Crossing the Current

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To truly understand the geography of New Orleans, you have to leave the mainland. The ferry service to Algiers has been running since eighteen-twenty-seven, providing a vital link across the Mississippi River. From the boarding point at the foot of Canal Street, the ride offers some of the best views of the French Quarter and Downtown.

While vehicles pay a toll, pedestrians ride for free, gliding across the water that once brought the world's trade to the city's doorstep. It's a short trip that puts the massive scale of the river into perspective.

Updated June 2026