Photo by Visit Milwaukee
Experience Milwaukee from a unique vantage point with these rentals on the river.
BY Olivia Patel
Note: Please check individual websites for updated pricing and pricing details.
1. Cream City Boats
$30-$75
Cream City Boats get you right out onto the water (literally). The Adult Party Boats allow users to cruise down the river on bike-like electric boats with minimal effort. The rentable vessels are available in groups up to 10 and allow one person per boat. Add-ons for the vessels like bluetooth speakers and an attachable cooler available for an additional $5. Booking can be done ahead of time on the rental service’s website.
2. Milwaukee Duffy Boat Rentals
$129-$199
With three different options, including two two-hour duffy boat rentals and retro boat rentals, there are plenty of options for those looking to do some legitimate cruising on the river. Duration of rides range from 90 minutes to two hours. More details on the boats and access to reservations can be found on MKE Duffy’s website.
3. Milwaukee Paddle Tavern
$20-59
On the paddle tavern, participants leisurely paddle the boat along the Milwaukee River, while enjoying the sights of the city. The floating bar – it’s BYOB – allows up to 16 riders and you can sign up through the company’s website.
4. BOAT MKE!
$150-$400
BOAT MKE! offers a variety of boat rentals for the Milwaukee River, including its classic Donut Boat, where up to 10 guests sit in a circular-shaped vessel around a small central bar. BOAT MKE! also has a collection of retro boats, giving riders the feeling of what it was like to cruise down the river 50 years ago. Both rentals require a boaters license to drive for participants born after Jan. 1, 1989, and can be scheduled through the BOAT MKE! website.
5. Milwaukee Kayak Company
$40-$75
Milwaukee Kayak Company rents paddleboards, kayaks and canoes on the river and offers guided-tour services.
6. Brew City Kayak
$44-$75
Brew City Kayak has a wide variety of kayak rentals and tours, as well as a season pass for those who want to go out more frequently. If you want to kayak with a buddy, they also have a tandem kayak option, which seats two riders in one kayak.
7. Kanaloa Tiki Lounge
$349-$549
The floating paradise bar fits 11 passengers plus one designated driver. Fortunately, they provide a driver free of charge (if you want), so no one has to be the sober friend on this rental. This river drinking experience is recommended for a crowd of over 21 years of age, as there is a maximum of four passengers under the age of 18 allowed on the vessel. Availability and bookings can be found on the tiki lounge’s website, along with the rules and regulations for rental.
8. Riverwalk Boat Tours
$245-$560
It’s always nice to have a friend who owns a boat. However, for a few hours or a full day, you can be that friend, without all the maintenance and price of actually owning the boat. Riverwalk Boat Tours rents private pontoons, where you can be the captain of your own boat set to sail down the Milwaukee River. Bookings can be done online on the Riverwalk Boat Tours’s website.
9. Retro Boats MKE
$149-$249
Retro Boats MKE has rentals with a vintage feel that are easy to drive. The retro boats fit two to four people per ride. Retro Boats MKE also offers an early bird special on rentals before 2 p.m. Renters must be 25 years of age or older. Check out the rental website for pricing and booking dates and details.
10. Milwaukee Boat Line
$29
This panoramic city tour line offers sightseeing tours, co*cktail cruising hours and classic charters for small events. The Line sails three larger vessels on the river: the Voyager, Vista King and Iroquois, each varying in design and the number of passengers welcome on board. Each of the boats are available for sightseeing and happy hour cruises, along with the 21+ Yacht Rock cruise. In addition to the cruises, for select dates during the remainder of the summer, you can hop on one of the Line’s Brew City Boat Series cruises to party on the river with a live DJ. Booking for individual tickets, small groups or large events can be done through the website.
11. Edelweiss Cruises and Boat Tours
$29-$60
Edelweiss Cruises and Boat Tours does both public cruises and private charters. You can pick from one of 12 cruise options, each with a different itinerary ranging from peaceful and relaxing to adventurous and upbeat. Edelweiss also does private charters on two of its vessels, which are fully equipped with food, entertainment and bar options to make any event a success. Different options based on the type of event can be found on the website, along with bookings for any of Edelweiss’s cruising options.
