Contrary to popular belief, boats are actually much safer than cars, which inexplicably sink every time you drive them on water. Take a proper water road ride with today’s Groupon: for $9, you get a 90-minute sightseeing or happy-hour boat cruise (a $15 value for adults, a $13–$14 value for seniors, and a $7.50 value for children younger than 12) and one soft drink or rail cocktail (up to a $4 value) from Milwaukee Boat Line (up to a $19 total value).
Milwaukee Boat Line enchants guests with unique views of the city skyline, viewed during 90-minute cruises aboard vintage vessels. Sightseers aboard the sightseeing tour can soak in the watery splendors from the deck as the captain provides illuminating quips and embarrassing childhood anecdotes about the stunning cityscape. Professionally orated by a Historic Milwaukee docent, also the ship's captain, the history tour regales the antiquity ardent with an informative narration of the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic riverbanks. The happy-hour tour drifts effortlessly along the lakeshore starting at 6 p.m., allowing visitors to relax under the top deck awning, admire the setting sun, and competitively out toast one another. Each tour equips boat toppers with a refreshing rail drink or soda, providing the perfect opportunity to reconnect with the lesser-known, aqueous 60% of the body.
Milwaukee Boat Line
Passengers on the Iroquois, Vista King, and Voyageur cruise ships have passed under century-old raising bridges and laid eyes on history-rich chunks of Milwaukee skyline. However, they've also sat under squadrons of F-18s performing barrel rolls over Lake Michigan. Licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard to perform tours and charters on the lake, Jake Chianelli and his captains offer their passengers a unique perspective on the city's waterside events. They also partner with the nonprofit organization Historic Milwaukee by using their trained docents to lead history tours, which include facts and anecdotes from the arrival of the first fur traders up to modern day.
With kitchen facilities and a full bar on board, each of the three double-decked ships are equipped for tours as well as a range of corporate events, wedding-rehearsal dinners, and Moby Dick-themed improv shows. Climate-controlled lower decks give passengers shelter in all weather, and open upper decks house a stage space where local indie-rock bands play during a summer concert series.