philadelphia duck tours

Ride The Ducks of Philadelphia

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Ride The Ducks of Philadelphia - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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Ride The Ducks of Philadelphia

6th and Market St Philadelphia, Philadelphia, 19106, PA

• Infants 0-2
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• Teens 13-17

If this is your first visit, or even if you have been here before, a fun place to get acquainted with Philadelphia is on a Duck tour. Ducks are amphibious buses that ride on land and water. Kids love them. My son, who is obsessed with vehicles of all shapes and sizes, had a great time riding the ducks. Even the history that he learned on board made an impression.

We took the Ride the Ducks tour, which departs at 6th and Market and runs every half-hour from March through November. You can purchase your tickets at Independence Visitor Center at 6th and Market Streets, which is just across from the Liberty Bell. It is a good idea to arrive about 15 or 20 minutes before the tour departs, and even earlier during warm weather days. This ensures you will get a seat on the bus. Tickets are $26 for adults and $16 for children under 12. It is definitely worth it. Our tour guide, Fred, who is the captain of the duck on most weekends, has a corny sense of humor; he kept us laughing for a good part of the 90-minute tour. He also provided history, jokes, and tidbits about good places to eat and visit.

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• Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia

Philly Duck Tour

600 Market St, Philadelphia , Pennsylvania 19106 USA

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• Credit Cards Accepted
• Not Wheelchair Accessible
• No Public Restrooms
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“a fun duck tour of Philadelphia”

The Ducks tours include an entertaining and informative experience through the streets of Philadelphia on one of our amazing land and water “Duck” vehicles. See and learn about the Historic District like never before! Cruise down the "hippest street in town" – South Street. Then splash down and cruise the Delaware River. Laugh and learn aboard this 70-minute city adventure.

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• Sun, Sat: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
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About Philly Duck Tour

The Philly Duck Tour the best way for families to tour Philadelphia, because they combine fun and music with history and sights. Adults and seniors will have just as much fun as kids, as the Captains lead you through Philly's historic streets and a splash into the Delaware River at Penn's Landing.

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Market St & S 6th St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA

