Step aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat to experience Chattanooga from its most captivating angle—the gentle sweep of the Tennessee River. A cherished local tradition, the Belle carries more than 100,000 guests a year on narrated...
Step aboard the Southern Belle Riverboat to experience Chattanooga from its most captivating angle—the gentle sweep of the Tennessee River. A cherished local tradition, the Belle carries more than 100,000 guests a year on narrated...
The Southern Belle offers a pleasant cruise down the Tennessee River with friendly staff and live entertainment that guests consistently appreciate. The onboard gift shop is a hit, stocked with Chattanooga memorabilia and the famous moon pies invented locally. Most visitors enjoy the gentle pace and scenic views, finding it a relaxing way to spend a few hours. Live music adds to the atmosphere, and the bar area gets particularly good marks for its welcoming vibe. The boat itself shows its age with dated decor and worn carpet that some guests notice. Outdoor seating fills up quickly, so arriving early is smart if you want to snag a spot on deck. Dinner cruise experiences are mixed, with some praising the food and festive atmosphere during holiday events, while others found the buffet underwhelming and felt the overall experience didn't quite match expectations. Note that dinner cruises may no longer be regularly offered. The wheelhouse visits are a nice touch, though crew interaction there can be hit or miss. Overall, it's an enjoyable local experience for around $40 that showcases the city from a different perspective.
The gift shop had lots of options. Cool tee shirts and tons of different moon pie flavors (moon pies were created in Chattanooga). The boat cruise was nice. Glad there weren't more people on it as outdoor seating is limited. I recommend getting on the boat earlier. They let people up into the wheelhouse, where the captain is, which is cool. However, we were completely ignored by them and they didn't seem happy answering a couple simple questions. The boat staff was really nice and the singer on the 3rd level was great.
Kathi Martin
January 4, 2026
The gift shop had lots of options. Cool tee shirts and tons of different moon pie flavors (moon pies were created in Chattanooga). The boat cruise was nice. Glad there weren't more people on it as outdoor seating is limited. I recommend getting on the boat earlier. They let people up into the wheelhouse, where the captain is, which is cool. However, we were completely ignored by them and they didn't seem happy answering a couple simple questions. The boat staff was really nice and the singer on the 3rd level was great.
Kathi Martin
January 4, 2026