wilmington riverboat queen

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Brandywine passport, free things to do, read our blog, get our e-newsletter, visitors guide, discount pass, follow us #visitwilm, all aboard the riverboat queen is ready to sail along wilmington’s riverfront.

Get a rivers-eye view of Wilmington, Delaware with NEW Sight Seeing Tours aboard the Riverboat Queen during the its 2019 Season!

For the third year since its return, the Riverboat Queen is set to spend the Spring and Summer on the Christina River, offering tours and private charters.

The Queen’s season kicks-off Sunday, May 12 with a Mother’s Day brunch cruise, offering a traditional brunch followed by a scenic tour of the Christina River out to the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The popular replica steamboat will continue to feature Sunday brunch tours, and introduce sightseeing tours of the city, as well as happy hour cruises throughout its season!

Learn more about the Riverboat Queen Cruises!

New! For its 2019 season, Thursday-Sunday sightseeing tours, allowing guests to take in the scenic views of the river without the full meal. Thursday evening cruises will also feature Happy Hour with a weekly rotation of drink specials and offers.

Fridays and Saturdays offer scenic tours of the river, as well as a later version highlighting the city’s lights. These tours will provide even more chances to see the beautiful Christina River, Brandywine River, and historic Wilmington. What are you waiting for? Book your trip today!

All booking can be made through Wilmwaterattractions.com, or by contacting the Riverfront Development Corporation at 302-425-4890. Private charters are available for booking upon request.

Jessica Horstmann

Digital Marketing Manager at the Greater Wilmington Convention and Visitors Bureau

About Jessica: Moving to Delaware at ten years old gifted me the opportunity to grow under the lights of the city, the serenity of the country, and everything in between. I would have never thought that so many fun and interesting attractions could be packed into such a small state. I love to travel, take pictures, and experience new adventures just like you, reading this now. I can promise you new adventures happen every day in the First State. Follow along with my blogs and see for yourself why Delaware is small, but mighty!

Spotlight on Wilmington

Spend A Perfect Day On This Old-Fashioned Paddle Boat Cruise In Delaware

Kim Magaraci

Kim Magaraci graduated Rutgers University with a degree in Geography and has spent the last seven years as a freelance travel writer. Contact: [email protected]

More by this Author

Delaware is full of great adventures, and you don’t have to head down to the beach to spend some time out on the water. The Riverboat Queen is docked in Wilmington, and this beautiful, old fashioned paddle boat offers sails on the scenic Christina River all summer long.

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Book your Christina River Cruise on the Riverboat Queen website, here .

For another fantastic nautical adventure in Delaware, check out The Unforgettable Pirate Tour in Delaware That Will Make You Feel Like a Kid Again !

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

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Iconic paddle wheeler returns

The "Riverboat Queen" in Wilmington is back on the water offering brunch and dinner cruises.

The iconic paddle wheeler got some much needed restoration.

Guests can once again take Sunday brunch cruises, Thursday dinner cruises and other trips.

Each cruise is 2 hours long.

While on board you will eat, drink and enjoy live entertainment.

The Riverboat Queen is also available for private charter.

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• Wilmington's Riverboat Queen

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This restaurant has been reported as permanently closed. Click here if it has reopened.

Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: Closed Friday: Closed Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed

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Parking Yes

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Cuisines: Seafood

Price Point $$$$ $ - Cheap Eats (Under $10) $$ - Moderate ($11-$25) $$$ - Expensive ($25-$50) $$$$ - Very Pricey (Over $50)

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Guide to Historic Downtown Wilmington’s Riverwalk

Stretching nearly two miles from Nun Street to the Isabella Holmes Bridge, Historic Downtown Wilmington's Riverwalk winds along the picturesque Cape Fear River and features local boutiques, markets, cafes, art galleries and scenic cruises just steps off the walkway. Developed in the early 1980s, the Riverwalk features a number of excellent restaurants, along with a vibrant collection of sculptures and murals by local artists, including a 15-foot-tall Venus flytrap sculpture. Discover everything you need to know with this guide to exploring the Riverwalk.

Starting on the South End

Near the intersection of Nun and South Water Street, the southern end of the Riverwalk is filled with restaurants, specialty shops and much more. Explore Chandler’s Wharf , an upscale historic shopping and dining complex featuring local eateries and boutique stores. Browse artisan shops, handcrafted jewelry and unique gifts. For curious minds, visit the Museum of the Bizarre , located just off the Riverwalk. This museum is home to unusual exhibits, including Houdini’s Ouija Board and the Crystal Skull of Knowledge. You can also challenge yourself and your friends to the laser vault challenge, one of the museum’s interactive exhibits for a memorable adventure.

