Friday, April 12, 2024

Riverfront cruises return to Richmonds historic Canal Walk

canal cruise richmond va

The covered boats seat 35 guests and tours leave every hour from the Turning Basin, between 14th and Dock streets on Virginia Street. While older kids will dig the boat ride, little kids will likely get antsy after the boating fun wears off. Tours will depart at the top of the hour from Turning Basin, which is located at 139 Virginia Street in Downtown Richmond. The boats can accommodate up to 25 passengers and are accessible to those with physical disabilities. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis at the Turning Basin ticket kiosk or online up to 18 hours in advance. From Colonial times through World War II, Richmond was a center for tobacco inspection and processing.

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George Washington, a staunch proponent of canal transportation, appeared before the Virginia General Assembly in 1784 to support legislation to create a waterway to bypass the falls. By linking the James River with the Kanawha River in western Virginia, which in turn flowed into Ohio, he hoped to improve transportation and trade with the western region. In 1785, the state incorporated the James River Company, with Washington as the honorary president.

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Riders will climb aboard a canal boat and learn about the unique history of Richmond — from the city’s railroads and tobacco warehouses to its modern gardens and wildlife — all while enjoying the beautiful views from the water. Join Richmond Canal Cruises for an informative, 40-minute, historically narrated tour or private charter of the James River and Kanawha Canal along Richmond’s historic Canal Walk. Our covered boats, which accommodate up to 35 passengers, depart on the hour from the Turning Basin, located at the intersection of 14th and Dock streets on Virginia Street.

Canal Cruises Take Float April 1st - rvahub.com

Canal Cruises Take Float April 1st.

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Find over 20 history medallions along downtown Richmond's Canal Walk!

The name of the island changed several times, but Brown’s Island eventually stuck. In 1987, Brown’s Island became a part of the james River Park System. In a few more steps, you’ll spy a couple of launch areas for kayaks and canoes. In summer months, river outfitters rent out these human-powered watercraft. From the parking lot, walk away from the Robert E. Lee Bridge along Tredegar Street.

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The Richmond Canal Walk is an easy 2.8-mile out-and-back walk in downtown Richmond, Virginia that highlights four centuries of the city’s history. Falling into the relaxing-and-absorbing tour category is the Riverfront Canal Cruise. Lobbied for by none other than George Washington himself in 1789, our first president urged the Grand Assembly to connect Richmond’s waterways. These interesting tours last 40-minutes and are led by guides well versed in Richmond history.

The City of Richmond and the Slave Trail Commission unveiled markers for the Richmond Slave Trail in April 2011. Seventeen markers along the path display somber and illuminating information on the history of slavery in Richmond. This three-mile trail goes from the James River's Manchester Docks at Ancarrow’s Boat Landing to Lumpkin's Jail Site in Shockoe Bottom. The American Civil War Museum is more than a collection of artifacts and relics. From the overlook, you can see across the James River to the two-mile-long CSX railroad trestle bridge.

Learn about Richmond's place in U.S. history when you visit the museums, landmarks and sites of Downtown

Riverfront Canal Cruises is a tour company in Richmond that offers romantic excursions along the downtown Richmond canal. These 45-minute tours will give you a newfound appreciation for the capital city’s history and stunning architecture. Here’s everything you can look forward to when you embark on a Riverfront Canal Cruise. By 1800, the Great Basin was situated in the heart of the city. Partially located under the present-day James Center, the basin was a hub of activity surrounded by mills and warehouses.

The passenger boats, called "packets," ran between Richmond and Lynchburg. At night, the lower deck was divided into two sleeping compartments, one for men and one for women - but some passengers chose to remain above and contemplate the stars. In 1888, Richmond built the first commercially successful electric streetcar system in the world. The tops of the new cars were connected to an electrical line called a “troller,” and thus became known as “trolleys.” The streetcars ran for 60 years before giving way to buses and cars.

Richmond Private Charters

canal cruise richmond va

This new location is currently where Riverfront Canal Cruises start boat tours. When you envision a canal boat, do you dream of Italian gondolas? If so, you may be pleased to learn that a similar excursion exists right here in Virginia.

There is a paved path with some views across the flowing James River. In the late 17th century, tobacco, furs, rum and enslaved Africans were traded in the Shockoe area. In 1742, the town was no more than a fifth of a mile square, with 250 merchants, laborers, fishermen and boatsmen. Brown's Island was created when the Haxall Canal was extended west to the Tredegar Iron Works. Encircled by waterways that provided power and transportation to flour mills, foundries and paper companies, Brown's Island has been at the center of Richmond's industrial activities for more than 200 years.

Riverfront Canal Cruises, LLC, operates historically narrated boat tours and private charters of the James River and Kanawha Canal. RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - Riverfront Canal Cruises is launching its 24th season of historical tours and private charters. Starting Friday, April 5, cruisers can enjoy 40-minute, historically narrated tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal. Due to Richmond’s canals being so narrow, “turning basins” had to be specially constructed so that the long barges and passenger boats could turn around. Richmond's original Great Basin stood between 8th, 11th, Cary and Canal Streets, and was connected by a series of locks to the Richmond dock. In 1999, a new turning basin for the restored canal was constructed between Virginia and 14th Streets.

The bridge was replaced in 1972 by the Manchester Bridge, which includes a legally mandated free walkway. The Canal Walk has been a staple of Richmond for decades, entertaining visitors and residents alike. Located along downtown’s riverfront, the Canal Walk stretches 1.25 miles along the James River and Kanawha and Haxall Canals, and has access points at nearly every block between 5th and 17th Streets. I would love to see a reimagined Brown’s Island that is even more of a fantastic park with world class amenities.

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