The Best Riverboat Tours & Cruises in Tennessee

Tennessee offers a number of riverboat cruises featuring day excursions, dining trips, and overnight voyages across the state's main waterways, with year-round schedules and seasonal specialty itineraries. These tours can be found in four main cities (Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga) on three major rivers (the Tennessee River, Mississippi River, and Cumberland River).

• General Jackson Showboat (Nashville, Cumberland River): A 300-foot paddlewheel boat operating 2.5- to 3-hour show and dining cruises departing from 2812 Opryland Drive. 
• Pontoon Saloon (Nashville, Cumberland River): A 50-foot party barge operating 2-hour public, group, and private cruises departing from Riverfront Dock East at 2 Victory Ave.
• Southern Belle Riverboat (Chattanooga, Tennessee River): Departs from Pier 2 at 151 Riverfront Parkway, offering 1.5-hour sightseeing excursions, dinner trips, and seasonal autumn fall foliage tours. 
• Memphis Riverboats (Memphis, Mississippi River): Runs 90-minute historical sightseeing tours and evening dinner cruises departing from 45 Riverside Drive. 
• Star of Knoxville (Knoxville, Tennessee River): A 325-passenger paddlewheel boat departing from 300 Neyland Drive that hosts 1.5-hour lunch and 2-hour dinner cruises. 
• Volunteer Princess (Knoxville, Tennessee River): A 75-foot luxury yacht operating 1.5- to 2-hour dining and sightseeing cruises from 956 Volunteer Landing Lane. 
• American Cruise Lines (Chattanooga to Nashville, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers): Operates 9-day multi-day river cruises on paddlewheel vessels, stopping in port towns including Savannah, Tennessee. 
• Viking Cruises (Memphis, Clarksville, and Nashville; Mississippi and Cumberland Rivers): Runs 8- to 22-day regional river cruise itineraries with overnight stays and port calls in several Tennessee cities.

Operating from Volunteer Landing in downtown Knoxville, The Star of Knoxville is a 325-passenger paddlewheel riverboat cruising the Tennessee River. From relaxed lunch outings to themed dinner parties and sunset tours, it offers views of Knoxville's riverfront and the University of Tennessee campus. 

• Cruise Information: 1.5-hour lunch/sightseeing cruises and 2-hour dinner cruises (featuring theme nights like Prime Rib, Country Music, Gospel, and Murder Mystery). 
• Boat Highlights: Propelled by paddlewheel, The Star of Knoxville features climate-controlled enclosed decks, Southern buffet dining, open-air viewing decks, and beautiful Knoxville city views. Interested in open-air dining? Discover more of Tennessee's (on land) outdoor patios and rooftops. 
• Seasonal Highlights: during college football season, experience the "Vol Navy" Tennessee tailgating cruises as well as crisp autumn leaf sightseeing tours.
• Price Range:  ~$25–$40 per person for sightseeing and lunch cruises; ~$50–$65 per person for themed dinner cruises.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible on the main deck; crew assistance is available during boarding upon request. 
• Booking Information: Book tickets in advance at the official Tennessee Riverboat Company website.

For a boutique, upscale river dining experience on the Tennessee River, the Volunteer Princess Luxury Yacht provides an intimate alternative to traditional paddlewheelers. Departing from Volunteer Landing in Knoxville, this luxury yacht offers fine dining and sunset cruises past downtown landmarks and scenic bluffs. 

• Cruise Information: 1.5 to 2-hour weekend brunch, lunch, and dinner cruises on the Tennessee River. 
• Boat Highlights: 100-passenger luxury yacht featuring plated multi-course meals, two climate-controlled dining salons, a full-service bar, and top-deck viewing areas. 
• Seasonal Highlights: enjoy serene fall foliage lunch cruises, the famous Knoxville "Sailgate" UT Football pre-game cruises, Fourth of July fireworks dinners, and festive Thanksgiving and New Year's Eve cruises.
• Price Range: ~$17-$35 per person for sightseeing and lunch cruises; ~$48-$75 per person for sunset dinner and multi-course dining cruises.
• Accessibility: Main deck dining area is accessible; guests are advised to notify staff in advance for dock ramp assistance. 
• Booking Information: Purchase tickets for public cruises online via the official Volunteer Princess Luxury Yacht website.

Docked at Pier 2 along the Chattanooga Riverfront, the Southern Belle Riverboat offers views of the Tennessee River Gorge, downtown city bridges, and Lookout Mountain. Designed to mimic the luxury riverboats that navigated local waters in the 1800s, this vessel provides a classic river excursion complete with local history, dining, and live music.

