Top New Orleans Day Trips

Day Trips

51 results

Best Seller

4.7

(2,357)

New Orleans City Tour: French Quarter, Garden District & Cemetery

Free Cancellation
3 hours

from $40

Likely to Sell Out

Explore one of Louisiana’s last protected wetlands on a 2-hour boat tour that includes round-trip transport from New Orleans. Depart in the morning or afternoon for Honey Island Swamp, a wildlife preserve teeming with critters such as 'gators, wild boar, snakes and birds. Ride through the swamp dripping with lush foliage and visit a boat-accessible Cajun village with an informative local guide who sheds light on the area’s inhabitants.

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4.9

(5,638)

New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation

Free Cancellation
5 hours

from $70

Likely to Sell Out

Captivating views of the New Orleans skyline

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.

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4.1

(7,700)

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

Free Cancellation
3 hours

from $58

Travelers enjoy views of iconic St.Louis Cathedral from the open top of a double-decker bus.

4.3

(5,015)

New Orleans City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

Free Cancellation
1 day

from $51

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.

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4.8

(3,387)

Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
7 hours 45 minutes

from $131

Discover a different side of New Orleans—and admire a new perspective from the water's edge—on this steamboat tour down the Mississippi River. Board the historic riverboat—either the Steamboat Natchez or her sister vessel—for a morning or afternoon tour. Stroll the deck, admire the iconic paddlewheel, enjoy live music, and snap photos of the picturesque shoreline. This family‐friendly excursion offers an optional lunch (additional expense).

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4.2

(5,547)

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

Free Cancellation
2 hours

from $44

Gain a deeper understanding of American history on this visit to Louisiana’s only museum dedicated to enslaved people. After you are collected from your New Orleans hotel in a luxurious air-conditioned van, your driver will take you westwards towards the Whitney Plantation. On the way, expect to hear an overview on the history of American plantations before arriving to this impactful landmark.

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5.0

(87)

Whitney Plantation (Guided Tour) with Bus Ride To & From N. O.

Free Cancellation
5 to 6 hours

from $87

4.8

(3,161)

New Orleans Sightseeing City Tour

Free Cancellation
2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes

from $50

Price varies by group size

Experience the rich history and vibrant culture of New Orleans from two perspectives on a city tour and steamboat cruise that lets you escape the land-based crowds. Enjoy a narrated coach tour of historic landmarks, including the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the Garden District. Then, step aboard Steamboat NATCHEZ (or its sister vessel) for a journey along the mighty Mississippi River, complete with live jazz and optional Creole dining.

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4.2

(453)

New Orleans City Tour and Steamboat Natchez Harbor Jazz Cruise

Free Cancellation
6 hours 30 minutes

from $88

This tour combines the private Manchac Swamp with Whitney Plantation. A decade ago Whitney Plantation, circa 1752, opened its doors to the public for the first time in its history as the only plantation museum in Louisiana completely dedicated to the history of slavery. The experience at Whitney is a self-paced audio tour. Visitors to Whitney will gain a unique perspective on the enslaved people who lived and worked here through museum exhibits, restored historic outbuildings, and hundreds of first-person narratives. Then it's a short ride to a privately-owned wildlife refuge within the Manchac Swamp, where homegrown Cajun captains will take you on a journey back to the early days of swamp exploration. They'll guide the covered pontoon boat through the mystical cypress swamp while showing off the American Alligator and abundant wildlife. Learn the history of the town of Frenier and the Cajun culture of fishing, hunting, and trapping. Get the camera ready gators leaping up for a snack!

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5.0

(11)

Swamp Boat Ride and Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
7 hours 45 minutes

from $131

Visit the Whitney Plantation Museum—a former indigo and sugar plantation that is now dedicated to promoting an understanding of enslavement in Louisiana—on this hassle-free trip from New Orleans. Round-trip transit and admission tickets are included for your convenience. Upon arrival, learn about the brutal realities of plantation life through museum exhibits and an audio guide as you explore the site independently. You can also choose to upgrade your experience to include a 90-minute swamp tour.

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4.6

(1,382)

Whitney Plantation Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
5 hours 25 minutes

from $89

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.

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4.8

(221)

Whitney Plantation and Airboat Tour from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
8 hours

from $152

Discover more of Louisiana on a full-day tour to the Whitney Plantation from New Orleans. Ride by minivan past the marshes of Lake Pontchartrain and along River Road, passing filming locations for the popular TV series ‘Queen Sugar’ and other productions. Then, join an audio guided tour of the Whitney Plantation and learn about the history of the enslaved and free people who once lived on the plantation.

