Finally got to experience the Riverfront Canal Cruise for the first time for my birthday! It was a really fun time and I found the seats to be surprisingly comfy. Our cruise was quite full, so I would recommend getting their around 20 minutes early if you have a preference of where you sit. The ticket prices felt very fair as they were about $15 each for a 45 minute ride. It is in the heart of downtown so its mainly street parking, there is a paid lot slightly further down that is 12 dollars for the day. The cruise itself is fun as you float down the canal and learn more about the history in the area. We went around 3pm which was the perfect time as it wasn't too hot but still sunny enough to enjoy. While I had a great time, I think it was more so a novel experience. The ride felt a bit short with the sights remaining quite consistent since the canal is small/short. I don't think I would do it again as it would feel repetitive, but for the first time canal cruiser I think they would have a great time! read more

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I booked Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises as a team outing for my job since it was a nice week weather wise outside and we all wanted to get out of the office to unwind after a busy few days. I'm really glad I did since it ended up being a great experience for everyone. The whole ride was really chill, and our tour guide shared some interesting facts about Richmond that I didn't even know after living here for a couple years. Everyone had a good time, and it was a relaxing ride. I definitely recommend it if you're looking to learn a little more about Richmond or just want something low-key and enjoyable to do on a nice day read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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This canal cruise was so relaxing and the tour guide captain so informative of the area's history. read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

The good. Boat captain was friendly. Bad... it's boring. Very very boring... but I can't be upset for the price. If you have to stay nearby then sure... if you are anywhere else, then explore something else. Outside of the friendly capt... and his knowledge of history, it's better to explore on foot read more

This was a great way to spend a beautiful fall Saturday afternoon. As long as I have lived in Richmond, I have never really checked out the Canal Walk, much less the canal boat tour. It was a terrific experience, learning about the importance of river beginning in Colonial Virginia and the growth of Richmond, as well as learning more about the historical significance of things along the Kanawha Canal. I will definitely take my in-laws to this the next time they are in town. read more

We had a great time at the spooky canal cruise. It was such a cute activity on a beautiful day. Our captain was well prepared and funny and knew exactly what to do to scare us. Great little activity in the city. read more

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Had a blast taking the Edgar Alan Poe Ghost tour! Narrator / boat guide was fun and had us laughing! read more

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A canal cruise is a must do when you visit Richmond! We had a great experience on our little adventure. I thought the price was reasonable and the captain was kind, courteous, witty and knowledgeable about the history of the canal and Richmond. We met at the small ticket office and walked around the beautiful canal area. I took the kids for a walk around to look for turtles hiding in the water. A flat bottom boat approached, loaded us all up and we were on our way. They had room on board for my youngest's stroller. The seating was a bit tight, but we all managed to get on board. We were joined by a great mix of folks that day, older, young couples on dates and families. Everyone was so kind and friendly. Our captain narrated the entire time and talked about the shipping history of Richmond, how the port helped shape a our nation, commerce, industry, the state of Virginia and the geography of Richmond. It was a 40 minute trip and the highlight was when a CSX freight loaded with coal greeted us from above as we waved to it. The water was calm and I would 100% recommend adding this to your itinerary on a visit to Richmond. read more

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This was very cute and sweet. Me and my boyfriend needed a chill day out to just relax and enjoy the scenery and we did just that. This was about 35 mins long. We went out on this little boat and the tour guide driving was knowledgeable and cracked some jokes. You will definitely learn some facts about Richmond on this mini trip. In my own opinion, I don't think this is something for small kids. There were a few kids on the boat and they just seemed a little bored. They did enjoy seeing the turtles and the ducks... I did too... but I really enjoyed the learning experience. It was a very very cute date. Would we do it again, probably not unless we were taking someone who has never been. But it's a great experience!!! read more

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My friends, who live locally, took me on this tour. There was some good information about the history of Richmond. And the tickets were reasonably priced. But, to be honest, there wasn't that much visual interest along the canal. This isn't the tour company's fault -- just stating the facts. It's a pretty average experience. read more

A definite gem... a nice short ride filled with good information... add in a great guide and a little wildlife... and a short walk to a few place to drink and eat at!!! read more

