We have only 1.5 days in N.O. Want to get our priorities in order. Is this boat ride worth the time (and money) ? Any other suggestions of "try-not-to-miss"? Middle aged. Thx.

We did the dinner cruise on the Cajun Queen and enjoyed it. If we hadn't done that, then we would have done the Natchez. Actually, we couldn't see any scenery from the deck of the Cajun Queen as it was too dark and too cool (we went in November), so the Natchez probably would have been better for sight-seeing purposes.

We really enjoyed the Aqaurium. If you like Aqauriums. That would be a "not miss" for me.

Dolores, a resounding NO! I did a Natchez cruise many years ago, and I just didn't get it. You slowly cruise up and down the grey/brown Mississippi, observing river-side factories and warehouses. With so little time, you can find much more interesting things to do.

Just my 2 cents!

I also wouldn't suggest it for as short of a time that you have available. Take the streetcar rides instead - they're cheaper and you see more of the city. Have fun!

I have always wanted to take the Natchez so my boyfriend & I went for my birthday last year. While interesting to me since I live here and the industries on the river are a huge part of our local economy, I would not recommend it with all the other things to do! Depending on what your other plans are - you can take a boat from the Quarter area to the Zoo and take the streetcar back to the Quarter. IF you were planning the zoo... With 1.5 days, I would spend most of my time just wandering around the Quarter (French Market, Bourbon Street, Cathedral) and taking the streetcar to see the houses on St. Charles Ave.

Another resounding NO to the Natchez! This has got to be the biggest rip-off in NOLA. You cruise down the middle of the Mississippi gazing at the backend of every run down river wharf in New Orleans. Neither romantic nor interesting.

I would actually consider an evening/dinner cruise aboard the Creole Queen (or is the Cajun Queen?). Yes, it's dark, but that's the point - you can still believe in the illusion that there is romance on the river!

Actually, for the limited time you have I would spend it wandering the Quarter, and perhaps taking the streetcar to the Garden District and peeking around there.

I went to both the Aquarium and the Zoo, and thoroughly enjoyed both. Don't know if I would do the Zoo on a short trip, as it really deserves almost a full day to give it its due. The Aquarium is a great place to go if the weather isn't cooperating, though!

If you have wandered around the Quarter and want to skip the Zoo and Aquarium, then I would highly suggest the D-Day Museum. I'm not much of a WWII history buff, but I was very pleased with this museum. It is well-laid out and has some really interesting things - stuff I never knew existed! But do allow at least a couple of hours to give it justice.

I agree that there are many other things that are much more interesting with so little time in NOLA.