Hop aboard the Lone Star Riverboat Sightseeing Cruise to take in the beauty of Austin’s Lady Bird Lake. Travel down the water on this environmentally-friendly electric double-decker boat (with an air-conditioned lower level) and enjoy a relaxing, kid-friendly, one-hour cruise, narrated by a guide who shares lots of interesting knowledge and trivia about the sights along the water.

Reservations are recommended so you can ensure to get a spot on the boat. You can purchase your tickets online here or call (512) 327-1388 to book your reservation.

Our content manager, Heidi, took her family on their first ride on the Lone Star Riverboat recently. Read all about it, and check out her photos…

When I told my boys (ages 5, 7, and 9) that we’d be taking a boat ride downtown, they were all very excited! I loved knowing that it was a one-hour tour (sounded like a perfect amount of time), and I knew it would be cool to see views of Austin that we could only appreciate from the water.

The boat dock is located just next to Auditorium Shores, and when we arrived, were happy to find ample, easy free parking in the Auditorium Shores lot without any trouble at all. (Apparently, hot summer afternoons are not a popular time for hitting the hike & bike trail, with reason).

We were told we could board the boat at 2:15 p.m. and that seating would be first come, first served. So we got there right around that time and were among the first on the boat. My family had a bit of a disagreement about where to sit (downstairs is air-conditioned, and the top level is open-air but in the hot afternoon sun). So we chose a table in the a/c, and felt pretty good about that decision.

 

Do take note that the downstairs seats were full by 2:30 p.m. So if you know you’re going to want to sit inside, be sure to get there early. Once the boat starts moving, there is a little bit of breeze on the top, and we did go back and forth between levels to get views from above.

Everyone is welcome to bring their own snacks, picnics, etc. It’s totally BYOB. But there is a little cash bar downstairs that sells sodas and juice if you find yourself needing a beverage. You’ll find restrooms on the bottom level, too.

The entire ride is so very kid-friendly, and it’s really fun to feel like a tourist in your own town. The guide provided some interesting facts about Austin and Lady Bird Lake that you we had not previously known.

The kids loved going under the Congress Ave. Bat Bridge, and hearing the sounds of the bats. We enjoyed it so much, in fact, that we plan to take one of their Bat Watching Sunset Cruises soon!

For more information about the cruises — including the weekend sightseeing cruise, bat watching cruise, and Friday night moonlight cruise — please visit the Lone Star Riverboat website or call (512) 327-1388.

–> What to Know Before You Go to the Sightseeing Cruise:

• Boarding begins at 2:15 p.m., first-come-first-choice for seats
• Departure is 3 p.m.
  
• Bring your own drinks and food, but there is a cash soft drink and juice bar aboard
• Be prepared if you sit on the top deck in the open air. Bring hats, sunglasses, sunscreen, etc.
• You can park for free in the lot at Auditorium Shores. If that is full, you can pay to park at the Hyatt Hotel or City Hall.

 –> Ticket Giveaway!
We have a family 4-pack of tickets to give away to a lucky reader! Winner will be able to choose to reserve seats on any Saturday or Sunday 3 p.m. cruise through the end of August 2015. Winner will be chosen on Friday, July 24. Enter below. Good luck!

— Click here to enter giveaway on mobile —
The giveaway is now closed. Winner has been notified. Thanks to all who entered!