Au Sable River Queen

Au Sable River Queen

Au Sable River Queen
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Oscoda, Michigan

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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles59 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
21
Average
4
Poor
3
Terrible
5

vikeschic
Dundee, MI39 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
This is a wonderful way to spend an afternoon soaking in the beautiful scenery! This boat ride is worth every penny spent & then some! Just seeing the love & care that was put into hand painting the boat & boarding docks, you can tell someone really loves & cares about the business! It's beautiful! She has hand painted so much, and it's beautiful! She used red, white, and blue, so if you're patriotic in the least, just that much is well worth it! The captain is so knowledgeable about the history of the area as well. He even let my kids have a second at the wheel, so even the kids enjoyed it. On top of the rest, this is also a family owned & operated business. If you've never gone, you should! If you've gone in the past, come see how nice the boat looks now! It's just an afternoon you're really going to enjoy!
Written August 16, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Corinne O
5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2021
Enjoyable & Relaxing 2 hour boat ride along the AuSable River. The speakers weren't loud enough where we were sitting -missed out on the some of the history and jokes being told . This year the fall colors were not so good. It rained off and on during the ride but still enjoyed the Scenery along the river. Toward the end of our ride the sun came out & Beautiful arched Rainbow. Oct 2021 Cost is $20 per person - a 2 hr cruise
Written October 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kermithansen
Mount Pleasant, MI3 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
bad day at bad rock. The trip on the river queen was cancel at 12 pm and 3.00 pm. IT was nice trip but 4 hours on the road plus the of gas made it a bad day
Written July 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Heather D
Stockbridge, MI36 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Friends
1) THE GOOD FIRST! They refunded our full ticket price after our experience.
2)Reservation process was unassuring. We had to FB message with our party # and date and time without any confirmation with payment at time of the cruise.
3)Upon arrival, main office and grounds unkempt, bags of bottles, wood, junk lying inside and around parking surface up to river.
4) group of 20 people boarded ahead of everyone with many personal drinks and food occupying entire upper deck. Private individuals were told and enforced with regards to no private food or drink.
5) interior lower deck of boat (we didn’t see the upper deck) had old, chairs that mismatched, were not stable, had stained velour material.
6) upon boarding, there was live music by 1 performer on upper deck but multiple speakers mounted near top of lower deck. Music was too loud, making it difficult to even converse with other passengers.
7) Captain attempted to start River cruise, however boat wouldn’t run, but wind had drifted us out a bit. Multiple male passengers helped pull the boat back to floating dock. Guests were asked to open all windows so they could pull boat to dock, while we got rained on through the open windows.
8 ) Captain stated it would be a “quick fix.” 53 minutes later we requested a refund for our trip.
Written October 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hulacherry
Royal Oak, MI190 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2017 • Couples
This is my first one-star rating on Trip Advisor. My husband and I booked a trip on the Au Sable River Queen a couple months in advance as we were told this trip sells out. As we were driving to Oscoda, we called to confirm the boat would still be going out as it was raining. They said yes but asked to confirm our reservation. They couldn't find our name on their list. We were really disappointed they were sold out, but they said they would squeeze us on the trip. When we arrived, we realized one of the reasons they might not have been able to find our reservation was because they keep track by handwriting reservations in a spiral notebook. We got our tickets (which were a little rip off ticket like at a carnival) and as we were boarding the boat, the guy who was the musical entertainment quipped that this was an easy tour to sneak on to.

We were looking for a peaceful fall color tour, so we chose seats on the first floor. The upstairs had the bar and musical act, and the first floor had the snack bar. As soon as we took off from the dock, the captain started off with a political joke. As there were over 100 people on this trip, you would think they would refrain from things like that since they don't know their audience. The musician also made some comments as well that we found offensive and was also swearing. It made for a very uncomfortable boat ride, especially since there were kids on this trip. This trip felt like an awkward, raunchy booze cruise. We were very disappointed in this excursion.
Written October 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jerry A
Freeland, Mi17 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2014 • Couples
We were in Oscoda for our anniversary and thought we would give this 'Love Boat' a chance. I was glad we did. We sat on the lower level in front. Got us away from the engine noise, and out of the direct sound of the One Man Band. Were still were able to hear the jokes from the captain, and the band doing oldies over local speakers at a more comfortable level. The two hour trip is mostly uneventful. Enjoyed hearing about the area and seeing scenery. The boat moves painfully slow, and is quite stable. Was very relaxing, and enjoyable. The cost was very reasonable, especially for seniors ($10). They have a drink bar, snack bar and restrooms available. We will most likely do this again if in the area. Be sure to call ahead and make reservations. And, check back. They have a minimum before they sail, and they will cancel if the minimum is not available.
Written July 20, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sandra W
Macomb, Michigan, United States70 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2013 • Family
My daughter and I stopped here on July 15th and I was going to purchase tickets for a 3 PM tour...we were there about 2:30 PM. There was a tiny Shih Tzu running loose in the parking lot and my daughter picked it up because we thought she'd get hit...or stolen. We walked over and asked a man on the beach area if it was his dog as he was the closest. He said "No, and that he thought the dog might be with the people running the River Queen as it seemed to get excited when the boat came in to dock. We walked in the gift shop ticket sales office and asked the ready to burst, pregnant woman behind the register if it was their dog. My daughter put the dog down and she really didn't say to much about it. She was hot and irritated for sure. No air conditioning in the gift shop and it was hot inside despite all doors being open.

