My husband and I took a thrill ride on The Scream Machine down at Waterfront Park. The Scream Machine is a bright green 30 foot jet boat with 800 hp and twin engines. It’s capable of all sorts of tricks and high speed turns. My husband and I loved our ride around the downtown waterfront area doing rocket launches, nose dives, fish tails, and 360 degree spins at top speed! Here’s an intro video.
The Scream Machine is currently docked at the Brown Forman Amphitheater at the Louisville Waterfront (by the old Tumbleweed and the Adventure Playground and splash pad). You can park (for free) between the Tan and Turquoise parking lots, and walk over to The Scream Machine trailer to buy tickets, or you can reserve tickets online.
There are several ticket options. The 30 minute Scream Machine Thrill Ride is $30 per person. This is the fun one – rocket launches, fish tails, nose dives, and a 360 degree doughnut (or you can ask to keep it to a 270 turn of you don’t want to get wet).
The Sunset Cruise is $39 per person. The Sunset Cruise has a moderate performance – no doughnuts, and no getting wet, and it is planned in time to come back to the port right at sunset for a beautiful view of downtown.
The Skyline Tour is $39 per person. It is a low performance ride (no tricks). On the Skyline Tour, you can bring your own food and alcohol, link up your play list to the radio, and enjoy a relaxing time with friends, family, or co-workers on the Ohio.
The Firework Tour is $49 per person. This is on Louisville Slugger home game nights with the Slugger Field fireworks after the game. This ride may run long, because its dependent on when the baseball game ends before the fireworks start. It’s a fun way to view the fireworks and the waterfront skyline after dark.
The Scream Machine opens the first weekend in May, and offers rides each hours from 10am to 10pm. There is a minimum of 8 passengers needed for the Scream Machine to leave the dock. If you want to ride, and there aren’t enough riders to join you, your ticket time will be bumped to a future time when there are at least 8 passengers, or you can pay for 8 tickets and go whenever you want. I recommend planning to make a day of it so you can be flexible with your ride time. The Scream Machine is located near the playgrounds, Big Four Bridge, bike and Segway rentals, kayak tours, Lincoln Memorial, and more, so there is plenty for you to do if you have to wait.
Tips:
-Kids must be at least 38″ tall to ride, no discounts – a seat is a seat.
-In order to ride the Scream Machine, you must be able to step over the side and onto the boat – it is not handicap accessible (there are no stairs or ramps as the jet boat has high sides all the way around it).
-Don’t wear a hat or anything loose for the thrill rides – they will end up in the Ohio.
-Don’t try to video the ride without a GoPro or waterproof phone case with strap. It is very difficult to hold the phone up and hold on to your bar during tricks. You may end up on a different side of the bench seat, or your phone may end up in the Ohio.
-Wear sunscreen.
-Bring a hair brush for afterwards (think “Something About Mary” hair after the ride)
-Tips are appreciated, so don’t forget to keep some cash in your pocket for after the ride
The Master Captain has 20 years of experience, there are life jackets under the seat for each person aboard, and a rail to hold on to during the tricks. We felt very safe during the ride.
