A must do if you're visiting or as a local as well! For under $25 each you can see d time on the Mississippi and the surrounding banks , hearing how it started and grew into the twin cities. Highly recommend and maybe do a couple of times a summer . read more

Fun, no frills cruise down the Mississippi and back. Informative pre-recorded narration, but very hard to hear from the back upper deck. Especially when there is a group of women talking loudly non-stop. LOL! A very good value and something different to do in the city. No outside food or beverages are allowed, but they do have snacks and sodas available. This would be even more fun in the fall when the leaves are at peak color. read more

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8 of us took the 1 1/2 hour Margarita cruise while attending the Special Olympics USA Games in Minneapolis. It was a beautiful night for a cruise. A taco bar was included; basic but tasty with both chicken and pork. Chips and salsa as an appetizer. Margaritas were 2/1. I would have liked a narration of the river but there was a map that listed the places we toured by. Definitely something fun to do while in the St. Paul area. read more

It's a nice 90 minute trip where you can enjoy the River while enjoying a beverage of your choice read more

Padelford Riverboats - On the River - Boat Charters Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

Had a lovely time with my book club at Padelford Riverboats! With 2 for 1 margs, tacos, and beautiful weather it was a steal for just $36 a ticket. Cruising along the Mississippi we saw several bald eagles and their nests, a gorgeous sunset, and beautiful views of downtown St.Paul. The 2 for 1 Margarita deal was only $8 and you can choose between strawberry or lime. The tacos were delicious and they had carnitas, chicken, and beans with toppings. We had a really nice time and agreed we all would love to come back! read more

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We just went on an afternoon, 90 minute trip and it was lovely. The weather cooperated for the last day of June. The pre-recorded "historical" information was hard to hear but that was just due to the crowd. I went on this once in 2007 and loved it then, too. It was relaxing and there were beverages to buy. The popcorn was good, but I can't vouch for any other food. We also had a lovely group from Austria on the cruise. read more

I'm currently on the worse river tour in my life. Sunday, August 31, 2025 at noon. My mistake for not checking out the boat. It is enclosed so very few spaces outside to enjoy the tour. Inside the people are talking so loud I can barely hear the little prerecorded information, over speakers, that is being provided. I hoped to learn more about the river in this area. There is very little information being provided. This is a horrible experience. read more

The weather cooperated and it was a lovely 1 1/2 hour ride. Learn a bit of history and amazing views. We did see an eagle and there is also an eagle's nest. Snacks and beverages for sale on the boat. read more

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Expected a very informative tour with exciting sights & narration about St. Paul. IMO, just some okay stuff to see & only occasional narration. Not that expensive, so I guess we got our money's worth. Unless it's improved, I can't highly recommend. read more

