Top USA Eco Tours - page 3

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.

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.

The Great Smoky Mountains boast scenic views and this hiking tour takes you on a journey to find them. Join a small group and traverse through the lush landscapes to discover several streams, cascades, and creeks. Each season of the year puts on a different show for hikers so there's always something to enjoy. This is a moderately adventurous hike that gains elevation and climbs over downed trees.

Discover the rugged beauty of the Sierra Nevada and Yosemite National Park on this full-day tour from San Francisco. Enjoy early park entry and comfortable hotel pickup from major San Francisco hotels. Spot supersized natural wonders such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and sequoia groves, and spend several hours exploring the park’s wonders on your own. Non-U.S. residents aged 16 and older pay an additional park entry fee.

For a different kind of thrill on the Las Vegas Strip, take to the air with a ride on the Fly LINQ zipline. Choose to ride in a seated or fly in a superman position, and take in the glittering Vegas views from 12 stories above ground as you soar 35 miles (56 kilometers) per hour above The LINQ Promenade. The ride launches from a 114-foot (35-foot) tower and lands near the High Roller observation wheel, placing you in the heart of Las Vegas' entertainment district with dining and shopping options nearby.

See the Portage Glacier on a small-group tour from Anchorage. Follow the scenic Seward Parkway through the breathtaking landscape of the Turnagain Arm waterway, stopping at Beluga Point and the Anchorage Coastal Wildlife Refuge to look for wildlife. Take a cruise on Portage Lake to observe the Portage Glacier up close, then check out wild animals that are being rehabilitated at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. Stop for provided light snacks and water in the town of Girdwood near Mt. Alyeska and take in the Chugach Mountains.

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.

Whale watching and visiting the Mendenhall Glacier are two of the most popular activities around Juneau — they're essential experiences for any local tourist that you won't want to miss. Check them both off your list on this half-day combo tour that includes flexible departure times and round-trip transportation from Mt. Roberts Tramway, making it ideal for a shore excursion or quick trip.

Enjoy spectacular panoramic views of Las Vegas from the STRAT Tower Observation Deck, which stands 1,149 feet (350 meters) tall. Your tickets allows you to enjoy access to both the indoor and outdoor observation decks, and you can toast the occasion with signature drinks from the Air Bar (own expense).

Find out what makes Seattle one of the most popular cities in the US on an intimate, half-day tour. Head first to beautiful Snoqualmie Falls, in the Cascade Mountains. Then return to the city for a tour of its top attractions, including Pioneer Square, Fremont Troll, markets and parks, and a lookout point. Ample time is spent at each stop, giving you the chance to take photos and ask questions.

Travel the Road to Hana on this full-day tour on Maui. With just a small group in a van, the group is able to navigate the 620 curves and 50 bridges along the 52-mile (84-kilometer) road. Enjoy an intimate atmosphere with your tour group, personalized attention from your guide, and plenty of time to ask questions about the history, flora, and fauna around the road.

Hike with an experienced, naturalist guide and small group through the wilderness trails of Denali National Park. The 5-hour experience showcases the tundra, taiga and boreal forest that has made Denali a mecca for wilderness adventurers the world over. Listen to narration to understand the parks botany, geology and history as you focus on the nature all around you — not the logistics or your map.

See the best of Seattle in just a few hours on this convenient bus tour. Relax and sightsee from the bus, skipping the hassle of planning transportation throughout the day. Cover several of Seattle's must-see spots, such as Pike Place Market, the Space Needle, and the Fremont Troll. Beyond the major sights, you'll also explore different neighborhoods and learn about Seattle's history from your guide.

Dive into an aquatic-themed wonderland of surrealism, artistry, and romance during at a performance of “O” by Cirque du Soleil. Combining a worldwide crew of synchronized swimmers, daring acrobats, and elegant divers, the show seamlessly transitions between the fantasy worlds above, on and below the water’s surface to produce a stunning spectacle, all housed inside a beautiful theater.

Put your marksmanship skills to the test on an outdoor shooting experience in Las Vegas, which includes round-trip transportation from your hotel. Choose from more than 80 different guns, including fully-automatic weapons, Western-style guns, and more. Learn about operations and safety from your expert guide and instructor and then start shooting the targets.

Discover the underwater world of Catalina Island during a 45-minute ride on a semi-submarine. The semi-sub allows you to view the marine life of Avalon Bay as you dive six feet (two meters) below the surface at Lovers' Cove. Stay dry as you get a close look at fish feeding around the submarine, then take in views of the island from your vessel's top deck during the return journey to Avalon.

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.

Escape from the hustle of the Las Vegas strip and enjoy a half-day scooter tour of the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Explore the canyon, passing through desert landscapes, red- and buff-colored rock formations, and sandstone and limestone cliffs that reach elevations up to 7,000 feet. All entrance fees plus the use of a helmet, bottled water and a pickup and drop-off from select Las Vegas hotels are included.

Explore Oahu's waters on this submarine-style ride aboard the Atlantis Submarine. During this family-friendly adventure, learn about the local fish, coral, and other animals in this marine habitat through your guide's informative commentary. Descend 100 feet (30 meters) under the surface of the water without getting wet in a vehicle that is quiet and pollution-free, so marine life is undisturbed.

On this two-in-one Snoqualmie Falls and Washington State wineries tour, experience highlights beyond Seattle that many other visitors miss. With round-trip transit included, getting out into nature—and visiting beauty spots including the mighty falls—is made simple. Along the way, visit at least two top-rated estate wineries, where you can enjoy guided tastings (own expense).

Add a little adrenaline to your vacation schedule with this supervised UTV ride around Hell's Revenge. Located just outside Moab, this slickrock trail features dramatic terrain, with steep climbs and descents. Whilst you enjoy the thrills of the ride, there are plenty of opportunities to take in the La Sal Mountains, the Colorado River, and the cliffs of Echo Canyon. For those feeling a little less confident behind the wheel but still want to join in, there are passenger options too.

Take a break from the crowded casinos of Las Vegas—and discover where locals escape to unwind—on this half-day hiking tour of the picture-perfect Red Rock Canyon. With round-trip transit from the Strip, getting into nature is made simple. Upon arrival, your guide helps your group choose from several trail options to match your interests and fitness levels. Enjoy stunning desert and sandstone scenery as you explore the Nevada wilderness.

The Gulf of Mexico is known for wild dolphin sightings and this tour from Clearwater Beach helps you discover the pods. Climb aboard the Little Toot, a tugboat-style boat, that creates a big wake that dolphins like to play in. While you’re out on the water, enjoy lively commentary about the dolphins and the surrounding area.

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.