• Cruise Information: 1.5-hour sightseeing tours, 2-hour dinner and sunset cruises, and longer seasonal excursion trips through the Tennessee River Gorge. 
• Boat Highlights: Open-air top deck views, pilot house tours, live musical entertainment, bingo, and buffet dining. 
• Seasonal Highlights: Fall foliage leaf excursions through the river gorge, Halloween-themed cruises, and holiday Christmas dining cruises with festive decorations.
• Price Range: ~$36 per person for daytime sightseeing and sunset cruises; ~$60–$100 per person for specialty dining and wine-tasting cruises.
• Accessibility: The main deck is wheelchair accessible; guests are encouraged to contact dock staff prior to boarding for specific seating requests.
• Booking Information: Reserve tickets in advance through the official Southern Belle Riverboat Website or at the Pier 2 box office.

For travelers looking for a longer multi-day getaway, American Cruise Lines operates a 9-day river voyage connecting Chattanooga and Nashville via the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers. Cruising through the Appalachian foothills and stopping in historic ports like Savannah, Tennessee, guests enjoy an all-inclusive journey packed with history, local music, and regional cuisine. 

• Cruise Information: 9-day / 8-night luxury river cruise between Chattanooga and Nashville, stopping in Savannah, TN, Florence, AL, and Paducah, KY. 
• Boat Highlights: enjoy staterooms with private balconies, guided excursions to Shiloh National Military Park in Savannah, live music lectures, and regional dining. 
• Seasonal Highlights: Peak autumn foliage sailings through the Tennessee River Valley are from October–November and vibrant spring bloom voyages are always beautiful.
• Price Range: ~$4,295–$6,200+ per person all-inclusive (varies by stateroom category and departure date).
• Accessibility: Modern elevators access all passenger decks, with ADA-accessible staterooms available upon request.
• Booking Information: View sailing schedules and pricing at American Cruise Lines.

Cruising from the banks of the Opryland area down the Cumberland River toward downtown Nashville, the General Jackson Showboat is one of the grandest paddlewheel showboats in the country. Passengers step inside a two-story Victorian-style theater to enjoy live musical productions paired with Southern cuisine while taking in skyline views. 

• Cruise Information: Midday lunch cruises and evening dinner cruises (approx. 2.5–3 hours) along the Cumberland River in Nashville.
• Boat Highlights: This is a 300-foot paddlewheel vessel featuring a Victorian-style theater, live country and musical theater shows, plated Southern meals, and stunning Nashville skyline views. 
• Seasonal Highlights: Autumn fall foliage leaf-sighting cruises on the open deck are amazing, along with festive Music City Christmas midday and evening holiday show cruises (run mid-November through December).
• Price Range: ~$45 per person for cruise-only/show tickets; ~$67–$112 per person for lunch and dinner show packages (depending on seating tier).
• Accessibility: Fully accessible main decks with elevator service accessing passenger theater and dining levels.
• Booking Information: Purchase tickets via the official General Jackson Showboat website or the Gaylord Opryland Box Office.

Known as Nashville’s premier party barge, the Pontoon Saloon brings the Lower Broadway honky-tonk atmosphere right onto the Cumberland River. Cruising past downtown skyline views, this 50-foot vessel is ideal for group celebrations, bachelorette parties, or travelers looking for a lively, music-filled party cruise on the water. 

• Cruise Information: 2-hour public party cruises (including daytime Mimosa and golden-hour Sunset options), specialized group/Bach party cruises, and private charters along the Cumberland River. 
• Boat Highlights: 50-foot open-air party pontoon, licensed captain and party host, high-powered sound system, onboard restroom, fully stocked bar with beers, seltzers, and cocktails, and downtown skyline views. 
• Seasonal Highlights: Summer party season (May–September) is peak, autumn football tailgating & golden-hour sunset cruises are great, and seasonal costume/holiday themed party charters are fun.
• Price Range: ~$40–$49 per person for public Mimosa and Sunset party cruises; ~$50–$55 per person for shared Bach group cruises.
• Accessibility: Accessible boarding via the Riverfront Dock East ramps; guests requiring special mobility assistance are encouraged to notify staff prior to arrival.
• Booking Information: Book tickets in advance at the official Pontoon Saloon website or board at 2 Victory Ave at Riverfront Dock East.