Free Concierge Service
    Text or call 1-877-GREET-WELL
    Ask AIAI
    Ask AIAI
    1. Local experiences
    2. /Things to do in Minneapolis…
    3. /Water Activities
    4. /Kayaking Tours
    5. /Guided 3-Hour Mississippi River Paddle in Minneapolis
    Why travelers choose Greetwell

    Curated by our team

    Every experience is hand selected and approved by Greetwell.

    Personal concierge

    Real humans available to help before, during, and after your booking.

    Intimate & authentic

    Including unique in-home experiences you won't find anywhere else.

    Easy booking & cancellation

    Reserve in minutes with free cancellation on most experiences.

    Greetwell

    Experiences that stay with you long after the trip

    Greetwell curates authentic local experiences and provides personal concierge support in over 500 destinations, helping you explore confidently wherever you go.

    About

    • Our Story
    • For Experience Providers
    • For Hospitality Partners
    • For Developers

    Resources

    • Travel Guides
    • Experience Gift Cards
    • Help Center
    [email protected]1-877-GREET-WELL

    Safe & Secure Payments

    © 2026 Greetwell, Inc. All rights reserved.
    Privacy PolicyTerms
    Product image 1
    Product image 2
    Product image 3
    Product image 4
    Product image 5
    Product image 6
    Product image 7
    Product image 8
    Product image 9
    Product image 10
    Gallery image
    Gallery image 1
    Gallery image 2
    Gallery image 3
    Gallery image 5

    Guided 3-Hour Mississippi River Paddle in Minneapolis

    Paddle downriver to the "City of Birds" heron rookery and skyline views

    4.9 stars• 66 reviews

    Duration

    2.5 - 3.5 hours

    Highlights

    Launch from Boom Island, shuttle upriver, then paddle down the Mississippi past bridges, river history, and a great blue heron rookery. Your guide shares local stories as you take in changing scenery and a distinctive skyline view.

    • Meet at Boom Island and ride a shuttle to the launch site
    • Learn basic paddle skills on land before you start
    • Paddle downriver under old and new bridges
    • Watch the great blue heron rookery and other birds on two islands
    • Stop for a skyline photo-op as conditions allow
    • Finish at Boom Island marina, with the route adjusted for conditions

    What's Included

    • Shuttle transportation
    • On-land paddle skill introduction
    • Dry bag for small items
    • Waterproof camera photos

    Things to know

    Recommended age is 5+ for tandem kayaks, and one person must be 18+ years old. Alcohol is not allowed on the water during public tours except in rare circumstances with prior permitting. Guides appreciate tips; guests typically tip 15–20%.

    Cancellation Policy

    Notify staff within 12 hours of trip to be offered a full refund. If cancellation is due to weather concerns, they will offer to either refund or rebook.

    Product ID: M9SHDQ

    FAQs

    Dress for water in lightweight clothing and footwear you don’t mind getting wet. Bring a hat and sunglasses for glare, sunscreen, a reusable water bottle, and any snacks you want. Pack a dry layer in your car to change into afterward just in case.

    A dry bag is available for small items you don’t want to get wet, and guides take photos with a waterproof camera so you don’t have to risk yours.

    Plan to arrive at least 10 minutes before your tour start time.

    Meeting details

    Anoka to Boom Island, downriver w/ shuttle

    Experience provided by Paddle Bridge Kayak Tours

    How can we help?

    We are here to assist with special requests, large groups, last minute needs, and any questions you may have.

    Call or text 1-877-GREET-WELL

    Report an issue

    Single Kayak

    $103.53

    1 Person •

    0

    Tandem Kayak

    $195.55

    2 People • Recommeded age 5 and up • One person must be 18+ years of age

    0

    Why book through Greetwell?

    • No Added Fees

      No booking or service fees, ever

    • Concierge Support Included

      Real humans ready to help with timing, questions, or special requests

    • Free Cancellation Available

      Most experiences can be cancelled for a full refund

    Discover what we've curated for you

    Review summary

    4.9
    Excellent
    66 reviews•Google Maps
    59
    1
    0
    1
    0

    Sparky, Beaver, Andie, and Maggie seem to be the kind of guides who make people want to come back, and the repeat visitors here say consistency is a real strength. The Mississippi River Gorge tour stands out, especially going through Lock No. 1 with the Corps of Engineers, which reviewers describe as genuinely unforgettable. Guides share rich historical context throughout, take photos of guests, and provide water, snacks, and free dry bags on the water. First-timers show up frequently in these reviews, and the guides clearly know how to make nervous paddlers feel at ease without dumbing things down for more experienced kayakers. Communication around weather is a notable strength too, with the team proactively reaching out with updates and offering flexible options when conditions get dicey. The one area worth knowing going in is that the full moon tours have drawn slightly mixed feedback, with one reviewer feeling the experience lacked depth and that pre-trip logistics could be smoother. That said, others found the nighttime paddle genuinely unique and well-supported. Overall the sentiment here is overwhelmingly warm, and the pattern across many reviews is that people leave feeling like they got more than they expected.