We attended a wedding reception over Memorial Day weekend. The stunning boat ride on the Mississippi, the Captain and happy couple being celebrated were all lovely, but the loveliness ends there. Understandable the vessel is archival and may not be up to date on all of its' features. However, there were certain things we noticed or experienced that were questionable. My husband mentioned the men's bathroom was in desperate need of attention. Two of the three lights over the vanity were out, as well as the cabinets are warped with a mildew scent (I have photos provided). Most of the lights in the dining area were crooked and looked sloppy. Again, understanding this vessel is old does not ok it to appear unkept especially when there is a paid for event being held. Having your four hour event is upwards of $10k, for reference. Food service tasted nice and had options. But I won't get into the drinks they serve, honestly just not good unless you chose something in a can or bottle. A fellow guest also pointed out a MASSIVE spider web behind the bar, which was gross. The main issue is with the "charter consultant" and crew (I'm aware of specific details given this wedding reception was my sister's). I must mention the Captain and one of the staff members who was consistently working and pleasant the whole time were amazing. I know her name started with an "M", she was young and was always polite and kind. Onto the main issue that was a strange thing to press on from the crew lead. The deal with the food and beverage is this: silverware and plates are provided for the meal purchased with the charter directly. Any outside food (i.e. cake and cupcakes) they are unable to provide any silverware or plates. Allegedly the "charter consultant" stated that this was communicated beforehand, however my sister assures if she knew they needed to bring in utensils for her guests to eat their desert they would have. I bet you're wondering what's the issue just ask if utensils could be supplied for the desert portion? You would think! After my elderly Aunt asked if I could go get her a fork and I was told NO with attitude my husband went and asked the Captain if it was possible some forks may be provided, to which she said of course and made a request to the crew. A few moments pass we see the Captain and crew lead Abby in the Captain's deck speaking. Afterwards Abby came out to the dining area where several guests saw her "clearing" tables. When her hands were full with silverware/plates she even continued to just take forks WHILE GUESTS WERE USING THEM. Again, guests witnessed her doing this. Also, even if this was communicated that they wouldn't provide the silverware for deserts (which it was not) you wouldn't bend the rules a bit when seeing elderly people challenged in consuming a piece of cake? Seems morally wrong. My sister communicated this detail (among others) in a follow-up email to the "charter consultant". In her rebuttal email she stated this was just "part of Abby's job, she was not trying to be mean". No apologies, no misunderstandings, absolutely no accountability, just siding with the crew who were in the wrong. Absurd is an understatement, and honestly how embarrassing on behalf of not only this charter company but my sister and her husband. I now understand why Padelford Boats has not had a review for a wedding reception in over three years! Why spend $10K on this when there are PLENTY of reception venues nearby that can host a clean, accommodating and pleasant event. Oh, also to note the microphone for the speakers, which they needed to pay additional money for, did not work. So all communication to her entire party needed to be done table by table. My recommendation to clients looking to have their event on a vessel in this area is to look elsewhere. My recommendation to this charter company is do better in staff training, cleanliness and most importantly, communication. Take Care! read more

Padelford Riverboats - Men's Bathroom Warped Vanity. - Boat Charters Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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We were in the St. Paul area for a music festival and decided to stay in town the whole weekend. This dinner/river cruise was a highlight of our weekend. We went on the rib dinner cruise: the ribs were tender and flavorful, and I loved the cornbread. I don't know what was up with the potato salad, but it had a weird aftertaste, so I didn't finish my serving which is unusual because I am tater salad kinda gal. Dessert was a simple yellow cake with diced fruit. I wish the whipped cream had been sweetened, but it was still yummy. The cruise was nice, but I wish we had more views of the nighttime city skyline. read more

We went on July 4 and wanted to entertain new Ukranian immigrants and acclimate them to MN. The weather was perfect. They have beer, soda and snacks including hotdogs. I found it odd that people would need to be that pacified for an hour and a half. It's so serene. I thought it was cool to see how the tracks hook up for the trains. In that short time you'll get all you need to know about the history of St. Paul. We used to take our sons on this yearly. Get tickets online. read more

They have a serious wasp problem. Before the boat even left the dock, a bunch of kids were basically melting down. Really detracts from the experience. Also, they didn't take us as far as Fort Snelling at all, as promised. Just randomly turned around beforehand. read more

It resembles a lazy river ride, it feels like you're floating along. The announcer mentions a couple of fun facts about the area throughout, and you're left to your own thoughts most of the rest of the time. read more

Padelford Riverboats - Boat Charters Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

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If I could shower a venue with Yelp stars, I pick Padelford Riverboats! We actually got married on the Betsey Northrup this year and our guests actually thanked us for inviting them! We had the ceremony on the top deck, did a sunset dinner cruise, and had a live band. Our guests had access to the top deck after dinner so a lot of people were able to enjoy the city lit up at night while the boat was cruising along the Mississippi River. A lot of our guests said it was one of the best weddings that they had ever been to because it was so different and fun. Jen was our event manager and she was very easy to work with. I basically flooded her email with questions for 4 months and she made sure the day went very well. The food was amazing! This chef knows what he's doing so if you are interested in hosting an event with them and considering catering - you will not be disappointed. We're two weeks out from the wedding and we're still getting compliments on our food! Weddings are stressful. Actually planning any event is stressful but Padelford made things a lot easier. They also offer sight seeing cruises along with dinner cruises in the summer and fall so this is also a great date night/family outing/friends hang out option. There is also a large parking lot available at Harriet Island so you don't have to worry about your car. read more

