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Smiling group of friends posing and waving on an open-deck boat tour with a distant city skyline and calm harbor water on a sunny day
Three smiling women on a sunny downtown riverboat cruise, wearing heart-shaped sunglasses and a captain hat, holding pastel celebratory cups with a city skyline behind them.
Three friends enjoying a small boat party on calm waterfront waters, holding drinks and wearing colorful leis under an overcast summer sky.
Red-and-gray paddlewheel boat with passengers cruising a wide urban river past marinas, industrial storage silos and waterfront apartment buildings under a bright sky.
Group of eight women in heart-shaped sunglasses and summer outfits posing on a wooden marina dock beside a boat under a sunny blue sky.
Urban riverfront scene with two tour boats cruising past red-brick waterfront apartments lined with balconies, private docks and a bright sky.
Red paddlewheel party boat with passengers cruising a brown river past wooden docks and a long row of red-brick waterfront apartments with balconies on a sunny urban riverfront
Two friends in pink outfits and heart-shaped sunglasses smiling and holding canned drinks on a sunny boat ride with an arched bridge and lighthouse over a river
Two friends smiling and hugging on a sunny waterfront boat ride, one wearing white sunglasses and a bride sash, marina buildings and trees in the background.
Smiling person in a baseball cap lounging on a riverboat bench, holding a blue beer can with city waterfront buildings across calm water in the background.
Three friends smiling on a sunset boat ride, holding drinks with a reflective downtown skyline and calm water in the background.
Six friends wearing leis toast with beers and cans on a sunny downtown waterfront, smiling against a city skyline.
Two smiling friends embracing on a night boat ride, holding canned drinks, wearing casual summer outfits with a visible arm tattoo, waterfront city skyline and red-lit building reflecting on the water
Four friends smiling on a sunny boat ride along an industrial waterfront harbor with blue sky, casual jackets and ripped jeans.
Sunny dockside boat party: large champagne bottle and pink cup on a table, person in a captain's hat and heart-shaped sunglasses in front of urban marina apartments
Group of friends laughing and sipping drinks at a covered party boat bar, cruising an urban waterfront past riverside apartments and a bridge on a sunny summer day.
Smiling man with long hair and sunglasses stands with a large black dog on a sunny Milwaukee riverboat tour, passengers at a bar and waterfront apartments in the background.
Group of young adults smiling and holding drinks on a red‑canopied party pontoon boat in Milwaukee harbor with city skyline and docks in the background.
Three friends in captain hats and sunglasses toast with pink cocktails on a sunny waterfront deck overlooking boats and city buildings.
Three friends laughing on a nighttime boat deck party by the water — one wearing sunglasses and a red flower in her hair with a sparkly top, the center woman holding a bottle and smiling up, and the right woman leaning in offering a canned drink to the camera.
Two friends on a sunny boat deck by the waterfront, holding canned drinks with a city skyline and sailboats on the water behind them.

Milwaukee Paddle Tavern: Public or Private Paddle Boat Tours on the Milwaukee River

About this Experience

What you'll do:

Grab your friends, your favorite drinks, and hop aboard the Milwaukee Paddle Tavern for a scenic and fun excursion along the Milwaukee River. Whether you choose a lively public tour or a private cruise, you’ll enjoy unique city views, relaxing river vibes, and plenty of laughs along the way. Perfect for date nights, friend meetups, or group adventures.

Why we love it for your party:

  • Unique way to explore Milwaukee from the water

  • BYOB-friendly – bring your favorite drinks onboard

  • Options for small groups or large private parties

  • Scenic, photo-ready views of downtown Milwaukee

  • Fun and social experience for friends, coworkers, or family

About this experience partner:

Hello, and welcome to Milwaukee Paddle Tavern! Whether you’re just visiting Milwaukee or have lived in Milwaukee your whole life, let us give you the locals-tour of the Milwaukee River.

