So this tour has been open for over a year and there are similar ventures in other cities, but Ride the Ducks Newport is really great. Sherman and I hit it up last week on a beautiful evening. Here are some photos:

 

 

 

You crash into the water at 25 m.p.h. and it really takes you by surprise. I found myself and my camera bag on the floor.

 

 

- The "Belle of Cincinnati," flagship of B.B. Riverboats.

 

 

- They even give you the opportunity to drive the boat/car. I had the opportunity to drive it as well, I just had to get in line behind all the little kids.

 

- Worst arena ever.

 

- You go up into the city center and see some cool stuff like QCS under construction (pictured above), Fountain Square, lytle park etc.

 

In Newport you also hit up some cool landmarks:

...like this Goodyear tires store. Neat huh?

 

What a beautiful night for a tour on the river:

 

The ducks tour is a blast and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone. Not a bad price either (15 bucks for adults). If you want to read a more thorough review or see some more pictures just check out today's QC/D update: http://queencitydiscovery.blogspot.com/2009/10/storm-shores-of-cincinnati-with-capt.html

 

Thanks for looking and next time you come to Cincinnati... RIDE THE DUCKS!

I just want the cheap tires at Goodyear.

Those things fascinate me, but I wouldn't go on one without a life jacket and a seat with access to fast exit. They're more than sixty years old and some of them have serious structural and maintenance issues. I've read at least two accounts of tourist Ducks having prop shaft seals fail suddenly. Both sank like rocks, in less than a minute, with loss of life.

As for US Bank Arena, I have always thought it would be cool to do some murals of the various teams that have used the arena as their home court over the years like the

Tenants

 

Cincinnati Bearcats

Cincinnati Cyclones

Cincinnati Jungle Kats

Cincinnati Swarm

Cincinnati Stingers

Cincinnati Kids

Cincinnati Rockers

Cincinnati Marshals

Cincinnati Stuff

added- Cincinnati Silverbacks

added- Cincinnati Tigers

 

any ones I am missing?

 

did the might ducks play there?

 

 

Did the Silverbacks play there?

 

  I agree with Rob - those things just don't look safe.

 

  I was on the Ohio River once in an early fiberglass Bass Boat from about 1975. It had a fairly narrow beam of about 6 feet and length of about 18 feet.

 

  We were suprised by the combined wakes of two big cabin cruisers. Our boat was lifted by the first wake and slammed into the second one. A foot or so of water came over the bow and drenched us. We had plenty of flotation and a working bilge pump and were in no danger of sinking, but it gave us an idea of what the right combination of wakes could do.

 

    Those ducks sit so low in the water, with so many passengers under a roof, that they make me nervous. The right combination of wakes can surprise you.

 

     

I cannot believe how high QCS is.

Those things fascinate me, but I wouldn't go on one without a life jacket and a seat with access to fast exit. They're more than sixty years old and some of them have serious structural and maintenance issues. I've read at least two accounts of tourist Ducks having prop shaft seals fail suddenly. Both sank like rocks, in less than a minute, with loss of life.

 

There has never been a reported incident with the "Ride the Ducks" attraction in any city, much less a loss of life.

I just want the cheap tires at Goodyear.

 

Who doesn't? Newport on the Levee has a lot to offer!

 

Those things fascinate me, but I wouldn't go on one without a life jacket and a seat with access to fast exit. They're more than sixty years old and some of them have serious structural and maintenance issues. I've read at least two accounts of tourist Ducks having prop shaft seals fail suddenly. Both sank like rocks, in less than a minute, with loss of life.

 

Herschend Family Entertainment has a perfect safety record for all six of their duck tour operations and they even have a patent to build their own boats. Those accounts you read were of other companies.

 

Did the Silverbacks play there?

 

The Silverbacks moved there when it became "The Crown" but I don't think that season even got off the ground.

 

Those things fascinate me, but I wouldn't go on one without a life jacket and a seat with access to fast exit. They're more than sixty years old and some of them have serious structural and maintenance issues. I've read at least two accounts of tourist Ducks having prop shaft seals fail suddenly. Both sank like rocks, in less than a minute, with loss of life.

 

There has never been a reported incident with the "Ride the Ducks" attraction in any city, much less a loss of life.

 

Correct, the Herschend Family Entertainment "Ride the Ducks" tours have never had an incident, but other companies have:

http://www.rbbi.com/folders/acc/arktour/arktour.htm

I went to many Silverbacks games at US Bank.

Are you sure they were at U.S. Bank? I thought I had read they only played at the Gardens then moved to U.S. Bank with the clones when it became "The Crown" but for some reason the first season the silverbacks would've played there never got off the ground.

I can also confirm the SB played at USBA.  And I do believe it was The Crown at the time.  I rememeber going to games and I caught a ball they threw into the stands that was signed by the guy who played Les Nessman.

I can also confirm the SB played at USBA. And I do believe it was The Crown at the time. I rememeber going to games and I caught a ball they threw into the stands that was signed by the guy who played Les Nessman.

 

That is really, really cool. I'm not a big soccer fan but I love just how many different minor league teams Cincinnati has had. I also find it annoying how quickly U.S. Bank Arena has gone downhill since it was renovated into "The Crown."

Those things fascinate me, but I wouldn't go on one without a life jacket and a seat with access to fast exit. They're more than sixty years old and some of them have serious structural and maintenance issues. I've read at least two accounts of tourist Ducks having prop shaft seals fail suddenly. Both sank like rocks, in less than a minute, with loss of life.

 

There has never been a reported incident with the "Ride the Ducks" attraction in any city, much less a loss of life.

 

One sank in Seattle a few years ago.  I believe that someone died.

Again, if it occurred, it was not with this company which has a spotless record. Let's not get all panicky.