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The Doullut Steamboat Houses of New Orleans

The Doullut family built the twin homes in the early 1900s by hand. The Steamboat Houses are located in the 9th Ward Holy Cross neighborhood.

by Jyl Benson | October 12, 2022

The confections that are New Orleans’ two Doullut Steamboat Gothic Houses rise incongruously above the other, far humbler, structures in the largely working-class Holy Cross neighborhood that hugs the Mississippi River from the eastern side of the Industrial Canal to Jackson Barracks, where Orleans Parish gives way to that of St. Bernard.

The river-faring Doullut family

Their provenance is as unusual as their appearance. The first, located at what is now 400 Egania Street, was built in 1905 by husband and wife steamboat pilots, Captains Milton and Mary Doullut, at a time when the words “riverboat pilot” and “captain” were more likely to conjure the image of a swarthy pirate than that of a woman in billowing skirts steering a vessel through murky waters with a child at her knee.

Milton Doullut had long made his life’s work in maritime careers, including that as a boatbuilder, before making the acquaintance of his soon-to-be seafaring bride. Mary Doullut was the first woman to earn a pilot’s license, and the duo traversed the river attending its considerable role in the commerce of the day.

When it came time to build a home for his family, Milton Doullut did so in the Lower Ninth Ward on a plot of land near the river’s edge with a pier connecting it to the waterway. A 1920s levee project necessitated relocating the home from the river’s edge to what is now the southwestern corner of Egania and Douglas streets. With the help of his son, Paul, and a single helper, the captain built the house by hand over 18 months in his spare time.

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Far-east inspiration

In 1904, the year before Doullut started construction on the house, the World’s Fair was held in St. Louis, Missouri. Japan was becoming politically and culturally more influential, and the small but mighty country erected a vast pavilion at the fair. As one in six Americans traveled to the fair, many by means of the Mississippi River, it can be surmised that the pelagic Doulluts paid a visit and took the inspiration for the home’s green-tiled Pagoda-style roof from that exposition. It would have been the place where most Americans would have first been exposed to Far Eastern architecture. For added flair, the roof, with its gently lilted corners, was trimmed in filigreed metal.

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Inspiration for the rest of the home’s unusual architecture came directly from the family’s beloved steamboats.

The bottom floor of the house is slab on grade rather than raised, as was the custom of the day. Like the hull of a boat, the space was designed to be hosed or bailed out should the need arise. As such, the walls, floors, and supporting pillars, both inside and out, were clad entirely in ceramic tile. Single doorways to the front and rear of the first floor and two each to either side would have aided in clean-out efforts. A wraparound second-floor gallery is planked in thin strips of painted wood to resemble a vessel’s deck. Oval stained-glass windows at each of the four chamfered corners of the house are reminiscent of maritime oculi. A third-floor octagonally shaped cupola clad entirely in windows was clearly inspired by a ship’s wheelhouse. The windows open to admit the river’s breezes and afford panoramic views. Metal chimneys set to either side of the cupola evoke smokestacks

Carved strings of massive cypress “beads” hang in swaths atop the second-floor gallery, its ceiling, like that of the first floor, covered in pressed tin painted a pale azure to deter wasps or malevolent spirits, depending on who you ask.

The twin home

So enamored were the Doulluts of their striking riverfront home, they set out to build its twin for their son Paul just across the way at what is now 503 Egania Street.

The second-floor interiors of both houses consist of four rooms bisected by a central hallway. Within each, a narrow staircase leads to the window-lined third-floor cupola.

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Save for minor differences, the exterior appearances of the houses remain the same. Both have added two car garages. One has a more intricate paint job and more extensive landscaping than the other. The Doulluts’ preventative first-floor design preserved both houses when each took on five feet of water following the Hurricane Katrina levee failures. Both houses were named to the National Register of Historic Places in 1977, and they are worth the time it takes to check them out.

