Things to do nearSteamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site
The Steamboat NATCHEZ is New Orleans, Louisiana's last authentic steam-powered riverboat, offering live jazz, Creole dining, and sweeping views of the city's historic waterfront.
The Steamboat NATCHEZ traces its name and lineage to a proud tradition of steamboat travel that defined commerce and culture along the Mississippi River throughout the nineteenth century. The current vessel, launched in 1975, was built to honor that heritage and remains the only authentic steam-powered sternwheeler still offering regular public cruises in New Orleans. Her steam engines, salvaged from earlier riverboats, power both the paddlewheel and the steam calliope, an instrument whose bright, reedy notes have announced departures along the New Orleans waterfront for generations.
Guests board at the Toulouse Street Wharf in the French Quarter, placing them steps from the heart of one of America's most storied neighborhoods before they even set foot on deck. Once underway, the NATCHEZ moves at a leisurely pace upriver and back, giving passengers unobstructed views of the city skyline, the Crescent City Connection bridge, and the working port that has shaped New Orleans since its founding.
Live jazz performances accompany every cruise, played by local musicians in a tradition that feels entirely at home on a vessel so closely tied to the culture of the region. Dining cruises offer Creole-inflected menus that reflect the culinary identity of Louisiana, making the experience as much about taste as it is about scenery and history. The boat's interior spaces, with their wooden detailing and period furnishings, reinforce the sense that time moves a little differently out on the river.
For anyone seeking a genuine, unhurried encounter with the history and atmosphere of New Orleans, the Steamboat NATCHEZ offers a perspective that no street-level tour can replicate.
7-day forecast
Chance of rainTips for visiting Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site
Board at least 20 minutes early to secure a spot on the open upper deck before the cruise fills with other passengers.
Try the Creole gumbo served in the dining salon during the lunch or dinner cruise for a taste of classic New Orleans cooking on the water.
Bring a light jacket even in warm months, as the river breeze on the open deck can be noticeably cooler than the air on shore.
Stay near the stern during departure to watch the massive paddlewheel begin turning and to feel the vibration of the steam engines at full power.
Time your cruise for the evening dinner departure to see the city lights reflect off the Mississippi as darkness settles over the French Quarter.
Top tours & experiences near Steamboat NATCHEZ - Official Site
Ride a 1-Hour Haunted French Quarter Carriage Tour
Hear French Quarter ghost stories on a 1-hour night carriage ride
2-Hour Guided City Tour of New Orleans
See key New Orleans neighborhoods by air-conditioned minibus
French Quarter Kitchen: Cook 3 Cajun Dishes
Prepare iconic Jambalaya, barbecue shrimp, and dessert in a hands-on French Quarter kitchen.
Explore Destrehan Plantation Guided Tour Combo
Tour Destrehan Plantation with guided house access and time to explore the grounds
Garden District Mansions, Bites & Cocktails Walk
Savor local bites and a welcome cocktail while exploring the Garden District’s grand homes and history.
Louisiana Swamp Airboat Tour & Alligators
Glide across bayous at high speed, spotting alligators and native wildlife with an expert captain.
New Orleans Airboat Swamp & Alligator Tour
Zoom across Louisiana wetlands on a small airboat to spot alligators and native wildlife up close.
24/7 Bike Rental with French Quarter Route Map
Explore the French Quarter at your own pace with quality bikes, a route map, and 24/7 return flexibility.
Explore French Quarter Craft Cocktail Walking Tour
Sip 3 classic cocktails on a small French Quarter walking tour
French Quarter Haunted Ghost Tour with AR
Explore haunted French Quarter streets and experience augmented reality encounters on a two-hour guided evening walk.
Oak Alley Plantation Guided Tour From New Orleans
Explore Oak Alley's history, exhibits, and oak-lined grounds
Cajun Swamp Tour: Gators, Cypress & Culture
Discover Cajun culture and spot wildlife on a guided pontoon cruise through Louisiana's cypress swamps
Manchac Swamp Boat Cruise & Oak Alley Tour From New Orleans
Explore Oak Alley’s historic grounds and cruise the private Manchac Swamp
New Orleans Whitney Plantation Self-Guided Tour
Hear first-person narratives at Louisiana's slavery-focused plantation museum
Marie Laveau Voodoo Walking Tour in New Orleans
French Quarter walking tour focused on Marie Laveau and New Orleans voodoo history
New Orleans Jazz Lunch Cruise
Savor Creole lunch and live jazz on the Mississippi River
New Orleans Jazz Lunch Cruise
Cruise the Mississippi with Creole lunch and live jazz
New Orleans Jazz Dinner Cruise
Creole buffet, live jazz, and Mississippi River views aboard Steamboat NATCHEZ
New Orleans Dinner Jazz Cruise
Mississippi River dinner cruise with a Creole buffet and live jazz
New Orleans 2-Hour Jazz Sightseeing Cruise
Mississippi River views, live jazz, and port history from the French Quarter
New Orleans Sunday Jazz Brunch Cruise
Live jazz, river views, and optional Creole brunch aboard a paddle-wheel steamboat
New Orleans Sunday Jazz Cruise
Sail the Mississippi River with live jazz and New Orleans skyline views
New Orleans Jazz Dinner Cruise
Celebrate with Creole dining, live jazz, and party-package perks on the Mississippi
New Orleans Jazz Brunch Cruise
Cruise the Mississippi with live jazz, Creole brunch and a seasonal party package
New Orleans Whitney Plantation & Swamp Boat Tour
Explore Whitney's slavery-history museum and cruise the Manchac Swamp
New Orleans 2-Hour Jazz Sightseeing Cruise
Live jazz, river views, and captain’s narration aboard a classic paddle-wheel riverboat
New Orleans City Tour & Riverboat Cruise
Discover the French Quarter, Garden District & Mississippi River
Guided Swamp Boat Cruise in Lafitte
Drive yourself to Lafitte for a 90-minute guided swamp boat cruise
Sip Classic Cocktails on a French Quarter Walking Tour
Walk the French Quarter and sample classic cocktails with a licensed local guide
New Orleans Jazz Brunch Cruise
Live jazz, Creole brunch, and Mississippi River views aboard a paddle-wheel riverboat
New Orleans Jazz Brunch Cruise
Live jazz, Creole brunch, and a decorated table on the Mississippi River
75-Minute Mississippi River Cruise in New Orleans
Hear the captain's stories while taking in French Quarter landmarks from the river
New Orleans Cooking Class & Cocktail Tour
Sample Creole classics, then stroll the French Quarter’s historic cocktail bars
New Orleans 2-Hour Creole Lunch Jazz Cruise
Cruise the Mississippi with Creole lunch, live jazz, and three cocktails
New Orleans Creole Lunch Cruise
Savor Creole classics with live jazz on the Mississippi River
New Orleans Mardi Gras City & Cemetery Tour
Explore New Orleans neighborhoods with cemetery stories and Mardi Gras party extras
Party Airboat Tour From New Orleans
Celebrate with a cocktail, Mardi Gras party favors, and a small-airboat swamp ride
New Orleans Party Airboat Swamp Tour
Celebrate with a high-speed Louisiana swamp airboat ride and party extras
New Orleans Mardi Gras Swamp & Bayou Tour
Cruise Louisiana wetlands with Cajun stories and a Mardi Gras party package