River cruises are a luxurious way to relax and see the sights, unlike boarding dolphins equipped with saddles, which usually results in whiplash and water-filled lungs. Cruise the blue in comfort with today's Groupon for a Chattanooga Ducks boat tour. Choose between two options:
• For $10, you get an adult ticket (up to a $20 value).
• For $5, you get a child ticket for children ages 3–12 (up to a $10 value).
Chattanooga Ducks' amphibious vehicles escape the congested streets by driving right into the Tennessee River for a one-hour expedition to observe the waterfront, wave at wildlife, and laugh at landlocked cars. The restored WWII DUKWs allow fun-seeking, nature-loving civilians to view downtown from a car-boat's perspective while coasting up the river to Maclellan Island, an Audubon Society Wildlife sanctuary and home to a Great Blue Heron rookery. A U.S. Coast Guard–certified operator chaperones visitors with clever narration along the way.
Tours typically occur from March through October and are subject to inclement weather and the mood swings of the herons. Call ahead on the morning of your desired tour to verify tour times and seat availability. Free parking is not available, but street meters are not monitored on weekends and after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
Although Chattanooga Ducks sometimes offers discounts online, this Groupon still presents the best deal available.
Chattanooga Ducks
As calendars flip from February to March, Chattanooga Ducks' fleet of amphibious transports growls to life in preparation for a new season of tours by land and water. Originally designed in 1942, the DUKW military vehicles ushered soldiers through hostile battlefields and harsh weather conditions during WWII operations. Some cruisers, now referred to as Ducks, have since retired to more calm careers as tourist transports. Recalling their training as ducklings in overflowing bathtubs, the Ducks prowl both rocky terrain and aquatic areas to provide passengers with scenic tours. Duckfuls of passengers trek to points around Maclellan Island and awe-inducing spots throughout the Chattanooga riverfront during narrated tours that edify both minds and eyes.