15 Jazz, Gospel & Live Music Tours in the USA to Build a Day Around

1.New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7,533 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $58Our pick

Board the Steamboat Natchez at Toulouse Street Wharf for a three-hour evening on the Mississippi. Enjoy a calliope concert, river narration, views of New Orleans at dusk, and live music from the Dukes of Dixieland or another New Orleans jazz group. Add a Louisiana-style buffet with gumbo, crawfish étouffée, fried chicken, and bread pudding.

“Wonderful experience. The food was ok, could have been better. But overall everything else was a 10.”

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2.New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 5,334 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $43

Board the Steamboat Natchez at Toulouse Street Wharf in the French Quarter for a two-hour Mississippi River cruise. You’ll hear live New Orleans jazz by the Steamboat Stompers, listen to commentary about the river and port, and view the city from open decks or climate-controlled cabins. Add a Southern-style buffet lunch if you want a fuller outing.

“Interesting commentary down the Mississippi. The ship is beautiful and the music was great as well .”

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3.Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 4,548 reviews · 2 hours · from $58

Board the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS at 6pm for a 7pm to 9pm Mississippi River cruise. Hear live jazz by the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland, listen to Captain’s narration, walk four decks, and buy cocktails, beer, or wine. Add the Creole buffet if you want dinner onboard.

“This was a wonderful experience I enjoyed every moment of it”

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4.Daytime Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 4,164 reviews · 2 hours · from $43

Board at the French Quarter for a two-hour Mississippi River cruise aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS, currently filling in for the Steamboat NATCHEZ. Hear live jazz from the Steamboat Stompers, enjoy captain’s narration, explore four decks, watch the paddle wheel, and add a plated Creole lunch if you wish.

“the food was amazing, it was very educational, the live music was so good, the views were great!”

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5.Key West Sunset Sail with Open Bar, Live Music and Hors D’oeuvres

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3,559 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

Spend about two hours aboard Sebago’s spacious Key West catamaran, passing Mallory Square, Fort Zachary Taylor, and Sunset Key as daylight fades. Enjoy champagne, wine, sangria, premium beer, cocktails, soft drinks, shrimp, small bites, and live music from local performers. Arrive 30 minutes early at 205 Elizabeth Street.

“Sunset was beautiful. Music and food were good. Dancing was fun. Would recommend to a friend. The time of the excursion was perfect.”

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6.Key West Sunset Cruise: Dinner, Live Music & Drinks Included

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,707 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $92

Set out from Key West’s historic seaport aboard a 65-foot yacht for a tropical buffet, unlimited well drinks, beer, wine, and soft drinks. You’ll pass Mallory Square and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, then head upstairs for sunset and live music. Arrive 60 minutes early, and bring a light jacket for the open deck.

“Love it and it's candid experience!!! We didn't have experience the sunset but the majestic sights are awesome. The dancing bonding was fun. I love the music that was played by the dj. The crews are awesome especially the captain and the dj.”

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7.Harlem Hallelujah! Gospel Wednesday Concert

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,638 reviews · from $25Best value

Spend an uplifting Wednesday hour at Harlem’s Convent Avenue Baptist Church with Music Director Anthony Evans and the Harlem Praise Singers. This is a concert rather than a full church service, blending traditional spirituals, contemporary gospel, clapping, singing, and worship. Expect a historic setting, strong audience participation, and an optional church donation.

“A wonderful uplifting concert - with a talented choir and musicians - the best experience!”

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8.Harlem Gospel Live Music Concert

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 1,479 reviews · from $28

Spend a Saturday morning at Mount Olivet Baptist Church for a one-hour Harlem gospel concert led by the Jubilee choir and artistically directed by Craig Harris. Expect powerful voices, hand-clapping, audience participation, and a warm community setting. Tickets cost $28, and the church is wheelchair accessible.

“Really an amazing experience. Amazing voices and truly gorgeous performances. Easy to find the address and very helpful staff.”

