How did you discover this activity?

We took a pirate tour of the French Quarter upon arriving in NOLA, and the quarter master recommended the Creole Queen. I searched for the best price and found discounted tickets through TripShock.

When did you book your tour compared to the departure date?

We booked the day before we took the tour.

Why did you choose this activity?

We knew we wanted to take a paddlewheeler ride on the Mississippi, because it just seems like an iconic part of any NOLA vacation.

We chose the Creole Queen because we were interested in seeing the Chalmette Battlefield and hearing from the historian about the Battle of New Orleans.

We did not eat lunch on the boat due to several food allergies, and I’m glad we skipped it. I feel like we would’ve missed something in the tour if we had stopped to eat.

How did you get to the activity location?

We drove to the Creole Queen. Navigating the French Quarter is difficult and parking was expensive. I think we would take Uber if we were to do it again.

What was your experience with the activity’s staff?

The staff struck a great balance of being friendly and welcoming without hovering. Wendell, the historian on board, was entertaining as well as knowledgeable and accessible for questions.

Highlights or memories you and your group will take from the trip?

We thoroughly enjoyed the overall experience of riding a paddlewheeler down the Mississippi River. We really enjoyed and learned from Wendell’s presentation, as well as the time he spent answering questions about the local history, geography, and culture.

We were impressed with the volume and clarity of his voice through the sound system on the boat. We loved watching the cranes at the domino sugar refinery scooping sugar to be processed, and the big barges going in and out.

We had a perfect amount of time at the Chalmette Battlefield to see everything there was without feeling rushed or getting bored.

Overall, it was a lovely way to spend a morning in NOLA!

Would you recommend this activity to another group like yours? Why or why not?

We loved this tour. I think it would be a great choice for families, couples, adults, or children interested in history.

Just make sure you check in at the ticket booth before getting in line, as you have to have the printed ticket from the booth to board.