Riverboats, New Orleans

The John James Audubon riverboat is a unique way to travel from the Aquarium of the Americas (near the French Quarter) to the Audubon Zoo (Uptown). It's a seven-mile trip on the Mississippi River.

Tickets may be purchased for the boat trip only, or to include Zoo and Aquarium admission. For departure schedule and price list, please refer to website.

The Natchez is the only steam powered sternwheeler in New Orleans. It has a steam calliope, which can produce 32-notes, and is a uniquely American musical instrument that has been identified with steamboats since 1865. The steam engine to run the boat and the calliope would be interesting to me, but we did not take this particular cruise because we wanted to actually visit the Chalmette Battle Field (Battle of New Orleans) instead of look at it from the river.

Consider whether you are interested in hearing about boats and the riverfront when you decide whether to spend $38 on this cruise. Keep in mind that it will be much colder on the river, so dress for the occasion.

The Creole Queen is New Orleans' newest and most luxurious paddlewheeler. It has 3 Cruises daily, two during the day and one in the evening. During the day, the Creole Queen will also stop at Chalmette Battlefield where the Battle of New Orleans was fought in 1812.

Address: Docked at the Riverwalk

The Natchez offers two-hour narrated cruises with live jazz and nightly dinner/jazz cruises with an optional buffet. This boat New Orleans only authentic Stern wheel Steamboat . The earliest side-wheel steamboat was constructed at New York in 1823 and placed in the New Orleans-Natchez trade. The former general of the Revolutionary War made part of his journey up the Mississippi River on board the steamer Natachez. There have been nine Natchez steamboats in this series.

Address: Toulouse Street Wharf

Aboard Steamboat Natchez, New Orleans' only Sternwheel Steamboat, you can make a 2-hour harbor and jazz cruise. Cruises depart from the Jackson Brewery at the Mississippi river at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm and the steam calliope aboard plays a nice tune before departing. At night, you can take a dinner/jazz cruise.

Not really a tip, but be sure to check out the riverboats along the Mississippi they are really nice even just to admire from afar.

The Cajun Queen riverboat offers 4 daily one hour narrated harbour cruises a day.

Address: Docked at the Aquarium of the Americas

The Natchez is docked at the Waterfront just in front of Jackson Brewery and is available for tours and dinner cruises. I didn't have time, but it looked like a fun thing to do.