Top Louisiana Outdoor Activities - page 2

Experience different sides of Louisiana and its complicated history on this plantation tour and swamp boat ride from New Orleans. On this full-day journey, visit Oak Alley Plantation or Destrehan Plantation (depending on the time chosen), where you learn about antebellum life. Next, head into the marshy swampland for a boat ride and some wildlife spotting. Enjoy guided commentary as you snap photos of alligators, raccoons, snakes, and native birds.

Venture beyond New Orleans to the wilds of the Louisiana bayous on a small-group kayaking tour of the Manchac and Maurepas swamps. Climb aboard a tandem kayak and paddle through a lush landscape of cypress forests and wetlands teeming with wildlife. No kayaking experience is necessary, as a guide teaches you everything need to know to enjoy this Southern-style adventure.

Put New Orleans in context without the self-drive hassles on this enriching full-day tour. First, immerse in the city’s dark history on a self-guided tour of the Whitney Plantation, with time to explore the museum independently. Next, pass by the Evergreen Plantation, where Django Unchained was filmed, and board an airboat for a high-speed swamp adventure. Your package includes small-group transfers from most New Orleans hotels.

Create memories that will last a lifetime on the mighty Mississippi River and experience the royal treatment about the Steamboat Natchez. Your experience begins with a complimentary Champagne cocktail and front-row access to the night’s entertainment, the Dukes of Dixieland. For dinner, indulge in a buffet dinner as you listen to live jazz performance. Take the chance to tour the historic vessel after dinner.

A trip to New Orleans isn't complete without experiencing Louisiana's local wildlife. This group boat ride takes you to the swamps and bayous, where you learn about alligators, snakes, turtles, local birds, and more—while looking out for them. Your guide knows the best areas for spotting wildlife, improving your chances of seeing various species up close. Also learn about local Cajun culture through your guide’s stories.

Explore Louisiana’s bayou landscape–and avoid a basic, beginner-friendly itinerary–on this kayaking tour of Manchac Swamp, designed for experienced paddlers and including round-trip transfers from a central meeting point in New Orleans. Spend four hours on the water with a local naturalist guide, keep a lookout for wildlife, and learn about the local wetland ecosystem along the way.

Discover New Orleans’ rich craft brewery scene by bike. You’ll cycle through the beautiful Garden District, stopping at bars and microbreweries along the way—and leave it all to your guide to lead the way, as they share interesting stories about the area’s past. Visit under-the-radar spots in the Irish Channel and Garden District, stopping at three breweries for cold beers along the way.

Avoid hours of walking between landmarks on an active and convenient bike tour through the heart of New Orleans. In addition to navigating for you, your guide provides little–known facts and anecdotes about the city’s must-see landmarks, from the Mississippi River to Congo Square. Bottled water and a small group size ensure a comfortable tour.

Get familiar with the neighborhoods of New Orleans by bike, without having to exert yourself, by signing up for this small-group tour by electric bicycle. While you'll see plenty of the French Quarter, you'll also get the chance to go beyond it, visiting historic areas including Marigny, Treme, Bywater, and Bay St. John while your professional guide tells you about the city's past and present.

Pedal through two centuries of New Orleans history on a combo bike tour of the French Quarter and Garden District. Learn about the city’s Creole roots as you ride along the banks of the Mississippi and through the legendary streets of the oldest neighborhood in town. Then, cross over to the ‘American’ side, where stately southern mansions overlook leafy boulevards and the time-worn tombs of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. It’s a great way to meet the many faces of New Orleans while enjoying fresh air and exercise.

Soak up the atmosphere of the bayou on this 8-hour cultural tour from New Orleans. Visit the Oak Alley Plantation House, dating from 1837, and view the stately row of 28 evenly spaced mature oaks that line the driveway. Follow your guide, dressed in period costume, through the mansion, the blacksmith shop and the onsite restaurant. You'll also learn about life in the bayou's waterways aboard a swamp and wetlands boat tour. See the amazing variety of flora and fauna native to the area and hear about life in the Barataria Swamps from your native guides. Round-trip transportation from New Orleans is included.

Step aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS for a fun 2-hour Dinner Jazz Cruise on the Mississippi River! Enjoy live jazz music and signature cocktails as you cruise past iconic French Quarter landmarks, historic riverfront sites, and stunning city views. Savor a Creole-inspired dinner menu while enjoying beverages from one of the full-service bars onboard, including the City Skyline Bar on Deck 4, offering panoramic views of the river and downtown New Orleans. A snack bar is also available with popcorn, sodas, and other casual favorites. Perfect for couples, friends, groups, and special occasions, our Dinner Jazz Cruise delivers an unforgettable evening of New Orleans sights, cuisine, and music all in one experience!

