New Orleans City Tour + Steamboat Jazz Cruise: French Quarter to the Mighty Mississippi
Difficulty
easy
Duration
6–7 hours
Fitness Level
Basic mobility and the ability to stand or walk short distances; suitable for most fitness levels.
Overview
Combine a narrated coach tour of the French Quarter, Garden District and City Park with a two‑hour paddlewheeler jazz cruise on the Mississippi. Swap stories on land and let the river set the pace as you pass battlegrounds, ports and skyline views.
New Orleans City Tour + Steamboat Jazz Cruise: French Quarter to the Mighty Mississippi
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You step out of the shade of a live oak and the river finds you. The Mississippi—slow, wide and impatient—pushes against the levee like a giant restless animal, and the calliope on the riverboat sounds like a city-wide invitation. A coach pulls up on Toulouse Street, the guide points out the wrought-iron balconies of the French Quarter, and for the next six and a half hours New Orleans unfurls in conversation, spice and brass.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Exchange voucher at the Gray Line window
You must redeem your mobile voucher at the ‘Lighthouse’ Gray Line ticket window on Toulouse St at the river before boarding; arrive 20–30 minutes early.
Bring cash for beignets
Cafe du Monde and the City Park location still prefer cash for quick beignet service—small bills speed things up between tour stops.
Top deck has stairs only
The top-deck offers the best photo angles but is reached by stairs; wheelchair users should plan to enjoy lower decks and notify the operator in advance.
Prep for weather and sun
Summer storms move fast; pack a lightweight rain shell and sunscreen—New Orleans sun plus river reflection intensifies UV exposure.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Great egret (often in City Park lagoons)
- Brown pelican and gulls near the riverfront
History
The riverboats recall the antebellum and steam eras when paddlewheelers moved goods and people; the cruise passes Chalmette Battlefield, key to the Battle of New Orleans (1815).
Conservation
The Mississippi’s health is central to the city’s future—local efforts focus on wetlands restoration and responsible tourism to reduce shoreline erosion and pollution.
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Adventure Hotspots in New Orleans
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive shoes for cobblestones, cemetery steps and stairs to the boat’s decks.
Light rain jacket
Summer showers come fast—pack a breathable shell to stay dry during outdoor segments.
summer specific
Sun protection (hat & sunscreen)
Top-deck exposure and reflected light from the river increase sun risk even on mild days.
spring specific
Camera or smartphone with extra battery
Capture city architecture, river panoramas and on-board jazz—bring power for a full day of photos.