Here in Ohio, you can tour our beautiful state in some really unique ways. (Check out these quintessential tours.)
From canal rides and kayak parks to ferries and dinner cruises, there’s likely more to see out on the water in the Buckeye State than you realize. The following are 7 boat adventures that will show you a side of Ohio you don’t normally see. Check it out:
- The Nautica Queen (Cleveland)
Nautica Queen Cruise Dining Ship/Facebook Twinkling white lights, waterfront views and Cleveland’s skyline make dinner aboard The Nautica Queen downright magical. There are lunch and dinner options, both of which include an unlimited buffet meal, coffee, tea or iced tea, and musical entertainment. You can board The Nautica Queen at 1153 Main Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113.
- Roscoe Village Canal Ride (Coshocton)
Historic Roscoe Village/Facebook Few people know you can take a horse-drawn canal boat ride in Roscoe Village. It’s a pretty amazing experience offered Memorial Day - Labor Day at various times on Tuesday - Friday and Saturday - Sunday. (After Labor Day, rides are offered only on the weekends until the third weekend in October.) The Visitor Center for the village is located at 600 N Whitewoman St., Coshocton, OH 43812.
- Whitewater Play Park (Springfield)
Springfield OH Whitewater Play Park/Facebook Within Synder Park in Springfield, Ohio, paddlers can take their kayaks out to Buck Creek for an unforgettable waterfront adventure. With engineered rock arch rapids, it’s just the right amount of thrill that both new and experienced paddlers will appreciate. You’ll find it at 1901 Buck Creek Ln. Springfield, OH 45502.
- BB Riverboats (Newport, KY)
BB Riverboats/Facebook If you cross the state line in Cincinnati over to Newport, Kentucky, you’ll find a riverboat cruise option that’s the picture perfect end to a day in the city. There are multiple dinner cruise options, including the Captain’s Dinner Cruise, Admiral’s Dinner and the Family Dinner Cruise. Each cruise varies in length, dates and times. (For a complete list of both signature and speciality cruises, click here.) You’ll find it at 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071.
- Providence Metropark Canal Ride (Grand Rapids)
Micah Maziar/Flickr Providence Metropark features original canal locks, as well as a canal-era sawmill and grist mill. You can also ride on a canal boat pulled by mules down the restored Miami & Erie Canal. The metropark is located at 13801 S River Rd., Grand Rapids, OH 43522.
- Put-In-Bay Ferry (Port Clinton)
Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island/Facebook A 20-minute ferry ride to South Bass Island is just the beginning of your adventure in Put-In-Bay. Daily ferries travel to South Bass Island. Miller Ferry (pictured) one-way fares to Put-in-Bay are $7 for adults, $1.50 for children 6-11 and children 5 and younger are free. You’ll find this particular ferry at 5174 East Water St. in Port Clinton.
- Valley Gem Sternwheeler (Marietta)
Beth H/Trip Advisor Throughout the year, you can take sightseeing tours, dinner cruises and more aboard aboard the Valley Gem on the Ohio River. For dates, pricing and other information about public tours, click here. You can board the Valley Gem at 601 Front St., Marietta, OH 45750.
Have you ever taken any of these boat adventures before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!
Nautica Queen Cruise Dining Ship/Facebook
Twinkling white lights, waterfront views and Cleveland’s skyline make dinner aboard The Nautica Queen downright magical. There are lunch and dinner options, both of which include an unlimited buffet meal, coffee, tea or iced tea, and musical entertainment. You can board The Nautica Queen at 1153 Main Ave., Cleveland, OH 44113.
Historic Roscoe Village/Facebook
Few people know you can take a horse-drawn canal boat ride in Roscoe Village. It’s a pretty amazing experience offered Memorial Day - Labor Day at various times on Tuesday - Friday and Saturday - Sunday. (After Labor Day, rides are offered only on the weekends until the third weekend in October.) The Visitor Center for the village is located at 600 N Whitewoman St., Coshocton, OH 43812.
Springfield OH Whitewater Play Park/Facebook
Within Synder Park in Springfield, Ohio, paddlers can take their kayaks out to Buck Creek for an unforgettable waterfront adventure. With engineered rock arch rapids, it’s just the right amount of thrill that both new and experienced paddlers will appreciate. You’ll find it at 1901 Buck Creek Ln. Springfield, OH 45502.
BB Riverboats/Facebook
If you cross the state line in Cincinnati over to Newport, Kentucky, you’ll find a riverboat cruise option that’s the picture perfect end to a day in the city. There are multiple dinner cruise options, including the Captain’s Dinner Cruise, Admiral’s Dinner and the Family Dinner Cruise. Each cruise varies in length, dates and times. (For a complete list of both signature and speciality cruises, click here.) You’ll find it at 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY 41071.
Micah Maziar/Flickr
Providence Metropark features original canal locks, as well as a canal-era sawmill and grist mill. You can also ride on a canal boat pulled by mules down the restored Miami & Erie Canal. The metropark is located at 13801 S River Rd., Grand Rapids, OH 43522.
Miller Ferry to Put-in-Bay and Middle Bass Island/Facebook
A 20-minute ferry ride to South Bass Island is just the beginning of your adventure in Put-In-Bay. Daily ferries travel to South Bass Island. Miller Ferry (pictured) one-way fares to Put-in-Bay are $7 for adults, $1.50 for children 6-11 and children 5 and younger are free. You’ll find this particular ferry at 5174 East Water St. in Port Clinton.
Beth H/Trip Advisor
Throughout the year, you can take sightseeing tours, dinner cruises and more aboard aboard the Valley Gem on the Ohio River. For dates, pricing and other information about public tours, click here. You can board the Valley Gem at 601 Front St., Marietta, OH 45750.
For more unique tours in Ohio, check out our previous article: These 10 Quintessential Tours Will Show You Ohio In Ways You’ve Never Seen It.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
