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Explore the Mississippi River-a cultural treasure of America! Spot bald eagles, herons, egrets, and falcons as you travel back in time from St. Paul's bustling downtown harbor through the Mississippi National Great River Park. Come aboard our riverboat cruises to see the natural marvels Minnesota has to offer.
Whether you want to simply take in the wonders of the Mississippi or enjoy a delicious meal with your family while sightseeing the colorful scenery, we have the perfect river cruise option for any occasion. With a unique event venue, make your next private event a day you and your guests will talk about for years to come.
Whether you want to simply take in the wonders of the Mississippi or enjoy a delicious meal with your family while sightseeing the colorful scenery, we have the perfect river cruise option for any occasion. With a unique event venue, make your next private event a day you and your guests will talk about for years to come.
Services
Founded in 1969 by Capt. William D. Bowell, Sr. and his wife Lillian Bowell, the Padelford Riverboat Co. operates from Harriet Island Regional Park in downtown St. Paul, MN. Padelford Riverboats have entertained more than five million passengers. Today, the company is owned and managed by Gus and Tammy Gaspardo, plus a team of experienced river professionals with many years of service in the company.
Narrated, 90 minute public excursions depart from Harriet Island in St. Paul. Sights along the way include: the St. Paul High Bridge, Pig's Eye Cave, the Minnesota River mouth, Pike Island, and the timeless splendor of the mighty Mississippi River. All Sightseeing Cruises offer a fully stocked bar and limited snacks available for purchase onboard (please no outside food or beverage).
Admire the captivating Minnesota sunset on Tuesday and Friday evenings, while you enjoy some tender corned beef brisket, grilled bone-in lemon pepper chicken, and all the fixings on this two-hour riverboat dinner cruise. Join us for a fun Saturday night excursion filled with secret recipe dry rub ribs, grilled chicken with house-made BBQ sauce, and other tasty dishes, while sailing for two hours on the Mississippi.
Sip on refreshing 2-for-1 margaritas and snack on our complimentary taco bar during this popular evening cruise on Wednesdays and Thursdays. It's the perfect activity to relax with after a long day of work or to catch up with some loved ones. Searching for a Mother's Day activity that she'll remember for years to come?
Give dad the gift of cruising on the Mississippi while enjoying assorted fresh baked pastries and danishes, cherrywood smoked bacon, Jones Farm breakfast sausage made with chicken, scrambled eggs with cream cheese and fresh dill, dry rub roasted potatoes, fresh vegetable pasta with caramelized onion balsamic vinaigrette salad, fresh fruit, assorted juices, and coffee.
Reviews (27)
Stacey D.
Oct 11, 2021
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If I could shower a venue with Yelp stars, I pick Padelford Riverboats!
We actually got married on the Betsey Northrup this year and our guests actually thanked us for inviting them! We had the ceremony on the top deck, did a sunset dinner cruise, and had a live band. Our guests had access to the top deck after dinner so a lot of people were able to enjoy the city lit up at night while the boat was cruising along the Mississippi River. A lot of our guests said it was one of the best weddings that they had ever been to because it was so different and fun.
Jen was our event manager and she was
We actually got married on the Betsey Northrup this year and our guests actually thanked us for inviting them! We had the ceremony on the top deck, did a sunset dinner cruise, and had a live band. Our guests had access to the top deck after dinner so a lot of people were able to enjoy the city lit up at night while the boat was cruising along the Mississippi River. A lot of our guests said it was one of the best weddings that they had ever been to because it was so different and fun.
Jen was our event manager and she was
Jessie
Oct 07, 2021
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Corriespading
Oct 01, 2021
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Beth Griswold
Sep 28, 2021
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Mark Cady
Aug 27, 2021
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Kimberly Utecht
Aug 25, 2021
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Josh Morrison
Aug 19, 2021
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Caroleka Sumner
Aug 04, 2021
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Krissy Howard
Aug 03, 2021
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My mother and I did the evening margaritas/tacos tour last week. It was really very nice and relaxing. There wasn't a large variety of things to see on our trek down and back but it's still well worth it just for the calm cruise and good conversation. I would definitely come back and do it again. We've already recommended this type
Ann H.
Jul 23, 2021
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We were fortunate enough to see both a pair of eagles engage midair and bald eagles cruising the riverside. The boat was spacious enough for passengers and offers an air conditioned interior. The journey itself was peaceful and unremarkable. An audio recording available on your phone would dramatically improve the experience as it could not be heard over passenger chatter.
Kim Kimba
Jul 21, 2021
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The boat was a nice relaxing ride, yet was fun to ride on. The little tidbits of information about the Mississippi River was educational and fun. Saw Geese and two Eagles. Even though it was a bit warm today, the breeze coming in was nice. The also had the air conditioning on a bit inside to help. The crew were friendly and helpful. We will go again to see the fall colors.
