Ride The Ducks

We first experienced Ride the Ducks in 1994, on our first visit to Branson. For those of you who have never heard of “The Ducks”, these are World War II amphibious vehicles (called DUKW by the militaty, but everyone pronounced it “duck”) that have been converted to haul tourist around the streets of Branson (or another city) and then to drive right into the water and see the sights from the perspective.

Ride the Ducks is a national company which operates in Baltimore, Philadelphia, Seattle, Stone Mt, GA, and obviously, Branson, MO.

In Branson, you board the Duck from a platform and you are given a duck call. These are popular with kids, but the adults get a charge out of them. Your guide/captain tells you the safety rules (hands and feet inside, ect) and warns those in certain areas that they may get wet. Your group picture is taken and then the tour begins. The guide, who interjects as much humor and history in the tour as he/she drives, takes you first around the town a bit. While touring you are encouraged to “quack” at other tour buses or at groups you might pass. Shortly the driver pulls up to the spot where they will enter Lake Taneycomo (you have already learned that Taneycomo comes from Taney County Missouri). The driver stops, engages the brake, and turns around to talk to group. He explains that there are two ways to enter the lake, fast or slow, and calls for a vote. Those, if any, who call for the gingerly entry are shouted down. The captain pushes and pulls levers and then guns the engine. There is a satisfying splash into the lake.

From that point the tour takes a pleasant but unexpected turn. There is some narration that can be done, but not a ton. So to keep the people interested, especially the kids, they are offered a chance to drive the DUK. Don’t be shy! Everyone is welcome to drive. Then back home you will be presented with your own DUK driver’s license. The kids always love it.

Ride the Ducks operates 7 days a week, but is not year round. They close during the winter. Cost is $19 for adults and $11 for kids. The tour lasts about 70 minutes.

Would I do it again? We have done it three times, so the short answer is Yes! Each time the tour covered the same area, so the third time was old hat. But, the big draw in to experience land and water from the same craft and to ride a historic, if altered, piece of American history.

We had a great time when we rode the duck in Branson. We had a wonderful duck captain named Captain Stumpy. We were each given quackers (including the adults) to use along the tour. We happily quacked at other passing ducks and also to help the duck make it up some steep hills. We were able to see some beautiful scenery along the way as well as learn more about the area in general.