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Philadelphia Duck Tour

• 80-minute water and land tour
• Local taxes
• Wacky Quacker
• Food and drinks
• Hotel pick up and drop-off
• Valley Forge, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
• Location Name: 6th Street and Chestnut Street, across from the Liberty Bell Location Address: 1 North Independence Mall W. Philadelphia, PA 19106 Directions: Between 6th and Chestnut St. Return Location: Returns to original departure point
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Departure times vary by season; please call to reserve a time
• Infants (ages 0-3) must have a ticket to ride, so please ensure you include them in your reservation
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• TimothyM1804 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great Fun. Don't miss this. Get a great tour of Philly with a history lesson from on land and in the water. These ols landing vehichles make the trip even more fun. Read more Written January 12, 2020
• WARNINGSHOTBILL 0 contributions 1.0 of 5 bubbles Ducks went down after sunk at sea Closed down after fatal accident. Seemed like decent operation but could not recover after accident. Big bus is way to see city now. Read more Written July 4, 2018
• Wayne W 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Relaxing tour of the city Our group from class needed a break at the end of the day and this was the ticket. 80 minute ride through town and on the Deleware river. Warm day and would have been better in shorts. Sunglass a must! Great group activity. Starts at Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell. Read more Written September 14, 2016
• mastiffdad 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Touristy But Fun OK - REALLY touristy. Drive around town passing by some of the highlights in the city - Independence Mall area, Chinatown, Reading Market, Museums, Churches, the Rocky Statue, etc. Our guide was OK - tried to be funny but just a bit off. Did know where things were and what they were but needed a refresh every now and then. And really need to up the accompanying soundtrack - music was a bit dated. Then into the river for a short, I think a little too short, cruise along the waterfront - again just not hitting the right humor vs. information balance. And back on dry land for the return leg back to the Mall. Yeah - it's for the tourists, yeah it's a bit cheesy. A bit pricey, but does give a good overview of some, but not all, of the key sights and attractions in the city. Of course also subject to how good the guide is - ours was OK, but could have been better. Read more Written August 1, 2016
• mullknapc 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun! Thought this was one of the best touristy things I could do. With the temperatures as high as 100 degrees, the water was welcome, the guide was easy to understand and crowd was relaxed and ready to have a good time. I'm not big on tourist attractions but would definitely recommend this one - it lasts a little over an hour and you get a good feel for the city without dying from the heat of the summer. Pricey (amount $30 for each adult) but worth it! Read more Written July 25, 2016
• sbp123 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun! Great way to see the city. Quick only 80 mins. Scuba Steve was our guide. Funny! Kids and adults will like this. Read more Written July 9, 2016
• Somdream 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Great way to see Philly Gave a good overview of the city and the boat part is always fun. the guide gave a lot of historical explanations and good tips on things to do and to eat :-) Read more Written June 21, 2016
• MammaD08872 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome as always First I must say "Dancing Fred and our driver Ro kin' Rick" we're both fantastic! So much fun! Informative yet kept it light. The songs jokes and music had is dancing in our seats !( literally). The stroller was conveniently parked and watched until we returned . The kids loved the little du k Quakers . Splashing into the river is always exciting! This is our second time . Read more Written June 20, 2016
• OksanaDE 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fun, informative, a must try family trip This trip definitely added excitement to our fun and eventful day in the city! Trip lasted about 80 min. First was a ride through historical areas, with a very knowledgeable and fun guide Andrew, that appr 30 min on water. Would return, and recommend this trip to friends. Read more Written June 19, 2016
• rarasgl 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Ride the ducks best ever Omg the best thing ever. Kids loved it as well as adults. The guide was friendly and knew his facts well. He was also very funny. Read more Written April 24, 2016
• Melissa B 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles So much fun! Our guide was really spunky and funny and has us laughing the whole time. It was a quick trip with lots to see that we wouldn't have had time to see otherwise. We were only here 2 days. Splashdown was great! It was fun and unique. Read more Written April 8, 2016
• TammyLamk 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles I learn history and I feel nice. Everytime I do this it is sooo much fun. We always go with my sister and my nephew, and my sister's husbsand, and it is soooo much fun, and then I learn history, and I feel nice. Read more Written September 21, 2015
• Chris R 0 contributions 2.0 of 5 bubbles Sounded really good, poor execution. Was pretty dissappointed with this one, we were only in Philly for one night so I wanted to see as much as possible and figured this was the way to go. Traffic was bad so it wasn't all the drivers fault, but he insisted on driving around the same loop in south Philly and point out all his favorite watering holes and say hi to everyone he knew. Maybe would be more entertaining in a previous life, but was looking forward to seeing the sites. We circled Penn Hospital half a dozen times, went down South St a couple times and eventually flew by the sites in the last 10 minutes when we were going back at the end. Also the water part was less than thrilling, 10 minutes of working against the tide up to no particular view of anything and then back to the launch in 30 seconds with the tide. Definitely wouldn't do it again. Read more Written September 11, 2015
• rosshelley 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Literally Drive Right into the River! What a pleasant surprise! I enjoyed this so much. It was definitely worth the money. The guide was awesome and the whole atmosphere was great. Such a great idea to literally drive into the water and see the sites from the river! Read more Written August 26, 2015
• Cheryl W 0 contributions 3.0 of 5 bubbles Okay experience, great guide This is a short trip, only one hour 20 minutes. One hour on land spotting highlights and 20 minutes or less in the water on the Delaware. The water portion is very short..... The guide did a great job. He was friendly and knowledgeable. The check in and loading is laborious since they line you all up and take your picture with a float ring before you can board. Read more Written August 23, 2015

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Philadelphia Duck Tour provided by Ride The Ducks of Philadelphia

Watch CBS News

Duck Boats Resume In Delaware River After Fatal Crash

April 21, 2011 / 3:23 PM EDT / CBS Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Amphibious duck boat tours resumed Thursday on the Delaware River in Philadelphia nine months after a deadly collision with a tugboat-steered barge forced them from the water.

Sightseers who boarded the amphibious Ride The Ducks tour boats said they were not worried about their safety in the wake of the July 7 collision that killed two Hungarian tourists.

"The first thing I wanted to do was ride the ducks," said Stacy Crain, a visitor from Baltimore who had taken the tour last year before the collision that sank one of the amphibious crafts, sending 37 people tumbling into the water.