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Jyl Benson

Jyl Benson began her editorial career in 1990 with The Times Picayune in New Orleans and served as a regional reporter covering the southeastern United States for both The New York Times and Time magazine. She wrote Galatoire's Cookbook: Recipes & Family History from the Time-Honored New Orleans Restaurant (Random House 2005) as well as several cultural, historical, and architectural guides to New Orleans. She served as Editor-In-Chief of Louisiana Cookin’ magazine from 2009 to 2011 and founded Louisiana Kitchen & Culture magazine in 2012. Her most recent cookbook Louisiana's Tables (Great Texas Line, 2017) explores the state's culinary culture based on settlement patterns. Fun, Funky, Fabulous: New Orleans Casual Restaurant Recipes (Pelican Publishing) was released in 2015. She currently serves as a columnist and feature writer for Acadiana Profile, Louisiana Life, St. Charles Avenue and New Orleans magazines. Her weekly blog “Side Dish” is sent to 40,000 readers weekly via myneworleans.com. She lives in Uptown New Orleans with her husband and four needy dogs.

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The doullot steamboat houses of the lower 9th ward.

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New Orleans is full of beautiful and interesting architecture, and some of the most beautiful homes ever built were in the Lower 9th Ward neighborhood. Unfortunately, most of this area was hit hard by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. However, there were some houses that survived, called the Doullut Steamboat Houses. The unique architecture of these beautiful old houses actually made them flood resistant, and they're still standing despite the intense flooding in the area.

These houses earned their names because they were designed to look like steamboats. They had giant wrap-around porches, which mimicked the large decks of a steamboat, and they were painted with bright, beautiful colors and had ornamentation that was designed to look like the draped decorations on a boat. The roof has a slightly Asian-inspired design and looks slightly like a pagoda. There are only two of these houses, and they were built in 1905 and 1912. The original builders and owners were a steamboat captain and his son, which is why they have such a unique design.

The reason these homes survived the hurricane and the intense flooding so well is because of their strange construction. The entire ground floor of both homes is covered in ceramic, from the interior all the way out to the poles on the porch. This makes it resistant to groundwater and damage, and although these houses did flood, the home itself wasn't damaged. All the owners had to do was replace any damaged property inside and they could live in it again right away. There was minimal damage to the upper exterior, all of which was refurbished soon after the storm.

The homes' current owner has invested quite a bit of time and money into keeping these houses in good condition. Although there is plenty of beautiful architecture in this neighborhood, these houses stand out because they are just so unique, even for New Orleans. These homes should be a must-see as you are touring New Orleans, particularly if you are interested in the city's history and architecture.

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Doullut steamboat houses.

  • Location: New Orleans Louisiana Regional Essays: Louisiana New Orleans Downriver Faubourgs/Neighborhoods Architect: Milton P. Doullut Types: houses Styles: no metadata available Materials: tin (metal) metal stained glass (material) steel (alloy) tile (material)

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Karen Kingsley and Lake Douglas, " Doullut Steamboat Houses ", [ New Orleans , Louisiana ], SAH Archipedia, eds. Gabrielle Esperdy and Karen Kingsley, Charlottesville: UVaP, 2012—, http://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/LA-02-OR58 . Last accessed: March 20, 2024.

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Buildings of New Orleans , Karen Kingsley and Lake Douglas. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2018, 78-79.

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These two almost identical houses were built by river pilot, civil engineer, and shipbuilder Captain Milton P. Doullut and his wife, Mary–one house for themselves (number 400) and the other for their son, Paul, who helped construct them. Doullut’s profession explains the nautical details of these octagonal buildings, which include porthole-type openings; broad galleries reminiscent of riverboat decks, draped with double strands of wooden balls strung on steel wires; an enclosed belvedere resembling a pilothouse; and twin metal smokestack chimneys. Asian influences are seen in the tiered effect of the three stories, the concave roof, and deep eaves. The houses are remarkably similar to the Kinkaku, or Golden Pavilion, in the Japanese Village at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exhibition in St. Louis and are also reminiscent of Longwood , erected in 1860 in Natchez, Mississippi, which Doullut had probably seen. Equally delightful is Doullut’s smorgasbord of building materials, including white glazed brick for the lower exterior walls, pressed tin anthemion cresting along the roof overhang, green roof tiles at number 503, stained glass windows, and, inside the houses, glazed brick walls on the ground floor and pressed metal walls and ceilings upstairs. Each house has a central-hall plan with two rooms on each side.

