The RiverWalk and Outlet Collection – New Orleans, Louisiana

We had the most amazing time during our visit to New Orleans in December of 2017. On our first afternoon in the city, we took a trolley down to check out the RiverWalk.  While it wasn’t on my post titled 8 Free Things To Do in New Orleans, Louisiana, it is definitely something I am glad we didn’t miss. Not only can you see the beautiful Mississippi River, the amazing Crescent City Connection Bridge (formerly known as the Greater New Orleans Bridge),  the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Ship, as well as the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk Mall. We walked around the mall a little bit, but I was more interested in checking out the River Walk, the river, the ship, and the bridge. There is also a hotel connected to the RiverWalk Outlet Collection called the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. It turned out to be a great place to get a few pictures of us and the bridge.

These twin cantilever bridges carry U.S. Highway 90 Business (US 90 Bus.) over the Mississippi River in New Orleans.  They are tied as the fifth-longest cantilever bridges in the world. It is the furthest downstream bridge on the Mississippi River. It is also the widest and most heavily traveled bridge on the lower Mississippi; the only other comparable bridges on the Mississippi are in the St. Louis area.

Earlier I mention the Paddlewheeler Creole Queenship and I wanted to share some info about this interesting ship.  She is an authentic paddle wheeler powered by a 24-foot diameter paddlewheel. She is the most modern, fuel-efficient GE diesel-electric system ever installed in a boat of this class. Ninety tons of air conditioning and heating keep the interior spaces pleasant for cruising all year round. Step on board and cruise into the night with the sounds of a lively jazz band filling the air as you enjoy a lavish Creole buffet in elegantly appointed dining rooms. Sounds like a lot of fun. Hopefully we can do a cruise the next time we are in the area. Here is a picture of a statue right outside of the entrance to the ship.

I can’t have a post about the RiverWalk and not share some information about the Outlet Collection.  The Outlet is apparently the nation’s first upscale outlet center in a downtown setting. They are proud to open in the heart of New Orleans. The mall features over 75 retailers and restaurants such as Neiman Marcus Last Call Studio, Tommy Bahama Outlet, Forever 21, Coach, The PUMA Store, Hartstrings Kids Apparel Center, and Kenneth Cole. Center favorites, and original tenants from the beginning, also include The Fudgery, Gap Factory Store, Café Du Monde, Aerosoles, and Swim ‘n Sports Outlet. These are just a few.

Like I said we didn’t spend a lot of time in the mall but did have our first Hurricane drink and Muffaletta sandwich at Poppy’s Time Out Sports Bar. Both were good and we got to keep the souvenir cup.  It was a great first afternoon and I highly suggest spending some time down here when visiting New Orleans.

Riverwalk Visitor Information

Creole Queen Ship

Address:

365 Canal Street, Suite 2350 New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone:

504.529.4567

Tour Information:

Historic Cruise – 10 am

9:30am – 10:00am Boarding

10:00 am – 10:30 am Sails to Chalmette Battlefield

10:30am – 11:30am Battlefield Tour

11:30am – 12:30pm Return to Spanish Plaza

Historic Cruise – 2 pm

1:30pm – 2:00pm Boarding

2:00pm – 2:30pm Sails to Chalmette Battlefield

2:30pm – 3:30pm Battlefield Tour

3:30pm – 4:30pm Return to Spanish Plaza

*Inclusions: Narrated cruise, tour of the battlefield Bar specials: Cash bar, $20 bottomless Mimosas

Price:

• Adult with Lunch: $53
• Adult no Lunch: $36
• Child (6-12) with Lunch: $24
• Child (6-12) no Lunch: $15
• Child (0-5) with Lunch: $10
• Child (0-5) no Lunch: Free

Bar specials and Add-Ons: Cash bar, $20 bottomless Mimosas, Packaged lunch available for a la carte purchase on board for an additional cost onboard.*

Riverfront Outlet Collection

Address:

500 Port of New Orleans Pl., New Orleans, LA 70130

Phone:

Mon-Sat 10am-7pm,
Sun 10am-6pm

Directions:

Driving from Louis Armstrong International Airport:
Get on I-10 E in Metairie from Jerome S. Glazer Airport Access Road. Continue on I-10 E to New Orleans. Take exit 11 from US-90 BUS West toward Tchoupitoulas St/S Peters Street. Continue on Calliope Street and turn left onto Convention Center Blvd. There is a paid parking lot entrance that is off Convention Center Blvd and the main Mall entrances are accessible from this lot.

Directions from Westbank:
Take Westbank Expy and US-90 BUS East. Take exit 11A toward Tchoupitoulas Street. Stay straight onto Calliope Street then turn left onto Convention Center Blvd. There is a paid parking lot entrance that is off Convention Center Blvd and the main Mall entrances are accessible from this lot.

Parking:

Customer parking is available in the Center-adjacent “Whale” Surface Lot, operated by Riverside Parking (Hilton Hotel).

The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk offers a validation program provided by the lot operators. Center guests who spend a minimum of $20.00 during their visit will receive the following $8.00 discounted rate:

0 – 1 hour: $3.00
1 – 2 hours: $5.00
2 – 4 hours: $7.00
4 – 6 hours: $11.00
6 – 12 hours: $20.00
12 – 24 hours: $39.00

In order to receive the parking validation, shoppers should bring their purchase receipt(s) totaling at least $20.00 to one of the Parking validation stations located in stores throughout the center marked with a “P” Parking symbol.*Receipt date must match date on parking ticket to receive discount.

The Whale Lot is a cashless property. Credit cards only accepted.

For assistance at any time please contact Riverwalk Security at (504) 522-9088.