Ride the Ducks
Trips with Kids!
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The tension built. The Duck rolled down the public landing.
Closer to the river. Closer. The tour guide warned we’d get
wet when we hit the water. And we were driving directly into
the Ohio River.
Ride the Ducks is a “quacktacular” land and water tour,
beginning at Newport on the Levee. Before boarding, we
parked in the Levee Parking Garage for $3 and took the
stairs to the pavilion. We bought our tickets for the 4:30 ride
at the Information Booth, then enjoyed river views and
window shopping before following signs and arrows to the
boarding area.
The repetitive “Ride the Ducks” theme built our anticipation
as we waited in line with other ticket holders.
Photographers snapped a quick souvenir photo (later
offered to us with key chains for $20) and then we climbed
the gangplank into the duck. The tour guide and captain
greeted us and gave everyone a plastic, yellow duck-billed-
shaped noise-maker with instructions to “Blow the Wacky
Quacker.”
Amid quacking noisemakers and a festive atmosphere, we
took our seats, mine toward the back on the aisle, beside
my 10-year-old. Even from the aisle and with my short
stature, I could easily see out both sides of the duck’s
generously proportioned windows.
The engine started, the sweat-inducing vinyl seats vibrated,
and our tour guide told us about the Duck. General Motors
produced about 20, 000 of these vehicles during WWII for
amphibious attacks and transporting troops and supplies
over land and water. Although it’s tempting to believe that
the name came from its land and water capabilities, “ducks”
actually derived from GM’s model naming terminology. “D”
indicates a vehicle designed in 1942, “U” meant "utility
(amphibious), and “K” indicated all-wheel drive. There’s
also a “W,” signifying the DUKW’s two powered rear axles.
But it’s more fun to believe our guide’s story, that since the
vehicle couldn’t go fast amidst enemy firing, it was a “sitting
duck.”
Our guide told more stories as a nice breeze developed
during our cross from Kentucky into Ohio. As we neared
Yeatman’s Cove, we heard about Yeatman’s tavern
ownership and Cincinnati’s riverboat beginnings.
Then Captain Ed took the microphone. He warned us that
the back row of the duck would get wet, but assured us
everything was safe. As a certified riverboat captain,
Captain Ed told us the location and operation of life jackets
and how to abandon ship in an emergency—just hop out a
window.
But for the moment, we used the window to watch our
descent. Speed increased. We counted down. I braced
myself, holding tight to the seat in front of me. I checked my
kids, put my Wacky Quacker to my lips, and splash! We hit
the water and it hit us too.
“Rollin on the River” blasted over the speakers and our told
fun facts as the Duck drifted by Cincinnati and Northern
Kentucky Landmarks. For instance, we learned that the
“Queen City” nickname derived from the city’s early role as
the Queen of the West. We heard that the World Peace Bell
was silenced because its loud ring disturbed the peace;
that the Showboat Majestic, the last original floating theater,
is haunted by one of the original owners. And, most
interestingly that when John Roebling completed the
suspension bridge he proved its safety by calling on his
friend, PT Barnum to parade a dozen or so elephants
across it.
Meanwhile, a dozen or so Honorary Duck Captains paraded
to the front to take turns driving the duck. Captain Ed took a
break and invited everyone who raised his or her hand to
drive. Nearly every kid on board (except mine, despite my
nagging) dashed down the aisle and took a turn at the
wheel.
But Captain Ed soon took over and drove the Duck up the
landing. We quacked at the people we passed leaving
work, or heading to the ball game, or enjoying the sights of
downtown, including our Quacktacular one.
.
Closer to the river. Closer. The tour guide warned we’d get
wet when we hit the water. And we were driving directly into
the Ohio River.
Ride the Ducks is a “quacktacular” land and water tour,
beginning at Newport on the Levee. Before boarding, we
parked in the Levee Parking Garage for $3 and took the
stairs to the pavilion. We bought our tickets for the 4:30 ride
at the Information Booth, then enjoyed river views and
window shopping before following signs and arrows to the
boarding area.
The repetitive “Ride the Ducks” theme built our anticipation
as we waited in line with other ticket holders.
Photographers snapped a quick souvenir photo (later
offered to us with key chains for $20) and then we climbed
the gangplank into the duck. The tour guide and captain
greeted us and gave everyone a plastic, yellow duck-billed-
shaped noise-maker with instructions to “Blow the Wacky
Quacker.”
Amid quacking noisemakers and a festive atmosphere, we
took our seats, mine toward the back on the aisle, beside
my 10-year-old. Even from the aisle and with my short
stature, I could easily see out both sides of the duck’s
generously proportioned windows.
The engine started, the sweat-inducing vinyl seats vibrated,
and our tour guide told us about the Duck. General Motors
produced about 20, 000 of these vehicles during WWII for
amphibious attacks and transporting troops and supplies
over land and water. Although it’s tempting to believe that
the name came from its land and water capabilities, “ducks”
actually derived from GM’s model naming terminology. “D”
indicates a vehicle designed in 1942, “U” meant "utility
(amphibious), and “K” indicated all-wheel drive. There’s
also a “W,” signifying the DUKW’s two powered rear axles.
But it’s more fun to believe our guide’s story, that since the
vehicle couldn’t go fast amidst enemy firing, it was a “sitting
duck.”
Our guide told more stories as a nice breeze developed
during our cross from Kentucky into Ohio. As we neared
Yeatman’s Cove, we heard about Yeatman’s tavern
ownership and Cincinnati’s riverboat beginnings.
Then Captain Ed took the microphone. He warned us that
the back row of the duck would get wet, but assured us
everything was safe. As a certified riverboat captain,
Captain Ed told us the location and operation of life jackets
and how to abandon ship in an emergency—just hop out a
window.
But for the moment, we used the window to watch our
descent. Speed increased. We counted down. I braced
myself, holding tight to the seat in front of me. I checked my
kids, put my Wacky Quacker to my lips, and splash! We hit
the water and it hit us too.
“Rollin on the River” blasted over the speakers and our told
fun facts as the Duck drifted by Cincinnati and Northern
Kentucky Landmarks. For instance, we learned that the
“Queen City” nickname derived from the city’s early role as
the Queen of the West. We heard that the World Peace Bell
was silenced because its loud ring disturbed the peace;
that the Showboat Majestic, the last original floating theater,
is haunted by one of the original owners. And, most
interestingly that when John Roebling completed the
suspension bridge he proved its safety by calling on his
friend, PT Barnum to parade a dozen or so elephants
across it.
Meanwhile, a dozen or so Honorary Duck Captains paraded
to the front to take turns driving the duck. Captain Ed took a
break and invited everyone who raised his or her hand to
drive. Nearly every kid on board (except mine, despite my
nagging) dashed down the aisle and took a turn at the
wheel.
But Captain Ed soon took over and drove the Duck up the
landing. We quacked at the people we passed leaving
work, or heading to the ball game, or enjoying the sights of
downtown, including our Quacktacular one.
.
| Ride The Ducks - Newport One Aquarium Way Newport, KY 41071 859-815-1439 info@newportducks.com |
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| More Great Trips with Kids! |
| Cincy Trips with Kids |
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