Steamboat Natchez in New Orleans, Louisiana

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.

Looking down the side of a steamboat with red and white paint, benches and chairs

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Steamboat Natchez - New Orleans

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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.

chairs lining a railing looking out at the Mississippi River

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

jazz band playing under a sign saying Natchez

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

indoor tables and chairs looking down the inside of a boat

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.

engine room with red paint on the floor leading you in specific spaces

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

steamboat natchez sign with arrow pointing across railroad tracks to a loading area

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.

How the steam engine works sign with image of steam boat

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

person walking up a ramp leading to a boat

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.

fog surrounding the steamboat natchez on the Mississippi River

Alligator in the water with dead branches around it.

New Orleans Tours and Attractions

Mardi Gras World - Take a self-guided tour of this world-famous NOLA Attrraction. Buy Tickets HERE

Steamboat Natchez - Check out what it is like to cruise on the Mighty Mississippi River. Boat tour photos and info. Book tickets HERE

New Orleans Hop On Hop Off Bus - A great way to explore the city and see a ton of sites. Book tickets HERE

Ghost and Cemetery Tours - Join a spine-tingling adventure into the haunted streets of New Orleans. Check out tours HERE

Airbot Tours - This is one of our favorite activities in NOLA. Get out in the Bayou and see alligators and the swamp. Check out tours HERE

Click HERE to see all of the top rated tours and activities in New Orleans

Looking out a hotel window to the New Orleans city lights and Mississippi River at sunset

New Orleans Lodging and Hotels

We have stayed at each of these New Orleans hotels and can personally recommend all of them. Here are our top picks for every type of trip:

🏨 Sheraton New Orleans - Located right on Canal Street, the Sheraton New Orleans puts you steps from the French Quarter, the streetcar, and everything the city has to offer. We have stayed here multiple times and love how easy it is to walk to everything. Don't miss the Blue Dog art collection by George Rodrigue throughout the hotel - it's one of our favorite surprises. Check Rates and Availability | Read Our Full Review

🏨 Hotel Monteleone - One of the most iconic hotels in New Orleans, sitting right in the heart of the French Quarter on Royal Street. The famous Carousel Bar rotates slowly while you sip your cocktail, and the history of the building is woven into every corner. A bucket list New Orleans stay. Check Rates and Availability | Read Our Full Review

🏨 The Ritz-Carlton New Orleans - Located on Canal Street at the edge of the French Quarter inside the historic 1908 Maison Blanche building. A full-service spa, the Davenport Lounge with live music, and one of the most elegant lobbies in the city. The splurge-worthy pick for a special occasion. Check Rates and Availability

🏨 The Saint Hotel New Orleans - One of our favorite hotels in the city for atmosphere and personality. The Saint has a rooftop pool, a great bar, and a style that feels very New Orleans without being a museum piece. A great pick for a girls trip, a birthday, or anyone who wants a hotel with some character. Check Rates and Availability | Read Our Full Review

🏨 Old No. 77 Hotel and Chandlery - A boutique hotel in the Warehouse Arts District inside a former coffee warehouse. This is where you stay if you want something that feels less like a chain and more like New Orleans itself. It is also home to Compère Lapin, Chef Nina Compton's James Beard Award-winning restaurant. Dinner is already handled. Check Rates and Availability | Read Our Full Review

🏨 Sheraton Metairie New Orleans - Our top pick if you are flying in and out of Louis Armstrong Airport or want to keep your nightly rate lower while still having easy access to downtown. About 8 miles from the French Quarter with a rooftop pool, renovated rooms, and Cajun-American dining on site. Check Rates and Availability | Read Our Full Review

🏨 Holiday Inn Express New Orleans Airport - The ideal pick if you need a convenient stay close to Louis Armstrong Airport without sacrificing comfort. A solid option for early flights, late arrivals, or keeping costs down on a longer trip. Check Rates and Availability | Read Our Full Review

The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.

The map below shows the current hotels and vacation rentals available in the area. You can select the dates you are visiting to see current availability.