Summer and early fall are peak season - the water's warm enough for cruises to be genuinely pleasant, and you'll catch stunning sunsets. Spring and late autumn work too if you don't mind cooler temps, and crowds thin out considerably.

Sunset cruises and food tours with tastings fill up quickly in summer, especially weekends. Aim for at least a week out if you're visiting then. Shoulder season gives you more flexibility.

The hop-on hop-off trolley covers the main sights and waterfront nicely. Bikes work well too - the riverside routes are scenic and flat. Walking downtown is straightforward if you're staying central.

Yes - the food tours reveal spots locals actually eat, and the river cruises (especially shipwreck and ghost tours) add real context you'd miss on your own. A photographer session makes sense if you want polished shots of yourself here rather than just phone snaps.

Dinner cruises come with a meal, while lunch and brunch versions do too - check before you go for specifics on what's served. Sightseeing cruises are narrated tours without food, so bring snacks if you like.

Absolutely - the trolley tours, brunch cruises, and bike rides work for kids and adults. The ghost tour has a mystery angle that older kids enjoy. Most tours accommodate strollers on cruises; confirm accessibility details before booking.

You're literally sailing past hundreds of islands with cottages, lighthouses, and shipwrecks. The scale of it hits different on the water than any map will show you.