Writing Credits

  • Location: New Orleans, Louisiana Regional Overviews: New Orleans , Downriver Faubourgs/Neighborhoods Architect: Milton P. Doullut Types: houses Styles: no metadata available Materials: tin (metal) metal stained glass (material) steel (alloy) tile (material)

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SAH Archipedia tells the story of the United States through its buildings, landscapes, and cities. This freely available resource empowers the public with authoritative knowledge that deepens their understanding and appreciation of the built environment. But the Society of Architectural Historians, which created SAH Archipedia with University of Virginia Press, needs your support to maintain the high-caliber research, writing, photography, cartography, editing, design, and programming that make SAH Archipedia a trusted online resource available to all who value the history of place, heritage tourism, and learning.

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In a city with no shortage of wonderfully different architecture, the Steamboat Houses of the Lower Ninth Ward truly stand out. Built in the early 20th century by the Doullut family, a clan tied to working steamboats, these houses are wedding cake fantasies. They combine 19th century Victorian grandeur with actual boat-inspired 'decks' as balconies and – why not – a roof arch that emulates the top of a Japanese pagoda. These are private buildings, but they're lovely to look at.

The two steamboat houses are located in the Lower Ninth Ward, at the point where Egania St meets Douglas St. The houses look to the levee and the river beyond.

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Steamboat Natchez

The hot steam warms up the brass whistles of the Calliope on the Steamboat Natchez on a chilly winter morning, signaling the start of a journey steeped in history and tradition. This iconic steamboat is a symbol of New Orleans’ rich maritime heritage.

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the calliope calls the curious to the riverfront

The old-time melodies of the calliope greet passengers boarding the Steamboat Natchez for a midday cruise. Played by Debbie Fagnano for over three decades, her rendition of “Blue Skies” serves as a unique weather report. The music echoes throughout the French Quarter and draws people to the riverboat dock.

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crew and passengers step back in time

Steve Nicoulin is the captain of the Natchez.  He replaced his father, who has worked on the steamboat since it arrived in New Orleans in 1975.  Nicoulin Senior still takes the controls on some river cruises.  The tug of a brass ring in the pilot house shoots steam through the boat’s loud whistle.  The brass ring is the oldest thing on the boat, Nicoulin tells me, explaining, “This ring actually came off an old steamer back in 1889.”

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pieces from the past

The Natchez, nearing its 50th anniversary, is powered by steam engines from a 1925 vessel, the Clairton. Twin diesel-fired boilers generate the 200 pounds of steam that drive the boat’s antique piston engines and large paddle wheel. A World War II era communication system, salvaged from a Navy destroyer, connects the captain to the engine room.

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steamboat natchez survives fire during renovations

The steamer has an “old school feel”, Nicoulin says, noting how rare the vessels are now.  “When I started with the company, there were six remaining steamboats,” he explains.  “Now there are only two left on the whole Mississippi River.” The Natchez resumed taking tourists on daily trips up and down the Mississippi River after a three year absence. A fire broke out in the steamboat’s generator room while the vessel was undergoing renovations.

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A slower pace on the steamboat natchez

Matt Dow, the Director of Marine Operations for the New Orleans Steamboat Company , says it was important to get the Natchez back in service.  He describes it as an icon of New Orleans.  When I asked Dow what makes the river cruises so enjoyable, he quotes Mark Twain.  “Twain said it best,” Dow says. “Someday man will figure out how to go 700 miles per hour.  But we’ll still only want to go seven.”

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The Natchez takes passengers on several daily cruises that depart from the New Orleans riverfront near Jackson Square.  The paddle wheeler first travels several miles downstream, passing the Chalmette Battlefield where Andrew Jackson fought the Battle of New Orleans.  Then the steamboat heads back upstream, passing by the French Quarter and St. Louis Cathedral.  The Natchez turns around at the Mississippi River Bridge and returns to the dock.  The cruise is a relaxing ride that begins with the calliope and a jazz band, that preserves bits of river history and tradition on the Mississippi River.

