Why you should experience Canal Street Ferry Terminal in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The RTA Ferry Terminal is where the pulse of New Orleans meets the current of the Mississippi, a working gateway that feels as cinematic as it is essential.
From this dock at the edge of Canal Street, ferries glide back and forth across the river to Algiers Point, carrying locals, artists, and travelers who prefer the scenic route over the skyline. The hum of the engines, the chatter of commuters, and the smell of river air combine into something unmistakably New Orleans. As the ferry pushes off and the city unfurls behind you, steeples, cranes, and the glowing curve of the Superdome, you realize the ride itself is the reward.
What you didn't know about Canal Street Ferry Terminal.
The ferry service is one of the oldest forms of public transportation in the city, operating since 1827, long before bridges linked the East and West Banks.
Now managed by the Regional Transit Authority, the Canal Street, Algiers Point route remains both a daily necessity and a beloved ritual. The modern terminal, rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, blends function with beauty: wide glass walls frame the river, while steel supports echo the industrial design of the city's docks. The ferry runs every 15, 30 minutes, offering one of the best skyline views in Louisiana for the price of a cup of coffee. Many locals still treat the crossing as meditation, a few quiet minutes where the rush of the city gives way to the rhythm of the river.
How to fold Canal Street Ferry Terminal into your trip.
Catch the ferry in the golden hour before sunset to see New Orleans at its most magical.
Board from the Canal Street terminal, grab a spot along the rail, and watch the French Quarter recede as the skyline blazes in color. When you reach Algiers Point, take a short stroll through its historic neighborhood, all shaded streets, shotgun houses, and riverside cafés, before returning on the next crossing. If you're visiting in the evening, linger on deck as the city lights come alive across the water. The RTA Ferry Terminal isn't just transportation, it's a floating front porch, where New Orleans reveals its calm, unguarded side between shores.
Hear it from the Foresyte community.
“Shops, food stalls, and the Mississippi rolling by like it's too cool to notice you. Don't come hungry unless you plan on leaving broke.”
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