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4.7

(238)

Whitney Plantation Tour with New Orleans Hotel Pickup

Free Cancellation
6 hours 30 minutes

from $78

5.0

(43)

Whitney Plantation and Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour Combo

Free Cancellation
8 hours

from $199

4.7

(75)

Whitney Plantation and Museum Tour from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
4 to 5 hours

from $75

4.9

(67)

Oak Alley Plantation Tour with Pickup from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
4 to 5 hours

from $87

Likely to Sell Out

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.

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5.0

(36)

Manchac Swamp Extended 4-Hour Kayak Tour with Pickup

Free Cancellation
6 hours

from $175

Likely to Sell Out

4.7

(1,248)

Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
9 hours

from $279

If you're looking for no-holds-barred frights in New Orleans, explore the city’s dark history on this adults-only tour. Set off after nightfall to discover a new perspective on the city, and steel yourself for gruesome tales and fearsome encounters: Your guide saves the most grisly true-crime stories, voodoo legends, and paranormal frights for this tour, and takes you past the French Quarter's most supposedly haunted locations.

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4.8

(6,748)

Adults-Only New Orleans Ghost, Crime, Voodoo, and Vampire Tour

Free Cancellation
1 hour 45 minutes

from $37

Travel through Cajun Country on this full-day New Orleans city tour and swamp adventure. Journey with your professional guide in a comfortable air-conditioned minibus as you learn about the history, culture and highlights of southern Creoles. You'll see major city highlights, areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, and tour the inside of a cemetery to see the above-ground tombs. Afterward, you'll head to the bayou for your choice of a leisurely pontoon boat ride or thrilling airboat ride.

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4.8

(192)

New Orleans City, Cemetery and Swamp Full-Day Tour

Free Cancellation
7 hours 30 minutes

from $110

4.6

(185)

Oak Alley Plantation and Small Airboat Tour from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
8 hours

from $185

Experience the grandeur of New Orleans’ antebellum south on a half‐day tour of Oak Alley Plantation. Journey through time to the manicured estate and into the gorgeous home, built in 1839. View stunning architecture, oak‐lined esplanades, and enduring sugar cane fields while learning about the plantation’s fascinating – and often somber – histories from expert guides. Upgrade your experience to include a 90-minute swamp tour at the nearby Manchac swamp.

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4.3

(1,776)

Oak Alley Plantation Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
5 hours 30 minutes

from $89

Likely to Sell Out

Small-Group Airboat Ride and Plantation Tour from New Orleans

4.8

(260)

Airboat Swamp and Destrehan Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Free Cancellation
5 hours 30 minutes

from $179

Likely to Sell Out

Swap the bustle of New Orleans and gain a deeper understanding of American history on this two-in-one experience, with a visit to the Oak Alley Plantation and a Louisiana swamp tour with round-trip, air-conditioned transportation from your hotel. At the plantation, view exhibits and discover the powerful legacy of enslaved people—the setting offers context and understanding beyond what any guidebook can provide. Then, explore the swamp on a pontoon boat and look out for alligators and other wildlife.

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5.0

(82)

Full Day Plantation and Swamp Tour in New Orleans

Free Cancellation
7 to 8 hours

from $137

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New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation

Monica_F, Apr 2026

Wonderful tour of Honey Island Swamp - Gators Galore!

This tour is very well run and organized. The guides were all great. We had driver Justina on the bus to and from the swamp. She provided a lot of history and information and was also warm and funny. Our boat guide was Captain Dave. Like Justina, he was from the area, so we got a lot of local lore and history from him. He was funny and engaging and told great stories. I was expecting the swamp to be buggy. Not at all. We didn't need mosquito spray. The water on the Pearl River is pretty fast moving and it slower moving at Honey Island, but still no bugs. What you will see are tons of animals! We saw egrets and other birds, snakes, turtles, etc. You will definitely see alligators of all sizes and cute wild raccoons because they know that the guides have food. They lure them with a high-quality zoo grade pellet made mostly of fish (that's what I was told). It guarantees the animals will put on a show for you. All around wonderful tour!

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Whitney Plantation (Guided Tour) with Bus Ride To & From N. O.