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Passengers board the Steamboat Natchez on the New Orleans Riverfront near Jackson Square.

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THE 10 BEST Restaurants Near River House

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Mandina's

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Louise

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300/900

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Plates Restaurant & Bar

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Horn's

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Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro

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Ruby Slipper Cafe

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Silk Road Restaurant

  • “ Reservations a MUST ” 01/11/2024
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Cafe Envie

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The Elysian Bar

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Louisiana Pizza Kitchen French Quarter

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Frenchmen All Day

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The Italian Barrel

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13 on Frenchmen

  • “ Quick bite ” 05/17/2023
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Loretta's Authentic Pralines

  • “ best pralines ” 03/16/2024
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Favela Chic

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El Gato Negro Mexican Restaurant

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Things to Do: New Orleans Riverboat

A ride on the mississippi offers great views and a relaxing time.

Natchez Steamboat

Mark Twain said that the Mississippi River was a wonderful book with a new story to tell every day. Mississippi, a Chippewa Indian word that means “large river” is the life force that has shaped New Orleans history forever, defining and literally shaping the city into its famous Crescent outline. The best way to see what Mark Twain was talking about is to take a paddleboat tour along the hard working river, and travel back to the days when steam-driven river paddle wheelers were the main source of both transportation and commerce. Boat tours leave regularly from the riverfront area adjacent to Woldenberg Park, some offering music and meals, all offering cocktails and narration. So hop aboard one of these. 

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New Orleans Steamboat Cruises

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This post compares the various different riverboat tours, paddleboat tours, and cruises available to you in New Orleans to help you choose the right one from you. 

  • Meet the Boats
  • Daytime/Lunch Cruises
  • Evening/Dinner Cruises
  • Public $2 Ferries

Combination Packages

  • Swamp + Airboat Tours
  • Things to Do in New Orleans

Disclosure:  While our recommendations are always unbiased, we may receive a small share of sales through some of the links below at no cost to you. See the  full text .

If you are considering purchasing tourist discount packages, keep in mind that some of these cruises are included at no additional cost in several New Orleans tourist attraction discount passes . 

The two most popular cruises are aboard the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler and Steamboat Natchez (details below), but you can hop on a ferry for just a few dollars.

Each offers a variety of cruises to choose from.

We narrowed down our favorites and compiled a list that describes each trip based on experience type, ticket price, and duration.

NATCHEZ STEAMBOAT

The Natchez Steamboat is the ninth boat with the name.

The current boat boasts modern safety mechanisms within a classic, exquisite oak exterior.

It was recently rennovated and is back to cruising down the Mississippi River on a daily basis!

Steamboat Natchez Historical Cruise

Take part in her adventure with daily two-hour jazz cruises, including a daytime cruise or an evening cruise . You can cruise with or without lunch or dinner.

Listen to the Captain and crew, some of whom have been with the ship since the 1975 maiden voyage, operate like the seamen of a time gone by. 

This company has received a  4 out of 5 stars  average rating on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide ( read the reviews ). 

RIVERBOAT CITY OF NEW ORLEANS

This is the newest addition to the New Orleans Steamboat Company, and it took over for the Steamboat Natchez while that vessel was under repair.

Just like the Steamboat Natchez, this boat is also a paddlewheeler, so functionally, very little will change.

The Riverboat City of New Orleans operated all the sightseeing, lunch, brunch, and dinner Jazz cruises for the New Orleans Steamboat Company during the last few years while the Steamboat Natches was undergoing repairs.

Rest assured that even aboard this new vessel there is plenty of room across its multiple decks to accommodate plenty of guests and fill in for its sister boat.

CREOLE QUEEN PADDLEWHEELER

Built in 1983 with the esteem and allure of the late 1850s paddlewheelers, the Creole Queen features an enormous 24-foot paddlewheel and modern amenities for elegance and safety.

Browse the list of tours below to pick which experience is best for you; gather on the 1,000-passenger deck for live music, dancing, a history lesson, or maybe enjoy lunch or dinner.

