Have you ever dreamed of driving a boat down the Milwaukee River? If you’re 35 or older and have a valid driver’s license, Boat MKE is ready to make your dream a reality.
(Or if you’re born after 1989, you just have to complete an online boater’s safety exam)
Boat MKE (121 Mason St.) offers rentals seven days a week and has an abundant fleet of rental boats. The newest addition to the family are the 1950s vintage cruiser boats, complete with a stylish wooden bottom. They seat up to four people comfortably and are available for a 90-minute rental for $150.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
I tried it last weekend with my cousins so that we could arrive at a party in style, and we absolutely felt like stars of the show. And even with no real prior experience driving a boat, I was able to drive up and down the river without problems – even though the other passengers will admit that it took me a little bit to get a hang of the steering. It required a bit of patience and more subtle movements than what I was expecting.
Be sure to pack a cooler of drinks and snacks, and a portable bluetooth speaker to provide a soundtrack to your cruise.
We only stopped once on our float, but there are plenty of spots along the river to stop that have public docks:
- Head north and grab some cheese curds and a beer at Lakefront Brewery.
- Head south and stop at Blue Bat Catina for tacos and margaritas, just past the Public Market.
- Further south, under the First Street Bridge, stop at the Pier Garden for a craft cocktail and food.
- If you’re feeling ambitious, head even further South on the KK river to the somewhat hidden, but famed Barnacle Buds.
Public docks fill up fast, but the cheap drinks and seafood make it worth the journey.
Full disclosure, docking can be tricky, so you might need to enlist the help of some more experience boaters you might find on the docks if you do want to stop at one of the aforementioned spots. Rest assured, when setting sail and returning the boat, the Boat MKE staff ensures a smooth take off and arrival at their dock.
If you have a a larger group, the 10-person donut boats or the classic cruisers from Boat MKE can easily accommodate your group. And if you’d rather drink than drive, there are drivers for hire.
Milwaukee Duffey also has retro boats available to rent. Rumor has it, the electric motor makes steering a bit easier. They are also the geniuses behind the original Paddle Tavern – a great option for a large, rowdy group.
It’s true what they say, life is better on the water, so take advantage of it now and enjoy these last summer sunsets.