Amanda_D, Mar 2026

Fabulous tour and guide

One of the best tours we had booked and Kin the tour guide was outstanding, we had visited the Whitney Plantation. He was informative and knowledgeable and kept us laughing throughout the day. I would recommend booking with K's Luxury Transportation and Tours and wouldn't hesitate in booking again. 10/10 Kin

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Whitney Plantation Tour with New Orleans Hotel Pickup

Believer_7, Mar 2026

Wicked Side of American History

This tour was an in-depth experience of the true pioneers of this once great nation. It depicts the perseverance of a people who worked with their hands and were discriminated against because of the color of their skin, building wealth for generations that did not include them. BUT STILL WE RISE 🙌🏾!

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Whitney Plantation Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

Kenneth_R, Mar 2026

Whitney Plantation Tour

We toured the Whitney Plantation on our annual N.O. trip. Our tour was self guided, which we preferred to move at our own pace. The bus driver, Dwayne, provided top notch customer service and professionalism. He even shared his fun, personal stories of related experiences being a native of New Orleans. We'll definitely roll with Gray Line on our next trip.

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Whitney Plantation and Museum Tour from New Orleans

Pamela_H, Mar 2026

Whitney Plantation & Museum

Should not be missed! 2nd Line Tours contacted the day of our tour and gave us an estimated time. They arrived promptly and we had commentary by our driver at times about our surroundings. The tour itself was self- guided with audio cassettes with 14 stops throughout the plantation. Gives life to the subject of slavery and life on a plantation..

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Oak Alley Plantation and Swamp Boat Tour from New Orleans

Eric_S, Mar 2026

Realize that you won’t...

Realize that you won’t have any time after the house tour so you have to see everything else before you go into the house. The grounds are magical. Remember that the front oak alley is opposite the slave quarters. The whole experience was educational and I wish we had more time.

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Small-Group Laura and Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Amanda_R, Feb 2026

Educational and fulfilling day with Gisele.

While on a trip to New Orleans, I took a day to visit plantations and learn more about the history of enslaved people in Louisiana. Tour guide Gisele was wonderful, explaining the history of the area while also keeping the mood light when needed. She’s also one heck of a good driver, navigating the streets of New Orleans during the parades!! I was with a lovely group of fellow travelers as well. It was an emotional, educational, and fulfilling day. I HIGHLY recommend Tours by Isabelle and the plantation tours (especially Whitney) to anyone visiting the area!

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Oak Alley Plantation Tour with Pickup from New Orleans

Khado_C, Feb 2026

Great Tour

Our driverguide Kindrell was absolutely exceptional. From the very first moment, he was incredibly warm, welcoming, and attentive, making us feel completely comfortable and well taken care of. His service truly went above and beyond — always helpful, patient, and genuinely focused on making our experience special. You can tell he does his work with passion and heart. Thank you for such a wonderful experience. Highly recommended!

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Oak Alley Plantation Half-Day Tour from New Orleans

Liza_W, Jan 2026

Highly Recommend!!!

We had the best experience with our driver and tour guide, Lorraine. She taught us all about the history of New Orleans and surrounding parishes. She was a great driver. The state of the tour bus was impeccable. She was very courteous and made sure to check in with us to make sure we were comfortable regarding the air conditioning. I cannot give her a higher review. She was fantastic! As for the entire tour itself, we were very, very glad to have been to Oak Alley, which is beautiful. The tour guide of the house itself, Marcus, was also very well spoken, and very well informed and was a great teacher. The mint julep was very very good and the pralines are the best in the area. Even the employees and their gift shop were absolutely lovely. I highly recommend this tour.

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Not seeing something you are looking for?

While it's tempting to spend your entire vacation in vibrant New Orleans, the city serves as an ideal base for exploring nearby cypress swamps and Plantation country. Whether you’re interested in history or nature, these New Orleans day trips have you covered. Your options include airboat tours through wildlife-rich wetlands to steamboat cruises on the Mississippi River and tours of stately plantation homes with their dark history rooted in slavery. These curated experiences provide expert guides and comfortable transportation while lending greater context to the unique cultural melting pot that is New Orleans.

Top New Orleans Day Trips

51 results

Top Attractions in New Orleans

LaLaurie Mansion

Garden District

Jackson Square

National WWII Museum

French Quarter

St. Louis Cathedral

LaLaurie Mansion

Garden District

Jackson Square

National WWII Museum

French Quarter

St. Louis Cathedral

LaLaurie Mansion

Garden District

Jackson Square

National WWII Museum

What are people saying about New Orleans

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