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The tour itself was informative and interesting. The covering on the boat is nice for really hot and sunny days. The tour lasts about 40 minutes. The lady at the ticket counter was very friendly and helpful. They do sell water for $1 which I recommend grabbing if you don't bring your own. They offer a first responder discount which is always appreciated. The main issue we had was the seating is limited and the people loading the boat seem to pick and choose who boards first and my husband and I ended up squeezed in the middle of the boat around a group of other people. If you don't get seats on the outside, it is hard to see and not as enjoyable. read more

Lady at the window was funny and super nice. First time being here so let's see how this goes read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - Ticket booth for the ferry - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Had a short, enjoyable canal tour on Richmond's Riverfront Canal Cruises Oct. 31. Our tour guide Richard provided a lot of city history. We found out that George Washington was instrumental in the building of the canal in the late 1700's. One interesting thing on the tour was the triple cross where the canal is crossed over by both rail (1800s) and highway (1900s). Another was the Army Corps of Engineers flood walls and doors constructed after city experienced significant flooding from Hurricane Agnes in 1972. The project took over twenty years to complete and was dedicated on October 21, 1994, at a cost of $143 million. read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

Good experience for the price, cool facts. Wish it was longer. But isn't that what you want for all the good things to last longer. read more

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Just when you thought you couldn't think of anything fun to do in RVA, Riverfront Canal Cruises saves the day! Our colleague rented out a small flat bottom boat for about 20 people, but boats can typically hold 28. He had it catered, so we had quite a spread, and the libations flowed freely. We set everything up, the group boarded and the party started! They have a kiosk at the dock where customers can buy individual tickets, adults 10$, kids and seniors 6$ and under 4 free. We saw other boats filled with tourists and locals alike soaking in the sights. Our guide, Jeremy, gave us a few safety tips and then we set out in the canal. The covered boat began to glide through the serene water thru this historic canal. This cruise is a pleasant, smooth tour thru downtown RVA. We loved seeing the old tobacco warehouses, the historic buildings, the bridges from the 1800s, the shiplocks, the beautiful foliage and scenery as we drifted down the canal. We caught a glimpse of Shiplock Park just over the bridge. Jeremy gave us details on some of the sights and answered all of our questions. The boat itself has a padded benches in the middle of the boat, chairs along the edges for nice views. It's a little tight in there, but for a short cruise it's fine. There's no restroom, so take care of business before you board. The cruises last about 45 minutes, however our friend rented our for double the time. We had a blast listening to 80's music on their Bluetooth hookup, having good food, great company and chilling on the water! For a relaxing and charming experience, this canal cruise has got you all "locked" up! I would definitely cruise with them again! read more

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Captain David was courteous, friendly and knowledgeable about the canal history and Richmond history in general. He was kind enough to stop and pickup a latecomer to our cruise. Would certainly recommend this hour tour on an old and historic canal to anyone! Our group boarded with walkers and wheelchairs and everything went great. read more

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This was an enjoyable excursion on a chilly evening in October. It was a boat full of conference attendees, where relative strangers cuddled up to each other to stay warm. The boat travels slowly down the canal and out into the more open area of the water, where eventually you turn around and make the return trip. The boat's captain provided a great running narrative of all the interesting facts about the canal and it's history. I learned quite a few things about Richmond, the canal's creation, and changes over the years. This is a worthwhile excursion for any Richmond visit. It was very peaceful and relaxing. read more

This is definitely THE CUTEST THING! Reminds me of the "It's a Small World Ride" at Disney World. Adorable. The entrance to the Canal Cruise is, natch, at water level. But the parking is up on the street, so it's a little hard to figure out if you don't know Richmond. You walk down a flight of steps to get to the cruise ticket booth. WAZE is confused by this and will keep saying, "You've arrived at your destination." When in actuality you above your destination. In other words, it's tricky to find. We were late to our assigned cruise time due to the above described confusion, however, the sweet young lady at the box office said, it's ok, I have 2 seats left in the next cruise timeslot. And she switched our tickets for us. So kind. Very appreciated. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and engaged. It was a very interesting, short, easy tour and we went on a cloudy day, so temperatures were very comfortable. It is a tiny little boat though, so you're kinda packed in. If you are sitting way in front, better view, but there would be no way to hear the guide. Found out you can charter the canal boats for your own private event! So we're excited about planning a little evening dinner and drinks on the canal with friends. read more

