City Tours Around the World: 7 to Book

1.Leipzig: City History Canal Sightseeing Tour on a Motorboat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 7,671 reviews · 1h 10m · from $18Our pick

See Leipzig from its waterways on a 70-minute motorboat ride from Stadthafen. You’ll pass the Baedeker villa, Palmengartenwehr, Buntgarnwerke, Karl Heine Canal, and Stelzenhaus. Live guiding is in German, with a WeGuide audio option in English, French, and Dutch if you bring headphones.

“I liked our tour guide and everyone on the boat was extremely kind!! I am not German but I understood most of the tour - which was excellent.”

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2.City Cruises Chicago: Seadog Lakefront Speedboat Ride

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 642 reviews · 30 - 75 minutes · from $42

Join City Cruises at Navy Pier for a 30-minute Seadog ride past Grant Park, Buckingham Fountain, the museum campus, and Chicago’s skyline. Your English-speaking guide mixes architecture facts with jokes and music. Upgrade for high-speed turns, 360-degree spins, and a likely splash.

“Such a fun ride! Jake, our host was very funny and had great energy! Great family ride!”

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3.45-Minute Sea Rocket Speed Boat & Dolphin Cruise in Ocean City MD

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 585 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Cruise from downtown Ocean City through the inlet aboard the Sea Rocket, watching for bottlenose dolphins and coastal sights. Expect music, ocean spray, and possible high-speed riding. Captains including Owen, Ashton, Ashly, Bobby, and Riley have been praised for finding dolphins, though sightings and ocean conditions vary.

“Owen and Johnny were very good. Unfortunately for us the weather didn’t allow us the full experience of going out on the ocean. They gave us a nice tour of some of the area anyway.”

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4.Speedboat Tour Through Heart of the City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 387 reviews · from $66Top rated

Meet Debbie, Dave, or another Thames Tigers skipper at Tower Bridge Quay for a 45 to 50-minute Thames ride. Hear short commentary past St. Paul’s and the Tower of London, then hit 35 mph toward Greenwich and the O2. Waterproof gear and shock-absorbing seats are provided.

“One of the best activities we’ve done. Would thoroughly recommend”

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5.Ho Chi Minh City: Mekong Delta Full-Day Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 339 reviews · from $113

Travel from central Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta by speedboat, then visit Thu Thua Market, a Cao Dai temple, local homes and workshops. Guides such as Hang, Lucky, Anna and Nhu Y bring the day to life, with breakfast, fruit, drinks and a Vietnamese lunch included.

“Great experience in HCMC to get away from the overcrowded roads, with a cool tour guide. Perfectly organized by the Les Rives Team, recommend to everyone who wants to see Mekong Delta or Cu Chi”

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6.City Cruises Chicago: 75-min Speedboat Architecture Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 268 reviews · 1h 15m · from $61

Board Seadog at Navy Pier for a 75-minute ride through the Chicago Harbor Locks and along the Chicago River, then finish with a fast Lake Michigan run. English-speaking guides such as Andy, Anna, and Lucious have made the architecture stories lively, but bring a jacket and expect possible spray.

“I took the tour of a day that happened to be really foggy. According to the tour guide, Andy, it was very unusual. I was in Chicago for a few days whole my husband went to a tech conference there. Several people recommended I take an architectural boat tour. I'm so glad I did and honestly, this company was a great choice. The speedboat helped keep me from getting sick (just a little during the river lock transitions). Our guide Andy was very knowledgeable and quite funny. I would've loved for it to be longer. Also, my husband was surprised when I told him I considered going again later in…”

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7.New York City: Harbor Speedboat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 238 reviews · from $99

Race from North Cove Marina around Manhattan, beneath the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, past Governors Island, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty. A US Coast Guard licensed captain such as Eric, Bryant, or Mack provides live narration, photo stops, and a fast, lively ride.

“We had so many amazing experiences during our NYC trip, but this boat trip was a highlight for me, my three teenagers, and my dad. If you’re dithering about whether to splurge or not, I can only encourage you to do it— it was TOTALLY worth it to us!!”

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