New Orleans

Boat Tours & River Cruises

Our most recommended New Orleans Cruises & Boat Tours

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  1. New Orleans: Evening Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez

  Journey back in time aboard the Sternwheeler Steamboat Natchez – the only surviving authentic steamboat in New Orleans. Sit back, relax and enjoy the New Orleans atmosphere as the smooth jazz of the Dukes Trio fills your ears. This 2-hour cruise from the heart of the French Quarter will take you along the graceful Mississippi River. Seating is available indoors and on deck for the very best views of the river and the City of New Orleans. The indoor areas are climate-controlled and the outdoor space allows for tours of all levels of the boat. There is nothing more charming than an evening on the Steamboat Natchez. Sample Dinner Menu Natchez Tossed Salad: Mixed greens, tomato, cucumber, red onions and croutons with a sugar cane vinaigrette and served family style Chicken and Sausage Gumbo: Made with a traditional Louisiana roux and served with rice Baked Chicken: Serve...

  Wonderful time. The cruise was beautiful and educational and the food was fantastic. I would do this again and again and again.

  Reviewed by Jason, United States, 09/08/2021
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  2. New Orleans: Day Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez

  Savor the beauty and romance of New Orleans and take a journey back in time aboard the Sternwheeler Steamboat Natchez, the only authentic steamboat in New Orleans. Your two-hour cruise from the heart of the French Quarter takes you back to a time when life was as slow and graceful as the current on the Mississippi. The tour will take guests to see New Orleans from the river, one of the world's most active ports. Visit our museum quality Engine Room to learn how steam powers this magnificent boat through the “Mighty Mississippi.” Add an optional Creole lunch, prepared fresh on board, and savor the tastes of New Orleans as you relax on your 2-hour cruise. Sample Menu Lunch Monday - Saturday on 11:30 AM - 2:30 PM cruises Southern Fried Fish Red Beans and Rice Jambalaya Salad Du Jour Community Coffee and Iced Tea included Menu items are subject to change by season and ...

  We were very disappointed in the lunch provided. It was billed as being fried chicken. What was served was very thin and dry fried fish fillets. The rest of the meal was all carbohydrates: macaroni salad, jambalaya, red beans and rice, and bread pudding for dessert. Not anything was very palatable and not good for a diabetic. I’ll never do the meal cruise again.

  Reviewed by Marian, 11/08/2021
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  3. New Orleans: Oak Alley Plantation & Airboat Swamp Combo

  Discover Louisiana on a guided day trip from New Orleans to the historical Oak Alley Plantation, with entry tickets included, and a bayou airboat ride. Benefit from round-trip transportation from your New Orleans hotel.

  Start your experience with hotel pickup, and relax on the drive to Oak Alley Plantation. Enjoy a guided tour of the plantation home by guides in period dress while you hear and learn about the times of slavery. 

  Take in the house's Greek Revival architecture, the antique farm equipment exhibits, and walk around the grounds where 28 evenly spaced, huge oak trees grow. Browse the blacksmith shop and souvenir shop, or stop for a snack (at your own expense) in the restaurant.

  Continue onto Barataria Basin for an airboat tour of the bayou swamplands, where your local captain will guide you through the swamp...

  The airboat ride was interesting & exciting and we enjoyed the plantation and presentations there. Because of the 3 plus hours on the road it would have been nice to learn more about the area while on the road instead of just riding in silence

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 04/08/2021
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  4. New Orleans: Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner

  Step back into the glamour and romance of the riverboat era with a cruise on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen boat. On this river cruise, you will experience the vibrant and lively jazz notes of the amazing Sullivan Dabney Jr. and the Muzik Jazz Band while enjoying a Creole-style dinner. There will be some time to dance to the music after dinner in the gorgeous dining hall.  After dinner, you can enjoy a classic New Orleans cocktail on the promenade deck looking out over the Mississippi River as the city slips past. On the way back to the city you will pass by Jackson Square and see the city lights under a starry sky.  SAMPLE DINNER MENU: • Cajun Caesar Salad • Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo • Louisiana Creole Jambalaya • Cajun Baked Chicken • Roast Beef Debris • Garlic Mashed Potatoes • Cajun Seafood Pasta • Red Beans & Rice • Corn Mac Choux • Fresh Roasted Vegetables • Paddlewheele...

  Great host & staff, amazing band, variety of food, and beautiful evening scenery along the river!! Highly recommend.

