riverboat cruise atlanta

Riverboat Cruises Near Atlanta, GA

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Escape the hustle and bustle of Atlanta aboard a riverboat cruise. (Photo: Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images )

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Atlanta's a big city, but its river, not so much. The Chattahoochee River flows through Georgia's capital bringing drinking water to the masses, but it's not exactly riverboat-friendly due to the dams along its path and a narrow width that makes it hard for big boats to navigate. You're more likely to find people in inner tubes shooting the Hooch (as locals call it) if you can even find the river at all. However, one small riverboat operates on a short section of river in the northern metro area. Outside of that, you'll have to visit nearby cities for true riverboat excursions.

The Spirit of Roswell

The city of Roswell in the north metro area claims the only riverboat ride in the Atlanta area on the Spirit of Roswell. It's a 63-foot stern paddle wheel charter boat that holds up to 65 passengers. Charters are available beginning at 11 a.m. and the boat returns to dock at sunset. BYOB alcohol is allowed, but glass containers aren't. Occasionally, the company will offer public cruises, but these aren't regularly scheduled. If you do book a charter or catch one of the rare public cruises, you'll see nature as it's rarely seen in heavily-developed Atlanta. Wildlife sightings are common along the quiet, tree-lined banks on this stretch of the Hooch, mostly waterfowl and small animals scurrying about onshore.

The Southern Belle

The closest city to Atlanta with a major river and riverboat is less than two hours away over the Tennessee border. The wide and winding Tennessee River flows through Chattanooga where the Southern Belle docks along the riverfront downtown. Built in 1985, the three-level boat has the look and feel of an old-time steamboat but is propelled by modern engines instead of a paddle wheel. Sightseeing, lunch and dinner cruises are offered daily. Meals are served buffet style, and there's a snack bar onboard for the sightseeing cruises. Cruises last between one-and-half and two hours offering views of Lookout Mountain, beautiful river bluffs and the city skyline. Sunset cruises are also available.

The River Gorge Explorer

The Tennessee Aquarium sparked downtown Chattanooga's renaissance in the early 1990s. Today, one of the aquarium's more popular features is a cruise aboard the sleek River Gorge Explorer. This modern, high-speed riverboat carries passengers into the stunning Tennessee River Gorge downstream from the city. The gorge, nicknamed "Tennessee's Grand Canyon," is a natural wonderland teeming with wildlife. The cruise lasts two hours and has an onboard naturalist to help spot wildlife and explain the natural history of the area. The boat uses its high-speed capability to reach the gorge quickly from downtown but once inside, slows to a quieter dog-paddle-like state so patrons can peacefully take in the sights and sounds of nature.

Savannah's Riverboats

Georgia's founding settlement of Savannah 3.5 hours southeast of Atlanta has two riverboats along its historic downtown riverfront, both operated by the same company. The Georgia Queen is a massive four-deck 230-foot long paddle wheel boat reminiscent of the steamboats from the days of Mark Twain. The Savannah River Queen is a smaller three-deck boat. Both offer dinner and sightseeing cruises on the mighty Savannah River. The river is home to Savannah's deep-water harbor and major international shipping port, a rare and fascinating thing to see on a riverboat cruise. Cruises last between one-and-half to two hours and most feature live entertainment; meals are served buffet style.

• Shoot the Hooch: The Spirit of Roswell
• Southern Belle Riverboat: Daily Cruises
• Tennessee Aquarium: River Gorge Explorer
• Savannah Riverboat: Tour Our Boats

Blake Guthrie covers travel, entertainment and outdoor recreation for many outlets, including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, where he is a regular contributor. With years of experience as a professional cook, Guthrie also relishes writing about food and beverage topics. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in mass communications from Auburn University.

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5 dinner cruises for a little romance on the water in Georgia

Access Atlanta Staff

Georgia’s waterways — the rivers and lakes that crisscross and dot the landscape and those ports of call along the coast — are places where millions look to relax, unwind, enjoy the sunshine and even roll dice. Here are five of the best riverboat (and lake and ocean) cruises in the state.