Wilmington Water Tours sets off on the southern end of the Riverwalk offering daily cruises along the Cape Fear River. Whether you prefer a historic, narrated tour or a serene sunset ride, there’s a cruise to suit every interest. For added charm, book a boat ride with live music and immerse yourself in the captivating scenery on the waterfront. The Bizzy Bee Water Taxi transports visitors up the Riverwalk from the Chandler’s Wharf Dock to Market Street and across the Cape Fear River to Battleship NORTH CAROLINA . The refurbished WWII-era vessel is moored on the other side of the waterway, creating Instagrammable views visible from the Riverwalk.

Anchoring the southern end of the Riverwalk, Pilot House Restaurant is one of the oldest continually operating restaurants in downtown. This traditional seafood spot stands as the Riverwalk's sole bar and is known for its unparalleled riverside views and patio sunsets. The neighboring Elijah’s Oyster and Fish Camp has been a local favorite for classic fish and seafood dishes since 1984. The George on the Riverwalk showcases seasonal options with an outdoor dining space that provides unparalleled views of Battleship NORTH CAROLINA. For specialty cocktails, visit Sauce’d and indulge in delicious drinks and its famous french fries while overlooking the waterfront.

Meet in the Middle

As you continue along the Riverwalk towards the intersection of Market and Water Street, you'll discover the heart of downtown Wilmington with unique landmarks, local eateries and shops, as well as iconic works of art. Here, you'll find "Southern Hospitality,” a 15-foot-high Venus flytrap sculpture that highlights the indigenous species. Close by, fans of the popular TV show, One Tree Hill   can stop by the  “Naley Bench,” where Nathan famously gave Haley the Cracker Jack bracelet. Take a self-guided walking tour to explore other nearby filming locations to recreate other epic scenes from the show. For a more in-depth look at local landmarks featured in popular film and TV productions, join a local guide on the Wilmywood Movie and TV Location Walk starting along the Riverwalk. This tour visits film sets and locations, highlighting why the area has been dubbed "Hollywood East."

For a guided tour of the area's historic homes and downtown neighborhood, Springbrook Farms , located at the foot of Market Street offers walk-up horse-drawn carriage tours with rescued Percheron draft horses. Hear the eerie tales of Wilmington's past on the Ghost Walk of Old Wilmington . The nightly walking tour starts at the ghost walk sign found near the intersection of Market and Water Streets. Cape Fear Riverboats , Wilmington’s oldest continuously running river cruise, offers year-round sightseeing tours and sunset cruises aboard the Henrietta, a two-story vessel docked along the Riverwalk.

While exploring the Riverwalk along Market Street, you'll come across a variety of unique shops offering keepsakes to memorialize your trip. The Black Cat Shoppe is a locally-owned store filled with unusual toys and fun novelty gifts for all ages. Close by, Edge of Urge offers fun, unique items including handmade and independent designer clothing, gifts and jewelry. Candles Etc. is an eclectic shop with artistic finds featuring a large selection of smoke-free candles made on-site. Stop in to smell one of its signature scents, Riverwalk Stroll, named after the historic locale.

For a unique dining experience, enjoy a private balcony overlooking the Riverwalk at Floriana , an Italian bistro serving dishes made with seasonal ingredients sourced from local purveyors. Or, dine directly on the water at Anne Bonny's Bar and Grill , Wilmington's only floating restaurant. Located at the foot of Dock Street, the transformed barge becomes enclosed during the colder months for a year-round experience. Across the Riverwalk from Anne Bonny's, Lazy Jack's Ice Cream Shack is a seasonal walk-up ice cream shop offering soft-serve creations. A few more steps north on the Riverwalk, GelaRto scoops up award-winning gelato and sorbet.

Nearing the North End

The journey along the Riverwalk continues towards the northern end, perfect for peaceful strolls along the river. Conlon Pier is a popular spot for catching views of the waterway and is the only place along the Riverwalk where fishing is allowed. Further along, Port City Marina , a full-service marina for large and small vessels, features The Pier at Port City Marina , which provides breathtaking views and hosts Friday Night Live! on the Pier , a summer concert series. Embarking from the marina, BrewBoat is a 100% green paddleboat cruise where passengers provide the pedal power that propels the boat along the Cape Fear River, or rely on the boat’s solar-powered electric motor to experience the unique views of the Riverwalk.