This vessel's review profile is a tad lower than its competitor's but still good with an overall average rating of 4 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor and Get Your Guide ( read the reviews ).

DAYTIME CRUISES WITH OPTIONAL LUNCH

There are basically two different cruises to choose from, one from each company.  

The main differences seem to be that the Creole Queen includes a stop at Chalmette Battlefield at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

It is also included at no extra charge with the purchase of either the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass or the Go City New Orleans Pass .

The Steamboat Natchez offers jazz music on the lunch cruise during the high season. 

Steamboat Natchez Harbor Jazz Cruise

An overwhelming majority of reviews for this jazz cruise are very positive ( read the reviews ).

Some reviewers have even described their band as “magnificent,” suggesting that the music played onboard was absolutely wonderful.

Some customers feel that the experience is a bit too touristy, but they are definitely in the minority.

Most guests leave excellent feedback stating that they loved this musical trip on the Natchez. This activity is particularly popular among couples.

NOTE: After a year or two in repairs, the newly rennovated Steamboat Natchez is finally offering cruises in New Orleans as of November 2023.

What You’ll Experience:

  • Live narration of the history of the area
  • Live jazz concert
  • Steam Engine room open to visitors
  • Lunch (optional) in the dining area onboard

Duration: 3 hours total, 2-hour cruise

  • Departs at 11:30 am and 2:30 am
  • Adult - $39    $55 with lunch
  • Child - $16     $25 with lunch
  • Child (2-5) Free    $11 with lunch
  • More information or to book .

Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Creole Queen -  Historical River Cruise

This vessel has a daytime destination, Chalmette Battlefield at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

The Creole Queen Riverboat in New Orleans. Image Source: Pixabay user skeeze under CC0 Creative Commons License.

  • Highly Recommended for history buffs!
  • Battle of New Orleans
  • 1,000-passenger paddlewheeler on the Mississippi River, with a 24-foot paddlewheel
  • Costumed re-enactor recounting history/stories of Louisiana's most historical places and events
  • Disembark for a guided tour of Chalmette Battlefield by National Park Rangers from the Battle of New Orleans

Duration: 3 hours

  • Departs at 10 am and 2 pm daily.

Lunch is only purchasable onboard.

  • Adult $39   $59 with lunch 
  • Child (6-12) $15   $24 with lunch
  • Child (3-5) Free   $5 with lunch
  • Infant (2 and under) Free   $10 with lunch
  • Get more information or purchase tickets .

TIP: It is also included at no extra charge with the purchase of either the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass or the Go City New Orleans Pass .

Evening Jazz Cruises with Optional Dinner

Below is a brief comparison of the two paddlewheel boats that cruise the Mississippi River every evening. 

For a more in-depth look, including what's on the menu, read our post on NOLA dinner cruises . 

Steamboat Natchez - Mississippi River Jazz Cruise (optional Dinner)

Unlike their harbor cruise, this boat trip will take you down the Mississippi River.

Ratings for this excursion are similarly excellent, but it’s worth noting that not everyone was thrilled with the food selection ( read the reviews ). 

NOTE: Although this cruise was being offered on the Riverboat City of New Orleans for the last year or two, the newly rennovated Steamboat Natchez is once again the vessel you'll be riding during this outing!

What You’ll Experience

  • Ride on the Creole Queen paddle wheeler
  • Live jazz music
  • Lavish buffet-style dinner | cash bar cocktails
  • New Orleans skyline along the French Quarter
  • Boards nightly at 6 pm and sails from 7-9 pm.
  • $95 with dinner
  • $41 with dinner
  • $20.25 with dinner

Included free with the New Orleans Sightseeing Pass  (dinner is extra).

Creole Queen Evening Cruise (optional Dinner)

Just like their other services, the evening cruise offered by this company is also highly rated.

There are a few negative reviews, but they are overshadowed by positive comments (read the reviews).

  • Ride on the Creole Queen paddlewheeler.

Cost (does not include dinner):

  • $52 - Adult
  • $26 - Child (6-12)
  • Kids under 6 are FREE

Cost (includes dinner):

  • $95 - Adult 
  • $40 - Child (6-12) 
  • $15 - Child under 5
  • Kids 2 and under are FREE

Get more information or to book . 