"I felt safe last year; I feel even more safe this year. I feel that it wasn't Ride The Ducks' fault but they got the short end of the stick."

The tour splashed into the Delaware River on Thursday morning, taking a scaled-down route that goes only about 100 feet from shore and lasts 10 minutes, down from 30 minutes previously. A spotter boat is also being used to track the tour craft in the event of an emergency.

Passenger Tim Jansen, of Croydon, Pa., said the additional precautions were appreciated.

"I heard the safety issues they're taking now about locating the barges and ships before entering the water," he said. "I feel safe and confident that I'll have a good ride."

An engine problem was the first in a series of events that ended in the collision that killed Szabolcs Prem, 20, and Dora Schwendtner, 16. Federal investigators found the tour boat's calls to the approaching tug went unheeded in the moments before the crash.

A National Transportation Safety Board report determined the tugboat's pilot was distracted by repeated cell phone calls about a family emergency on the day of the collision. Federal prosecutors are reviewing the case.

Norcross, Ga.-based Ride the Ducks had tried to move its operations to the quieter Schuylkill River, but the city rejected the plan over concerns the tours would interfere with other recreational activities.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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Your trip is a once in a lifetime experience, and we take pride in exceeding your expectations. we work hard to ensure your memories are unforgettable and last for years to come, contact info, call us at 877-397-5700, to set up your trip today, 18221 salem trail kirksville, mo 63501.

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What is a Philadelphia Duck Tour

Philadelphia is one of the most famous cities for tourists in the United States. Known for its connection to the American Revolution, the town is filled with historical landmarks, monuments, museums and other interesting attractions. However, thanks to the area’s local culture, it is also possible for visitors and residents to visit a haunted house in Philadelphia or check out local shopping opportunities as well. With so many options, there are a variety of constitutional walking tours, Philadelphia bus tours , and even Philadelphia Segway tours for those looking to see the sights. However, of these choices, there is none quite like a Philadelphia Duck Tour. Read on to learn why this touring option should be a part of your next trip to Philadelphia!

Philadelphia Duck Tours are the only tour in Philadelphia that takes place on both land and water. Taking place on a specially-designed vehicles, the duck tour first drives around the City of Brotherly Love, passing by a variety of historic attractions as the guide shares interesting stories about the area. Next, the vehicle will turn to the Delaware River, taking passengers for a short cruise. This option is a valuable one in a city that is famous for its plentiful landmarks and attractions, allowing visitors to see more of Philadelphia than they would on other tours.

Philadelphia Duck Tours are also more advantageous because of their set up: while bus tours only give you a brief glimpse of passing attractions and Segway tours can be physically precarious, Duck Tours are engaging, unique, and fun. They are also safe: the vessels, which use the latest in marine design and safety, are regularly inspected and certified by the U.S. Coast Guard. As a result, Philadelphia Duck Tours are the perfect option for any group looking to experience the most the city has to offer in style and comfort. If you’re planning a trip to Philadelphia, add this to your itinerary today!

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• Philadelphia

The fatal history of Philly’s duck boats

Philadelphia had a rocky past with Ride the Ducks before the company suspended its local operation in 2016.

At one time, it was not uncommon to see flocks of tourists carted throughout Philadelphia in boats on wheels.

Ride the Ducks — an amphibious city tour — was once a popular Philadelphia tourist draw. But in October 2016, the company suspended operations in the city .

In the wake of a duck boat disaster that claimed the lives of 17 people in Branson, Mo. on Thursday, the vehicles and their use for tourism are being scrutinized again. Here's a look at duck boats' fatal history in Philadelphia.

>> READ MORE:  Death toll from Missouri duck boat accident climbs to 17

The Ride the Ducks franchise, which is headquartered where the Missouri tragedy took place, began operating in Philadelphia in 2003.

A deadly accident on the Delaware

Less than a decade later,  the company was involved in its first fatal accident in the city.

On July 7, 2010, a barge pushed by a tugboat struck a duck boat stranded in the Delaware River off Penn's Landing after an engine fire.

Once struck, the amphibious craft capsized and two Hungarian tourists drowned.

The tugboat's pilot, the Inquirer reported , was on his cellphone handling a family emergency. He served a one-year sentence for "the maritime equivalent of involuntary manslaughter."

