Downtown skyline and historic waterfront, witnessed from the river that shaped the city
Hand-picked by our editors — only the best 4 experiences from 11 reviewed.
Verified partners for Knoxville River Cruise tours, free cancellation where available, and instant confirmation on every booking.
2 hr
Two-hour evening voyage with three-course dining and stunning views as the sun sets over Knoxville
Reserve
1 hr 30 min
Ninety-minute riverboat journey with a three-course meal and waterfront views of downtown Knoxville
Reserve
1 hr 30 min
Glide along Knoxville's historic waterway aboard a traditional stern wheel riverboat
ReservePrices from verified partners. Availability updates in real time at checkout. Free cancellation policies apply where shown.
The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on Knoxville River Cruise tours remember — all visible on a single visit.
Authentic paddlewheel riverboat featuring multiple decks and climate-controlled cabins.
Scenic views of downtown landmarks and natural river landscapes from the water.
Passing views of the home of the Tennessee Volunteers from the river.
Iconic landmark visible from the water during your cruise.
Open-air level perfect for sightseeing and enjoying the evening breeze.
Every Knoxville River Cruise tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | Duration | Rating | Lunch | Free cancel. | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard Entry Most popular
Tennessee River Sunset Dinner Cruise
|
2 hr | ★ 4.6 | — | ✓ | $104 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Knoxville Tennessee River Lunch Cruise
|
1 hr 30 min | ★ 4.7 | ✓ | ✓ | €65 | Book → |
|
Standard Entry
Tennessee River Paddlewheel Sightseeing Cruise
|
1 hr 30 min | ★ 4.4 | — | ✓ | €26 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
These options are essentially the same attraction managed by the same operator; visitors selecting knoxville river cruise tours will board the iconic vessel known as the Star of Knoxville.
| Feature | Top pick Knoxville River Cruise | Star of Knoxville |
|---|---|---|
Vessel Type |
Multi-deck riverboat | Multi-deck riverboat |
Departure Location |
300 Neyland Dr | 300 Neyland Dr |
Cruising Style |
Guided Tennessee River transit | Guided Tennessee River transit |
Dining Options |
Full meal service available | Full meal service available |
Best For |
Downtown skyline sightseeing | Downtown skyline sightseeing |
Atmosphere |
Casual nautical setting | Casual nautical setting |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Since they represent the same provider, selecting your knoxville river cruise tickets is simply a matter of choosing your preferred date and time for viewing the city landmarks from the water, while those seeking specific knoxville river cruise tour schedules should consult the official site.
Choose your ticket, select your date, and reserve in under two minutes. Secure checkout handled by our verified partner.
Instant confirmation by email, with a mobile voucher you can save offline. No printing, no queuing at a collection desk.
Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for Knoxville River Cruise tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
300 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, TN 37902
Located at the far end of the Calhoun's on the River parking lot.
Open in Google MapsParking is available adjacent to Calhoun's on the River; overflow city-owned parking is within walking distance.
No specific dress code is required for your knoxville river cruise. Guests are encouraged to dress comfortably or according to the style of the event they are attending.
Personal belongings are permitted onboard. Security protocols are maintained by the crew for the safety of all passengers during every knoxville river cruise.
Photography is highly encouraged from the decks. The open-air upper level provides the best vantage points for capturing the downtown skyline and Tennessee River scenery.
The Star of Knoxville provides climate-controlled main decks that accommodate various accessibility needs. Please notify the staff in advance of your knoxville river cruise if anyone in your party has specific mobility concerns.
Mobile phones are permitted. Keep ringer off inside exhibition spaces.
The knoxville river cruise is a family-friendly activity suitable for all ages. Various cruise types offer a unique way to celebrate reunions or casual outings on the water.
Buffet-style dining is included on select dinner and lunch cruises. Beverages are available for purchase from the onboard bars throughout your knoxville river cruise experience.
Pets are not allowed, with the exception of service animals with appropriate documentation.
Last entry is typically 1 hour before closing. Check the specific ticket for timing.
300 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, TN 37902
Located at the far end of the Calhoun's on the River parking lot.
Get directionsBest time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
Mild temperatures and blooming riverbanks make for comfortable deck seating during a knoxville river cruise.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Reservations are essential for every knoxville river cruise to secure your table and space.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
Iconic 1982 World's Fair structure offering panoramic city views.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
Cruises are non-refundable. Please contact the office at +1-865-525-7827 for assistance.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Upscale hotel located near the downtown riverfront.