CANAL STREET/ALGIERS POINT FERRY

In operation since 1827, this ferry travels across the Mississippi River along Canal Street and ends at the second oldest neighborhood of New Orleans; Algiers Point. 

Unlike the paddlewheeler or steamboat, the ferry offers a cheap trip across the river from Canal Street. Just ask the locals who use this as their commute!

Once you arrive, consider taking our self-guided walking tour of Algiers Point .

This company has received a 4 out of 5 stars  rating on TripAdvisor. 

There are a few negative reviews, but most of them seem to come from customers who were expecting the typical tourist experience.

Although they don’t offer the same range of services as a boat tour or cruise, it’s clear that a lot of their customers are more than pleased with the transportation they provide.

Cost (cash only):

  • Pedestrian $2 each way
  • Senior (65+) $1
  • Children (2 & under) Free
  • Sunday - Thursday | 6:15 am - 8:45 pm
  • Friday - Saturday | 6:15 am - 10:45 pm

Get more details on their website .

As we have stated above, the Go City New Orleans Pass  and the Sightseeing Pass, are all-inclusive tourist attraction passes, including one free daytime ride on the Creole Queen.  

Included in the cost of the pass is free entry into 25 other popular New Orleans attractions including:

  • National World War 2 Museum
  • City Bus Tour
  • Swamp Tour Plantation House Tour
  • New Orleans School of Cooking
  • Audubon Zoo
  • Audubon Aquarium
  • Mardi Gras World Museum
  • New Orleans Museum of Art
  • + 18 other attractions and tours

Paddle and Wheel Combo by Gray Line

This combo package is a great buy, and with a total of about 4 hours, you can see the city and take a cruise full of historical information.

You save $7/adult with the combo ticket.  

This combination pairs the daytime historical cruise aboard the Steamboat Natchez and the  Super City Bus Tour  (video below).

With an overall rating of 4 ½ stars on TripAdvisor, Gray Line New Orleans is very well received.

In particular, both of the services offered through this combo ticket are positively reviewed by their customers.

Much like the Steamboat Natchez, the Super City Bus Tour also enjoys mostly positive ratings.

Although there are a few negative reviews for both tours, they aren’t indicative of any significant problems. This combo deal is most popular among couples.

You’ll Experience…

  • French Quarter
  • Jackson Square
  • Cabildo and Presbytere Museum
  • Historic Cemeteries
  • Bayou St. John
  • Besthoff Sculpture Garden
  • Tulane and Loyola University
  • 2-hour cruise with a guided history of the region
  • Adult $78 
  • Child (6-12) $35.50
  • Child (5 and under) Free 
  • You save $7-$11/adult by purchasing together.  You don't appear to save anything for a child ages 6-12.

Get more information and purchase tickets .

NEW ORLEANS KAYAK TOURS

Want a more intimate excursion on the water? Try kayaking!

Explore the swamps of New Orleans, or paddle down the Bayou St. John neighborhood inside the city with the safety of a guide at a beginner-level pace.

Ratings for this kayak tour company are very impressive. New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours has received an overall score of 5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor.

Only a half dozen customers have seen fit to give them a negative review, and their comments don’t represent the typical experience with this service.

An overwhelming majority of reviews for this service are incredibly positive, recommending this trip to anyone who wants to stay active while discovering the swamps of Louisiana.

Although couples are the most likely audience to leave great reviews, guests who bring their friends along for the journey also enjoy these tours.

Tours Offered

  • Bayou St. John Tour (Beginner)

Located inside the city, Bayou St. John is one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans.

Learn the history of the homes and landmarks, originally settled by Native Americans, and later used for French trading routes.

  • Honey Island Swamp Tour (Beginner)

This is the crowd favorite!

Located 40 minutes outside the city, this tour takes you deep into the swamp bayous to see an abundance of wildlife amongst abandoned boat homes.

  • Manchac Mystic Kayak Tour (Beginner)

This tour is popular for its serene setting and Instagram-worthy photo opportunities.

