The Steamboat Natchez offers a paddle-wheel boat experience on the Mississippi River. Departing from the French Quarter in New Orleans this boat tour is a must-visit.
Steamboat Natchez - New Orleans
The Steamboat Natchez is the last authentic steamboat on the Mississippi River. You depart right from the French Quarter Dock in New Orleans for a great cruise up the Mississippi River.
Make sure and explore the boat during your visit. It was so much fun checking out the different sections of the Steamboat Natchez. We tried to cruise upriver looking to the east and back down looking to the west. That way we got to see as many of the sites as we could.
Steam is the sole means of forward and reverse propulsion for the Steamboat Natchez. During your cruise, you can visit the Steam Engine Room to learn how it works.
The Steamboat Natchez has ample covered area for unexpected showers that you may encounter depending on what time of year you cruise. The gift shop also had rain ponchos which many guests were happy to find during our cruise.
We have taken a cruise on the Steamboat Natchez at least three times if not more often. During rain storms, foggy conditions, and a few nice sunny days we have enjoyed every cruise we have taken.
Even on a rainy foggy day in New Orleans, it was so much fun. We enjoyed some lovely cocktails and watching the shoreline go by from the comfort of one of the lounges onboard.
We highly suggest exploring the museum-quality engine room, the different decks of the steamboat, checking out the sites and sounds of NOLA.
Boat Tour Options
There is an impressive number of boat cruise options aboard the Steamboat Natchez. Many come with optional meals if you would like to dine while onboard.
They also serve craft cocktails in the bar located onboard.
Daytime Jazz Cruise
This two-hour cruise on the Mississippi River includes a lunch cruise option if you want to enjoy live music and a great meal at the same time.
Enjoy live narration of historical facts and highlights of the New Orleans Port during your cruise. Duke Heitger's Steamboat Stompers Jazz Trio plays during the cruise.
Buffet lunch options include southern fried fish, red beans and rice, jambalaya, white chocolate bread pudding, community coffee, or iced tea.
There are cocktails and additional drinks available onboard.
Book Tickets HERE
Evening Jazz Cruise
The Dinner Jazz Cruise includes the cruise, buffet dinner, and live entertainment by the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland Jazz Trio.
Enjoy the lights of New Orleans once the sun goes down.
The dinner buffet options include tossed salad, chicken and sausage gumbo, bayou seafood pasta, Creole vegetarian jambalaya, fingerling potatoes, green beans almondine, paddlewheel primavera, white chocolate bread pudding, bananas foster, and dinner rolls.
Book tickets HERE
Sunday Jazz Cruise
The Sunday Jazz Cruise is a two-hour Mississippi River cruise that includes live jazz music. You can enjoy a great New Orleans Brunch onboard while soaking in the sites.
Enjoy the live jazz band the Duke Heitger's Steamboat Stompers Jazz Trio plays during the Sunday Brunch cruise.
The brunch menu options includes chicken and sausage gumbo, grillades and grits, crescent city eggs, pain perdu, turkey sausage, O'Brien Potatoes, Creole Creamed spinach, mini croissants, fruit salad, bananas foster, and white chocolate bread pudding.
Book tickets HERE
Holiday Events
Looking to celebrate a holiday with a boat tour check out the Steamboat Natchez under the mistletoe package, New Years Eve Cruise, Mardi Gras Party Package, or Valentine's Weekend Cruises.
Why you will love the Steamboat Natchez
- Located in the heart of the French Quarter
- Enjoy a boat tour of the Mighty Mississippi River
- Daily steam Calliope Concert
- Authentic experience of a grand paddle wheeler
- Kids will love exploring the boat
- Loved by Locals and Visitors
- Experience part of the history of New Orleans
The entrance to board the Steamboat Natchez is across the cable car tracks. Look for the lighthouse looking building and walk towards it.
Make sure to look for cable cars while crossing! It is an active cable car line.
Things to know when planning a ride on the Steamboat Natchez
Reservations - Book Tickets HERE
Make sure to pick up your tickets at the Lighthouse Ticket Office
Address - Toulouse Street Wharf behind Jax Brewery in the French Quarter
New Orleans, United States
Phone - (504) 569-1401
Accessibility - There is a ramp leading up to the boat. Once on the boat the main level is accessible. There are stairs leading to the lower and upper floors.
The bathroom floor was slippery at times so make sure you are aware if you have any mobility restrictions.
Plus Size Seating - The chairs in the indoor dining room do not have arms on them. The outside chairs are super close to each other and do have arms on them.
There are benches available on upper and lower levels. An employee was really nice and brought an indoor chair outside for us to be able to enjoy the views comfortably.
Dress Code/Suggestions - Casual, comfortable with the weather. If you are taking a dinner jazz cruise you may want to go with dressy casual.
Pets - Service Animals are allowed on the boat but they request advance notice.
Parking - Public parking is available in the French Quarter on Decatur Street and adjacent to the boat dock. You will need to pay an hourly or daily parking fee.
We parked in the Premium Parking Lot P401 right near the walkway to boarding the boat. The lot if pretty large and could fit small RVs and SUVs.
The P401 parking lot allows you to reserve a spot in advance. You can also add time if you decide to wander around the French Quarter or Jackson Square after your boat tour.
Smoking - There is no smoking or vaping allowed on the boat.
Restrooms - There are restrooms available onboard the boat
The Steamboat Natchez is run by the New Orleans Steamboat Company who also runs the Riverboat City of new Orleans.
Restaurants and Beautiful New Orleans Sites nearby
Cafe du Monde French Quarter - New Orleans bucket list destination with amazing beignets and chicory coffee. A must visit in the Big Easy!
New Orleans Souvenirs - Check out the best souvenirs to pick up while in town.
Carousel Bar - Visit this iconic New Orleans Bar where you can sit at the carousel and enjoy a great drink.
Chalmette Battlefield and Cemetery
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
Bourbon Street - Learn more about this iconic destination in New Orleans.
Gambino's Bakery - World-famous king cakes and the original Doberge Cake.
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