riverboat cruise cincinnati ohio

3 of the Best Cincinnati Riverboat & Dinner Cruises

Take to the Ohio River and see Cincinnati in a different light on one of these excellent riverboat tours and dinner cruises.

(Photo: Getyourguide.com)

The great city of Cincinnati sits on the north bank of the Ohio River, which splits it from the state of Kentucky. The best way to appreciate the cityscape on either side of the river is by floating along it. Taking a traditional riverboat along the Ohio, complete with a paddle wheel and open decks, is a fun and traditional way to go. Throw a dinner into the mix while watching the setting sun for an enhanced cruise experience. Here are three top options.

Cincinnati Historic Sightseeing Cruise

The Queen City, as Cincinnati is known (as well as ‘The Athens of the West’), was first settled in 1788 and the city’s skyline is best viewed from the Ohio River. On this 90-minute riverboat cruise, your captain will provide commentary about the buildings you pass and their relevance to the city’s past and present. You will also learn much about the parts of northern Kentucky visible during the trip. This tour is usually available at 3pm on Tue-Thu and Sat-Sun. From $26 per person.

Book at Getyourguide.com

Sunset Cruise on the Ohio River

The stunning River Queen is part of the BB Riverboats fleet of old-timey paddleboats. This charming white and red boat plies the Ohio River for two hours at sunset, as the lands of Kentucky and the Ohio city of Cincinnati are daubed in the warm glow of the fading light. There is also live music on board, setting a jolly tone as you explore this lovely stretch of water. There’s a cash bar on board for drinks and snacks. From $29 per person.

Cincinnati: Dinner Cruise on the Ohio River

Aboard the Belle of Cincinnati, you will find ample space on the decks and inside the cabins to sit and enjoy the river views. But the highlight of this two-hour tour is the dinner and dessert included in your cruise price. There are a number of different cruise options to choose from, including the captain’s and admiral’s dinner cruises, with the latter offering more dining options, including carved turkey, ribs and vegetarian pasta dishes. Alcoholic drinks can be purchased from the onboard bar for an additional fee. From $57 per person.

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Cincinnati’s Riverboat Cruises Along the Ohio River

In Cincinnati, taking a riverboat cruise on the Ohio River is a fantastic way to connect with the city’s history as an important river trading post, and to enjoy views of its beautiful skyline. You can pick from many types of cruises, like a relaxed sightseeing trip or a dinner cruise with live music. Each journey lets you take in the peaceful scenes along the Ohio River and get a feel for the lively city life it supports.

These cruises are perfect for a variety of occasions, whether you’re looking for a romantic night out or a trip back in time. They also offer special themed cruises throughout the year, giving you a unique experience of Cincinnati’s river culture.

Exploring Cincinnati’s Waterfront Heritage

Cincinnati’s connection to the river is a big part of what makes the city special. One of the best ways to see this is by taking a riverboat cruise on the Ohio River. These boats, with their large paddle wheels, remind us of the old days when this river was a busy place for buying and selling goods and for people to talk to each other. When you hear the water splash against the side of the boat, it’s like hearing the tales of the early settlers, merchants, and dreamers who came to the area looking for new opportunities.

Nowadays, going on one of these cruises lets you see Cincinnati’s old buildings and the new changes to the city from a different point of view. Being on the boat feels like stepping back in time and going on an adventure, as you learn about how the city has changed over the years. And all the while, the Ohio River flows steadily, linking the city’s history together.

If you’re visiting Cincinnati, a riverboat cruise is a must-do. Not only do you get to learn about the city’s past, but you also get to see its beauty from the water. It’s a relaxing and informative way to spend a day, and it’s something that people of all ages can enjoy.

Types of Riverboat Cruises Available

There are different types of riverboat cruises you can enjoy on the Ohio River. These cruises give you a great view of Cincinnati’s skyline and share stories about the city’s history. For example, you can take a tour on a big paddlewheeler boat. As you travel, you’ll see important historical places and listen to stories that connect the city’s past to its present.

If you’re looking for a special night out, you might enjoy a dinner cruise. You can eat a delicious meal while floating on the quiet river and listen to live music that celebrates the area’s musical heritage.

