Top New Orleans Sightseeing Cruises

Cruise the Mississippi River aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS on a relaxing 75-minute sightseeing experience suitable for all ages. As you travel along the river, the captain provides engaging commentary highlighting the French Quarter, historic waterfront locations, and the role the river has played in shaping New Orleans over the centuries. Guests can enjoy multiple onboard bars, including an open-air bar on the upper deck with sweeping views of the city skyline and riverbanks. Light snacks and beverages are also available for purchase, making it easy to sit back and enjoy the ride. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or as a couple, this river cruise offers a scenic and informative way to take in New Orleans from the water.

Go for a sunset cruise aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen on this boat trip. Listen to an on-board jazz band and choose to add on a Creole-style dinner buffet as the boat sails along the Mississippi River. Take in the views from the promenade deck and sip New Orleans-inspired cocktails.

Discover a different side of New Orleans—and admire a new perspective from the water's edge—on this steamboat tour down the Mississippi River. Board the historic riverboat—either the Steamboat Natchez or her sister vessel—for a morning or afternoon tour. Stroll the deck, admire the iconic paddlewheel, enjoy live music, and snap photos of the picturesque shoreline. This family‐friendly excursion offers an optional lunch (additional expense).

Experience the highlights of New Orleans in one comprehensive half-day tour. This itinerary combines a guided walk through the historic French Quarter, time to grab lunch at the famous French Market, a 75-minute cruise along the Mississippi River aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans, and a narrated bus tour showcasing the city’s top sights. Along the bus tour, you’ll pass by some of New Orleans’ most well-known landmarks, including the National WWII Museum, the charming Garden District, New Orleans City Park, Mardi Gras World, and the Audubon Aquarium. Beginning at Café Beignet, this well-balanced experience is designed to be easy and enjoyable, blending guided exploration with free time. It’s a great option for first-time visitors or anyone looking to see a wide range of the city’s highlights in a single outing.

Experience the rich history and vibrant culture of New Orleans from two perspectives on a city tour and steamboat cruise that lets you escape the land-based crowds. Enjoy a narrated coach tour of historic landmarks, including the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the Garden District. Then, step aboard Steamboat NATCHEZ (or its sister vessel) for a journey along the mighty Mississippi River, complete with live jazz and optional Creole dining.

Create memories that will last a lifetime on the mighty Mississippi River and experience the royal treatment about the Steamboat Natchez. Your experience begins with a complimentary Champagne cocktail and front-row access to the night’s entertainment, the Dukes of Dixieland. For dinner, indulge in a buffet dinner as you listen to live jazz performance. Take the chance to tour the historic vessel after dinner.

Welcome aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS! Enjoy a relaxing, family-friendly Jazz Brunch Cruise on the Mississippi River. Listen to live New Orleans jazz music followed by Captain's narration as you cruise past iconic French Quarter landmarks, historic riverfront sites, and beautiful city views that bring more than 300 years of New Orleans history to life. Indulge in a Creole-inspired brunch while sipping cocktails or other beverages from one of our full-service onboard bars, including the popular City Skyline Bar on Deck 4, featuring panoramic views of the river and downtown New Orleans. Perfect for families, couples, and groups, this New Orleans Jazz Brunch Cruise is one of the best ways to experience the city’s live music, local cuisine, and scenic river views all in one unforgettable experience. 75¢ Mimosa Special thru Sept. 30, 2026: Dining guests 21+ with valid ID can enjoy 75¢ mimosas on Saturday Brunch Cruises.

Experience the charm of New Orleans on a two-hour Sunday jazz cruise along the Mississippi River. Enjoy live jazz music, stunning views from the top deck, and the option to savor a Louisiana-style buffet brunch featuring local favorites. This authentic paddle-wheel riverboat offers a perfect blend of history, ambiance, and relaxation for all ages. The legendary Steamboat NATCHEZ and her sister vessel Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will sail interchangeably, depending on bookings and private events.

Sail down this Mississippi River on a classic Paddlewheeler boat on this New Orleans river cruise. Enjoy illuminating narration from the onboard historian and stop part-way through the trip to learn about the Battle of New Orleans. Then, get back aboard the vessel and enjoy a cash bar while admiring the views.

Lose yourself in the atmospheric depths of the New Orleans swamps and wetlands on an exhilarating 2-hour boat tour, led by a professional guide. Cruise past ancient wonders and listen to legends surrounding a 2000-year-old Indian burial mound and an atmospheric Cajun cemetery. Scour the Barataria Swamps for sightings of fascinating wildlife such as snakes, turtles and ferocious alligators, and learn about the area’s history and geology from your knowledgeable guide. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation by luxury vehicle fro your New Orleans hotel.

Experience different sides of Louisiana and its complicated history on this plantation tour and swamp boat ride from New Orleans. On this full-day journey, visit Oak Alley Plantation or Destrehan Plantation (depending on the time chosen), where you learn about antebellum life. Next, head into the marshy swampland for a boat ride and some wildlife spotting. Enjoy guided commentary as you snap photos of alligators, raccoons, snakes, and native birds.

Experience the Jean Lafitte National Park and Preserve on this shaded pontoon excursion - the closest swamp tour to downtown New Orleans. Your tour guide, who was born and raised in the bayou, will teach you about Southern Louisiana’s distinctive ecology as you cruise past magnificent cypress trees and watch for native wildlife like gators and egrets.

Book your adventure with Gulf Coast Eco Tour to explore the swamps of Mississippi and Louisiana. Your Swamp Eco Cruise ticket also includes a self-guided walking tour—perfect to explore before or after your time on the water. See a Live reptile demonstration. 444 miles the Pearl River flows with many sites and secrets of the swamp. Travel on the Mississippi waterways in a comfortable pontoon boat, gliding into the Honey Island Swamp Louisiana. We may See Coastal birds, alligators, and other creatures along the way. See live reptiles at the dock before we cruise. Eco-Tinker packs available for purchase for the kids to identify creatures, and things of the swamp. We will see ancient cypress trees fauna, and foliage. On the self guided walk you will be on a safe gravel and paved roadway seeing a historical cemetery and other sites and wildlife. Boat ride is one hour and the walk is self paced just for you. I invite you to journey like never before with Gulf Coast Eco Tour