We were fortunate enough to see both a pair of eagles engage midair and bald eagles cruising the riverside. The boat was spacious enough for passengers and offers an air conditioned interior. The journey itself was peaceful and unremarkable. An audio recording available on your phone would dramatically improve the experience as it could not be heard over passenger chatter. read more

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This is a wonderful activity to enjoy on the Mississippi River. And I got lucky when I visited the Twin Cities in mid-May because most of these tourist-type boat rides don't begin running until after Memorial Day. But hallelujah, Padelford Riverboats go rolling on the river on weekend afternoons. So, despite the drizzle and threat of rain, the boat was actually quite full. Lots of families with excited kids. Tourists. History buffs like me. There is some narration at first and then Padelford is off and running down the mighty Mississippi, which made St. Paul a river transportation hub during the 18th & 19th centuries. The remnants of old flour mills and processing plants still line the waters. I was thrilled to see many unique bridges along the way; many of these structures were made of steel and iron. The bridges were more evidence of the important role the Mississippi River played earlier in our country's history as a way to move goods up and down through the Midwest and into southern ports. I would also encourage birders to take the Padelford Riverboat to check out the variety of waterfowl here. Now I came through very early in May before the nesting and roosting got into full swing. However, I managed to spy out plenty of ducks, a big gaggle of Canadian Geese and plenty of swallows cruising the river banks in search of mud for their nests. The narration mentioned bald eagles are commonly seen during the tour but later on into the summer & fall. A small snack bar on board serves drinks and food. The hot dogs looked good. Be advised--many schools take the kiddies here for school outings. That is great but plan your trip accordingly. Nice employees and ship hands work here. A gracious deck man helped me down the plank which was very slippery and wet with drizzle. Your kids and out-of-town guests will love the Riverboat as much as I did! 5 YELP STARS! read more

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Very clean and efficient. Not much to see in this trip except for the river banks. Did see a bald Eagle and the nest. Also saw the rotating train track. Other than that, the sights were limited. Wish we had chosen a different trip. read more

Went on a special outing as a guest of Minnesota Twins. It was so much fun! The folks at the river boat company took great care with all of the guests. Food was great and hot. Drinks were cold and refreshing. . Scenery was amazing. What a great night to spend on the river! Thanks Minnesota Twins ! read more

After years of watching this boat going up and down the Mississippi seemingly just about every time I cross the 35E bridge I finally was able to take trip myself for the first time. Its a good time. It was a Monday afternoon so we took advantage of the Monday Madness trips they run on that day. There are different types of trips and different rates, but on Mondays you can take a 90 minute trip with a couple of drink tickets for the reduced rate of $8 plus the port fee. After negotiating the St. Paul area construction we arrived just minutes prior to the 2:30 departure time. The upper deck was pretty full (at least under the canopy) so we took some chairs and sat along the front rail. We left on time and with the sun going behind the clouds we had a pleasant experience. Other than the Cliff Clavin type that sat to our left it would have been a peaceful one as well. He knew a lot about the area and didn't hesitate to give his own tour while drowning out the Don Shelby narrated tape being played by the crew. Sitting by the rail and seeing the sites from the river for a change while enjoying some Surly beer. This particular trip left from Harriett Island and went up a little past Pike Island and turned around. Will definitely be back to try some of the other trips as time allows. The sunset cruise sound particularly good. Would have scored it higher if not for the self-appointed tour guide and the mess of construction currently going on that made it more than a little frustrating just getting there. Can't wait for the next time though. read more

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Our mega church reserved 2 boats that were connected for a marriage date night. At $10 a couple this was a steal. The boats were to depart at 6:30 and we left around 645 as there were some stragglers. We passed by the high bridge under construction and the railroad swing bridge. The weather was perfect. They even sold alcoholic drinks for a church event. They turned around by an island and kicked up the speed returning to port. The 4 hour lunch and lock tour sounds interesting as it goes farther to Minneapolis. The boat ride would also be pretty in fall with the colorful leaves. There was around 600 people between two boats. Recommend. read more