The Volunteer Princess has traced the Tennessee River through downtown Knoxville since 1988, a paddlewheel replica that carries passengers along the same waterway where Cherokee canoes and flatboats once moved trade goods between the mountains and the Mississippi basin.
The river here bends around a promontory once fortified by Fort Loudoun, a colonial outpost that predates the city itself, and the cruise route passes beneath five bridges that span the watercourse in a half-mile corridor.
Knoxville river cruise tours operate from Volunteer Landing, a waterfront plaza built on reclaimed industrial land where coal barges once docked. The vessel itself is a steel-hulled sternwheeler designed to navigate the river's seasonal depth fluctuations, its paddlewheel driven by hydraulic motors rather than steam. Cruises follow a six-mile upstream loop that reaches the confluence of the Holston and French Broad rivers, the geographic origin of the Tennessee River system, then return downstream past the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium, a 102,000-seat structure visible from the water.
The Tennessee River at Knoxville is held at a stable elevation by the Fort Loudoun Dam, a Tennessee Valley Authority project completed in 1943 that transformed a shallow seasonal channel into a navigable nine-foot-deep waterway year-round. Knoxville riverboat cruise itineraries pass the Sunsphere, a 266-foot golden sphere built for the 1982 World's Fair, and the linear green corridor of Suttree Landing Park, named for the Cormac McCarthy novel set along these banks. Evening departures reveal the downtown skyline illuminated against the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, visible 30 miles southeast.
The Volunteer Princess offers sightseeing passages, sunset tours, and themed dinner sailings. The vessel accommodates 325 passengers across two enclosed decks and an open-air observation level. Onboard interpretation covers the river's role in Civil War logistics, the TVA's reshaping of regional navigation, and the ecological transition from chestnut-dominated forests to mixed hardwoods following the blight of the early twentieth century. Seasonal departures include October foliage tours and December holiday-light excursions along the decorated riverfront. The cruise operates under U.S. Coast Guard certification for inland passenger vessels and departs from the fixed dock at 300 Neyland Drive, adjacent to the historic Volunteer Landing marker and the Tennessee Riverwalk trailhead.
"The river here bends around a promontory once fortified by Fort Loudoun, a colonial outpost that predates the city itself."
A step-by-step walkthrough of Knoxville River Cruise tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You board the Volunteer Princess at Volunteer Landing, a broad concrete dock flanked by interpretive plaques detailing the river's navigation history. The sternwheeler eases away from the pier, its paddlewheel churning the olive-green water of the Tennessee River into a white wake.
You climb the interior staircase to the open-air observation deck and settle into a bench facing west, where the downtown skyline assembles itself against the ridgeline.
The vessel passes beneath the Henley Street Bridge, its steel truss casting a fleeting shadow across the deck, then traces the riverbank north toward the confluence. You watch the Sunsphere rise above the treeline, its golden panels catching the afternoon light. A recorded narration describes Fort Loudoun's eighteenth-century palisade, now submerged beneath the regulated river level, and the TVA's mid-century dam system that stabilized water depths for barge traffic.
The cruise reaches the Holston-French Broad confluence and pivots downstream. You lean over the rail as Neyland Stadium's concrete tiers come into view, the structure dwarfing the riverbank cottonwoods. The paddlewheel's rhythm slows as the vessel approaches the dock. You descend to the main deck and disembark at Volunteer Landing, 90 minutes after departure, the river now reflecting the color of the ridgeline behind you.
Reservations are highly recommended for all knoxville river cruise tours as space is limited. We advise booking in advance via the official site or by calling us.
Bring a valid ID, your reservation confirmation, and a camera for your knoxville river cruise.
There is no formal dress code for our knoxville river cruise tours; dress for the comfort of your event.
We are located at 300 Neyland Dr, Knoxville, TN 37902, at the far end of the parking area.
We recommend arriving for your knoxville river cruise tour between 09:00 and 18:00 for the best daylight views.
Yes, families are welcome on the knoxville river cruise, which is suitable for all ages.
The Star of Knoxville features climate-controlled decks that are wheelchair accessible for your knoxville river cruise.
Outside food and drinks are not permitted, but snacks and beverages are available for purchase during your knoxville river cruise.
Parking is available at the Calhoun's on the River lot or nearby city-owned garages for your knoxville river cruise.