A few steps off the Riverwalk, the Wilmington Railroad Museum highlights the history of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. See model trains in action, explore a life-size caboose and ring the bell of a 100-year-old steam locomotive.

Anchoring the northern end of the Riverwalk, Riverfront Park is a 6.63-acre waterfront park featuring a large plaza, playground, garden, trails and a seasonal water feature. The park's outdoor amphitheater, Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park , is a state-of-the-art Live Nation venue hosting national touring acts.

Enjoy the scenic views of the northern end of the Riverwalk at aView Rooftop Bistro or Cloud 9 , both provide sweeping views of the Cape Fear River and are perfect spots to enjoy the sunset. Bringing vibrant Tex-Mex flavors to Wilmington's riverfront, Tequila Comida and Cantina Waterfront features over 40 craft cocktails and is known for the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river. Marina Grill offers fantastic waterfront views and a wide variety of dishes, craft beers and seasonal cocktails. Across the street, Nautical Bowls serves up superfood bowls including acai and pitaya-based creations.

Waterfront Accommodations

Explore all that the Riverwalk has to offer with a stay at one of downtown Wilmington's waterfront hotels. Hotel Ballast , one of Hilton’s boutique Tapestry Collection properties, highlights Wilmington’s nautical past. Neighboring each other on the northern end, aLoft Wilmington at Coastline Center , Best Western Plus Coastline Inn and Embassy Suites Wilmington Riverfront Hotel provide convenient access to the Riverwalk. For a unique experience, The Cove Riverwalk Villas is a houseboat community directly on the Cape Fear River, near Port City Marina.

With a variety of offerings, including unique shops, waterfront restaurants, cruises and more, downtown Wilmington's Riverwalk is a portal to discovering the area's historic and coastal charm.

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929 N. Front St., Suite 410, Wilmington, NC 28401 Toll-Free : 1-877-406-2356

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Wilmington Water Tours

Daily cruises on the cape fear river, nc, sunset cruises with live music, nature and wildlife cruises, team building, corporate outings, gift cards available.

Cruising daily with Sunset cruises 6 days a week.

Featured Cruises

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• Users All Ages
• Clock 1 Hour

Eagles Island Cruise

Join us on a scenic 50-minute narrated eco-history cruise featuring views of unspoiled nature and a variety of wildlife daily.

• Clock 1.5 Hours

Sunset Cruise with Live Acoustic Music

The perfect way to end a day or start an evening on the town!

• Clock 1.5 - 2 Hours

Sunset Cruise

Have you ever seen the magic of a Wilmington sunset? Purchase a tasty drink from our bar, sit along side your family or friends and relish in the beauty of the colorful sky during your cruise.

Moved by their love for the Cape Fear River , the owners decided to found Wilmington Water Tours in order to share with others the history and beauty of this region. Their passion gave rise to The Wilmington , a fully enclosed and handicapped accessible (with some restrictions) motorized catamaran, which can accommodate up to 49 passengers. Come explore the Cape Fear River on one of our many cruises !

Check out our sister business, Bizzy Bee Water Taxi Service

What's happening on the cape fear river.

North Carolina has a rich and diverse history that spans over four hundred years. The state’s history is characterized by the interactions of various groups, including early explorers, Native American nations, pirates, and significant events during the Revolutionary War and the Civil War.

Join us for one of our History cruises.

 Sunset Cruises with Live Music

Sunset Cruises on Friday & Saturday nights.

Customers Love Our Cape Fear River Cruises!

Our family did the Eagles Island tour. We enjoyed smoothies while the tour guide shared some neat facts. Perfect weather and the tour was entertaining. Our kids enjoyed it and my husband and I as well. We would definitely go back. It was a pleasant want to end our stay in Wilmington.

The guide was very knowledgeable and the entire staff was friendly and courteous. We're already planning on going back next summer and doing the trip north. I would highly recommend to anyone. Not only will you learn about the area, but it is a very relaxing and enjoyable ride on the river.

What a nice way to wind down the day. The operators are truly welcoming and very knowledgeable. It was a very hot day and we had some time to kill before dinner and this was perfect. We got to watch the sunset from the river and we learned more about the city we visit often.

We really enjoyed the ride and seeing the working port of Wilmington. We even got to see a couple ships coming in, so that was a bonus. The narrator/captain was friendly and made the cape river cruise fun and interesting. It was a perfect way to pass the time on a beautiful Sunday afternoon.

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Wilmington's Riverboat Queen Menu

Enter link to the menu for wilmington's riverboat queen, menus of restaurants nearby.