We took the fall colors tour. Beautiful day lots of color. The company did a good job of social distancing. Each group was assigned to their own separate table. Everyone could see outside. They told us stories about what we saw along the way. I wish I could have heard the speaker better. From what I could understand, it sounded interesting. read more

The Padelford Company operates boat cruises on the Mississippi River in St. Paul and Minneapolis. Summer is its heaviest season, though a few events are scheduled in the spring and fall (including an Oktoberfest celebration). Rentals are also available for special events, such as weddings.[Add this is as yet another reason for legalizing gay marriage. My fellow gays would go gaga over the idea of getting hitched on a fairy...err, I mean, ferry.] The St. Paul ride is the more pleasant of the two. Departing from the Harriet Island, the ship passes through the Mississippi Historic Park and the Fort Snelling area, near the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. It then makes a u-turn, heading back to Harriet Island. Though built just four decades ago, the vessel offers a vague glimpse into St. Paul's historic past, when boating was a key mode of transportation. I tend to think of the Gilded Age, F. Scott Fitzgerald, robber barons, speakeasies, and the glamorous parties of the day. This image would otherwise persist if not for the dated '80s hotel conference room furniture inside--the kind that only straight couples from Coon Rapids tolerate at their weddings. [By contrast, gay marriage would bring a new paint job, Oprah's interior designer, and a renaming of the ship with something campy, like the "Queen Mary".] But anyway... The Minneapolis boat departs from Boom Island Park, heading north for a mile, where you are greeted on both sides of the river by decaying industrial sites. Even the accumulation of trees, which seem to slowly be reclaiming the river banks, feel like a poor excuse for a forest. But just before you start longing for a bottle of aspirin, the ship turns its way back towards downtown, salvaging your trip with views of the city skyline, Mill City Musem, and St. Anthony Main area. It even takes you close to St. Anthony Falls via a lock-and-damn system, constructed by the Army Corps of Engineers. For my next trip I'll wait for an invitation to some event, preferably at dusk, when the illuminated skyline, combined with the sound of the cascading falls, create a mood for romance. 4 stars for the St. Paul ride, especially since you're bound to see bald eagles; 2.5 for Minneapolis in the daytime. read more

Clean boats. They leave on time - so don't be late. Food is better than you'd expect. They have boats with indoor and outdoor seating so you are comfy in all kinds of weather. The best is that they have themed "Happy Hour" cruises on weeknights for around $25. read more

I have had the opportunity of going on two different cruises along the Mississippi. I have only experienced the public cruises on the older looking paddle boat, not the large cruising vessel. I have yet to have an unpleasant time. The slow pace provides great views of the city. Boom Island, Nicollet Island, St. Anthony Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge, are just a few of the unbeatable sights along the way. If you are claustrophobic, going through the lock may test your comfort level, but it only takes ten minutes each way to get through. A pleasing view of the new 35W bridge will await you when you exit the lock on the south side of the falls. The new Guthrie will also highlight this turn-around point of the trip. During the ride, an enthusiastic captain offers fun and interesting facts about the city, the river, and various sights you see along the way. Moreover, there are plenty of refreshments ranging from popcorn, hot dogs, and candy to soda, juice, and a limited selection of beer and wine. The entire trip last for about an hour and a half if I remember correctly. I would definitely recommend this outing to anyone looking for a fun activity with their friends or family. I am hoping spring will arrive soon so that I can take yet another trip on the riverboat along the Mississippi! ahoy! read more

I went on the Oktoberfest cruise with my family and we thought it was excellent value for the money. There was no way they were making money off the beer drinks, as buying 4 local microbrews for $11 is pretty much unheard of (it was 2 for 1s). The food was excellent, but not the best part. Helga was the best part. Hopefully she is a part of every cruise, even though we was playing an important role in this German theme cruise, leading the game of hammerschlagen. She had such awesome energy and was super fun to be around. Padelford, I hope you pay her well, as she really made the trip for us. (: read more