Apparently there were 2 Shih Tzu's, the other one was in the back room of the gift shop...more shy and both were hot and looked thirsty. It was a 90 degree day. The boat docked and the "Captain" got ticked off when both dogs greeted the boat and came on board. I saw him pick up by the front legs, and drop the white one twice roughly in the sales office back room...then he man handled both, took them and threw them literally in the trailer next to the shop and slammed the door. I was watching him the whole time and also heard him and his wife exchange a few ugly words to each other over the dogs being out as he passed her by.

I also noted a approximately 3 YO little girl swinging on the door handles of a back door off the dock unsupervised...I assumed she was a daughter of the people running the River Queen.

I asked the Captain as he came back around the trailer if he was the one running the paddle boat tours. He said yes. I told him that I was going to buy tickets for my daughter and myself but after watching him treat his animals the way he did I wouldn't give him my money, I told him that was animal abuse. He said he was sorry, I told him he was not. I was a bit upset as was my daughter to see him rough those small, maybe 7-8 lb dogs up and there was no way that I wanted anything to do with him or his operation....and I told him I was going to write about him also so here is my write up. Not to mention his insensitivity to the woman who I assumed was his pregnant wife.

I later found out that they had 11 people for the next tour and said they needed 15 so he cancelled the tour. Some people who told me that said they drove 2 hours for this with their grand kids. They were well over with 30 some people on the last tour that just ended so they weren't losing money to make these 11 people happy...it didn't matter. My daughter and I would have been 13 and they probably still would have cancelled...it was a hot day and beautiful for a boat tour...

Business must be good...

I would never return to this poorly run operation. If you go, don't do it on a hot summer day...don't rely on web sites to give you information about this either...they will deny the info is valid...per another disappointed customer...
Written July 26, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tymetraveler222
Bay City, MI6,766 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2011 • Couples
Four of us took our first cruise on the Au Sable River Queen on a Sunday afternoon at 4 PM. The ride last two hours. Cost for adults is $14. We reserved our tickets a couple weeks in advance, as the Fall color cruises are very popular and can fill up quickly. They have 3 trips a day (at least on weekends) at 10:30 AM , 1 PM and 4 PM. The cruise we took was full.

There are individual seats for 2 and 4 people. No tables. And then there are tables with chairs. We rode on the 2nd level, with a table and chairs. Stairs to the 2nd level. We were on the left side; however, the boat turns around at one point and you will see what you might have missed on the return trip, so it doesn't really matter which side you sit on. They provided some music while on board during two different sets. Not sure if this is the norm or just during special times of the year. The live music was average-playing oldies for the most part.

Bars available on both levels, bathrooms on the first level. Prices average. Some people were really partying hard near us, and that took away from the ambiance of the cruise, though, they at times, were entertaining to say the least. LOL. There is also some food on board, mostly snack type foods.

Ride is two hours, and they go quite a bit down the Au Sable (north?). Color on October 9th was very spotty, almost non-existent. The ride is smooth and we thoroughly enjoyed the river boat. This is a paddle wheeler. You will see forest, meadow, sand dunes, cottages, a few swampy areas, and plenty of boat traffic. You will not be able to hear what the Captain is telling you about the river or ride, due to engine noise and people noise. Maybe sitting nearer the front provides better auditory possibilities.

Parking is in a private lot, right off the scenic byway, which is worth driving in itself. There are several lookouts and parks you can stop at along the way. Bathrooms-wait until you go on board the boat-other wise you are going to be using an outhouse. They should have regular toilets at this attraction. There is a small gift shop, but I was disappointed in it. Not much in the way of products for sale, they were also out of ice and bottled water. Small park with a couple picnic tables located next to parking lot.
Written October 14, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Greengirl87
Wabash, IN164 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2014 • Friends
I was a little worried when we arrived for our reserved boat ride. The gift shop seemed a little chintzy, so I worried the ride would be the same. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. The staff were all very friendly-from the captain greeting you and wishing you a goodbye, to the bartender and snack bar worker-everyone seemed to want to do a good job and make our experience an enjoyable one. The ride itself was a relaxing and informative 2 hours. Other reviewers noted that the captain made inappropriate jokes, but on our tour I didn't notice any. The musical entertainment wasn't too "in your face", it was a guy singing mostly country songs; though I will say he wasn't exactly kid friendly-almost all of his songs had curse words in them. I didn't have any kids on board, but I might've been upset if I had. He sings on the top, so go to the bottom if you don't want to be too close. All in all, we had a nice time, bring some friends and get some drinks and you'll have yourself a nice couple of hours.
Written August 24, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

valb31875
Detroit, MI20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2011 • Couples
We did the 2 hour Fall color tour. Would definitely recommend it. Very pretty; we sat on the bottom right side of the boat. Great view. The prices for the snacks on board were very reasonable. Would do this again next year,
Written October 13, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.

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