Historic Riverboat Cruise to Chalmette Battlefield New Orleans

The historic riverboat cruise on the Mississippi

The cruise begins at the riverboat dock in New Orleans and heads downriver along the bend of the Mississippi that gave the city its Crescent City nickname. A narrator tells the story of the river, from Native American routes and French colonial trade to the steamboat age, and points out landmarks on both banks. It is a relaxed way to see the city from a very different angle.

The cruise lasts about 1.5 hours and includes indoor and outdoor seating, so you can watch the working port, the levees and the industrial riverfront pass by. If you are looking for a riverboat cruise in New Orleans with real history, this trip combines the river with a destination that most visitors would not otherwise reach without a car.

Chalmette Battlefield and the Battle of New Orleans

Chalmette Battlefield is where American forces led by General Andrew Jackson defeated a much larger British army on 8 January 1815. The battle, the last major action of the War of 1812, was fought on flat ground beside the river, and it turned Jackson into a national hero. Today the site is preserved as part of the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve.

Your one-hour guided tour is led by National Park Rangers who explain the plan of the battle, the mixed American force of regular soldiers, militia, free men of colour and Native American allies, and the heavy British losses. A Chalmette Battlefield tour is the best way to understand why this ground still matters, and the open fields make the story easy to follow.

The Chalmette National Cemetery and the landscape

Beside the battlefield lies Chalmette National Cemetery, established in the 1860s, where thousands of soldiers, including Civil War veterans, are buried in neat white rows. The setting is quiet and moving, and the rangers explain how the site grew from a battle memorial into a national burial ground.

The landscape itself tells a story. The plain beside the river was once sugar plantation land, and the earthen line where Jackson's forces stood can still be traced. Comfortable shoes are recommended for the walking part of the tour. Even if you do not know much about American history, the combination of river, fields and cemetery makes a thoughtful and memorable afternoon.

Planning your cruise: lunch, times and options

The main option includes a Creole lunch buffet along with the narrated cruise and the ranger-led battlefield tour. If you prefer, choose the cruise-only option, which includes the cruise and the tour but no lunch. Depending on the option you choose, check the booking panel for what is included and the date you want, including same-day availability.

The departure is in the afternoon, and the trip takes about two and a half hours. The exact meeting location at the riverboat dock is shown on your voucher after booking. Transport to and from the dock, drinks and tips are not included, so arrange a taxi or rideshare, and allow extra time to board. The vessel is wheelchair-accessible.