They are not open during the weekend so they are no help. Stay far away from this place as they have no intention to keep you as a costumer. If I could rate them lower I would. 100$ out the window and I will forever give them bad reviews and tell everyone I know to stay away. read more

Yelp lead me astray again. I had 2 days in the area and thought coming to a sightseeing cruise would give me a good overview of the area. I was wrong! The sightseeing cruise was very boring with long periods of no narration. The recording is pre-recorded and I never saw any of the supposed crew walking around to answer questions. Most of the people on the boat were not interested in any of the sights or listening and were talking very loudly the whole time. The only good thing was the weather... About 20 minutes into the tour I was ready to get off. http://viedetina.blogspot.com/ read more

My dad grew up on the Mississippi River near Monona IA, and has always loved Paddlewheel steam boats. Every time we go to the Science museum he stops and looks at the boats on Harriet Island as we descend the musical stairs. So when the Paddleford Riverboat ride popped up as a Groupon, I thought perfect! I'll take him on a cruise for Father's Day. OK I'll start with the river, the scenery was beautiful. It was cloudy all day until just before we left at 2, then the sun broke out. We even got to see a train pass over the RR bridge right before we went through. At one point I saw an Eagle along the banks. The view of the St. Paul skyline from the river is simply gorgeous. So why only 2 stars? Well firstly, the boat was not a paddlewheeler, it was actually more of a barge pushed by a tow boat. A lot of the fun is watching the paddle churn the water, So Dad was pretty disappointed with that. The other reason is I paid for a nice relaxing riverboat cruise, not a visit to Camp Snoopy. Unfortunately that's what it felt like. There were dozens of kids yelling and screaming and running around the boat like it was a playground. I certainly understand wanting to take your kids on a cruise like that, but do parents not control their kids these days? Having the same group of kids barge past you 25 times on a 90 minute cruise really ruins what should have been a fun, relaxing afternoon. read more

Padelford Riverboat 4 hour Lunch & Lock Cruise today. It is a beautiful fall day and what a pleasure it is to be in the bright sun & cool air and take in the beautiful fall color display. Ugh the Tug is providing the Betsey Northrup our motivation. I couldn't have stumbled on a better way to be surrounded by the best fall scenery! It was a thought and an Internet search this time yesterday. And here we are enjoying it today!! Each day is what you make of it and the Padleford folks made this wonderful afternoon a possibility. I'm a jeans & sweatshirt kind of gal. I don't mind if my river vessel is a bit 1980's in decor. I don't mind a buffet. If you are a bit more high brow than I am, perhaps put on a pair of jeans and tolerate a communal vessel full of average folk OR charter your own! For me this was the right price & just the perfect amount of comfort. There are two adorable crooners with a bass & banjo telling an occasional corny joke and otherwise singing appropriate riverboat tunes they were not overbearing at all & they sure seemed to enjoy themselves. There is an enclosed cabin where lunch is served where one can spend the entire time if the weather atop the other deck is not suitable. The top deck provides a great experience if you are dressed appropriately. I've never been through a lock before and while it isn't a fast or high excitement event it was quite interesting. There is smoking allowed on the upper open air deck & or the small lower outdoor deck area. This is where Padleford has lost a star. This is 2014. Communal areas on board a shared (inescapable) space of humanity outside or not.. Should be smoke free. Interestingly there were two older gentleman smoking cigars from the second we left. They were the crooners! As in employees. Now I know why the interior of the vessel stinks of smoke. They were sitting enjoying the scenery while basically ruining the upper deck for all of us with awful cigar smoke. Two EMPLOYEES! Well, of course I spoke with someone and a those cigars were extinguished. I want to beg the company to change your smoking policy. If nothing else make a change with your employee smoking policy and do what the local hospitals do. Do not allow employees to smoke within 800 feet of the building. I should think if an employee wishes to smoke aboard the Betsey Northrup 800 feet behind the vessel in a dinghy would be a good spot. Air the lower level out & make a commitment to be on the RIGHT side of history. Smoking kills. Second hand smoke kills too & is a toxin I did not sign up to inhale today. It should not have been a part of this otherwise spectacular day. It definitely should not have come from your own employees. I do have to credit the staff as my complaint was taken seriously and immediately addressed. Thank you. And to the crooners, this is not your fault. I hope you understand I think you are adorable. I support your right to smoke whatever you wish on your own time in your own personal environment. read more

