riverboat in knoxville tn

Knoxville's riverboat, the Star of Knoxville, offers lunch and dinner cruises, party cruises, late night party cruises, and sightseeing cruises on the Tennessee River. Live music. Charters available. The Star of Knoxville is an authentic paddlewheeler with a capacity 325 passengers. The main deck seats 144 passengers and is fully enclosed, air conditioned, and heated for year-round comfort. The vessel is equipped with two (2) bars, a dance floor, band stage, and is exquisitely decorated for the most elegant dinner and entertainment available. If you don't feel like having the black-tie event, the atmosphere is functional as a jeans and shorts type of place for the family reunions and football parties. Live entertainment on dinner cruises includes Gospel, Country, Murder Mystery, Contemporary, easy listening, or DJ. Dance floor is available after dinner. Lunch and sightseeing cruises include a captain's commentary and history of the Tennessee River as well as the "star of Knoxville", live entertainment may be scheduled on lunch cruises with over 50 passengers. A cash bar is available on all public cruises, except Gospel. tnriverboat.com

Cuisine: American Serve: Lunch, Dinner Hours: Call for departure times Location: Waterfront Map & Directions Features: Reservations Required River Cruises Night Themes Weddings Private Charters Wheelchair Access

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NavCal River Rides 8016 Ellisville Lane Knoxville, TN 37909 • Map It (865) 765-3407 navcal.com NavCal provides history/sightseeing cruises on the Tennessee River in Knoxville. Aboard the boat, you will learn the history of the area during the steamboat/Civil War era and see the world famous Body Farm. Tennessee Riverboat Company 300 Neyland Drive Knoxville, TN 37902 • Map It (865) 525-7827 www.tnriverboat.com Cruise the beautiful Tennessee River and enjoy a Prime Rib Dinner with live entertainment and dancing. Volunteer Princess Cruises Volunteer Landing Marina 956 Volunteer Landing Lane Knoxville, TN 37915 • Map It (865) 541-4556 www.volunteerprincess.com Cruise the scenic Tennessee River aboard the finest luxury yacht in the heart of Downtown Knoxville. Located at Volunteer Landing Marina.

Tennessee Riverboat Company

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Emilie Stooksbury

The star of knoxville: a look inside.

When we sat down with Bailee Bridwell to learn more about The Star of Knoxvill e riverboat, we figured this thing you’re reading now would be about said boat. After all, it is one of only four authentic paddlewheel riverboats in the USA, right on the Tennessee River in good ole downtown Knoxville. Cool, right?

Very cool, yes. BUT y’all, > this family. They are precious. Settle in for the cutest story. (And then, once you’ve fallen in love with the Cheek/Bridwell fam, we promise we’ll tell you all about how you can bring your very own pizza and wine to deck of the boat. Cross our hearts.)

THE (ADORABLE) STORY:

Let’s start with the parents. Bailee Bridwell’s father, Mike Cheek, started working on riverboats in Nashville at the geriatric age of fifteen years old. (We assume he liked it okay, because he’s now been in the riverboat business for a mere 43 years.) After spending a few summers as a deckhand, in walked a new boat photographer: Tammy.

Because this is the cutest story ever, Mike and Tammy obviously fell in love, got married, and started a little family. (*sob*🥺💛)

Awhile later, this little family moved to Knoxville from Nashville so Mike could be the General Manager of, you guessed it, the Star of Knoxville. Mike made the trip in 1988, but get this: When the owners decided to move the riverboat in 1994, Mike offered to buy her so she could stay in our sweet Knoxville. Tennessee. (We could hardly contain ourselves when we heard this tidbit of information. Is this not a Hallmark movie waiting to happen?? Romance, risk, rivers – this story has it all!)

Okay, back to the story.

Bailee and her brother were just babies when the Cheeks moved to the Scruffy City, so they basically grew up on The Star of Knoxville. They went on all the cruises. They knew all the crew. They even ended up being on the crew as teenagers. (As a little kid, the “Boomsday Cruise” was her favorite. The boat would be so close to the fireworks, they’d all end the night covered in ashes. KNOXVILLE FREAKING GOALS.)

After college, Bailee left for a few years to gain experience on other boats (one of the biggest riverboats in the country in Savannah, to be exact), and when she finally came back to Knoxville in 2019, her parents handed her the keys.

This family affair has come full circle now. Bailee’s dad, brother, and husband are all captains – but it gets even cuter. You know how Bailee and her brother grew up on the boat? Well, if you see a stroller in the corner or some precious babies being passed around by the crew, you’re more than likely on a cruise with Bailee’s own sweet twins who are all set to grow up on the same boat as their mom and uncle. Some members of the crew have literally seen two generations of kiddos grow up on the boat. (*pause to sob from cuteness*)

Image by @tennesseeriverboat

FREE Craft Coffee Tasting at Five & Hoek EVERY First Friday from 1-2 PM!

Taste coffees from around the world with Five & Hoek owner, Tyler, every first Friday of the month from 1-2 pm. Learn what you like about certain coffees, how coffees are selected & how quality is maintained from roast to roast & cup to cup.

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Tennessee Riverboat Company

The “Star of Knoxville” is a true East Tennessee treasure. There is no better way to view the Tennessee River, downtown Knoxville’s waterfront and the University of Tennessee than aboard the luxurious “Star of Knoxville”. The “Star of Knoxville” also has true southern comfort food. Our buffets have food that is truly delicious. Mouthwatering prime rib, pulled pork barbecue, sirloin beef tips and baked chicken are just a few of the entrees that are served buffet style on the Star. Along with specifically prepared sides and decadent desserts, the meals on the Star compliment the experience of cruising down the river in style and comfort. The Star is also equipped with a full service bar to enhance any celebration or date night. Come aboard the “Star of Knoxville” for fun, excitement, festive entertainment, as well as fabulous food and drinks. This authentic Mississippi-style paddle wheeler comfortably carries 245 passengers down the Tennessee River on a cruise you won’t soon forget. The beautifully appointed riverboat offers a climate controlled main deck and an open air upper deck for enjoying the scenery or a leisurely moonlit stroll. Meal Cruises feature exceptional cocktails, dining, dancing and live entertainment. We offer Historical Sightseeing Cruises, Lunch and Dinner Cruises as well as Weddings! We also offer Graduations, Birthday Parties, Tailgate Parties, Late Night Cruises, Country Line Dancing Cruises, Murder Mystery Cruises and many more! We are open for the Holidays as well as for Holiday Cruises! We’ll show you Knoxville like nobody else can!

Tennessee Riverboat Co.—Star of Knoxville

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