You’ll weave through cypress trees and experience wildlife on this wetlands kayaking trip.

Never Kayaked?

No problem! The extent of physical skill needed is the ability to paddle, and a lesson is provided at the beginning of the tour.

The company provides all of the necessary equipment for your trip, but since you will be on the water for 2 to 2 ½ hours, you will want to be sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and maybe even a hat for shade on the water.

  • Bayou St. John Tour  $49 per person
  • Honey Island Tour  $59 per person without transportation
  • Manchac Mystic Tour - $59 per person without transportation
  • Extra $20 for transportation from French Quarter only for Honey Island and Manchac Mystic Tours

Tours last 2 to 2 ½ hours

Transportation adds 40 minutes each way outside New Orleans via car/shuttle for Honey Island Swamp and Manchac Mystic tours.

KAYAK-ITI-YAT TOURS

The categories (beginner, intermediate & intermediate to advanced) are based on distance, the necessary level of athleticism and exposure to variables/natural elements.

None of the tours require previous kayaking experience.

There are no shuttle transportation costs as all of their tours launch from the city and are reachable by public transportation, bike or a cheap cab ride.

  • Big Easy Bayou (Beginner, 2 hours) $49 per person

Best for first-timers and non-athletic travelers.

This two-hour tour of Bayou St. John is a great way to see the neighborhood and see some wildlife in a relaxed atmosphere.

This is a history-based tour with culture, current events, ecology, and all things relevant to Bayou St. John, its surrounding neighborhoods, and New Orleans.

  • Pontchartrain (Intermediate, 4 hours) $84

Looking for something more active? Check out this four-hour lake tour that runs the length of Bayou St. John and back!

Bonus, you’ll exit the kayak to stretch and walk over to Pontchartrain Lake, and maybe even take a quick swim!

Like the Big Easy Bayou above, expect to learn about the history and culture of the area.

The Big Easy Bayou is your best option for this company, and the only one recommended for beginners.

Looking for more options? Consider looking at New Orleans Kayak Tours (above) for more newcomer-friendly trips.

Before you book...

WARNING: There is NO exiting these tours halfway through and the Bayou Bienvenue 3 hour tour has no bathroom breaks. Be sure you are committed before you buy your tickets.

This tour company is featured in several top travel recommendations for New Orleans, and explorers wishing to see more than Bourbon Street have given it rave reviews!

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COMMENTS

  1. Doullut Steamboat Houses

    Discover Doullut Steamboat Houses in New Orleans, Louisiana: A prime example of New Orleans' unique architecture these early 20th century homes were built to look like steamboats.

  2. The Doullut Steamboat Houses of New Orleans

    Doullut Steamboat House #1 Getting there. 400 Egania St, New Orleans, LA 70117, USA. Get directions Looking for a weekend getaway? ... Recipes & Family History from the Time-Honored New Orleans Restaurant (Random House 2005) as well as several cultural, historical, and architectural guides to New Orleans. She served as Editor-In-Chief of ...

  3. Most Architecturally Interesting Homes

    Doullut Steamboat House(s) 400 EGANIA ST. AND 5301 DOUGLASS ST. These architectural gems sit a-ways outside of the palatial estates of the Garden District in New Orleans' Lower Ninth Ward, looking as if they've docked straight from the nearby Mississippi River.Both Steamboat Houses are named for their designer and architect Captain Milton Doullut, who, unsurprisingly, worked all his life ...

  4. The Doullot Steamboat Houses of the Lower 9th Ward

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  5. Steamboat houses: Two of the city's most iconic homes recall builder's

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  10. Steamboat Houses

    New Orleans. In a city with no shortage of wonderfully different architecture, the Steamboat Houses of the Lower Ninth Ward truly stand out. Built in the early 20th century by the Doullut family, a clan tied to working steamboats, these houses are wedding cake fantasies. They combine 19th century Victorian grandeur with actual boat-inspired ...

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    river house new orleans luxury guest bnb. Tucked away in the historic Faubourg Marigny, but just minutes from the French Quarter, River House New Orleans feels like a secret hideaway. A bnb with antique.

