10 great places to stream through cities

— -- Rivers and canals helped great cities grow — and many are spurring waterfront redevelopment with cruises and tours. Kit Cramer, president of the International Downtown Association, a non-profit organization that promotes creative development (www.ida-downtown.org), shares with Kathy Baruffi for USA TODAY her list of great places to take a boat ride.

Rideau Canal Ontario, Canada"The historic Rideau Canal is part of a network of lakes, rivers and canals that run between Kingston and Canada's capital city, Ottawa," Cramer says. "This cruise goes through a lock system, built in 1832, that is still maintained manually." Visitors can travel past towns and islands with cottages and cabins on them and enjoy the sounds of nature on a vintage boat refitted with an environmentally friendly engine that eliminates noise and exhaust. 613-272-0222; rideauboattours.com

James River/Kanawha Canal Richmond, Va. "Passengers on the River District Canal Cruises tour through Richmond's past and present," Cramer says. Towering stone abutments from a railroad bridge destroyed in the Civil War are phantom reminders of the city's role in history. Sleek skyscrapers representing major corporate headquarters symbolize its importance today. Richmond had the first towpath canal system in the USA. And today, pedestrians enjoy a 11/4-mile canal walk and historical exhibits along the way. 804-649-2800; venturerichmond.com

Providence River Providence "Enjoy a beautiful view of two very different sides of the city from a gondola on the Providence River here," Cramer says. The river neatly divides Providence between the colleges in historic neighborhoods with Colonial-style buildings and the modern skyscrapers downtown. The gondolier, wearing a traditional striped shirt and beribboned straw hat, sings under the bridges, and accordion and mandolin players are available for hire. 401-421-8877; gondolari.com