For those who want something a bit different, there are cruises designed for specific events. You can celebrate holidays, enjoy a romantic trip under the stars, or attend a fun themed party on the boat.

Every cruise is carefully planned to show off the beauty of the river and make you fall in love with Cincinnati, whether you’re just visiting or you call it home.

Planning Your Riverboat Cruise Experience

To have a great time on a riverboat cruise along the Ohio River, it’s important to plan ahead. Choose a cruise that sounds fun to you, like a history tour, a meal on the water, or a special theme cruise. It’s a good idea to buy your tickets early, especially if you’re planning to go on a busy day or for a special event, so you can be sure to get the spot you want.

Think about the time of year and what the weather might be like; wear clothes that will keep you comfortable, and bring something warmer for when it gets cooler in the evening. Try to get there a bit before your cruise starts so you have time to get on the boat without rushing and can pick a great place to enjoy the views of Cincinnati and the river.

Make sure you know what’s available on the boat, like food and bathrooms, so you can relax and enjoy your time. If you take the time to plan, your cruise on the Ohio River could be one of the best parts of your trip to Cincinnati.

Onboard Entertainment and Dining

In Cincinnati, taking a riverboat cruise is a fun way to see the Ohio River. While you enjoy the view, there’s plenty of good food and entertainment on board. You can eat as much as you want at the buffet, or pick something special from the menu. The dishes often include local flavors, giving you a taste of the area’s food traditions. To make the experience even better, live bands play music from jazz to bluegrass, showing off Cincinnati’s love for music.

But there’s more than just food and music. The cruise has special nights where they tell stories or act out bits of history, making you feel like you’re part of the river’s long story. It’s a great mix of fun things to do, good food, and learning about the place. This way, your trip is more than just a boat ride—it’s a chance to really enjoy what makes the Ohio River special.

Seasonal Events and Themed Cruises

In Cincinnati, the riverboat cruises are special because they change with the seasons and offer different themes that appeal to all kinds of people, no matter the time of year. As the Ohio River changes with each season, so do the cruises. For example, in the fall, you can enjoy the beautiful red and gold leaves, in winter, you can see twinkling holiday lights, and in summer, you can watch fireworks.

They also have special trips like history tours, wine tastings, and evenings with jazz music. These cruises are more than just a trip on the river; they’re a way to really feel the local culture and have an experience you’ll always remember.

Whether you’re someone who loves history, in a romantic mood, or a family looking for fun, there’s a riverboat cruise in Cincinnati that feels like it was made just for you.

In Cincinnati, you can hop on a riverboat cruise to see the city from the Ohio River in a special way. As you float along, these cruises give you a chance to learn about the city’s history right where it happened, enjoy live entertainment, and even dine on board.

You can pick from different themed trips, which means there’s something for everyone, whether you love history, parties, or just relaxing on the water. These cruises are a big part of Cincinnati’s cultural life, bringing together locals and tourists to share the joy of discovering the river’s beauty.

They offer a fun and educational experience that changes with the seasons, so there’s always a new reason to come aboard and see the city from a fresh perspective.

Post Author: Luke Huxham

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Ohio River Cruises - Cincinnati & Pittsburgh

Most cruises on the Ohio River will include other waterways, such as the Mississippi , Cumberland or Tennessee River . The American Queen Steamboat Company offers a couple of cruises on just the Ohio River during June and July. The itineraries  travel round trip from Cincinnati or between Cincinnati and Pittsburgh .

Ohio River in Cincinnati

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cincinnati-skyline-from-kentucky-shore-night.jpg

You’ll find companies that offer day and evening cruises along the Ohio River in a few different cities, such as Cincinnati, Louisville and Pittsburgh. Although, you won’t experience it onboard a ship for multilple days, you can still enjoy this amazing river as you travel along it for several hours. Event, sightseeing and themed day cruises are available throughout the year.

