New Orleans: City Tour & Steamboat Daytime Jazz Cruise Combo

The best thing about this combo is the change of pace. You get a two-hour Mississippi River cruise with jazz, then a three-hour city tour that reaches far beyond the French Quarter. The river gives you wide views and a calm ride; the bus and walking stops bring you close to New Orleans neighborhoods, cemeteries, and grand homes.

I like the St. Louis Cemetery #3 stop, where the guide explains above-ground burial and jazz-funeral customs, and I like the Garden District walk, where the stories behind the houses matter as much as the architecture. The main drawback is the fixed schedule: the cruise is at 11 a.m. and the bus tour at 2 p.m., so this is a long, tightly planned day.

Key points to know

• Two ways to see New Orleans: Cruise the Mississippi, then cover about 25 square miles by bus and on foot.
• The boat may change: During annual inspections and maintenance, the Steamboat NATCHEZ is replaced by the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS.
• Cemetery stop included: Learn why many New Orleans tombs sit above ground and how burial customs connect with local culture.
• City Park break: You have time for café au lait, beignets, museums, sculpture gardens, lagoons, and old live oaks.
• A real Garden District walk: Expect historic homes, churches, schools, and stories about the people who lived behind the facades.
• Plan for a full day: The cruise begins at 11 a.m., and the city tour follows at 2 p.m. from the same general meeting area.

Two very different views of New Orleans in one day

At $104 per person, this is not the cheapest way to sightsee in New Orleans. It can still be good value if you want a broad introduction without arranging a river cruise, cemetery visit, City Park stop, Lake Pontchartrain drive, and Garden District walk on your own.

The appeal is variety. The boat shows you the city from the Mississippi, where the pace is slow and the views open up. The city tour then shifts to streets, neighborhoods, and short walks. I would choose this over a second French Quarter tour if you have only a day or two in New Orleans and want to understand how the city fits together.

The tradeoff is time. You are committing most of the day to a set route. If you prefer lingering over lunch, browsing small shops, or deciding your next stop as you go, this combo may feel too structured.

The 11 a.m. Mississippi cruise

The cruise starts from the riverfront near the French Quarter and lasts two hours. The boat follows the Mississippi while live jazz plays, and the captain provides narration about New Orleans and the riverfront sights.

The Steamboat NATCHEZ is the better-known vessel, but it periodically leaves service for Coast Guard inspections and general maintenance. During those periods, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS operates the cruise instead. It is a newly renovated sister vessel with four decks, so take time to look around rather than staying in one seat.

I like the boat portion because it gives your feet a break before the city tour. You can sit with a drink, listen to the band, and watch the city pass at an easy pace. Cocktail, beer, and wine are available for purchase, as are snacks. Lunch is not included, so do not assume the cruise is a meal package.

There is plenty of seating, but the view may be better from one side of the boat depending on the direction of the narration. One practical tip is to move around when you can. Some announcements and photo opportunities may favor one side, while the return trip can be quieter.

The quality of the music may vary. Several performances have been praised, including the Steamboat Stompers, while one older account found the band less polished and noted that announcements sometimes took attention away from the music. I would treat the jazz as a pleasant part of the ride, not as a concert with guaranteed top-tier performance.

Drinks cost extra, and the onboard food is also separate. If you buy food, check how the service works before sitting down. Past passengers have found the signs and bar instructions unclear, with food ordered at the bar and then carried to the dining area.

What you see from the Mississippi

A river cruise helps explain why New Orleans developed where it did. The Mississippi is not just scenery here. It is the working route that shaped trade, settlement, shipping, and the city’s connection with the Gulf of Mexico.

The captain’s narration adds context as the boat passes riverfront sights. You are not simply looking at buildings from the water, though the amount of detail you hear can depend on where you sit and how clearly the announcements carry.

The upper deck is worth a visit, especially if the weather is comfortable. It gives you a broad view, but it also gets more sun and wind. Bring water, and keep your plans flexible if the heat is strong.

