Top New Orleans Day Trips

New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation

5 hoursFree Cancellation

Special Offer

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).

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise

2 hoursFree Cancellation

Gain a deeper understanding of Louisiana—and combine two experiences in one—on this tour of the Whitney Plantation and a ride in the Manchac Swamp from New Orleans. Visit the plantation museum, view exhibits with an audio guide, and uncover the legacy of enslaved people as you explore. Afterward, ride a pontoon boat through a cypress swamp, look out for wildlife, and learn about Cajun culture from local guides.

Swamp Boat Ride and Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans

7 hours 45 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans

7 hours 45 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

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

5 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

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 local guides. Upgrade your experience to include a pontoon swamp tour.

Oak Alley Plantation Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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 (6 languages available) as you explore the site independently. You can also choose to upgrade your experience to include a 90-minute swamp tour.

Whitney Plantation Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

5 hours 25 minutesFree Cancellation

Experience New Orleans’ wild bayou country first-hand on an exciting, family‐friendly airboat ride. This boat tour winds through the mossy cypress swamp near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, named for the 19th-century pirate and smuggler. While onboard, enjoy lively commentary from a local guide as you admire lush, forested shoreline and spot local wildlife. Gators appear most commonly in the summer months, so keep your eyes peeled.

2 to 4 hoursFree Cancellation

New Orleans Airboat Ride

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

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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

1 dayFree Cancellation

Visit a former plantation and ride through the swamp during this two-in-one tour. Start with a visit to Oak Alley Plantation for a tour of the antebellum mansion. Follow the oak-shaded paths to the blacksmith shop during your free time. Lunch is available to purchase at the restaurant on-site. Next, head to the dock for your swamp tour. Search for alligators and other wildlife and stop for photo ops while aboard an airboat. Round-trip hotel transport provided from New Orleans.

Oak Alley Plantation and Large Airboat Swamp Tour from New Orleans

8 hoursFree Cancellation

New Orleans Sightseeing City Tour

2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Manchac Swamp Extended 4-Hour Kayak Tour with Pickup

6 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Jazz Cruise with Dinner Option

3 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

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

1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

Exploring New Orleans in the evening can seem like an intimidating quest on your own, but this ghost, voodoo, and vampire walking tour takes you to the city’s eeriest sights at night in the safety of a group led by a guide. Stop by top attractions such as the LaLaurie Mansion and New Orleans Pharmacy Museum while listening to your guide’s detailed stories of the paranormal and beyond.

New Orleans Premier Ghost, Voodoo and Vampire Walking Tour

1 hour 45 minutesFree Cancellation

Gain deep, meaningful insights into American history on this combination full-day tour. After being collected from your New Orleans hotel in an air-conditioned van, you’ll arrive at the Whitney Plantation and tour Louisiana’s only museum dedicated to enslaved people with an audio guide. Afterwards, head back to the city and join the Soul of New Orleans tour, for a deep dive into the move from plantation to city life, showing how enslaved people turned their struggle into the powerful music, food, and culture that still defines the city today.

Whitney Plantation and Soul of New Orleans City Tour Combo

8 to 9 hoursFree Cancellation

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.

Whitney Plantation and Airboat Tour from New Orleans

8 hoursFree Cancellation

New Orleans Swamp Boat Tour with Shuttle Service

4 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

Leave New Orleans behind for a half-day excursion to Laura Plantation—with all the driving and logistics taken care of. After being picked up from your hotel, travel to Laura Plantation to learn about what life was like on an old sugar plantation, both for owners and enslaved people. Hear the history and culture of Louisiana Creole women. On the roundtrip drive you’ll see several other plantations as well as scenic Lake Pontchartrain.

Laura Plantation Half-Day Tour from New Orleans

5 to 6 hoursFree Cancellation

Special Offer

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.

New Orleans City Tour and Steamboat Natchez Harbor Jazz Cruise

6 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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.

Full Day Plantation and Swamp Tour in New Orleans

7 to 8 hoursFree Cancellation

Oak Alley Plantation Tour with Pickup from New Orleans

4 to 5 hoursFree Cancellation

Airboat Swamp and Destrehan Plantation Tour from New Orleans

5 hours 30 minutesFree Cancellation

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Must-Dos in New Orleans

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What are people saying about New Orleans

Whitney Plantation Tour with Transportation from New Orleans

Jeanette_T, Sep 2026

Excellent trip

This is my 2nd Grey Line Tour and both have been well organised with excellent timing. The staff are very warm and the narrative of the city and sights around are clear and very knowledgeable. The hosts are always open to questions and give the best information they can x the buses are modern, clean and with good air con which was essential on this trip x 5* from me 👍🏻

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

Marge_G, Sep 2026

Must Do Tour

"5 STARS" Kindrell from K's Luxury Transportation and Tours was fantastic. First the tour was well planned and educational. We gained a deeper understanding of the history of plantations and enslaved people. Kindrell confirmed our pick-up time the night before and was on-time picking up my two sisters and myself. The ride was conformable and Kindrell gave us an overview of what we were going to see before arriving at Whitney Plantation. The guide at the plantation, was amazing as well. I would highly recommend this tour.

