Full disclosure: I remember Duck Tours launching in Boston and snubbed my nose at such a “ridiculous” method of touring my beloved city. Tourists quacking through Back Bay? Atrocious. Flash forward 20 years and a family trip to Montreal. My teens begged to go on an amphibious tour and as much as I scoffed, I submitted. And I absolutely loved it! It was a fun and informative look at Montreal by land and sea, and I apologize now for 20 years of negativity. And even better? The kids loved it, and that’s saying a lot when trying to win over ages 13 to 18 in one go!
Here are some of the best amphibious tours for you and your family:
Austin Duck Adventures, Texas
Explore the Texas state capital aboard the amphi-bus, across land and a lake. The tour departs from the Austin Visitors Center at 602 East 4th Street. Tours are offered daily, with more availability during the summer. Children 2 and younger are free, ages 3 to 12 are $18.95, students are $26.95, and adults are $28.95. The popular tours often sell-out, so advanced tickets are highly recommended.
Amphibus Tour, Montreal
The very tour that led me to write this story, Amphibus Tours in Montreal take visitors through Old and New Quebec, highlighting unique history along the way before setting off into the Saint Lawrence River for a view of the former World Expo and Olympic buildings. There isn’t a single quack requested of riders, and the jokes between the guide and the captain are entertaining for young and old. Tours are in English and French and boards at 2 rue de la Commune Ouest. Most tours are one hour, with two-hour firework rides coinciding with the Montreal fireworks schedule. Children ages 1 to 5 are 10 CAD, ages 6 to 12 are 18 CAD, and adults are 35 CAD.
Boston Duck Tours, Boston
With 60-minutes in the water and 20-minutes on land, the Boston Duck Tours take your family on an adventure through the streets of historic Boston and the Charles River. Two different tour options are available with different sites, so you can even take a ride more than once. Tours depart from the Prudential Center, the Museum of Science, and the New England Aquarium. Children younger than 3 are $10.50, 3 to 11 are $27 and adults are $39.50. A family of four pack is available for $110. Ticket prices also include free admission to the Hahvahd Tour and the TD Garden & Boston Sports Museum.
Duck Tours South Beach, Miami
Explore Miami’s South Beach and Biscayne Bay on this quacking tour that even gets you close to some of the beautiful celebrity mansions on Star Island. The tour travels along Ocean Drive, Collins Avenue and the Historic Art Deco District before floating around Palm, Hibiscus and Star Islands. Four 90-minute tours are offered daily with rates beginning at $5 for infants, $18 for kids through 12, and $32 for adults. Departures are at 1661 James Avenue near Lincoln Road.
San Diego SEAL Tour
The San Diego Harbor is full of California Sea Lions, so a land/sea tour often includes marine life sightings, although the tour’s name is an acronym for “Sea And Land” tour. The tour includes the Maritime Museum, the U.S.S. Midway, Lindbergh Field, as well as Shelter Island. The 90-minute tour departs from two different locations, Seaport Village and Embarcadero. Tickets are $10 for children 3 and younger, $25 for ages 4 to 12, and $42 for adults. Discounts are available if purchased online.
Ride the Ducks, Branson, Missouri
Travel through the scenic Ozarks aboard this amphibious tour that climbs to the top of a mountain and traverses Table Rock Lake. Kids can even give the captain a hand and drive the duck on this 70-minute tour. Board the duck on the Branson Strip at 2320 West Highway 76. Children up to age 3 are free if on your lap, kids ages 4 to 11 are $14.50, and adults are $26.50.
Ride the Ducks of Seattle
There will be quacking on this land and water tour around the Seattle Waterfront. You’ll pass through Pike Place Market, Pioneer Square and Lake Union on this fun-filled and wacky tour with guides who claim to “Quack you up.” Tours depart across the street from the Space Needle and 4th and Pine Streets. Both tours are 90 minutes in length, with an hour on land and 30 minutes on the water. Children 0 to 3 are $5, 4 to 12 are $20, and adults are $35.
Washington DC Duck Tours
From April through October, you can splash around in the Potomac River and around the National Mall’s monuments, memorials and museums aboard a fully restored 1942 amphibious truck. Tours depart from Union Station for 90-minutes of fun. Tickets are $32 for children up to age 12 and $42 for ages older. Go online and you can save more than $4 per ticket for the advanced purchase.
Written by Lissa Poirot