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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.
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As many as 195 boats regularly traversed the waters, bringing goods such as tobacco and wheat from western Virginia to market, and returning home with finished goods from the city. The Valentine has been collecting, preserving and interpreting Richmond’s 400-year history for over a century. Located in the heart of historic downtown Richmond in the Court End neighborhood, the Valentine is a place for residents and tourists to discover the diverse stories that tell the broader history of our city. The tours will continue now through November with varying hours.
Reasons to Schedule a Riverfront Canal Cruise Charter
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.
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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.
I took this route, but honestly, I think your best bet is to re-trace your steps across Brown’s Island and back to the parking area. In April, October and November, 40-minute cruises are offered Thursday through Sunday. Tickets are $12 for adults ( ages 12+) and $8 for seniors and children. From here, walk up the red-brick path on Byrd Street and turn right for the Tidewater Locks. The route gets a touch confusing here, at least it did for me. The Pipeline Trail is more or less a catwalk that runs over an old pipeline and under the railroad bridge.
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.
The Canal Walk is used for walking and biking by visitors, residents and people enjoying a break from working downtown. You may hire your own caterer or bring your own food and beverages on your private charter. Riverfront Canal Cruises requires compliance with all applicable Virginia ABC laws and regulations for all private charters that bring alcohol. Unless you have hired a caterer to provide alcoholic beverages, this is likely to include obtaining your own banquet license. Information about the laws and the banquet license application are available on the Virginia ABC website. We do not hire caterers, serve or set up food and beverage service for private charters.
Looking for fun and unique things to do in Downtown Richmond?
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.
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It would also be so exciting to see a Canal Walk that is even more connective to the natural environment, the various trail systems, and the city. Also, A canal walk that has increased commercial activity without sacrificing its unique charm. The boats can be outfitted with tables of various sizes that can accommodate light refreshments or a more formal, catered meal (catering is not provided by Riverfront Canal Cruises).
Private charters may be scheduled for any day and time during the season, but must be reserved a minimum of two weeks in advance. Riverfront Canal Cruises launches its 24th season of historic tours and private charters on Friday, April 5, 2024. The 40-minute, historically narrated tours of the James River and Kanawha Canal operate from April to November with varying hours.
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.
All this came to an end as flooding, Civil War damage and competition from the expanding railroads took a huge toll on the Richmond canals. By 1880, the Richmond and Allegheny Railroad was laying tracks along the towpath of the canal. Canal construction never reached the Kanawha River as George Washington envisioned. Richmond, lying on the fall line of the James River, was destined for a history steeped in canal navigation.
Richmond Riverfront Canal Cruises begin this weekend - WWBT
Richmond Riverfront Canal Cruises begin this weekend.
Posted: Tue, 29 Jun 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]
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.
She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains. The Tredegar Iron Works, along with the Armory that once stood beside it, was the greatest industrial complex in the Civil War-era South. Run by Joseph Reid Anderson, the Iron Works, with a force of immigrants and free and enslaved blacks, produced up to half of all of the armaments used in the Confederate war effort. A cruise to the Panama Canal is a chance to land on amazing destinations during the same trip.
The Tidewater Connection was completed in 1822, and boats could enter the canal below the falls. Wooden locks and the Richmond Dock connected the lower James to the Great Basin via canal to the upper James. Only six passenger boats — called packets — ran on a regular basis during this busy time. Packets could carry 30 to 40 people and took approximately 33 hours to reach Lynchburg via canal. From the packet office in the Great Basin, the boats were poled out to 7th Street where they were hitched up to a horse or mule. The animals pulled the boats along the towpath while a boatman steered from the rear.
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