Milwaukee Paddle Tavern is a unique Milwaukee River excursion. Load up with 14 of your friends, grab some beers, and experience the Milwaukee River with a scenic and fun way to see our lovely city.

Additional information:

  • Tour Options:

    • Public Tour: $30 per person, 1 hour 30 minutes, minimum 6 guests required, join other groups. More info: Public Tour

    • Private Tour: $45 per person, 1 hour 30–45 minutes, minimum 10 tickets required to book (flexible if adding more later). More info: Private Tour

  • We start and end the trips from the docks behind the Harp, 113 E Juneau Ave.

  • Booking Tips: Private tours can accommodate fewer than 10 if needed; public tours may be rescheduled if minimum guest count isn’t met

Book This Experience

Visit the experience booking site to check availability and book your experience.

Location

Milwaukee, WI

113 E Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people can fit on the boat?

We can fit up to 14 people on the Paddle Tavern boats and 12 people on the Duffy Boats. Need more? We have 3 Paddle Taverns and 2 Duffy Boats. Call us to book two or more boats, (414) 261-2425. Need even more room? We can fit up to 96 on our Pedal Tavern (bike pub crawl) tours – same phone number can help reserve boats or bikes.

Is pedaling difficult on the boat?

No, it’s pretty easy, if you have done our bar bike tours before, you know that small hills can be a bit of a workout, the boats are considerably easier. The river is flat, and we have a 20 HSP motor assisting, bring Grandma along for the ride.

What's the alcohol, food, cooler & music situation?

Bring Your Own Bevs! We have 4 built-in bar coolers with ice to cool your drinks down. We recommend cans over glass. Food is welcome too, the general rule of food is what can you eat one-handed without a napkin or utensil (pretzels, sandwiches = awesome; birthday cake = horribly messy). Plug your phone into our sound system, a good playlist goes a long way.

Where do we launch? How long are the tours?

Paddle Tavern trips are 1 hour and 45 minutes long. We start and end the trips from the docks behind the Harp, 113 E Juneau Ave. We do allow for customization for the length of the tour, and custom drop off on non-peak days.

Do you provide the driver? Can we tip them?

Paddle Taverns are staffed with a licensed captain and even a first mate, you guys relax and have fun, we will take care of all the “boat stuff”. And yes they love tips.

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How does the trip work? Do we stop at bars along the way?

The Milwaukee River is a gem and full of great river bars to make a quick pit stops. Most of our groups make one stop so they can maximize the “on water time”, but it’s your call how many times and where we stop.

Can we drink while on board?

Yes you can, Bring Your Own Bevs! We have 4 built-in bar coolers with ice to cool your drinks down. We recommend cans over glass, if you have extras at the end of the trip please remember you can’t drink them at the bar. You can tip them to your crew, or throw them in a car.

How old do riders need to be?

This is a drinking tour, and our insurance policy and the state law requires all riders to be 21+ for the Paddle Tavern.

How many people can fit on the Paddle Tavern?

The Paddle Tavern can fit up to 14 passengers! We have 3 boats if you need more than one boat. Please call us @ (414) 261-2425 to make this type of reservation!

What if it rains?

We have roofs and free ponchos. If it’s light rain we party on. If it’s a nasty weather day we will connect with you on the morning of your tour to game plan options: rain checks, delayed start time, or a refund.

What is the cancellation policy?

If you cancel 14+ days prior we will give you a refund. If you cancel 5-13 days, we will give you a rain check to use later in the season, or next season if it’s at the end of the season. Cancellations within 4 days of the tour will not receive any type of refund.

What are the hours of operation?

We run 7 days a week from Mid-March through the end of October. First tours start at 10:00 AM and the last tours of the day go out at 8:30 PM.

How do we pay?

Our online booking option takes full payment or you can pay half over the phone and the other half upon arrival.

What's the least amount of people needed to operate the Paddle Tavern?

We like to have at least 6 on a boat so it’s not too hard to pedal!