Beyond Bourbon Street: A Relaxing Evening on a New Orleans Steamboat Cruise

New Orleans offers no shortage of ways to spend an evening. You can listen to live music on Bourbon Street, explore Frenchmen Street, join a haunted history tour, or settle into one of the city’s famous restaurants for a long dinner. During a recent trip to New Orleans, however, I found another option that deserves consideration: an evening steamboat jazz cruise on the Mississippi River.

Following a day in business meetings, my brother-in-law and I had a free evening and wanted something relaxing. As someone who has visited New Orleans multiple times and loves jazz music, a sightseeing cruise featuring live Dixieland jazz sounded like an excellent way to wind down the day.

After experiencing it firsthand, I’d recommend it for travelers looking for a slower-paced evening with good music, scenic views, and a different perspective on New Orleans.

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What Is the New Orleans Steamboat Jazz Cruise?

Several riverboat experiences operate along the Mississippi River in New Orleans. We booked our cruise through SteamboatNatchez.com, though our sailing took place aboard the City of New Orleans steamboat.

Guests typically have two options:

• Sightseeing cruise only
• Dinner cruise with sightseeing and entertainment

We chose the sightseeing-only option.

While I’m sure the dinner option is enjoyable, New Orleans is one of America’s great food cities. Personally, I’d rather enjoy dinner in the French Quarter and use the cruise as an evening activity afterward. One of my all-time favorite places to eat is Red Fish Grill. Check out my list of best places to eat in New Orleans.

The cruise lasted approximately two hours and included live jazz music, narrated commentary, riverfront views, onboard refreshments, and access to multiple decks throughout the vessel.

Who Would Enjoy This Experience?

Not every activity in New Orleans needs to involve crowded bars and late-night partying.

This cruise is especially well-suited for:

• Couples looking for a romantic evening
• Jazz lovers
• Families seeking a family-friendly activity
• Business travelers with a free evening
• Friend groups looking for a relaxing experience
• Visitors who have already explored Bourbon Street and want something different

If you’re hoping for a club atmosphere, this probably isn’t the experience you’re looking for. If you’re looking to sit back, enjoy some music, watch the Mississippi River roll by, and experience a quieter side of New Orleans, this cruise delivers.

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What Was the Music Like?

For me, the live jazz was the highlight of the evening.

The Dukes of Dixieland performed during our cruise and played traditional New Orleans jazz throughout the voyage. The group featured trumpet, trombone, clarinet, saxophone, keyboard, drums, and vocals.

As a former high school jazz band trombone player, I may be slightly biased, but I especially enjoyed the trombone solos. The musicianship was excellent without ever overwhelming the atmosphere of the cruise.

The music felt like part of the experience rather than a concert. Guests could listen from nearby seating, stroll around the ship, grab a drink, or even dance when slower songs were played.

Several couples did exactly that.

In fact, more than once during the cruise I found myself wishing my wife had been there to enjoy it with me. There’s something about jazz music, river views, and city lights that naturally creates a romantic atmosphere.

What Will You See on the Mississippi River?

One of the things I appreciated most was seeing New Orleans from a different perspective.

Despite visiting the city several times, I’d never experienced it from the river.

The cruise combines views of:

• Downtown New Orleans
• The Crescent City Connection Bridge
• Commercial river traffic
• Working sections of the Mississippi River
• Historic riverfront areas

Being from Utah, where rivers are typically narrow, rocky, and designed for rafting adventures, the Mississippi River felt completely different. Its sheer width stood out immediately.

The experience isn’t about constantly seeing famous landmarks. It’s more about enjoying the atmosphere of being on one of America’s most historic waterways while watching the city gradually transition from sunset to night.

One of my favorite views came after dark when another illuminated riverboat passed beneath the moonlit sky. Reflections danced across the water while the city lights shimmered in the distance. It was one of those moments that felt more impressive in person than any photograph could accurately capture.

TRAVEL TIP: What Should You Wear?

Dress casually.

For our early March cruise, jeans, T-shirts, and sweatshirts were perfect.

Even when temperatures feel comfortable in New Orleans, it can become cooler once you’re on the water after sunset. Having an extra layer made the evening much more enjoyable.

Nobody appeared overly dressed up. This isn’t a formal cruise where you’ll need a suit or cocktail dress.

Comfortable casual clothing works just fine.

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Definitely Explore the Steamboat

One of the benefits of the cruise is that you’re not confined to a single area. I encourage you to wander to all the decks to get different views and experiences during the cruise.

During our sailing, we spent time:

• Listening to jazz on the upper deck
• Watching ships move along the Mississippi
• Visiting the bar area for a soda
• Looking through the gift shop
• Standing near the stern to watch the paddlewheel
• Taking in views from different sections of the vessel

The paddlewheel was especially fun to watch. While adults will appreciate it, I suspect younger travelers and families may enjoy that feature even more.

Is the New Orleans Steamboat Jazz Cruise Worth It?

Yes.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as the very first thing every traveler does in New Orleans. If you only have one evening in the city, you may prefer a classic jazz club like Fritzel’s, a haunted history tour, or simply exploring the French Quarter.

However, if you’re looking for a relaxing evening activity that combines live music, Mississippi River views, and a distinctly New Orleans atmosphere, this cruise is absolutely worth considering.

For me, it offered something different from my typical New Orleans itinerary while still incorporating one of my favorite aspects of the city: jazz music.

Final Thoughts

New Orleans is famous for its energy, but not every memorable experience in the city has to be loud.

An evening steamboat jazz cruise offers a slower pace, beautiful river views, live music, and a chance to experience the Mississippi River after sunset. Whether you’re traveling with friends, attending a conference, planning a date night, or simply looking for a relaxing break from the crowds, it’s an enjoyable way to spend a couple of hours in the Big Easy.

After our cruise, my brother-in-law and I continued our personal New Orleans tradition with a stop at Café du Monde for beignets and hot chocolate before heading back to the hotel. It was the perfect ending to an evening that reminded me there’s still plenty to discover in a city I’ve visited many times before.

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