Enjoy an only-in-New-Orleans experience when you embark on a paddle-wheel boat tour of the mighty Mississippi River. In the evening, hop aboard the Steamboat Natchez or her sister vessel, the Riverboat City of New Orleans, and admire views of the city from the water's edge. This cost-saving package additionally includes a Creole‐inspired dinner (if option selected), plus live jazz music to set the mood.

Louisiana’s wild backcountry is known for its cypress swamps that are home to alligators, snakes, and turtles. Explore this area in a safe and fun way in a flat-bottomed boat that travels through the marshes. Learn more about local wildlife from the guide and look out for herons, hawks, owls, and bald eagles too. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are available with certain options for added convenience.

See New Orleans beyond just the French Quarter on a bike tour that gets you out into less-touristy neighborhoods like Faubourg Marigny and Bywater. Learn about the city's multicultural origins and follow the evolution of its Creole culture, stopping to hear local lore and snap photos at landmarks like the St. Roch Cemetery. The flexibility of both a small group size and a two-wheeled tour is a great way to expand your view of the Big Easy.

Discover one of Louisiana’s last preserved wetlands on a Honey Island Swamp boat tour. Make your own way to Slidell, then travel deep into the secluded swamp across Lake Pontchartrain to view native wildlife and discover a remote Cajun village only accessible by boat. Enjoy your expert guide's insights into Cajun culture and the lush swamps as you look out for alligators, wild boar, snakes, and native birds.

Experience the charm of New Orleans on a two-hour Sunday jazz cruise along the Mississippi River. Enjoy live jazz music, stunning views from the top deck, and the option to savor a Louisiana-style buffet brunch featuring local favorites. This authentic paddle-wheel riverboat offers a perfect blend of history, ambiance, and relaxation for all ages. The legendary Steamboat NATCHEZ and her sister vessel Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will sail interchangeably, depending on bookings and private events.

Experience New Orleans’ culture through its cuisine on a foodie walking tour. Your guide leads you to popular Creole eateries, markets, and artisanal shops to sample diverse foods that define Louisiana’s culinary landscape. Stopping at several locations, savor such classic bites as gumbo, muffulettas, po'boys, and pralines. Come hungry as you sample dishes at five different eateries.

Explore Louisiana wildlife and culture outside of the Big Easy on this full-day trip from New Orleans. Explore historic Oak Alley Plantation and learn about its history. Then Zoom across a swamp on a an open-air speedboat with ample opportunities for viewing wild animals in their natural habitat.

Explore New Orleans’ untamed bayou on an airboat tour that includes round-trip transportation and admission to an albino alligator exhibit. Cruise through marshes and swamps as your guide shares stories about the region’s wildlife and history that you won't get in the guidebook. Spot alligators, birds, and other native species, and stop at the remote village of Jean Lafitte, once home to the legendary 19th-century smuggler.

See more of New Orleans when you travel by bike on this tour led by a local, who takes you places not easily found on your own. Cycle through the Bywater and Marigny neighborhoods and down Esplanade Ave. to City Park and St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, with a stop at Café du Monde. You’ll also ride through the Bayou St. John and Tremé neighborhoods, and see several other highlights.

Go for a sunset cruise aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen on this boat trip. Listen to an on-board jazz band and choose to add on a Creole-style dinner buffet as the boat sails along the Mississippi River. Take in the views from the promenade deck and sip New Orleans-inspired cocktails.

This haunted pub crawl combines two favorite New Orleans activities—ghost hunting and drinking! Slip on some Mardi Gras beads and join a storytelling guide at some of the French Quarter’s most famously haunted bars and pubs. Enjoy a cocktail or shot while standing on the very spot of grisly murders, disasters, and ghost sightings on this spooky and social night out.

Discover the history of Tabasco, see how the beloved hot sauce is produced, and enjoy a range of tastings on this self-guided tour. Make your own way to the Tabasco Visitor Center on Avery Island and embark on an immersive, 10-stop factory tour. You’ll also enjoy a range of tastings, can visit the on-site restaurant for Cajun dishes, and can explore nearby Jungle Gardens (where you’ll spy wisteria, giant oaks, and maybe even an alligator).