Ann Genrich
Jun 13, 2021
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Tom B.
Jun 05, 2021
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Pamela C.
Oct 04, 2020
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We took the fall colors tour. Beautiful day lots of color. The company did a good job of social distancing. Each group was assigned to their own separate table. Everyone could see outside. They told us stories about what we saw along the way. I wish I could have heard the speaker better. From what I could understand, it sounded interesting.
Diane B.
Jul 31, 2019
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Paul A.
Jun 04, 2019
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Michelle A.
Aug 17, 2018
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Our mega church reserved 2 boats that were connected for a marriage date night. At $10 a couple this was a steal. The boats were to depart at 6:30 and we left around 645 as there were some stragglers. We passed by the high bridge under construction and the railroad swing bridge. The weather was perfect. They even sold alcoholic drinks for a church event. They turned around by an island and kicked up the speed returning to port. The 4 hour lunch and lock tour sounds interesting as it goes farther to Minneapolis. The boat ride would also be pretty in fall with the colorful leaves. There was around
Rhiannon W.
Jul 01, 2018
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Gail P.
Jun 11, 2018
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This is a wonderful activity to enjoy on the Mississippi River. And I got lucky when I visited the Twin Cities in mid-May because most of these tourist-type boat rides don't begin running until after Memorial Day. But hallelujah, Padelford Riverboats go rolling on the river on weekend afternoons.
So, despite the drizzle and threat of rain, the boat was actually quite full. Lots of families with excited kids. Tourists. History buffs like me. There is some narration at first and then Padelford is off and running down the mighty Mississippi, which made St. Paul a river transportation hub during
So, despite the drizzle and threat of rain, the boat was actually quite full. Lots of families with excited kids. Tourists. History buffs like me. There is some narration at first and then Padelford is off and running down the mighty Mississippi, which made St. Paul a river transportation hub during
Rustey M.
Aug 18, 2017
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There was no warning that smoking was allowed on board & my party of four, plus 8 others that I was aware of, had to move several times because the smokers all sat at the front of boat & the wind carried the carcinogens to the middle & rear of the boat. I've been on several paddelboat rides on numerous rivers throughout the USA and never felt so nauseated by cigarette & cigar smoke. Plus, beware, it is a foggy-throated tape that is played for the ride. Personnel cordial, phone response excellent, good parking available.
Lora B.
Aug 02, 2017
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If you're going to ride a boat, you should definitely ride one the boats down at Padelford. They have 3 different boats and a ton of public cruise options. You could go on a public sightseeing, a sunset dinner, a margarita on the Mississippi, a rib dinner, a lunch and lock, the options are endless. All food is created by their chef John Cooper who creates all the food with love and care. They also do private events like weddings, corporate events, family reunions, anything you can think of.
Renee S.
Jul 17, 2017
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Thomas J.
May 31, 2017
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Nice trip, staff, a good value. Heads up, if you buy tickets online you will still have to stand in the same line as day of sales to redeem your tickets. You might as well buy day of and not lock yourself into a certain day. I had to stand in line for 20 minutes to redeem the tickets I bought online, strange?
John R.
Jul 22, 2016
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After years of watching this boat going up and down the Mississippi seemingly just about every time I cross the 35E bridge I finally was able to take trip myself for the first time. Its a good time.
It was a Monday afternoon so we took advantage of the Monday Madness trips they run on that day. There are different types of trips and different rates, but on Mondays you can take a 90 minute trip with a couple of drink tickets for the reduced rate of $8 plus the port fee.
After negotiating the St. Paul area construction we arrived just minutes prior to the 2:30 departure time. The upper deck
It was a Monday afternoon so we took advantage of the Monday Madness trips they run on that day. There are different types of trips and different rates, but on Mondays you can take a 90 minute trip with a couple of drink tickets for the reduced rate of $8 plus the port fee.
After negotiating the St. Paul area construction we arrived just minutes prior to the 2:30 departure time. The upper deck
Melissa B.
Oct 15, 2014
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Padelford Riverboat 4 hour Lunch & Lock Cruise today. It is a beautiful fall day and what a pleasure it is to be in the bright sun & cool air and take in the beautiful fall color display. Ugh the Tug is providing the Betsey Northrup our motivation. I couldn't have stumbled on a better way to be surrounded by the best fall scenery! It was a thought and an Internet search this time yesterday. And here we are enjoying it today!! Each day is what you make of it and the Padleford folks made this wonderful afternoon a possibility. I'm a jeans & sweatshirt kind of gal. I don&apos
Danielle D.
Aug 05, 2014
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Chelsea P.
Jun 15, 2014
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