boston Tours, City Tours, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dinner & Sightseeing Cruises, Dinner Cruises in Boston, Tour Reviews, Whale Watching

Boston: City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

14.City Cruises Whale Watching Cruise

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

Review of Boston’s whale watching cruise, with expert naturalists, comfortable viewing decks, wildlife tips, pricing, timing, and practical advice.

“Amazing, we were very lucky and saw over 6 humpbacks and a right whale in late November! Was an incredible trip and smooth sailing, good choice of food and snacks on board.”

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Boat Tours in New Orleans, Cruises & Boat Tours, Dining Experiences, Dinner Experiences, Evening Experiences, New Orleans Tours, Tour Reviews

New Orleans: Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

15.Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

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

Review of New Orleans’ evening steamboat jazz cruise, with Mississippi River views, live Dixieland music, optional Creole buffet, and practical tips.

“Riding on a paddle steamer is an absolute must in New Orleans and the dinner cruise was a great way of doing it. Good bars, good music and plenty of food - a memorable experience all round.”

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