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9.Gourmet Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 1,074 reviews · 3 hours · from $145

Board the Louisa of the Seas at Pier 36 for a three-hour evening cruise past the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges, Ellis Island, the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, and Lower Manhattan. You will have a private table, plated dinner, live music, and drinks. VIP seating adds access to the upper deck and two drink tickets.

“Was an amazing experience, everything the food, the music, the staff, views of the City 100% perfect”

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10.Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,024 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Board the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen at Riverwalk for a two-hour evening cruise past the French Quarter and Jackson Square. Listen to Sullivan Dabney Jr. and the Muzik Jazz Band, add a Creole buffet dinner, dance after the meal, and enjoy New Orleans cocktails on the promenade deck.

“what a beautiful and magical cruise on the mighty Mississippi River! The general buffet was delicious! I'm not joking... The food was incredibly delicious and the service was top-notch and the music playing set the tone perfectly. if you're looking for something to do while in the beautiful city of New Orleans this is a must for jazz lovers, Creole food enthusiast and people who love the water.”

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11.Key West Sunset Sail with Live Music, Drinks and Appetizers

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 952 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $79

Board Fury’s 65-foot catamaran at 631 Greene Street for a two-hour sunset sail with live local musicians, unlimited margaritas, beer, wine, champagne, soda, and seasonal appetizers. Choose the sundeck or shaded lounge, watch the sun set near Mallory Square and Fort Zachary Taylor, and return to the dock in time for dinner.

“You will have a great time on this sunset cruise. The band was great and played all our favorite songs. People were happy and dancing. Seeing the Christmas lights from the water was a wonderful experience!”

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12.4-hour Harlem Gospel Tour in New York City

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 935 reviews · 4 hours · from $79

Meet at 8:30 AM and travel by van or bus from the Sheraton New York Hotel through Morningside Heights, Harlem, Sugar Hill, and Hamilton Terrace. Your guide, sometimes Uli, Julia, Fabrizio, or another multilingual guide, explains the area before you attend a Baptist gospel service. Expect music, group participation, and a short but memorable look at local community life.

“The tour was very interesting and well structured. The Gospel in the Bronx was really intensive and unique. Bernardo was a very nice guide. The company of the three American Ladies was absolutely pleasent. Really a worthy tour. Thanks!”

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13.Harlem Gospel Holiday Celebration Concert

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 828 reviews · 1 day · from $38

Meet at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church in Harlem for a one-hour holiday gospel concert filled with hand-clapping, foot-stomping music and seasonal songs. You’ll also be near the Mount Morris Park Historic District and the former Temple Israel site. Early check-in begins at 8:30 am. The venue is wheelchair accessible.

“I loved the energy from everyone! It is was perfectly organised! The concert was divine!!!”

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14.Charleston Harbor Luxury Dinner Cruise with Live Music

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 607 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $100

Board the vintage Spirit of Carolina at Patriots Point for a 2.5-hour evening cruise past Fort Sumter, the Battery, and the Ravenel Bridge. You’ll share a table with four to six people, enjoy a made-to-order three-course dinner, and hear live music. The full-service bar costs extra, and parking takes a little planning.

“I would tell others to go into it with a open mind! The atmosphere was very relaxing and I really enjoyed the people.”

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15.Holiday Yacht Cruise with Jazz, Cocoa & Carols

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 568 reviews · 1h 30m · from $134

Cruise New York Harbor for 90 minutes aboard the classic yacht Manhattan or Manhattan II. You will have an assigned seat in a heated salon, hear live jazz and carols, enjoy cocoa, cookies, and one included beverage, and pass Battery Park, the Financial District, Governor’s Island, Ellis Island, and the Statue of Liberty.

“This was FABULOUS. I thought there was a 50/50 shot it would be a cheesy waste of time. But it turned out to be one of our favorite experiences in NYC. The staff were all SO kind, always offering photos/refreshments, and the jazz band was great!! My only warning is the hot chocolate is very clove-y, which we would have passed on if we knew. But this was a 10/10 and our photos are amazing to remember the trip!”

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