Whitney Plantation and Airboat Tour from New Orleans

Jonathan_N, Jul 2026

My BDay Wknd in NoLa

Recently I did this tour my BDay wknd & honestly I enjoyed it! From the driver to the ppl @ the tour sites. If you’re coming in the Summer months I would definitely recommend you bring a fan, stay hydrated & wear sunscreen it does get a hot walking around the Plantation. The Swamp tour wasn’t too bad because once you board the boat you do get a lil breeze from rowing around. All in all I enjoyed both experiences. 10/10 The Plantation 10/10 was very informative & just to be able to experience it I loved it. The audio was good & explains a lot of history of the Plantation & displays. The swamp also a 10/10 the boat driver was very polite, had humor & gave us a lot of information about the gators in LA. Which we were able to see many of them. My FaV was Clobber & Ray!

Swamp Boat Ride and Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Kelly_M, Jul 2026

Interesting, educational & fun!!!

Family with 2 teenagers. We enjoyed the Whitney Plantstion tour very much. It was moving and very educational for all of us. We absolutely LOVED the swamp boat tour with Captain Dan. It was pouring rain at first and that added to the magic. The swamp was beautiful, relaxing and teeming with interesting creatures. We saw alligators, raccoon, wild pigs and a variety of birds. It was magical.

New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation

Bonnie_M, Jul 2026

Bayou tour on Monday, 7/6/26 for the McCulloughs

Rickey and Ben are very knowledgeable, courteous and friendly. Rickey had much interesting information during our bus rides to and from and Ben was very professional and expresses in his conversations that he loves the Bayou and his job. Office tracked us down to change or tour time which was much appreciated.

Oak Alley Plantation Half-Day Tour from New Orleans

Lachele_B, Jul 2026

Great visit

I visited Oak Alley Plantation over the weekend, and I really enjoyed my experience. The grounds are absolutely beautiful and well maintained, making it a great place to explore and take photos. The first part of the visit was self-guided, which gave us time to walk around and take everything in at our own pace. The guided tour of the Big House was the highlight of the visit. Our tour guide, Anthony, was incredibly informative, friendly, and welcoming. He shared so much history and answered questions in a way that kept everyone engaged. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and would definitely recommend visiting if you’re in the New Orleans area. The beautiful scenery, fascinating history, and excellent tour made it a memorable visit.

Oak Alley Plantation and Swamp Boat Tour from New Orleans

Nikki, Jun 2026

Excellent experience!

Both parts of the tour were great. Wish we could have seen more of the Oak Alley house. The swamp tour with Captain Ernie was terrific! You could tell he knows the ecology and biology of the area. Very educational, and fun. He explained why May-September are the best months for this tour if you want to see alligators. I will never look at a swamp or bayou the same way again. The only thing I would improve on is making sure guests know that the pick-up time is a 30 minute window.

New Orleans Small-Group 3 Plantation Tour with Gourmet Lunch

Lon_V, Jun 2026

Great time on the three plantation tour!

This is a great tour! Our tour guide, Giselle with Tours by Isabelle, was oustanding. Lots of history and local information during the drive and at the plantations. Visited three plantations, each one was different so we got a wide range of experiences on one tour. The time at each plantations was good; not too long and not too short. The included lunch at Houmas House was very good. Very enjoyable day, I would recommend this tour.

Small-Group Laura and Whitney Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Lisa_M, May 2026

This is the best tour.

Great tour and guide. Murial was great and Isabelle tours thinks of everything. We got a nice reminder text with a pic of the tour van picking us up. Large umbrellas and rain coats were available if we needed them and we even had a group Pic sent to us after. Definately reccommend this tour and tour group.

Whitney Plantation Tour with New Orleans Hotel Pickup

Anna_S, Apr 2026

The best and most informative tour ever!

First, pick a nice day. You'll be outside 95% of the time. Second, pick your tour package carefully. Some may just be a ride, others, like mine with Crescent City Tours, was fun filled and very informational not only on where we were going but what has happened in the area. Being at the plantation was an amazing experience. To be able to see and walk among where so many had been before and learn what actually happened to them and not some watered down version was very impactful. The last stop in the church was the hardest for me. When I was in there and everyone had left, the weight of the place came down on me and I was not able to stay longer. If you are at all sensitive to the blight of others, this will have a profound affect on you and your outlook on life from thereafter.

Oak Alley Plantation and Small Airboat Tour from New Orleans

Laura_M, Mar 2026

Oak Alley Plantation is...

Oak Alley Plantation is beautiful. The grounds are lovely. It seems funny to mention this but the public restrooms are the cleanest I've been in. The Best part of the tour was the Airboat ride. Rocky, our guide, was amazing. He got us up close to gators and let us touch a baby one. It was awesome. I would definitely recommend.

Airboat and Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans

Carolyn_T, Nov 2025

Fantastic Day out!!

We really enjoyed this tour. Giselle was our tour guide and was fantastic. She was very informative all through the tour even we while we were travelling between locations she continued to tell us about the history of New Orleans. We started the day with an airboat ride where we met many of the alligators inhabiting the swamp and our operator was very entertaining and informative. We learnt a lot about the swamp and experienced a fun ride as well. We then headed to Laura plantation where we had a lovely guide who was extremely knowledgeable, and we learnt a lot about Lauras family history and their life on the plantation as well as some of the known history of the slaves who lived there. Houmas house was our next destination where we had a lovely buffet lunch where I (who is usually a bit fussy) was pleasantly surprised with how nice it was. The tour of the house was great which is full of antiques and interesting pieces from a bygone era. The tour guide took us through the home explaining life in this house and we then explored the beautiful gardens complete with beautiful old Oak Trees hundreds of years old and fantastic sculptures throughout to be discovered as you walk through. We even encountered peacocks, swans and turkeys along the way. The van was comfortable and the small group who were lovely was a great way to do this type of tour. We would highly recommend this tour.