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Canal cruises aren't life changing or monumental in any regard, but they are mellow and a chill way to learn about a new city. Richmond's version is simple but nice. The tour costs $8 for adults and lasts for about 45 minutes. In that time, the flat, covered boat will drive back and forth on a small swath of the canal. Tours leave hourly in season. Check Venture Richmond's website for the current schedule. Highlights mostly revolve around the railroad tracks and Triple Crossing. It's cool to see the layers of transportation history -- 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries -- all piled on top of each other. I can't believe those rails are still functional!! Apparently they do Halloween tours too. I'm sure that's a cute idea for families. I enjoyed the tour enough and the guide was a delight. I'd certainly recommend it for anyone who has the time and wants to view RVA from the perspective of calm water. read more

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A ver nice and informative trip on a canal through downtown Richmond. The pilot was dressed in colonial garb and discussed how George Washington heartily endorsed the canal's construction. It was a critical link that allowed goods from the Mississippi River to move through Richmond to the Atlantic for overseas shipment. The guide was very informative and the boat is pleasant, but modest. Prices are reasonable, but you need to allow time to find parking. read more

I ordered a sausage, egg, and cheese croissant and a side of hash browns via the app for pickup. I looked to see if I could add ketchup and grape jelly to the order but did not see the option. When I got to the location (600 Canal St. Ste 1, Richmond, VA) I saw ketchup and got it. I did not see jelly so I asked for a packet. . The person at the counter rolled their eyes. The manager (I am assuming) said, "We have to start charging for jelly". I said, "never mind, wow!" The manager asked the cashier what I said and she told her. I responded, "Yes I did say that!" How am I wrong for wanting jelly? I ordered a sandwich! I will not be going back to this particular location and will tell everyone I know not to patronize it. So sad with the treatment I received. If I could give no stars, I would!! read more

This is a activity that you should do if you are a history buff. I am He. I love history, i love learning about the past even though Richmond's past is NOT a bed of rose if you happen to look like me, but it does give context to why Richmond is so rich in culture and history. So lets talk about the boat ride. Parking is NOT free! please dont pay the 8$ for the all day parking, i paid 2$ and some change and had more then enough time to do the cruise and take pictures after. the Ride its self its slow, but very informative- I dont think its for kids, they will be bored. ( thats my personal opinion) kids talk to much while the guide is talking. If the child is undisciplined they are going to cry and ruin the ride for every one. The Guide was amazing, he knew his stuff. You do have a chance to ask questions and he knew the history of canal and the boat. Over all the time flies it doesnt seem like 40 mins, but it is. I am not going to post a bunch of pics, but there are some amazing pics you can take. will def. do again read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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My friend rented a boat for her birthday and it was such a fun experience! We were able to bring food and cocktails. There was lots of seating a big table. It was a hot day but the boat cover made it bearable. Our captain was awesome and it was a relaxing and fun experience read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Our boat was late in showing up but the guide was very good. Five stars for him! Be prepared though for luck of the draw if your seat mates bring loud and obnoxious young children. Too many apathetic parents who do nothing when their kids act up. This is a history tour, people! If your kids don't have enough manners, are too young, or if you're too checked out to care about how they act in public, then don't take this tour. There isn't a whole lot to see on this canal ride so it's ALL about the narration (which I could barely hear because of unsupervised young kids). read more