  Reviewed by Connell, United States, 04/09/2021
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  5. New Orleans: High-Speed Bayou Swamp Airboat Tour

  Catch a high-speed airboat and jet out into Louisiana’s backwaters on a guided tour of the famous bayous. Explore the local swampland from the comfort of your tour boat on a high-speed adventure with your captain guide. Tune in as your guide tells the story of local Cajun culture, the bayous backwaters themselves, and wildlife that inhabits them. Enjoy the beautiful scenery with soft waterway landscapes and moss-draped trees. Catch a glimpse of the local flora and fauna, including the much-sought-after alligator, plus other wildlife such as fish, raccoons, birds, deer, and even snakes.

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  6. Swamp Tours South of New Orleans by Airboat

  Climb aboard a unique airboat to explore Louisiana’s wetlands south of New Orleans in a truly unique fashion. Located just 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans, Airboats Adventures operate airboats that can zip through the bayou and squeeze into tiny canals hidden deep in the swamp. For 105 minutes, the captains at Airboat Adventures share some of the most beautiful and secluded areas of Louisiana. Wildlife such as alligators, turtles, and birds are common sights, but you never know what else might come out to visit! Round-trip transfers are available from New Orleans for guests without a car. Upon arrival, check-in to the Airboats Adventures facilities, before departing on the airboat to zip across the swamps. Grab a snack at the gift shop, or check out Sugar and Flour, the only albino alligators on the bayou. Picnic tables are available both inside and out, where you can relax before...

  It was nice. Sunscreen and hat is needed for sure. Very cool gators but didn’t get to hold a baby one like mentioned. It was disappointing but maybe next time and they should probably update the listing about that.

  Reviewed by Rosa, 23/08/2021
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  7. From New Orleans: High-Speed Bayou Swamp Half-Day Airboat Tour with Transfer

  Explore Louisiana’s country bayou landscapes on a high-speed swamp tour. Leave behind the bustling “Big Easy” for half a day, with roundtrip transportation included. After a hotel pickup, head down to the bayou wetlands, where you will board your high-speed airboat with your captain guide. Enjoy the local flora and fauna from the comfort of your airboat as you zip along the water. Listen as your guide tells you the tidbits about the swampland, the local area’s Cajun culture, and draw your eyes to the diverse wildlife that call these bayous home. Keep a special eye out for various types of snake, raccoon, fish, deer, birds, and perhaps even spot an alligator if you’re lucky. After your high-speed guided boat tour, hop back in your vehicle to be dropped off back at your New Orleans accommodation.

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  8. New Orleans: Bayou Swamp Boat Tour

  Catch a boat and head out into Louisiana’s backwaters on a guided swamp tour. Adventure into the bayous with your captain guide to see the local swampland flora and fauna from the comfort of your tour boat. Tune in as your guide tells the story of the bayous, local Cajun culture, and wildlife that lives in the area. And get your cameras ready as you pass through beautiful, moss-draped trees and soft waterway landscapes, Keep your eyes peeled for the raccoons, deer, birds, snakes, fish, and perhaps even an alligator, if you’re lucky.

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  9. New Orleans: Creole Queen History Cruise with Optional Lunch

  Sit back and enjoy the views or a drink at the bar while journeying down the Mississippi river. Learn about New Orleans' complex, but interesting story, focusing on the critical Battle of New Orleans. This cruise is narrated by an expert, local guide who takes guests on a journey of the imagination downriver to the Chalmette Battlefield at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. As you travel to the battlefield, learn about the settlement of New Orleans, its river lores, and historical landmarks that lay along the banks of the Mississippi River. Then stop at the battlefield and reflect for a 1-hour shore excursion featuring a guided tour and talk by National Park Rangers.   SAMPLE MENU LUNCH: • New Orleans Style Shrimp Pasta • 10” Roast Beef Po-Boy • Creole Jambalaya • Crawfish Bread • Caesar Salad • Red Beans & Rice • Fresh Baked Cookies • Zapps Potato Chips (Menu it...

  Enjoyed the history and battlefield. The food was plentiful but average tasting. Drinks was good. The staff was friendly.

  Reviewed by Anonymous, 29/08/2021
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  10. New Orleans: Creole Queen Sunday Morning Jazz Cruise

  Step back into the glamour and romance of the riverboat era with a cruise on the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen boat. On this river cruise, you will experience the vibrant and lively jazz notes of the amazing Sullivan Dabney Jr. There will be some time to dance to the music in the gorgeous dining hall.  Add the optional Creole-style brunch to complement the experience. After brunch, you can enjoy a classic New Orleans cocktail on the promenade deck looking out over the Mississippi River as the city slips past. On the way back to the city you will pass by Jackson Square and see the beautiful sights New Orleans has to offer. Weekend Brunch Menu Basket of seasonal fresh fruit Homemade Biscuits - Jellies & butter Caesar Salad - crisp romaine lettuce, fresh grated parmesan cheese, garlic croutons and creamy Caesar dressing Chicken & Andouille Gumbo with long grain Louisiana rice Eggs Benedict ...