Before ships, the only way for explorers to discover new lands was by traversing the earth on the backs of other, stronger, explorers. Discover your city in comfort and style with today's Groupon for one ticket to a cruise from Paradise Charter Cruises and Minneapolis Queen, departing from the port of Boom Island Park. Choose between the following options:

• For $35, you get one ticket to a Saturday- or Sunday-night Mississippi River sunset and wine-tasting cruise (a $70 value). Choose from the following dates: June 11, June 26, July 2, July 16, July 31, August 28, September 25, and October 9.
• For $23, you get one adult ticket to a Friday-night Mississippi River dinner cruise (a $45.50 value).

For more than 25 years, Paradise Charter Cruises and Minneapolis Queen have ushered landlocked landlubbers onto their fleet of vessels for sightseeing cruises, scenic tours, and private charters, introducing passengers to the aqueous wonders of the Mississippi River and Lake Minnetonka. As the sunset and wine-tasting cruise embarks, Paradise Charter’s 96-foot luxury charter yacht, the Paradise Lady, will journey down the Mississippi River at the speed of water, slipping serenely past picturesque tableaus as the sun sets on the Twin Cities. During the 2.5 hour floating excursion, curious palates delve into the characters of six wines, poured from a themed selection, while eye sponges soak in a few of Mother Nature’s more well-known works, such as the Stone Arch Bridge and the Minneapolis skyline, from the cabin cruiser's three open-air decks.

Or, satisfy rumbling tummies on a Friday-night dinner cruise aboard the Minneapolis Queen. River riders feast on a scrumptious meal, featuring carved beef tenderloin and chicken breast stuffed with Minnesota wild rice, as the paddlewheeler adventures through the upper St. Anthony locks to the I-35W Bridge. The voyage is accompanied by a full narration, igniting craniums with a detailed history behind passing Minneapolis sites and a thorough understanding of quantum-level physics. Check the cruise schedule for available dates.