WRIGHTSVILLE BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Sundown on the Susquehanna: Aboard the 112‑Year‑Old Chief Uncas
A 1.5-hour guided sunset cruise led by Susquehanna National Heritage Area aboard the historic electric wooden launch Chief Uncas, pairing live on-water lectures with river views.
Sundown on the Susquehanna: Aboard the 112‑Year‑Old Chief Uncas.
Step aboard the Chief Uncas, a 112-year-old electric wooden launch, and set sail through time on the Susquehanna. Expert-led Heritage Cruises combine live, on-the-water lectures about the river’s history, nature, and culture with striking sunset views, offering a compact, illuminated look at one of America’s most storied waterways.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
A century-old electric wooden launch
The cruise is conducted aboard the Chief Uncas, a 112-year-old electric wooden launch that places passengers on the water in a historic, intimate setting while guides narrate the river’s past.
Live lectures that map ecology and history
Each Heritage Cruise features a guest speaker who brings the Susquehanna’s story alive—this summer includes talks on changing bird populations and conservation by Lancaster County naturalist Sarah Gotwols, tracing shifts from the Civil War and Industrial Revolution to today.
Sunset views over the Susquehanna
The 1.5-hour guided history cruise takes place at sunset, giving passengers an opportunity to hear expert commentary while watching the river’s evening light.
What the day feels like
What the experience feels like
For roughly 1.5 hours you glide along the Susquehanna aboard a historic electric launch, listening to live, on-the-water lectures that weave natural history, cultural context, and local conservation stories into the changing light of sunset.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this cruise suits — and who should plan ahead.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The cruise runs about 1.5 hours and is scheduled at sunset.
No specific gear list is provided in the supplied material; for recommendations or special needs, contact Susquehanna National Heritage Area Visitor Information.
Meet at the Zimmerman Center for Heritage; check in at the Zimmerman Center Waterfront Pavilion across the street from the Zimmerman Center where the boat departs. Parking is available at the Zimmerman Center. Please arrive up to 20 minutes before departure.
For other questions contact Susquehanna National Heritage Area Visitor Information at 717.252.0229, extension 101.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
Where is available parking?
Parking is available at the Zimmerman Center.
Where should I go to check in?
Check in at the Zimmerman Center Waterfront Pavilion across the street from the Zimmerman Center, where the boat departs.
When should I arrive?
Please arrive up to 20 minutes before your tour departure time.
How long is the cruise?
The guided history cruise runs approximately 1.5 hours.
Is the cruise accessible to people with limited mobility?
Those with limited mobility may have trouble boarding; passengers must navigate a short staircase up and then down into the boat. SNHA crew will be on hand to assist—call 717-252-0229 with questions.
Who can I contact for other questions?
Contact Susquehanna National Heritage Area Visitor Information at 717.252.0229, extension 101.