Top New Orleans Half-day Tours - page 2

Instead of simply hearing ghost stories, experience them for yourself on one of the only interactive ghost tours in New Orleans. Join a paranormal guide at what are reputed to be some of the most haunted locations in the French Quarter. With just your small group for company, set off in the evening, and have the chance to use real ghost-hunting tools to try and pick up on paranormal activity.

See more of New Orleans without the hassle of renting a car on this half-day bike tour that takes you around the famous French Quarter and beyond to explore neighborhoods many tourists never go. Learn about the city’s fascinating history directly from the owner of the tour company as you make stops at Jackson Square, the Garden District, historic cemeteries, Royal Street, the downtown area, and more.

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.

Experience Louisiana’s wild bayou country on an exciting, family-friendly airboat tour. This tour includes a ride on a small airboat (maximum 13 passengers) that zips through the tree‐lined marshes at speeds up to 45 mph (72 kph). While onboard, enjoy lively commentary from your guide as you view lush scenery and local wildlife, including alligators, nutria, and native birds. Pickup and drop-off from downtown New Orleans and French Quarter hotels included.

An interactive way to learn about the history of Destrehan Plantation, this night tour takes you on a journey to delve into the rich history of diverse groups like enslaved Africans, free creoles of color, Acadians, and Native Americans who shaped Louisiana's cultural tapestry. Learn about the 1811 slave revolt, walk among lingering spirits, and trace the evolution of Voodoo in south Louisiana. Uncover the mysteries behind this often misunderstood religion with the help of your personal storyteller.

See New Orleans through the eyes of a local on a private driving tour that takes you around the French Quarter and beyond to see parts of the city that many visitors miss. From the Mississippi River to the leafy Garden District, peaceful City Park to legendary cemeteries, cover more ground than a walking tour on an itinerary that can be customized based on your group’s interests.

Indulge in New Orleans liquid culture on this insider cocktail tour of the historic French Quarter, which helps you journey beyond the hubbub of Bourbon Street. Visit four historic local haunts with a cocktail included at each. At each venue, admire the mixology of bartenders, discover the origins and truths of centuries‐old spirits such as absinthe, and take away tailored tips for the rest of your time in the city.

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.

Embark on a food-filled journey around the French Quarter of New Orleans—and visit places you might miss while exploring alone—on this private tasting tour. With your guide in the lead, set off to discover historical highlights from St. Louis Cathedral to Bourbon Street. Along the way, enjoy a range of traditional Creole and Cajun bites, including gumbo and beignets, while you’re immersed in the neighborhood’s culture and heritage.

Experience the highlights of New Orleans in one comprehensive half-day tour. This itinerary combines a guided walk through the historic French Quarter, time to grab lunch at the famous French Market, a 75-minute cruise along the Mississippi River aboard the Riverboat City of New Orleans, and a narrated bus tour showcasing the city’s top sights. Along the bus tour, you’ll pass by some of New Orleans’ most well-known landmarks, including the National WWII Museum, the charming Garden District, New Orleans City Park, Mardi Gras World, and the Audubon Aquarium. Beginning at Café Beignet, this well-balanced experience is designed to be easy and enjoyable, blending guided exploration with free time. It’s a great option for first-time visitors or anyone looking to see a wide range of the city’s highlights in a single outing.

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).

Learn more about a side of Louisiana’s history that should never be forgotten. Tour plantations with a guide who can share more about what life was like for enslaved people in the South. Admission to Oak Alley Plantation is included, and you can feel free to pick your guide’s brain about the things you see on the tour.

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.

Experience the highlights of New Orleans on this sightseeing bus tour, including an above-ground cemetery, the bustling French Quarter, the opulent Garden District, and St. Charles Avenue. Absorb the sights and sounds of the city as you learn about its fascinating history from your guide. Upgrade to receive admission to Vue Orleans, a 360° indoor and outdoor observatory deck, after your tour.

Explore New Orleans’ rich history and stunning architecture on this small-group tour. Travel by air-conditioned van through iconic areas like the French Quarter, Bayou St John, and the Garden District, with guided walking tours of St. Louis Cemetery #3 and City Park’s Besthoff Sculpture Garden. Enjoy highlights like Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and a stop for beignets at the famous Café du Monde (own expense).

Take a trip to either Oak Alley or Laura Plantation on this half-day tour from New Orleans that takes care of the logistics. In addition to a guided tour, you will have free time to explore the grounds on your own at your own pace. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included for your convenience.

Delve into the stories behind the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans during a French Quarter walking tour. Take in famous landmarks including Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Mississippi River, along with lesser-known places of interest. Hear from your guide about the architecture and heritage of the district, and get the inside scoop on recommended places for shopping and dining as well.

Taste your way through New Orleans’ most charming neighborhood on a sensory-rich Garden District food and walking tour that removes the guesswork of where to eat. Stroll past historic mansions and cemeteries while learning about the city’s multicultural history and unique burial traditions. Along the way, stop to sample Creole, Cajun, French, and Italian specialties hand-picked by a guide who knows the best places to dine.

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.

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.

Tour the Oak Alley Plantation, named for the alley of centuries-old oaks leading up to the antebellum Big House. Follow the oak-shaded paths to the blacksmith shop and a souvenir shop during your free time. Alcoholic drinks and lunch are available to purchase at the restaurant on-site, with round-trip hotel transport provided from New Orleans. Upgrade your experience to include a 3-hour city tour of New Orleans with a stop to tour the above ground tombs at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3.

Taste your way through New Orleans on this spirited, small-group cocktail and food tour through the French Quarter. Visit restaurants and bars you'd be unlikely to find on your own and savor a range of classic Nola bites, all while your guide shares insider stories and culinary history. Enjoy four signature cocktails along the way, and benefit from the relaxed, dinner-party-style atmosphere.

New Orleans is famous for its cuisine, but with so much to try, knowing where to go or what to pick can be overwhelming. This tour demystifies local culinary traditions, with the help of a guide to lead the way. Visit several classic restaurants and sample local Creole, Cajun, and French-inspired specialties such as gumbo, jambalaya, pralines, and more.

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.