Experience N'Orleans

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6 Ways To Experience The Big Easy From The Deck Of An Authentic River Steamboat
At one time, as recently as a little more than a century ago, one of the only ways to get to New Orleans was

by boat. The Mississippi River, with tributaries stretching into 30+ states, was the city’s “front door,” with paddlewheel steamboats bringing passengers and cargo onto the bustling riverfront. The age of the steamboats was one of the most colorful in our nation’s history; a time when the country was expanding its boundaries and moving goods from one faraway location to another by waterborne craft.

The New Orleans, or Orleans, was the first Mississippi steamboat. Launched in 1811 at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for a company organized by Robert Livingston and Robert Fulton, her designer, she was a large, heavy side-wheeler with a deep draft. Her low-pressure Boulton and Watt steam engine operated a complex power train that was also heavy and inefficient.

The Comet was the second Mississippi steamboat. Launched in 1813 at Pittsburgh, she was much smaller than the New Orleans The Comet was the first Mississippi steamboat to be powered by a light weight and efficient high-pressure engine turning a stern paddle wheel.The Vesuvius was the third Mississippi steamboat. Launched in 1814 at Pittsburgh and was very similar to the New Orleans.

The Enterprise, or Enterprize, was the fourth Mississippi steamboat.  Launched in 1814 at Brownsville, Pennsylvania, she was a dramatic departure from Fulton's boats. The Enterprise - featuring a high-pressure steam engine, a single stern paddle wheel, and shoal draft - proved to be better suited for use on the Mississippi than Fulton's boats. The Enterprise clearly demonstrated that suitability during her epic voyage from New Orleans to Brownsville, a distance of more than 2,000 miles (3,200 km) performed against the powerful currents of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers.

The Washington was launched in 1816. She was the first steamboat with two decks, the predecessor of the

Mississippi steamboats of later years. The upper deck was reserved for passengers and the main deck was used for the boiler, increasing the space below the main deck for carrying cargo. With a draft of 4 feet (1.2 m), she was propelled by a high-pressure, horizontally mounted engine turning a single stern paddle wheel. In the spring of 1817 the Washington made the voyage from New Orleans to Louisville in 25 days, equaling the record set two years earlier by the Enterprise, a much smaller boat.

That colorful age can still be experienced in New Orleans aboard a steam-driven river paddle wheeler. A tour aboard an authentic 19th century riverboat is, for many, the highlight of their New Orleans experience. Enjoy expert narration by exceptional guides conducting memorable and entertaining tours of historic New Orleans. Motorcoach groups, seniors and students will be fascinated by the world famous French Quarter.

Take a comprehensive city tour, stroll through an above ground cemetery, see City Park, Lake Pontchartrain, elegant St. Charles Avenue, the Superdome and more. Learn about Hurricane Katrina's devastation and the city's recovery. Tour magnificent antebellum plantations, enjoy a romantic steamboat cruise or see alligators on a swamp tour. Let the Good Times Roll with a spicy taste of New Orleans nightlife. Hear Dixieland Jazz. Savor delicious Cajun cuisine, learn Cajun dancing and dine at a fine French Creole restaurant. New Orleans tours leave from the riverfront area adjacent to Woldenberg Park on a regular basis, offering scenic views of the city from the water and delicious buffet lunches. Choose a riverboat tour that’s best for you from the listings below.

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Le Tour Shop 638 St. Peter St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It] (504) 581-6815 Available Tour Type/s: Bus Tours, Walking Tours, Riverboat Tours, Airboat Tours, Flatboat Tours, History/Heritage Tours, Swamp Tours, Night Tours, City/Neighborhood Tours, Cemetery Tours, Garden Tours, Multilingual Tours, French Quarter Tours, Haunted Tours, Plantation Tours Destination Management/Hospitality Enterprises 610 S. Peters St., New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It] (504) 524-5030 www.bigeasy.com

New Orleans Paddlewheels 500 Port of New Orleans Pl., Riverwalk Marketplace (Box 39), New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It] (504) 529-4567, (800) 445-4109 www.neworleanspaddlewheels.com Available Tour Type/s: Riverboat Tours, Romantic Tours, Night Tours

New Orleans Steamboat Company 400 N. Peters St., Suite 203, New Orleans, LA 70130 [Map It] (504) 586-8777, (800) 233-2628 www.SteamboatNatchez.com Available Tour Type/s: Riverboat Tours, Romantic Tours, Night Tours

Old River Road Plantation Adventure, LLC 1717 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70112 [Map It] (504) 671-8687, (866) 671-8687 www.plantationadventure.com Roland Through New Orleans 3925 Bellview St., Metairie, LA 70116 [Map It] (504) 779-6856, (877) 734-4437