Riverboat Queen returns to waters of the Christina

The Riverboat Queen is back on the Christina River in Wilmington starting this weekend.

This is the third year that the Riverboat Queen will cruise the Christina River along Wilmington’s Riverfront and beyond.

“We are again going to be offering the Sunday brunch cruises, which were very popular; it’s a two-hour tour, with a brunch to kick that off. And that goes out to the Delaware Memorial Bridge, all the way out - past - down the Christina River, over the Brandywine and out to the Delaware River,” said Joe Valenti, the marketing manager for the Riverfront Development Corporation.

Valenti says in addition to the brunch cruises, which run throughout the summer, there is something new this year to make the Riverboat Queen more available to the public.  

“This year, we’re also going to be offering some additional sightseeing tours that don’t include the full meal, but just have some snacks, a full bar and then just the tour itself to keep the cost of that down - a less expensive option for those who didn’t want to do the full meal but wanted to take the tour of the River.”

These new sightseeing tours are available Thursday through Sunday. The Thursday evening version of those tours will be billed as Happy Hour cruises.

Sightseeing tours and happy hour cruises are $24 for adults, $12 for children 15 and under and $20 for seniors 62 and over. Brunches are $45 for adults and $22.50 for children.

To book a cruise, click here .

Riverboat Queen brunch cruises begin on Mother's Day

Mother's Day, May 13, marks the return of the brunch and dinner cruises aboard the Riverboat Queen , the SkipperLiner paddle wheeler that chugs along the Christina River.

The popular cruises at the Wilmington Riverfront have been a fixture in the city since 2009, though operations were halted for two years in 2015. 

The Riverboat Queen resembles a much smaller version of an early-American grand riverboat. Built in 1988 by SkipperLiner Inc., in La Crosse, Wisconsin, the boat was once known as the Belle of Graton and later Pennsylvania’s Spirit.

It docks at the Wilmington Riverfront behind Joe’s Crab Shack and Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant on the Christina River in the 600 block of S. Madison Street.

The boat offered all-you-can-eat crab dinners for six years, but the service stopped when former owner Lt. Steven Barnes, a Wilmington police officer, decided to retire. 

The Riverfront Development Corp. of Delaware purchased and refurbished the 80-passenger commercial boat in 2016 and rebooted the Thursday evening dinner and Sunday brunch and supper cruises last year. 

Riverboat Queen back to cruising the Christina

The boat's major upgrades included structural improvements, new paint, a new awning, carpeting, fixtures and an overhauled bar area. 

The Riverboat Queen is not really a floating restaurant. Coast Guard regulations don’t allow cooking.

The food served on the double-deck vessel, which has two heads (restrooms), is prepared by a culinary team from Sodexo, based at the Chase Center on the Riverfront.

The cruises include one hour of docked eating and about two hours of cruising.

Sunday brunch cruises, which include jazz entertainment, start May 13 and run through Sept. 30. Boarding begins at 11 a.m., and cruising is from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Sunday supper cruises also begin May 13. Boarding is at 3:30 p.m. and cruising is from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.  

The first Thursday sunset cruise is May 17 and the season runs through Sept. 6. Boarding for Thursday sunset cruises is at 5:30 p.m., with cruising beginning at 6:30 p.m.

The buffet menu for the Thursday sunset and Sunday supper cruises includes barbecue chicken, hamburgers, veggie burgers, smoked baby back ribs, rolls, coleslaw, potato salad, watermelon and assorted desserts.

The Sunday brunch buffet offers fresh-baked pastries, muffins, Danish, croissants, seasonal fruits and berries, whole salmon with panko dill crust and balsamic drizzle, scrambled eggs with chives, bacon, country sausage, roasted potatoes O'Brien, pan-seared chicken marsala, pasta primavera with tomato basil sauce, seasonal vegetables, sweets and cookies.

The cost for all the cruises is $45 for adults and $22.50 for children. A cash bar is available.

For more information about the Riverboat Queen, go to  wilmwaterattractions.com/riverboat-queen/  or call (302) 425-4890.

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Contact Patricia Talorico at (302) 324-2861 or [email protected] and on Twitter @pattytalorico

Riverboat Queen is Hiring!

Calling all sea lovers! The Riverboat Queen is looking for crew and deckineers for the upcoming cruising season!

For information on our current job opportunities please click on the links below:

Part-time Crew

Part-time Deckineer

Please submit all resumes to Yvette Rouse at [email protected]

No phone calls please!