  12. Steamboat Natchez Connects New Orleans Visitors to the River

    A slower pace on the steamboat natchez. Matt Dow, the Director of Marine Operations for the New Orleans Steamboat Company, says it was important to get the Natchez back in service. He describes it as an icon of New Orleans. When I asked Dow what makes the river cruises so enjoyable, he quotes Mark Twain. "Twain said it best," Dow says.

  13. Riverboat City of New Orleans

    November 2023 - The Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will be taking some time off for renovations - check back in the Spring for updates as to her return. RESERVATIONS. The newest addition to the New Orleans Riverfront & sister vessel of the Steamboat NATCHEZ, the CITY OF NEW ORLEANS operates sightseeing, lunch, Sunday Brunch, and Dinner Jazz ...

  14. Creole Queen

    4th Of July, New Orleans & the Mighty Mississippi River - The PERFECT Combination for Celebrating Independence Day! ... Join us aboard the authentic & award winning paddlewheeler Creole Queen for the best seat in the house. SEE DETAILS. Exploring the Mystique of the Mississippi: A Journey aboard the Creole Queen Riverboat. August 24, 2023.

  15. River House

    1,425 406. Sweet Sanctuary. During a recent 5-night stay in New Orleans for a conference, we chose to stay at River House at 625 Marigny Street rather than the designated hotels. For the same price, (consider taxes, occupancy fees, and other hotel surcharges) we had not a room, but an entire floor of a distinctive, beautiful 1850's house ...

  16. About

    Located in the historic Faubourg Marigny neighborhood in a Creole-style house dating back to the 1850s, River House is part of the very fabric of New Orleans. T. ... River House is part of the very fabric of New Orleans. T. top of page. 504.616.0745. H O M E. A P A R T M E N T S. Garden Apartment; Gallery Apartment; Loft Apartment; A B O U T ...

  17. New Orleans Steamboat Company

    The New Orleans Steamboat Company is no newcomer to the Mississippi River or American's steamboat heritage. Our parent company has been operating steamboats longer than any company in the world. In fact, we've been part of the history of steam transport since 1817, just five years after the first steamboat docked in New Orleans. ...

  18. Top 3 Houseboat Rentals In New Orleans, Louisiana

    3. Rub-n-Tug. Show all photos. Check out this luxury boat parked in South Shore Marina near downtown New Orleans. This Airbnb rental is all yours in the meantime. It comprises the main cabin, the lower cabin, and the upper deck with modern appliances, high-tech features, and cozy beddings.

  19. THE 10 BEST Restaurants Near River House

    Restaurants near River House, New Orleans on Tripadvisor: Find traveler reviews and candid photos of dining near River House in New Orleans, Louisiana.

  20. Things To Do: New Orleans Riverboat

    Boat tours leave regularly from the riverfront area adjacent to Woldenberg Park, some offering music and meals, all offering cocktails and narration. So hop aboard one of these. Enjoy a memorable adventure along the mighty Mississippi River aboard a New Orleans riverboat. Learn more about riverboat cruises from New Orleans & Company.

  21. New Orleans Riverboat Cruises

    This two-hour tour of Bayou St. John is a great way to see the neighborhood and see some wildlife in a relaxed atmosphere. This is a history-based tour with culture, current events, ecology, and all things relevant to Bayou St. John, its surrounding neighborhoods, and New Orleans. Pontchartrain (Intermediate, 4 hours) $84.

  22. Riverboat Coffee Company

    We offer curbside deliveries of 64 oz. growlers brewed with 100% arabica beans from the Colombian Andes. Riverboat is dedicated to keeping waste out of the wetlands. Your cold brew will be delivered in a reusable glass growler, within a reusable, iced cooler. Help us do our part and have these ready for pickup upon your next coffee delivery.

  23. G A L L E R Y

    River House Common Areas for all Guests. Entrance to River House New Orleans - Common Area. Garden - Common Area This is the garden alley way looking towards the entrance. This common hallway leads to both the Gallery and Loft Apartments. Common Living Area. ... New Orleans, LA 70117.