Ohio River Facts

The Ohio River begins at Point State Park in Pittsburgh where the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers join together. Before reaching Pittsburgh, the Allegheny flows through New York and Pennsylvania for about 325 miles. And the Monongahela flows for about 130 miles through West Virginia and Pennsylvania until it reaches Point State Park.

Where the Allegheny and Monongahela Meet to Form the Ohio River in Pittsburgh

By David Schwab, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Flowing in a westerly direction from its source, the Ohio River stretches for 981 miles passing through or bordering Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois and Indiana. The mouth of the river is in Cairo, Illinois where the Ohio River meets the Mississippi River. 

A rather shallow river, the Ohio has an average depth of only 15-20 feet. And the river’s widest point is located west of Louisville where it stretches for one mile from bank to bank.

The Tennessee River is the largest tributary of the Ohio River stretching for 652 miles across four states. The two rivers are joined together in Paducah, Kentucky.

Ohio River Cruises Destinations

An overnight cruise on the Ohio River will travel through a few states and could include any of the following: Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The most well-known cities along the Ohio River are Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

A five-day round trip cruise from Cincinnati will travel to Louisville, Kentucky and Madison, Indiana. And a six-day cruise will travel from Cincinnati to Maysville and Augusta, Kentucky and Huntington, West Virginia.

A seven-day cruise on the Ohio River will depart from Pittsburgh will travel to Marietta, Ohio, Point Pleasant, West Virgina, Maysville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio. And an eight-day cruise will begin in Cincinnati and travel to Pittsburgh stopping in the same cities and make an additional stop in Wheeling, West Virginia.

For cruises combined with the Mississippi River, you’ll travel between Cincinnati and St. Louis.

An Ohio and Cumberland River cruise will travel between Louisville, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennessee.

Ohio River in Louisville, Kentucky

By Stevietheman at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], from Wikimedia Commons

The American Queen Steamboat Company is the only company that offers overnight river cruises on just the Ohio River. Pricing starts at $949 per person, and itineraries are available for about three weeks in July. They range in length from 5 to 8 days, and all depart from Cincinnati.

A few companies feature day and evening cruises on the Ohio River. In Cincinnati you'll find BB Riverboats and Queen City Riverboats . And in Louisville you can cruise the Ohio River onboard The Belle of Louisville .

Whether you choose to take an overnight cruise on the Ohio River or only a day or evening cruise, you'll have a chance to experience this great U.S. river with either option.

If you enjoyed reading this page, please share it with other people you think would also enjoy reading it. Thank you! :)

Lauri Wakefield  is a travel writer who specializes in  river cruises in Europe and the U.S. Connect with her on Twitter and Google+ .

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Take This 3-Night Cruise Down The Ohio River For The Ultimate Fall Getaway

Andrea Limke

A Cincinnati native who has lived in Kentucky for over 10 years, Andrea's heart belongs both in the Queen City and the Bluegrass State. After earning an education degree and working in that field for a number of years, Andrea began to pursue her passion for writing over 6 years ago. Since then she has written for a number of print and online publications, as well as published a children's book.

More by this Author

Cruises and excursions offered by BB Riverboats are some of the most popular attractions in our city. Most have heard of and seen this picturesque collection of riverboats that dock in Newport and often found floating on the Ohio River. While the shorter cruises are well known, you may not realize that BB Riverboats also offers overnight getaways. Coming up in just a few weeks, The River Hop Tour will take you on a four-day, three-night cruise on the Ohio with stops at many exciting destinations and unmatched views of the vibrant fall foliage.

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The River Hop Tour on the Belle of Cincinnati is a unique excursion on a one-of-a-kind riverboat that’s sure to be a memorable fall getaway. Did you know BB Riverboats offered these tours? Would you like to go? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on this trip, as well as other cruises offered, visit the BB Riverboats website here .

And for more information on the popular sunset dinner cruise aboard a riverboat, check out our previous article here .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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Source: New America's River Roots Festival will feature Tall Stacks-like riverboat cruises

America's River Roots , a celebration of musical and cultural celebration scheduled for 2025 to kick off America’s 250th anniversary, will feature tall stacks riverboat cruises, a source with knowledge of the event told The Enquirer.

