Riverfront Canal Cruises
Enjoy a Canal Cruise Along the Kanawha Canal in Downtown Richmond
Looking for fun and unique things to do in Downtown Richmond?
The boat tours travel through the historic James River and Kanawha Canal along Downtown Richmond's Canal Walk. Narrators review centuries of Richmond’s history, from Powhatan’s Chiefdom to the first commercially successful electric streetcar in the world, all while traveling in authentically styled boats. Visitors will see the unique railroad Triple Crossing, historic 19th century architecture, the Virginia Capital Trail, the Low Line gardens and James River wildlife.
Hourly Historic Tours
40-minute historically narrated tours
The canal boat tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal operate throughout the season, seven days a week from May through October, and with varying hours in April and November.
- Tours depart on the hour from the Canal’s Turning Basin at 139 Virginia Street, in Downtown Richmond, Virginia.
- Tickets are sold on a first come, first served basis at the Turning Basin’s ticket kiosk and online up to 18 hours in advance - HERE.
- Boats can accommodate up to 25 passengers and are accessible to those with physical disabilites.
- No pets are allowed except for registered service animals.
PLEASE NOTE: Even when it appears that tickets may be sold out online, we do still keep a number of walk-up tickets available at the ticket kiosk for each historic tour. Try arriving early or calling 804-649-2800.
BOAT TOUR HOURS
April
Thursday–Saturday: Noon–7PM
Sunday: Noon–5PM
May – September
Monday–Friday: Noon–7PM
Saturday: 11AM–8PM
Sunday: 11AM–7PM
October
Monday–Saturday: Noon–6PM
Sunday: Noon–5 PM
November
Friday – Sunday: Noon – 5PM
Last day of the 2025 season is November 9.
RATES
- Adults: $15
- Children (5 - 12 years old): $8
- Children 4 and under: FREE
- Seniors (65 years and up): $8
DISCOUNTS
- $1 off historic tour tickets to all teachers, first responders, healthcare workers and military personnel who show a valid work I.D. at the ticket kiosk.
Special Historic Tours
40-minute, narrated tours with special guests offering a different narration
SPECIAL TOUR HOURS
Every Thursday at 6:00pm; May 8 through July 10.
SPECIAL TOUR RATES
Same pricing as historic tours.
Thursday, May 15
6:00pm tour: National Parks Service, Tying the James River and Kanawha Canal to Richmond’s History
A park ranger from Richmond National Battlefield Park will review the history of the James River and Kanawha Canal system and its connections to Richmond’s industrial past.
Thursday, May 22
6:00pm tour: Capital Trail 101
Discover the Virginia Capital Trail, a 51.7-mile paved, multi-use trail that connects Richmond and Williamsburg, through this introductory presentation by the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation. “Cap Trail 101: A Guide to the Trail" will be a formal introduction to the Capital Trail for folks who have been anticipating getting out there but haven't taken that first step yet. This will be an informative, 1-hour presentation, starting with the early beginnings of the Trail into the current day. There will be some historical context, some non-profit programming knowledge and so much more!
Thursday, May 29
6:00pm tour: Bryan the Bateau Man and the James River Bateau Company
Join Bryan Dierkes, an expert in Virginia’s river heritage, as he dives into the fascinating history and construction of batteaux, the long, flat-bottomed boats that once navigated the James River’s winding waters. Learn how these vessels powered 18th and 19th-century commerce, connected communities, and shaped the region’s economy. Perfect for history buffs, river lovers, and curious minds alike!
Thursday, June 5
6:00pm tour: American Civil War Museum historian on Richmond’s role in history
During the Civil War, Richmond was a hub of political, social, and economic activity. Join their historians on the canal boat to explore the Civil War! You'll hear about Richmond's role in industry, slavery and emancipation, and the people who made history.
Thursday, June 12
6:00pm tour: Capital Trees on landscaping practices in an urban setting
Capital Trees is a local urban greening non-profit, partnering with various agencies and organizations to create and enhance public landscapes. On the tour they’ll share about the work they do along the Low Line Gardens and Great Shiplock Park, a linear urban garden and public recreation space. Docks that once lined this booming industrial area have been replaced with a vibrant greenspace where both people and wildlife are nurtured. They'll discuss their landscaping practices and the unique challenges of recreating a natural space in a downtown setting (under a train trestle and highway overpass!). They'll cover stormwater management strategies along the canal, plant species selections and why they work here, and the public health and community impacts that urban gardens support.
