Steamboat Natchez – New Orleans, Louisiana
Travel down the Mighty Mississippi River on a riverboat for the true flavor of the beauty of the area. The Natchez is the only authentic steamboat in New Orleans.
The Natchez is the 9th steamer to carry the name. It was her predecessor, Natchez VI, that raced the Robert E Lee in the most famous steamboat race of all time. The history of the riverboat, Natchez, flows through the placid antebellum plantation era, on through the Civil War era, on to the Gay Nineties and now, into the new millenium. Quite a history for a line of steamboats to be able to brag about.
The Natchez resembles the old sternwheelers Virginia and Hudson in her profile and layout. The engines were bult for the Clairton in 1925. The genuine copper and steel steam whistle is an antique. The copper bell, smelted from 250 silver dollars to produce a purer tone, was once on the SS JD Ayres. She has a 32 note steam calliope that will thrill you with music as you float down the river.
Her daily two-hour jazz cruises depart from the Toulouse St. Wharf (behind JAX Brewery in the French Quarter) at 11:30 A.M.; 2:30 P.M.; and 7:00 P.M. On this cruise you will enjoy a casual buffet style dinner, have indoor or outdoor seating, and children under 6 years of age have the cruise portion of their ticket fre with a paid adult. Food and beverages costs may apply. Boarding time is 6 pm, cruising is from 7 – 9. Check with them for their seasonal sailing times from November through February.
Pricing: Evening/Jazz Cruise Only – Adults $40, Children 6 – 12 are $20 and Children 2-5 are free.
Evening/Jazz Cruise & Dinner – Adult $64.50, Children 6 – 12 are $32.25 and Children 2 – 5 $12.25.
Email: info@SteamboatNatchez.com
Directions to the Steamboat Natchez Lighthouse Ticket Office traveling on I-10 West (toward Baton Rouge):
1) Stay on I-10 West (Don’t take I-610).
2) Take the ELYSIAN FIELDS exit (#237). Keep LEFT at the fork in the ramp.
3) Merge onto ELYSIAN FIELDS AVENUE.
4) Follow ELYSIAN FIELDS AVENUE toward the river.
5) Turn right onto DECATUR ST. heading into the French Quarter.
6) Turn left on SAINT PETER ST.
7) Cross the railroad tracks and take a right into the parking lot. The Steamboat Natchez Lighthouse Ticket Office is on the left.
Directions to the Steamboat Natchez Lighthouse Ticket Office traveling on I-10 East (toward Slidell / Biloxi):
1) Stay on I-10 East (don’t take I-610). Get into the lanes marked I-10 East – SLIDELL. Stay in the right lane.
2) Take exit 235A heading toward the Vieux Carre (French Quarter) and merge onto ORLEANS AVENUE. Get into the left lane. ORLEANS AVENUE will become BASIN St.
3) Turn left onto CONTI ST.
4) Turn left onto N. RAMPART ST.
5) Turn right onto TOULOUSE ST.
6) Turn left onto DECATUR ST.
7) Turn right onto SAINT PETER ST.
Cross the railroad tracks and take a right into the parking lot. The Steamboat Natchez Lighthouse Ticket Office is on the left.
Parking:
Two other parking lots are on the left.
Take a left on Decatur; immediately get in your right hand lane
Take a right at the first light; go up the ramp
Cross the railroad tracks
The parking light will be on your right;
the Natchez ticket office on the left.
(The parking fee is approximately $11 – $13 for up to 4+ hours unless it is a special event.)
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