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Hidden Gem! What a fun way to spend some time enjoying this beautiful area. Did the sunset dinner cruise, oh my the food is wonderful, the brisket is melt in your mouth good. I almost ate the whole pan. Went with the drink package, worth the money! All the staff was so friendly and helpful. This is our must do item for anyone that comes to visit. Excellent value and great memories! read more

My friend had her rehearsal dinner on one of the riverboats. It's a great idea. You can feel like Tom Sawyer going down the Mississippi. That might be an incorrect reference. I don't remember the name of the boat we were on, but the area you walk into is sorta like a dining room with a buffet. Above that is an open area where you can look at your surroundings. They had a dance floor upstairs too. We didn't use it, but it's a nice option if you were to have a party on one of the riverboats. Staff was friendly and helpful. They were quick to pick up plates and kept bringing out water. I drink a lot of water so it's annoying when places are stingy with the water. I was pleasantly surprised with the food. I was starving by the time we got on the boat so I wasn't picky about what I was eating. A little butter on the vegetables didn't kill me. I was just happy they had some meat free options. The dessert table was also pretty impressive. They had a few different cheesecakes along with carrot cake and cheese and fruit platter. I dominated a piece of carrot cake and it was pretty good. The ride was about 2 hours out and back on the Mississippi and I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't get bored the whole way. I usually don't do well on train rides or boat trips, but this one was pretty fun. read more

There wasnt alot to see but the ride is great. It is very relaxing. The beef hot dog combo was yummy. read more

Padelford Riverboats - Boat Charters Near Me - Saint Paul, Minnesota

We picked Padelford Riverboats as the reception venue for our wedding and it was a great choice! Sam was very helpful throughout the entire process and willing to work with us to make sure the day of went smoothly. We had a great time cruising down the river and celebrating with our family and friends. Plus, we heard from a lot of our guests that the reception was memorable and fun. I mean come on -- you could have your reception at some hall, or you could have it on a boat! read more

We decided to take the Riverboat tour while visiting St. Paul and we were not disappointed. It was a relaxing and enjoyable trip down the Mississippi and learned some interesting facts about the area. I highly recommend taking the tour. read more

I'm not really fond of boats because I always get seasick but didn't have a choice because it was a company event. The overall boat ride was nice however, there's not much to see on the Mississippi River. It wasn't extravagant or anything. There aren't many food choices neither; just hot dogs, chips, sodas and popcorn. The boat ride was fairly short so it was perfect since I was starting to feel nausea towards the end of the tour. The lower level was air conditioned so I sat down there a majority of the time. read more

If you're going to ride a boat, you should definitely ride one the boats down at Padelford. They have 3 different boats and a ton of public cruise options. You could go on a public sightseeing, a sunset dinner, a margarita on the Mississippi, a rib dinner, a lunch and lock, the options are endless. All food is created by their chef John Cooper who creates all the food with love and care. They also do private events like weddings, corporate events, family reunions, anything you can think of. read more

I had such a nice experience on my excursion! The crew was polite. The place boat was clean. It's awesome to be able to have a cocktail and snack while doing the tour. It was really nice. Thank you for a great time! read more

Riverboat cruise was fun, but food was so awful and disgusting. Not worth the money. Very disappointed.

Nice trip, staff, a good value. Heads up, if you buy tickets online you will still have to stand in the same line as day of sales to redeem your tickets. You might as well buy day of and not lock yourself into a certain day. I had to stand in line for 20 minutes to redeem the tickets I bought online, strange? read more