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The Chattanooga Ducks tour is a family tradition, and we would recommend it to anyone looking for a unique and fun way to discover the city. It was a great adventure for the entire family, and we come away with lasting memories of our time spent exploring Chattanooga aboard an authentic WWII Duck Boat. Chattanooga has some stunning scenery to offer, and there’s no better way to take it all in than by hopping on a boat tour. As we cruise along the beautiful Tennessee River, we’ll be treated to sights like the iconic Walnut Street Bridge and the Tennessee Aquarium. As we venture further, we’ll be able to spot the majestic Lookout Mountain on the horizon. Another appealing option is to enjoy the Chattanooga waterways on pontoon boats.
American Duchess
To save money, families can purchase combination tickets to visit the Tennessee Aquarium and take a ride on the River Gorge Explorer. Triple combination tickets are available for adding a movie on the ten-story high screen of Chattanooga’s Imax Theater. Cruise through the Historic Chickamauga Lock System at the Chickamauga Dam, where you can experience moving from one reservoir to another, known as “locking through”. The Southern Belle Riverboat has great Chattanooga Packages for tour groups and has the best tour rates!
Why Take a Chattanooga Boat Tour?
American Queen Voyages announces it is shutting down - WDEF News 12
American Queen Voyages announces it is shutting down.
Posted: Thu, 22 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Embarkation day transfers to the ship were seamless and well organized. The coach buses we traveled on were brand new, and the drivers were very nice. The guests on our Tennessee River cruise were all Americans, mostly people who lived primarily in the South, like in Tennessee, Florida, or North Carolina. There were some outliers, with some guests from Ohio and a handful from the tri-state area of New Jersey and New York.
Blue Heaven River Tours Chattanooga
Today, taking a sunset dinner cruise on a Chattanooga riverboat is like stepping back in time. You’re sure to enjoy the romance and spectacle of these impressive, multi-story riverboats. Sightseeing cruises offer a unique look at downtown Chattanooga, with many opportunities to spot wildlife along the riverbank.
Unforgettable Views

In short, exploring Chattanooga’s waterways through its boat tours has been an unforgettable experience. We highly recommend adding one of these river cruises or boat tours to your itinerary when visiting the Scenic City. One of the reasons we highly recommend taking a boat tour in Chattanooga is because of the unforgettable views it offers. These tours provide us with spectacular views of downtown Chattanooga as we sail down the Tennessee River.

Tennessee Rivers Cruise Itinerary
We learned about Project Paperclip, which brought German and Austrian engineers and scientists to America after WWII. We opted for the pre-cruise hotel overnight the day before the cruise began. If you’re looking into a Tennessee River Cruise, you’ll either do the same journey we did or the opposite from Nashville to Chattanooga, depending on the dates. Not only are the hotels above located near the Tennessee River, but they’re also close to popular entertainment options and restaurants in the Chattanooga area.
No matter what type of Chattanooga boat tour you choose, we’re confident that you’ll enjoy the experience and take home lasting memories of this beautiful destination. While taking a boat tour, we can enjoy the company of knowledgeable guides and crewmembers who are eager to share their love for the city and its rich history. Regardless of which boat tour we choose, one thing remains the same – the awe-inspiring panoramas of Chattanooga’s natural beauty and cityscape. Enjoy a three-hour cruise complete with buffet, DJs, bars, champagne, and a fun night of dancing in Chattanooga, Tennesee. Admire the picturesque scenery of America's Heartland, including the Kentucky Lakes and rolling landscape of 170,000 acres of protected forest. Experience a relaxing day cruising Lake Barkley and admire panoramic views of the Cumberland River from the comfort of your private balcony.
It was a great place to learn about the area’s Native Americans; the historically significant mounds in the area were mentioned several times in additional locations during cruise excursions. Chairs were set up in between sections of the wall and the prayer circle for the visiting cruise guests. We sat amongst the trees and stones as Tom’s son explained his family history and about the stones that comprised the wall, which is the largest unmortared wall in the United States.
Boat tours in Chattanooga mainly consist of sightseeing cruises, dinner cruises, boat rentals, and private tours. Our favorite way to enjoy Chattanooga’s gorgeous views is on a Southern Belle Riverboat sightseeing cruise. The open-air deck offers panoramic views, complemented by live narration that educates and entertains throughout the 1.5-hour tour. When we decide to take a Chattanooga boat tour, we’re spoiled for choice with a variety of options available. From relaxing sightseeing cruises on the iconic Southern Belle Riverboat to the personalized private tours offered by Blue Heaven River Tours, there’s something for every taste and preference. As we set sail, we can revel in the live narration that shares interesting stories and historical facts about this enchanting city.
During our cruise, there were about 110 guests, whereas the guest capacity of the ship is around 180 passengers. Whatever our level of experience, we can find a class that suits our needs. Prices and durations vary depending on the class and equipment requirements. One of the most popular tour options they provide is the Nickajack Bat Cave Kayak Tour. This unique sunset kayak tour runs from March to October and allows us to witness the spectacular sight of thousands of bats leaving their cave at dusk.
The Southern Belle also serves a buffet lunch allowing families to catch a bite and see the sights. Adventurous guests tour the river on one of the Chattanooga Ducks, a WWII amphibious landing vehicle. Guests interested in the area’s history and abundant wildlife book tours on the Aquarium’s River Gorge Explorer or the Blue Moon. Furthermore, those interested in helping clean up the river to preserve the natural beauty of Chattanooga should check out River Gorge Excursions for their volunteer opportunities. Finally, if you’re looking for boat rentals in Chattanooga Tennessee, River Gorge Excursions features several pontoon boats for guests to rent and enjoy on the Tennessee River. Another benefit of taking a boat tour in Chattanooga is the relaxation and stress relief it offers.
We also enjoyed onboard lectures for a little while, say on our balcony, and toasted with Prosecco as the ship pulled into port with the Nashville skyline in the background as the summer sunset. The main attraction in the city is its cute walkable downtown area and main avenue, and the National Quilt Museum. We were sad that most shops were closed on Monday – the day we were there – but happy to be delightfully surprised by the museum. We visited Corinth and the NPS Visitor Center then went to Hagy’s Catfish Hotel for lunch.
They got our drinks and a salad or cole slaw for a vegetable very quickly for the number of people they served at once! Tables were then given the main entree plates family style, including crinkle-cut French fries, and plates of protein with ham, fried chicken tenders, and fried catfish. However, we love space and enjoyed learning about some new things that we didn’t previously know.
You can read more about her story, including her journey through breast cancer, in the about me page. If you prefer a more casual experience, you can opt for a private cruise with your friends and family. Relax and enjoy your time on the water while creating lasting memories.
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