>> READ MORE:  What are duck boats? An explanation of the amphibious vehicles

Ride the Ducks and K-Sea Transportation Partners, which owned the tugboat, faced lawsuits and were ordered to give the families of the deceased $15 million. They also were required to pay $2 million to be split among the survivors of the crash.

Fatal crash in Center City

Five years after that incident, a duck boat was involved in another fatality, this time on land.

Elizabeth Karnicki, 68, was run over and killed by a Ride the Ducks vehicle in May 2015.

Witnesses said Karnicki was crossing the street against a red light while looking at an electronic tablet near the Convention Center when she was struck,  the Inquirer reported at the time .

The operator of the vehicle had a green light, and was unable to see Karnicki, likely because duck boat drivers sit high and about ten feet behind the front of the boat, said the Inquirer .

>> R EAD MORE:  Duck boats have a history of fatalities

Karnicki's family sued the boat's operator and manufacturer, as well as the city, citing the vehicle's blind spots, distracted driving and inadequate crossing signals.

The lawsuit was settled during summer 2017 under undisclosed terms.

On-again, off-again operations

With the two deadly incidents, Ride the Ducks had a start-and-stop tenure in Philadelphia. The company's operations on the Delaware were halted after the 2010 accident. A months later, Ride the Ducks planned to move to the Schuylkill , but that shift was halted when the city rejected its proposal  and the company instead resumed boat tours on the Delaware , with some changes .

In October 2016, the company announced it would "indefinitely" suspend operations in Philly due, in part, to a 330 percent increase in insurance premiums, the Inquirer reported .

>> READ MORE:   Ride the Ducks suspends operations in Philadelphia

Robert J. Mongeluzzi, the lawyer who represented the families of all three victims, had been vocal in his opposition to the boats. When Ride the Ducks left Philadelphia, he  told the Inquirer  he would not miss the sightseeing vehicles.

"The ducks are dangerous," he said. "They are inappropriate for city streets, they're a danger on the land and on the water, and I'm glad to see them go."

Patriot Harbor Lines

Next public cruises on june 2nd, discover our cruises, delaware river cruises.

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Schuylkill River Cruises

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Delaware River Harbor Cruise

This is Philadelphia’s ultimate harbor cruise! Offering a variety of themed packages including wine or beer tasting packages.

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Our Mission

Patriot Harbor Lines showcases Philadelphia’s two great rivers – the Delaware and Schuylkill. We strive to leave each and every customer with a lasting, positive impression of Patriot Harbor Lines and the waterfront communities where we work. Our ultimate goal is to share our love of boating.

We provide daily sightseeing tours and charter services in Philadelphia. Our unique boat tours are perfect for locals who want to get out on the water or out of town guests who would enjoy some sightseeing from a different perspective with an educational river or harbor tour.

Patriot Harbor Lines aims to showcase the rivers where we live and work. We want to share our love for boating and our love for beautiful scenic rivers. We also try to highlight our concern for the environment and provide a unique Philadelphia perspective. We strive to leave each and every customer with a lasting, positive impression of Patriot Harbor Lines and the waterfront community where we work.

We provide daily sightseeing tours and charter services on the Schuylkill and Delaware Rivers. Our unique boat tours are perfect for locals who want to get out on the water or out of town guests who would enjoy some sightseeing from a different perspective with an educational river or harbor tour.

My wife and I enjoyed the Schuylkill excursion very much. The guide, Bob Swayne, did a great job pointing out and commenting on spots of interest as we went along. The seats were comfortable, and we were well protected from a passing rain shower.

We had a group of 15 older adults on the Walnut-to-Walnut River Cruise - hands down, everyone enjoyed it and now want to make it an annual event!

The afternoon cruise was excellent value for money and the guide was extremely informative. Drinks sold on board were reasonably priced.

We celebrated my besties 40th on the Patriot. We had 25 girls and had the best experience from start to finish. Booking was easy! Day of event was seamless.

The Secrets of the Schuylkill tour is roughly an hour, spent on the quiet waters of the river in the golden sunlight being cooled by afternoon breezes, cruising by such iconic landmarks as Bartram's Garden and the Fairmount Water Works. Sublime!