southern belle riverboat dinner cruise

Southern Belle Riverboat

Review Highlights

“ The boat trip was very nice and the weather was great, but the musician, Gary, that played the guitar and sang made the trip amazing. ” in 2 reviews

“ We took the sunset cruise and unapologetically hogged the lower front deck. ” in 19 reviews

“ Wine, dinner, and live music all while going down the river, definitely a great experience! ” in 10 reviews

Location & Hours

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151 Riverfront Pkwy

Chattanooga, TN 37402

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Is there a designated smoking section? I want to enjoy the cruise without the smell of smoke.

No smoking on board. No issues with smoke at all.

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

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Overall rating

147 reviews

I was a bit underwhelmed by this. Captain was very nice and accomodating though. We took cruise 2 days ago. We purchased tickets in last 5 minutes before cruise started on a whim. We had really just driven over to see the location, check out size of the riverboat and maybe consider the cruise for another day. Husband impromptu decided we should just take cruise. He went back to car to get jackets and I paid for tickets. Asked the girl who checked me out if the cruise was a sightseeing cruise with narration. She said yes when I described wanting to know about what we would be passing along the shore. That didnt happen. There was a nice cover band but I cod have done without it. On the bottom deck, we initially sat by speakers that was playing classic music which was fine but it was seriously competing with the band and bothering my ears to hear both at the same time. We moved to the upper deck and away from the band, toward front of boat. Overall the views are nice but there were so many questions we had about birds we saw and some abandoned docks (? We weren't sure if they wer docks or what?) We really wished we had some explanation of what we were seeing. When we were planning this trip we saw one website for this. When we got to the boat dock that day we looked again online and it seemed like there was another site we were seeing. Also dinner cruise is still being advertised online but there is no such thing. We talked at length with captain and he explained this. Wonder why its still being advertised?

Sunset on the Sunset Cruise on the TN River.

Took my wife on the Riverboat cruise. It's not a tour as some would think. It's a relaxing and enjoyable ride down the river. The band was entertaining at back of the boat. Up front is more quiet and relaxing. Can get windy so bring a small jacket. We ate at the dock bar & grill. The burgers were amazing and the fries were delicious. On the boat we learned how expensive the drinks are. A slushie is $7 bucks. A little steep. But after all, that's entertainment business. We enjoyed our visit.

This past year, we've been twice. Once in August for a Sunset cruise, and this past week for the fall color cruise. Both time were wonderful (5 stars), but both times were also interrupted by cigarette smoke. The first cruise, it wasn't clear where it was coming from. The second cruise, it was obvious. A crew member saw it and looked at me, shrugged and said, "I didn't see anything." I responded, "it's not about seeing it, it's about smelling it." He casually mentioned it to the person, but that didn't stop the passenger from lighting up later on the trip. I wasn't sure exactly what made this passengers money and enjoyment more important than the rest of ours.

It's the only option if you want a riverboat ride in Chattanooga. It's not bad, but it's not awesome either. I wish there were another company that would compete with this one to help raise their standards. It's old and dreary inside. You just have the feeling that the workers are going through the motions and don't really care. For all the info on their website I thought I understood what to expect, but it clearly wasn't thorough enough. Why can't they tell you in advance when you buy the tickets online that you'll need to check in at the registers inside the gift shop and get a token to board the boat? Would that really be so difficult? They tell you online that you can visit their bar or check out their gift shop while you wait to board, but they don't mention that everyone will be lining up to board more than a half hour early in the most unorganized way possible, so NO you really need to spend that time waiting in line. We went on the July 4th fireworks trip at 9pm. It was what we expected. Had some live music which was good. We chose not to purchase anything from the on board bar/snack bar. It would've been nice to have some indication of what side of the boat you would be able to see the fireworks from and what time the fireworks were expected to start, but besides that it was a nice ride and a great fireworks show.

