Padelford Riverboats
Padelford Riverboats
4
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Full view
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Padelford Riverboats
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
119 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
41
Average
18
Poor
8
Terrible
4
KG4WFD
Fuquay-Varina, NC116 contributions
Aug 2022 • Friends
Great way to spend the afternoon.... Traveling down the mighty Mississippi River, reconnecting with nature, while learning the history of the Rivers connection with St. Paul. Heard some fascinating stories, saw a few bald eagles, with great views of the city and bridges. Food and drinks were available for purchase and the ride was around 1.5 hrs. Went on a Monday for half the price!
Written August 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brendan S
Arlington, VA1,391 contributions
Jul 2021
I took a daytime cruise with Padelford. At $19 for a 90-minute cruise, it's inexpensive, although drinks are an extra expense and there's barely any food available. The cruise itself goes a few miles up the River to the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi.
There's not a whole lot to see along this route - a swinging bridge, a crevasse where St. Paul was first settled, views of the St. Paul skyline - although I did spot a Bald Eagle in the heavily forested area on the riverbank.
There's not a whole lot to see along this route - a swinging bridge, a crevasse where St. Paul was first settled, views of the St. Paul skyline - although I did spot a Bald Eagle in the heavily forested area on the riverbank.
Written July 11, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Alicia M
Monticello, MN31 contributions
Aug 2022 • Family
We have been on the dinner cruise before and had a good time. This time though we just did the scented tour. It was okay but it was a very full ride and was loud from the amount of people on board. That isn’t the fault of the company just bad timing. I would say go on the dinner cruises if you want to experience.
Written August 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
TwinsFan13
Chippewa Falls, WI10 contributions
Jun 2021 • Family
Reasonably priced cruise, interesting, crew was very accommodating for one of our party in a wheelchair, and overall very friendly. We did the basic sightseeing cruise which is 1 1/2 hours long, just about right for the younger kids. Parking was fine on a Saturday at Harriet Island, it’s nice to have it launch from a nice park.
Written June 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Prairietrave
89 contributions
Sep 2020 • Friends
The cruise was relaxing and interesting. We took the Sunday, 12:00 cruise and ordered lunch along with the cruise tickets. I would not do lunch again. It was a hotdog on a bun, no condiments, chicken salad sandwich,which appeared to have been made the day before and a birthday cake, which in the picture on the website is a nice little one layer cake and in reality is a small square aluminum cake. I recommend just buying drinks and eating before hand.
Written September 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tspan
Seattle, WA54 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
Took the sunset dinner cruise which was very scenic down the Mississippi River. Had a great time with friends, and it was a lovely evening outside on the boat. Was not expecting much for the dinner but we were not given salad, rolls, or dessert as the description says.When we inquired, sounded like they ran out. Would not suggest a dinner cruise, paying extra for...??
Written June 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
kimberlydawnn
3 contributions
Aug 2014 • Couples
We enjoyed a Lunch and Lock Cruise last weekend to celebrate our 8th anniversary. The crew was lovely, the food was better than expected, and the boat was old but well loved. The whole experience would have been perfect if it weren't for Padleford's smoking policy. They allow smoking in all outdoor areas of the boat! We could not believe it, it was awful! There were pregnant women, children, and elderly with oxygen tanks all having to quietly choke to death while the chain smoking fools basically ruined it for everyone. If you want to enjoy any time on the deck, and of course you do because you want to get your moneys worth, then be prepared to feel like your sucking an exhaust pipe. Or better yet find another cruise company that does not allow this vial act on their ships. At least until Padleford changed their extremely outdated smoking policy.
Written August 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
heyjude0119
Maplewood, MN'72 contributions
Aug 2017 • Friends
Myself with several friends get together once a month and in August we decided to go on the Jonathan Paddleford. I have been on it previously, but not for years, so I was looking forward to it. We had so much fun during the ride.
There is seating in a closed area on the first level and on the second level, covered open seating along with some seats that are not covered. We went on a Monday Madness Tour which was a great value at $8.00. On this cruise there is a bar available, soft drinks, hot dogs, chips/cheese, etc.
The following is taken from their website: "The historically narrated public sightseeing excursions run 1 1/2 hours. Sights along the way include: the St. Paul High Bridge, Pig's Eye's Cave, Minnesota River mouth, Pike Island, and the timeless splendor of the mighty Mississippi River." That really explains this experience quite well.
There were families and other groups of friends here, so it is for everyone. What I like about it is it is just the right length of time. I believe in the fleet of Paddleboats, there are 2-3 and on their website it explains other options you may want to try.
There is seating in a closed area on the first level and on the second level, covered open seating along with some seats that are not covered. We went on a Monday Madness Tour which was a great value at $8.00. On this cruise there is a bar available, soft drinks, hot dogs, chips/cheese, etc.
The following is taken from their website: "The historically narrated public sightseeing excursions run 1 1/2 hours. Sights along the way include: the St. Paul High Bridge, Pig's Eye's Cave, Minnesota River mouth, Pike Island, and the timeless splendor of the mighty Mississippi River." That really explains this experience quite well.
There were families and other groups of friends here, so it is for everyone. What I like about it is it is just the right length of time. I believe in the fleet of Paddleboats, there are 2-3 and on their website it explains other options you may want to try.
Written September 21, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
RandBTravel
Minnesota13,745 contributions
Jul 2014 • Couples
During a stay in St. Paul, MN, we decided to do the Padleford sightseeing cruise of the Mississippi. What a great experience! The cruise is about and hour and a half long. There was more then ample room on the boat. We chose to stand at one of the outside railings and enjoyed the beauty of the mighty Mississippi. We did the tour on a beautiful summer day in Minnesota. The staff was very nice and they had two cash bars on board. We would like to do it another time for the lunch cruise that goes even further down the Mississippi. We do recommend this cruise during your next stay in St. Paul.
Written August 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Brice J
Highland, IN79 contributions
Jun 2014 • Family
We were trying to find something to do with the kids for a few hours on an overcast and rainy day, and found this little diamond in the rough. Fifty bucks got the entire family two hours of Mississippi Riverboat cruising, and it was worth every cent!
Written June 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Is there parking for cars at the Waterford boat co
Janet J
Brooten, MN19 contributions
Yes there is a large parking lot.
Is there parking for our car at the boat co?
Sadee S
Minneapolis, United States55 contributions
Yes, there is a large free parking lot.
Beware of road construction. I ran into 2 detours near there! Fortunately, I had planned on arriving very early, to get a good seat on the boat!!
Don M
1 contribution
Is this a pre-recorded narrated tour?
ChateauMpls
Minneapolis, MN
It is a recorded narration. There is also a map available at the bar that points out historic points on the River with an explanation. The map is free.