    What people are saying

    Review 1 of 5
    5/5

    It’s rare that through a little community activity, one is able to see our Mississippi from a new perspective. What a wonderful journey across our great river along side animals, great guides and neighbors. Expect the tour to run 2-2.5 hours, depending on the energy of the group! You’ll get to see many bridges, the lock, and the waterfalls along the way. The guides do a fantastic job of capturing photos of each kayak, so you’ll have a memory to take home with you. The best part, was the contagious love for the river that is at the heart of the company’s ethos. As we move away from Minneapolis, this was a highlight activity ahead of our departure! Thank you!

    Photo of padil152 University of Minnesota

    padil152 University of Minnesota

    July 19, 2026

    Review 1 of 1
    5/5

    It’s rare that through a little community activity, one is able to see our Mississippi from a new perspective. What a wonderful journey across our great river along side animals, great guides and neighbors. Expect the tour to run 2-2.5 hours, depending on the energy of the group! You’ll get to see many bridges, the lock, and the waterfalls along the way. The guides do a fantastic job of capturing photos of each kayak, so you’ll have a memory to take home with you. The best part, was the contagious love for the river that is at the heart of the company’s ethos. As we move away from Minneapolis, this was a highlight activity ahead of our departure! Thank you!

    Photo of padil152 University of Minnesota

    padil152 University of Minnesota

    July 19, 2026

    Great for groups

    Bareboat Charter on Lake Minnetonka Aboard Monterey M6
    Boat Rentals

    Bareboat Charter on Lake Minnetonka Aboard Monterey M6

    Take the helm for a spacious, smooth ride on Lake Minnetonka

    Take the helm for a spacious, smooth ride on Lake Minnetonka
    5.0 • 17 reviews
    $483/ boat
    22' Pontoon Boat Rental on White Bear Lake
    Boat RentalsUp to 10

    22' Pontoon Boat Rental on White Bear Lake

    Cruise White Bear Lake with room to relax, swim, and bring your own cooler

    Cruise White Bear Lake with room to relax, swim, and bring your own cooler
    4.1 • 600 reviews
    $428/ boat
    White Bear Lake 16' Fishing Boat Rental
    Boat RentalsUp to 3

    White Bear Lake 16' Fishing Boat Rental

    Fish White Bear Lake with a trolling motor and onboard fish finder

    Fish White Bear Lake with a trolling motor and onboard fish finder
    4.1 • 600 reviews
    $226/ boat

    Nearby activities

    Minneapolis 2.5-Hour Guided Kayak Tour
    Kayaking Tours

    Minneapolis 2.5-Hour Guided Kayak Tour

    Paddle the Mississippi for Minneapolis skyline views and riverside history

    Paddle the Mississippi for Minneapolis skyline views and riverside history
    4.9 • 66 reviews
    $76/ kayak
    Candlelight Haunted Trolley Ghost Tour in Minneapolis
    Ghost and Haunted

    Candlelight Haunted Trolley Ghost Tour in Minneapolis

    Ride an historic trolley to Minneapolis’ haunted sites with a narrated ghost story tour

    Ride an historic trolley to Minneapolis’ haunted sites with a narrated ghost story tour
    4.9 • 725 reviews
    $85/ person
    Explore Minneapolis True Crime Tour
    Murder Mystery

    Explore Minneapolis True Crime Tour

    Play the jury on an interactive Minneapolis crime story tour

    Play the jury on an interactive Minneapolis crime story tour
    4.9 • 725 reviews
    $85/ person
    Kayak Tour at St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis
    Kayaking Tours

    Kayak Tour at St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis

    Paddle through a historic lock beneath St. Anthony Falls

    Paddle through a historic lock beneath St. Anthony Falls
    4.9 • 66 reviews
    $86/ kayak
    Minneapolis Trolley Tour of 5 Historic Districts
    Trolley Tours

    Minneapolis Trolley Tour of 5 Historic Districts

    Discover five Minneapolis districts with narrated trolley sightseeing

    Discover five Minneapolis districts with narrated trolley sightseeing
    4.9 • 725 reviews
    $64/ ticket
    Open Studio Art Class in Hopkins
    Art Tours

    Open Studio Art Class in Hopkins

    Make a take-home art project with guided studio instruction

    Make a take-home art project with guided studio instruction
    5.0 • 201 reviews
    $48/ person