This part works well for couples, families, and anyone who wants a relaxed introduction to New Orleans. It is less suited to someone seeking a high-energy activity. The boat moves at a leisurely pace, which is exactly the point.

Jackson Square and the road toward City Park

After the cruise, the city tour begins at 2 p.m. The route starts around Jackson Square with an introduction to the French Quarter, then heads along Esplanade Avenue.

Esplanade is a useful contrast to the busy core of the French Quarter. Large Victorian homes line the avenue as it runs toward City Park. From the bus window, you get a sense of how New Orleans shifts from dense historic streets to broader residential areas.

The city tour covers about 25 square miles and reaches across three centuries of local history. That range is valuable, but it also means you should not expect a detailed stop in every neighborhood. The guide has to keep the route moving.

The guide can make a major difference here. Harris has been praised for combining New Orleans history with humor, while Stacey was especially good at slowing the vehicle for photo opportunities. Ryan has also received strong praise for leading the Gray Line portion of the day. Guides change, so names are not guaranteed, but the best version of this tour depends heavily on the person behind the microphone.

St. Louis Cemetery #3 and New Orleans burial customs

The cemetery stop is one of the most useful parts of the day because it explains a feature you will see throughout New Orleans. At St. Louis Cemetery #3, the guide discusses above-ground tombs, local burial practices, and the connection between funerals and New Orleans music.

The explanation is more interesting than simply walking past rows of tombs. You learn why the city developed its distinctive cemetery style and how the customs fit the local environment and culture. One detail worth noticing is the way streets run through the cemetery, giving it the feel of a small neighborhood made for the dead.

Allow yourself time to look closely, but stay with the group and follow the guide’s instructions. Cemeteries are active sacred places, not just photo stops. A small handmade candy purchase from the vendor near the cemetery has also been noted as a nice local touch, though purchases are optional and not part of the tour.

This stop is particularly helpful if you have wondered about New Orleans tombs but never had anyone explain them properly. It turns a familiar visual detail into a piece of the city’s social and religious story.

City Park, café au lait, and old live oaks

The route continues across Bayou St. John into City Park. You have free time here, which gives the day a welcome pause. Depending on your interests and the time available, you can buy café au lait and beignets at Café du Monde, look for a good photo, or explore part of the park.

City Park contains museums, attractions, sculpture gardens, lagoons, bayous, and old live oaks. Some of those trees are more than 800 years old. The park is large, so you will not see everything during this stop. Think of it as an introduction and a chance to stretch your legs, not a full park visit.

I like this stop because it prevents the tour from becoming three straight hours of bus commentary. You can grab a snack, enjoy the open space, and choose your own small moment before returning to the vehicle.

The timing may feel short if you want to visit a museum or spend time in the sculpture gardens. For that reason, I would avoid making separate City Park plans later the same day unless you are comfortable returning on your own.

Lake Pontchartrain and the city beyond the French Quarter

Back on the bus, the route follows the south shore of Lake Pontchartrain. You pass a post-Katrina pumping station, seafood restaurants, a marina, and a historic lighthouse. The long Causeway Bridge may be visible in the distance.

The lake is actually a large brackish estuary, covering about 630 square miles and connected to the Gulf of Mexico. That detail matters because it shows how closely New Orleans is tied to water, wetlands, storms, shipping, and flood control.

The pumping station is an important sight, even if it is not a classic vacation photo. It points to the practical systems that protect the city and to the lasting effects of Hurricane Katrina. This section of the route adds useful context that a short French Quarter walk cannot provide.

Do not expect a dedicated waterfront stop with a long walk. Much of this section is viewed from the bus, so sit where you can see out and listen to the guide.

St. Charles Avenue and the Garden District walk

The final section moves along St. Charles Avenue, known for its streetcars, large homes, churches, and schools. The route includes Audubon Park, Loyola University, and Tulane University before reaching the Garden District.

