Steamboatin' New Orleans

White text above and below a red and white illustration of a steamboat and a yellow sun on a blue background

The Natchez is New Orleans' only steamboat and is one of only two completely steam-powered sternwheelers on the Mississippi River today. The ninth steamboat to bear the name, the Natchez leaves the French Quarter for a daily two-hour jazz cruise with live music, food, and drinks. The Natchez has an authentic steam calliope onboard, a 32-note steam pipe organ. But this calliope has a modern performance twist, its plumes of steam, given off when one of its whistles is played, coincides with colored lights creating an audiovisual show.