Thursday, June 19
6:00pm tour: Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia on Juneteenth
In honor of Juneteenth, the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia will lead an immersive guided tour experience. Guests will learn about the museum’s permanent and featured exhibitions, the legacy of African American communities in Richmond, and the city’s historical significance as both the capital of the Confederacy and a cradle of Black resilience and achievement. The tour will culminate with a powerful reflection on the history and continued relevance of Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day, offering deeper insight into the museum’s commitment to restoring cultural pride and fostering a more inclusive society through innovative storytelling, scholarship, and community engagement.
Thursday, June 26
6:00pm tour: Historic Richmond on the history of downtown’s canal system
Join Jennie Joyce of Historic Richmond to explore the more recent history of Richmond’s historic canal system and the neighborhood that surrounds it. A local preservation and neighborhood revitalization nonprofit, Historic Richmond has deep roots in Shockoe, which founder Mary Wingfield Scott called “the valley where Richmond began.” As you glide down the canal, you’ll be seeing some of Richmond’s oldest residential, commercial, industrial and civic structures. Learn how the designation of these buildings as a City Old and Historic District in 1977 helped spark recovery and revitalization after the hurricane damage and economic depression of the mid-twentieth century.
Richmond Private Charters
Private Charters are the perfect outing for field trips, celebrations and family gatherings.
Canal Cruise private charters are also available as one- to two plus-hour private boat tours that are a favorite for family reunions, celebrating birthdays, engagements, corporate retreats, business groups, churches, clubs and so many more group outings. Private charters may be scheduled for any day and time during the season, but must be reserved a minimum of two weeks in advance.
Customers may choose for their boat ride to be historically narrated, or they can choose to forgo the historic narration and take in the sights while listening to light music over a provided speaker or simply conversing with their fellow guests. The boats can be outfitted with tables of various sizes that can accommodate light refreshments or a more formal, catered meal (catering is not provided by Riverfront Canal Cruises).
Private Charter Pricing and Guidelines
Your chartered boat(s) may be set up in one of the following (3) configurations:
- Dining style has tables and chairs, seating a maximum of 20 passengers.
- Cocktail style has chairs, benches and a small table, seating a maximum of 22 passengers.
- Excursion style has chairs and benches, seating a maximum of 25 passengers.
RATES
- $165 per boat / per hour
- $130 per boat / per hour for seniors and non-profits/educational groups
- A 15% gratuity for your guide is recommended
The 32-foot-long boats are covered with a canopy to protect riders from the weather, but we recommend that all passengers check the weather the day of and dress accordingly. The boats are handicapped accessible and can accommodate up to two wheelchairs.
Charters may be scheduled for any day and time during the boating season, are dependent on weather conditions and are scheduled on an individual basis, subject to availability.
Please book charters a minimum of two weeks in advance. Once scheduled, cruises can be canceled up to 7 days in advance without penalty. All reservations must be made online.
You may hire your own caterer or bring your own food and beverages on your private charter. Riverfront Canal Cruises requires compliance with all applicable Virginia ABC laws and regulations for all private charters that bring alcohol. Unless you have hired a caterer to provide alcoholic beverages, this is likely to include obtaining your own banquet license. Information about the laws and the banquet license application are available on the Virginia ABC website. We do not hire caterers, serve or set up food and beverage service for private charters. We do, however, set up the tables and chairs/benches on the boats in advance of your charter.
Interested? Schedule online now!
Questions? Email canal@venturerichmond.com or call our ticket kiosk at 804-649-2800.
Directions to Riverfront Canal Cruises
Canal Walk Turning Basin
Address: 139 Virginia St, Richmond, VA 23219
Parking Garage and Lot Locations Nearby
All of these locations are pay-to-park
- East Cary and Virginia Street parking deck (fronting Virginia St)
- Surface parking lot along the Flood Wall between Virginia Street and 12th Street
- 14th and East Cary Street parking deck
- 12th and Canal Street parking deck
- Omni/James Center parking deck (underground, limited space) at 12th and East Cary Streets
- 15th and East Cary Street surface lots
360° Virtual Field Trip Video
Riverfront Canal Cruises has released a new 360° video featuring a virtual canal boat tour with a historical narrative. The narration touches on the SOLs for Virginia Studies and U.S. History to 1865, assisting 4th and 5th graders as they complete the school year in a fun way!