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Margaritaville Boat Cruises at Lanier Islands

You’ll soon be singing along to Jimmy Buffett’s “Boat Drinks” if you board one of Margaritaville’s cruises. You can choose from a variety of cruises offered by the resort at Lake Lanier, including full moon cruises and three-hour sunset cruises.

Location: Buford - 7650 Lanier Islands Pkwy, Buford, GA 30518 ; Website: margaritavilleresorts.com ; Contact: 470-323-3440

Savannah Riverboat Cruise

You want to talk about cruises? Savannah has them. They’ve got brunch cruises, they’ve got gospel cruises. They’ve got private cruises. Dinner cruises. Moonlight cruises. All the cruises. The Savannah River Queen and the Georgia Queen, the two giant red-white-and-blue paddle-wheel riverboats that are a fixture on the historic Savannah riverfront, are a great way to see Georgia’s famous old port city.

Location: Savannah - 9 E River St, Savannah, GA 31401 ; Website: savannahriverboat.com ; Contact: 912-232-6404

Lake Lanier Sunset Cruise

From the same swashbuckling entrepreneurs, like Lord Nelson Charters, that run a pirate cruise on Lake Lanier comes private sailing cruises, perfect for couples, families and small groups. The sailing charters on Lake Lanier are perfect for unwinding and relaxing. Guests can choose whether to pack a picnic aboard the charter or at one of the nearby lakeside restaurants following your cruise.

Location: Flowery Branch - 6800 Lights Ferry Rd, Flowery Branch, GA 30542 ; Website: lordnelsoncharters.com ; Contact: 770-271-1888

Emerald Princess Casino and Dinner Cruise

Sailing out of Brunswick, Georgia, the Emerald Princess cruise ship is four decks of gambling fun, including 220 slot machines, 12 blackjack tables, six Texas Hold’ em tables, two Roulette wheels, two stud poker tables, and one craps table for guests who want to roll dice on the boat. The ship also boasts a Bistro Deck, an observation deck and ocean views that can’t be beat (even if your 2/7 off suit can be).

Location: Brunswick - 101 Emerald Princess Drive, Brunswick, GA 31523 ; Website: emeraldprincesscasino.com ; Contact: 912-265-3558

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Augusta Canal Boat Tours

Visitors to the Augusta Canal Boat Tours cruise the canal in a historic Petersburg boat, where guides offer the history of the 19th-century mills, gunpowder factory, and some of Georgia’s oldest homes. The tours — there are history and nature tours, Civil War tours, a music cruise, and a full-length sunset cruise — are regularly scheduled, and depart from the dock at Enterprise Mill.

Location: Augusta - Blome Ln, Augusta, GA 30901 ; Website: augustacanal.com ; Contact: 706-823-0440 x 4

THE 10 BEST Atlanta Boat Rides & Cruises

Boat rides & cruises in atlanta.

• Fishing Charters & Tours
• Dolphin & Whale Watching
• Gondola Cruises
• Kayaking & Canoeing
• River Rafting & Tubing
• Surfing, Windsurfing & Kitesurfing
• Swim with Dolphins
• Waterskiing & Jetskiing
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Good for a Rainy Day
• Budget-friendly
• Good for Adrenaline Seekers
• Adventurous
• Good for Couples
• Good for Big Groups
• Good for Kids
• Hidden Gems
• Honeymoon spot
• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Ventre's Adventures

2. River Through Atlanta

3. Winery Journeys

4. Kaniak Expeditions

5. sCAMPer VAn

6. KV Watersports

7. Non-Rev Adventures

8. Paradise Travel Agency LLC

9. Gravel World

10. M-CheapFlights

11. VacationGrabs

12. fishproco, what travellers are saying.

• Ventre's Adventures
• M-CheapFlights
• VacationGrabs
• sCAMPer VAn
• Gravel World