I thought this would have been a nice thing to do on a Sunday afternoon with my elderly parents but somehow our "Captain" made sure that was not going to happen. My father is in a wheelchair and were right in front of the boat thinking that he would be instructed how to get on the boat first as is usually the case getting on any type of transport like planes and such, handicap go on first as they take a little extra time getting settled. I saw he was loading people up and I alerted him that my dad was in a wheelchair and where can it go and can we get him on. He pointed to the back of the boat and proceeded to allow others to board and even pointed out that I was holding up the line! Instead of pausing the loading of passengers to allow my dad a chance to board and get a seat, he was rude and did nothing to assist the process of getting him on board safely. Instead my mom had to dash up front and get two seats where my dad (using his cane now) could sit and stretch his legs out. It was an ordeal. The tour itself is a waste of money. Even if the boarding process went smoothly, I still wouldn't recommend it. It was boring and that captain just went on about himself and didn't really give a lot historical or useful information. Overall, it was boring l. Pass read more

It was a warm, sunny day out in Richmond so the girlfriend and I decided to do a little touring downtown. We saw the historic canal cruise tours online and decided to try it out. The price is $8.00 for a guided tour of about 40-45 min. It was a simple yet enjoying tour. The tour guide was very informative and answered any of the riders questions just fine. We toured down the entire canal and we were given various facts about the history of the canal and the surrounding area . It was very informative and a lovely ride for such nice weather. The seating on the actual boat needs to be improved. They have benches in the middle with single chairs lined along the perimeter. It gets cramped and if you sit on the bench you can't lean all the way back without hitting the person behind you. They should figure something else out. I would recommend doing this for anyone who hasn't done it before and who will enjoy learning about a little piece of Richmond's history. read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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Tried going on a cruise twice while in Richmond. Paid for parking twice, $7 and $12, and both times they were closed. No where on there website does it tell you when they close for "weather" or "illness". $19 out the window. I would recommend checking if they are even open before parking because the River walk had nothing else to do. So that was $19 out the window. read more

Enjoyable cruise for the price and for 40 minutes. Mellow and relaxing while getting some history on Richmond and historical buildings. Guide was very pleasant and knowledgeable. read more

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The canal cruise is a really fun weekend activity. It's pretty cheap ($10/person) and you get your money's worth. It seems that the experience can vary based on your guide. Unfortunately there is no way to choose your guide. Ours was an experienced canal cruise guide. They did not shy away from talking about slavery, racism, and Richmond's dehumanizing past. They also provided us with plenty of history on the structures that we were seeing on the cruise (ex - be prepared to learn about a rolling lift drawbridge). There were many great photo ops! I would recommend doing a tour that is early or late in the day because the cover on the boat doesn't cover everyone. It gets pretty hot. Wear sunscreen and bring water. Also, I would recommend hanging around the canal area before/after the cruise - bring a picnic lunch, go to Brown's Island, walk across Pottersfield bridge, etc. I also did their shorter Halloween cruise last year and highly recommend that, too! read more

Definitely would recommend this canal ride if your into a history tour. The staff is very nice and the price is reasonable. read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

I have been in Richmond for a year and a half now, yet I only went on the Canal Cruise recently. Now all I can ask is: why did I wait this long? My parents came down for the day and we were looking for something to do, and my dad spied this option in one of his many lists. We drove down, finding easy parking in a garage on Cary and Virginia street (which turned out to be FREE, since they don't start charging you to be there until 3 PM, good to know), and walked to the canal. The cruises leave on the hour, so we bought our tickets from the kiosk and waited. It was a bit of a warm day, though the kiosk had bottled water for $1 (major props for the lack of price gouging there, way to appreciate your customers waiting in the hotness), and the boat itself had spinning fans once we boarded. The tour itself was lively and fun. You end up taking a short jaunt west, then down the canal a bit east. Our tour guide was a riot ("They call me Cotton because of the hair, not sure I'm the biggest fan of that!") and made the experience extremely memorable, not to mention that he was extremely knowledgeable about the city's history. The tour lasted about 40 minutes or so and made for a pleasant ride. I highly recommend this to visitors and natives alike. This is a great place for a date, family outing, or even a solo exploration of the canals that made Richmond a bustling trading port back in Washington's day. Overall: 5.0 stars ------------ Pros: - Extremely fun and a great activity for groups. - Lively tour guides. - Fans and cheap water means that they actually care about your comfort and well-being, points for that! - Great for kids too, or at least the ones on this trip seemed to enjoy it immensely. Cons: - Nothing, really. It's a great value for the money. They have restaurants nearby too, so make an evening out of it! read more

