Magnolia Blossom Cruises offers a variety of cruises which include food, and which depart from just south of downtown St. Paul. Sunday brunch cruises are offered throughout the summer, starting after Mother's Day. Celebrate a special event mid-week on Magnolia Blossom's Wednesday evening tour. The Thursday lunch cruise features a tour of the Mississippi locks and dam. Special cruises take place during the Taste of Minnesota event (July 1 through 4, 2010) and the Fourth of July with views of fireworks from the river. Reservations must be made by calling Magnolia Blossom Cruises or visiting their website.
Magnolia Blossom Cruises
2500 Crosby Farm Road
St. Paul, MN 55116
(651) 690-2739
magnoliablossom.net
MetroConnections combines their river outings with bus tours. Climb aboard in Minneapolis for views of downtown and a stop at the Minneapolis Farmers Market. Then cruise down the Mississippi on a historic stern-wheeler replica to capture sights of some of Minneapolis' spectacular bridges, and go through the Upper St. Anthony Falls lock, which has a verticle drop of 50 feet.
Metro Connections
1219 Marquette Avenue, Suite 110
Minneapolis, MN 55403
(800) 747-8687
metroconnections.com
Since 1969, Padelford Riverboats has shown passengers the delights of the Mississippi River. All cruises depart from Harriet Island, a scenic island near downtown St. Paul. Padelford offers narrated cruises daily in June and August and special fall cruises in September and October. Padelford Riverboats also provides special event cruises, including a Mother's Day brunch cruise. Reservations can be booked online at their website.
Padelford Riverboats
Padelford Packet Boat Co., Inc.
Harriet Island
St. Paul, MN 55107
(800) 543-3908
riverrides.com
Paradise Charter Cruises features tours of downtown Minneapolis from the Mississippi River. The tours take passengers through historic downtown Minneapolis and to St. Anthony falls. Happy hour, Friday night and Sunday brunch tours are available as well, to see the city and the river at different times of day. Advanced reservations are required and can be purchased online.
Paradise Charter Cruises
PO Box 563
Excelsior, MN 55331
(888) 559-8058
twincitiescruises.com