The event will feature cruises on 8 to 10 riverboats, the source said.

It's not being billed as Tall Stacks revitalized, but it does answer the call of many to bring back the popular Cincinnati steamboat festival, which was last held in 2006 .

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Tall Stacks was held six times between 1988 and 2006 on the banks of the Ohio River to celebrate Cincinnati's riverboat heritage. Attempts to bring back the three-day festival in 2009 and 2012 failed because it was too expensive to host, according to past Enquirer stories. Cincinnati is located on the Ohio River and steamboats are part of the city's history . In 1826, Cincinnati had established itself as a steamboat center, with 143 steamboats operating on the Ohio River − 48 of them built in Cincinnati.

America's River Roots is anticipated to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the banks of the Ohio River in October of 2025.

An official announcement is scheduled for Wednesday.

America’s River Roots will showcase the Ohio River and its role in America's history. A group of private citizens have been raising money for months to bring the festival to life.

The event is one of several festivities scheduled across the nation leading up to America's official quarter-millennial on July 4, 2026.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Source: New America's River Roots Festival will feature Tall Stacks-like riverboat cruises

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Festival coming to the riverfront to feature tall stacks-like riverboats, music & more.

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A massive festival featuring Tall Stacks-like riverboats, music and more is coming to Ohio and northern Kentucky in 2025.

The America's River Roots festival, sponsored by First Financial, will be a four-day festival held Oct 9-12, 2025.

The festival is set to bring hundreds of thousands of people in a unique event celebrating the nation's 250th birthday.

The festival will feature performers on multiple stages along both sides of the river, tall stacks riverboat cruises, and educational programs shining a spotlight on The Freedom Journey and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. There will also be celebrity chef presentations, bourbon and craft beer tastings, multicultural food vendors, and regional food artisans.

“America's River Roots will focus attention on the Ohio River Valley region and its impact on the nation's growth and shaping of our diverse cultures,” Rick Greiwe, Event Co-chair, said in a statement. “The event will deepen this awareness with roots music, river cuisine and cultural experiences along our world-class riverfront. Area residents will connect with our common roots and visitors will discover the heritage of America’s inland river culture.”

More details including musicians, celebrity chefs, participating riverboats and more will be announced in the coming months.

Organizers announced Bryce Dessner, founding member of The National, will perform with the band as well as curate artists from all roots genres featured on all stages.

Details on cruise tickets and merchandise sales will also be announced in the coming months.

The America’s River Roots event has been endorsed as an official event of the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial or America 250-Ohio, and is working with the U.S. America 250 Commission, established by Congress, to secure designation as a national signature event.

“At First Financial, we’re proud to be an early supporter of America’s River Roots in celebration of America’s 250 th Anniversary,” Archie Brown, president and CEO said in a statement. “We exist to be a positive influence to help our communities thrive, and this celebration will deliver incredible benefits throughout our community. America’s River Roots will be the perfect opportunity to showcase the talent, food and culture that makes Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky so unique.”

Those interested can go to AmericasRiverRoots.com to sign up for announcements.

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Admiral's Dinner Cruise

About this Cruise

Eat, drink, and be merry at the ultimate weekend event! Cruise under the stars and dine on a feast fit for an Admiral. Would you enjoy a little music to top off your evening? A local area band or DJ will be onboard for your musical pleasure.

Click the Book this Cruise Schedule button to see up to the minute scheduling. Cruise schedule may change during off-season months.

See our up-to-date Special Packages when you book your cruise and choose a date!

Cruise Schedule

Wednesday December 31, 1969

Dinner Buffet

Adults General Admission

Children Ages 4-12

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Tossed salad topped with Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Red Onions served with homemade ranch and Gluten Free Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressings

Carved Marinated Turkey

Roasted Seasoned-Crusted Striploin au jus served with Creamy horseradish Sauce

Vegetarian Pasta

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Whipped Potatoes

Fresh Seasonal Vegetable

Bakery Fresh Rolls and butter

Chef’s Choice of dessert

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If a member of your party requires a vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free meal, please note this selection when making your reservation and other options will be made available on your cruise.

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