We saw this place walking on the waterfront.. 3rd deck is bar and burger joint so we figured hey stop for drinks check it out!! It's a pretty cool place! First floor has bathrooms and gift shop. 3rd floor you get off elevator and up few steps and it's tables In middle and couches and chairs along both sides.. we bought bucket of beers and some fruity drinks in souvenir cups that change colors.. those cups empty or with soda are 4.99 but of course not me.. got a Malibu rum drink in cup! They have a riverboat tour with a boat on the other side of this one that runs almost for 2 hrs for right around $30. We didn't go cause we took lot of tours today plus it had just poured rain when we sat down with drinks. Our bartender was the sweetest! Her name was Shelly! She was more than helpful .. the boats a little musty and old but that's what gives it charm! There's darts and ping pong tables in rooms just behind bar on the permanent boat.. it seems like if you had group you could have pretty good time just drinking and playing games. A local said the burgers are really good but we weren't hungry just yet and wanted to venture around waterfront after rain see what else there is. I'm glad we stopped

See all photos from Courtney G. for Southern Belle Riverboat

Came to Chattanooga for the weekend, chose the Southern Belle Riverboat for a Dinner Cruise. It was beautiful, cool evening. The staff was attentive. Dinner was a slice of prime rib, grilled chicken, red potatoes, green beans and rice. Food was good, no exceptional but good. Lemon pound cake for desert was soft and moist. Atmosphere was the best, we went up to the top deck to enjoy the cruise down the river. Great live music, beautiful views! All in all it was a good night. Got to relax and enjoy some much needed time with my wife! Would recommend!

Road trip to Chattanooga and easily bought the tickets online. Parked nearby and went inside the building where we got our tickets (tokens) & checked out the gift shop. At 4:30 is when we were supposed to check in for boarding, but we started to wait at the boarding spot inside around 4pm. It wouldn't have been an issue, but it was very hot inside (they had some fans) and I was choosing to wear a mask (crowded) so that made it a bit worse waiting. Once we boarded (be one of the first to get on so you can get a good spot on the 3rd level), it was fine because there was a nice breeze. We really enjoyed the ride and wish it had been longer. They had a musician Garry (spelling?) who played a guitar and sang some classic rock songs. He did a great job and it made a nice ambiance. Enjoyed the boat ride!

Welcome to the Southern Belle! Memories can be made in late Summer where it's 98 degrees inside and out as the AC hardly works. Inside your welcomed with decor from 1992, packed bars on the top decks with lines wrapping the boat. With a party of 6 we only spent $197 on tickets and I can't tell if the dripping back sweat is better or the views.

Scenery is fantastic. I would give it a 5 on the scenery but I could give it a 1 based on the onboard entertainment. They seemed like really nice people. But the singing was off and I winced a few times. I know I can't sing a lick and would not even attempt it as a hobby or career. But they are believers In their craft - I guess that counts for something. Again / the cruise would be out of site if not for that. Also if you sit up top there is a pungent and constant smell of hotdogs. I envisioned perhaps 30,000 franks thawing in a large container and stored in the kitchen. The return trip was pleasant as the "entertainment" stopped and the captain shared a wealth of knowledge on the River. My wife and daughter played bingo on the main deck.

Terrible. It is a stretch to call this "a tour ". No one explained anything. They pack as many people onto a boat as possible. It took 25 minutes to get a drink at the bar because the lines were so long and the boat was overstaffed. Restrooms were completely overflowing with urine. Stay away.

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Sunset Cruise

Quick details.

• Clock Duration: 1.5 hours
• User Ages: 3+

Tennessee River Sunset Cruise

1.5 hour cruise. live music. Moon Pie included. See Chattanooga from the beautiful Tennessee River and enjoy the end of the day floating along and listening to music. The best sunset cruise in all of Chattanooga. Since 1985 the Southern Belle Riverboat has had a simple mission: to provide a unique and spectacular experience of the beautiful city of Chattanooga.

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• Clock 3 hours

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Enjoy this Scenic Tennessee Tour While Watching the Sunset after a buffet style dinner at the Mayor’s Mansion Inn!

• Clock 2 hours

Twilight Cruise

Enjoy a two-hour cruise on our open-air deck! Grab a glass of wine or beer from concessions, kick back, and relax as we cruise down the lazy Tennessee River.