The Garden District walk is where the tour becomes personal and detailed. Your guide points out architectural styles, small design features, and the stories of people who lived behind the grand fronts. A good local guide can make these houses feel less like a row of impressive buildings and more like homes shaped by ambition, wealth, family, and changing times.

Jane has been praised for bringing local knowledge and personal stories to this walk. That approach is exactly what you want here. Architecture alone can blur together, while a story about a former resident or an unusual feature gives each house a reason to stick in your mind.

Wear comfortable shoes. The walking portion is not described as strenuous, but you will already have spent time on a boat and bus. The Garden District is best appreciated at a slower pace, so avoid booking another tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

The schedule, meeting point, and practical details

You meet at the Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office at 400 Toulouse Street, behind Jax Brewery. The location is in the French Quarter, where traffic and pedestrians can slow everything down. Allow extra time, especially if you are driving.

The cruise is scheduled for 11 a.m., followed by the bus tour at 2 p.m. Both must be taken on the same day. That gap gives you some breathing room, but you should confirm the precise meeting instructions when booking so you do not mistake the boat and bus times or dates.

If you drive, parking is approximately $11 to $13 for four or more hours, unless a special event changes the price. Public transport or a taxi may be easier than dealing with French Quarter traffic.

Tour vehicles can store wheelchairs, but special requests should be submitted at least 48 hours before the reservation. The tour is conducted in English. It does not operate on Mardi Gras Day or Thanksgiving Day.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms help if your New Orleans schedule is still taking shape.

Who gets the most from this $104 combo

I would recommend this tour to a first-time visitor who wants a broad introduction and prefers having transportation arranged. It is also a good fit for families and older visitors who want to see distant areas without planning several separate outings.

The combo suits you especially well if you want:

• A calm river ride with live jazz
• A guide to explain cemetery customs and local history
• A look at City Park and Lake Pontchartrain
• A guided walk through the Garden District
• A full-day overview before choosing which neighborhoods to revisit

I would hesitate if you already have several days in New Orleans and enjoy exploring slowly. You could arrange a shorter river cruise, visit the Garden District independently, and spend more time in City Park or the French Quarter.

The price is fair when you count the two-hour cruise, live music, transportation, guide, and several stops. It is less attractive if you plan to skip the boat’s paid food and drinks but still want a low-cost city orientation. Also remember that lunch is not included.

Should you book the New Orleans cruise and city tour combo?

Book it if you want one organized day that combines the Mississippi, cemetery traditions, City Park, Lake Pontchartrain, St. Charles Avenue, and the Garden District. The changing scenery and mix of bus, boat, and walking make it more useful than a basic city loop.

Skip it if you want complete freedom, a long lunch, or more than a short taste of each area. The schedule is firm, and the boat music and guide quality can vary. For most first visits, though, this is a sensible way to get your bearings, hear local stories, and decide where to return for a closer look.

FAQ

How long does the combined tour last?

The activity is listed as six hours, or 390 minutes. It includes a two-hour river cruise and a three-hour New Orleans city tour, with time between the scheduled activities.

What time is the cruise?

The cruise is scheduled for 11 a.m. The bus tour follows at 2 p.m., and both activities must be taken on the same day.

Which boat operates the cruise?

The Steamboat NATCHEZ is scheduled when available. During annual Coast Guard inspections and maintenance, the cruise operates on the sister vessel, the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS.

Is lunch included?

No. Lunch is not included. Snacks and drinks, including cocktails, beer, and wine, are available for purchase onboard the cruise.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at the Gray Line Lighthouse Ticket Office at 400 Toulouse Street in New Orleans. It is behind Jax Brewery.

Is live music included?

Yes. The two-hour sightseeing cruise includes live jazz music.

Is the tour available in languages other than English?

No. The tour is conducted in English with a live English-speaking guide.

Can wheelchair users join the tour?

The tour vehicles can store wheelchairs. You should submit any special accessibility request at least 48 hours before your reservation.