I really enjoyed this peaceful, relaxing tour of the canal. I learned so much from our tour guide, Mr. "High Cotton". I finally found out why Shockhoe Slip is called Shockoe Slip. LOL!! 40 minute tour on a covered boat for $5. We took guests from out of town on the cruise and they enjoyed it. It is a historic cruise about the canals and canal locks of Richmond. It is not a cruise to see the city of Richmond. If you don't like history of this sort, it may not be the cruise for you...but perhaps you will find it peaceful at the least. read more

August 2018, three out of five. We took the store while on a visit to the city of Richmond. Ultimately the key advantage and disadvantage of the tour is its canal boat format. The history was well-told but being limited to the canal system means that you don't see all that many buildings or landmarks. So while we did learn about the city of Richmond it felt lacking compared to trolley or bus tours we've done in other cities. So the canal Boats were interesting but ultimately end up being a liability on the tour. That said if you're looking for a different tour experience there's certainly nothing wrong with this one. read more

$6 per person for a historical boat ride in Richmond?? Great deal! We were in town visiting friends and decided to check this tour out. Please note that the dock is a little tricky to find. We ended up walking behind some buildings on a train track and felt a bit lost, but found our way eventually! Our guide was great - you could tell that he was very much interested in the history of Richmond, and sharing it with others. The tour itself doesn't go very far out, or see anything fast paced or completely amazing, but he made everything much more interesting and fun! read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - View from the boat - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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The ride itself was underwhelming but the history was interesting. The canal is very small and not picturesque. Small children may enjoy the boat ride but you'll mainly take this tour for the history lesson. read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - From the canal - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

This 40 minute boat trip down the canal is an enjoyable and relaxing summer activity. It was $17 for 1 adult and 1 senior. Kids under 3(or maybe 4) are free. The narrator had a lot of great knowledge about the history of Richmond and pointed out several highlights. What could definitely be improved, though, were the speakers on the boat. It was incredibly difficult to hear most of what he was saying. They cram people into the boat and not everyone gets under the covering so keep that in mind on especially hot days. At the ticket booth they sell water for $1. Also, the cashier said they usually send people across to the tap house for bathrooms but since on my visit it was closed, they were sending people a few blocks away on Cary Street to find someplace there. I found the Marriott hotel-just in case anyone else runs into the same issue with the tap house being closed. Parking is readily available nearby in both private and city-owned lots. If you're looking for a short but sweet Richmond activity, definitely consider the canal cruises! read more

My 19 y/o daughter wanted to go on this tour for her 19th birthday (VCU Freshman). So, my husband, 21 y/o History Major daughter and I took her on the tour. The tour guide was knowledgable of the canal and the "Good and Bad" history of Richmond. We all found it very interesting. I found out things about Richmond that I never knew. Well worth the time a money. read more

Before heading to Richmond, I checked Groupon. I purchased two tickets for the price of one via Groupon, so it was an inexpensive little excursion. The half price discount is what the cruise is worth. Some of the tourists were fun and the guide was trying to be upbeat telling stories and joking with some of the tourists. He told stories about famous people's visits to Richmond. It was interesting that he said Abraham Lincoln was in the Shockoe Slip area just days before he was assassinated. He also said there were snapping turtles in the water, but we never saw any. We took many photos as it was a nice sunny day. It was much cooler than we anticipated, so I was shivering a little. Other than that, it was an enjoyable little ride. read more

Riverfront Historic Canal Cruises - Some of the tourists. - Tours Near Me - Richmond, Virginia

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This tour is a must if you have people in from out of town that want to see some sights. At $5 per person it is an entertainment bargain. Our tour guide was entertaining and personable and well versed in Richmond history. Being still new to Richmond myself I got to see things from the water that it might have taken my years to stumble on just walking/driving/biking around town. It is also a great opportunity for picture taking as the views of downtown and Shockoe Bottom are beautifully framed by the canal bridge arches, etc. Another bonus is the location. You are right near a number of restaurants and shops for an easy continuation of an afternoon out with guests. read more