Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans
Recommended by 95% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
New Orleans, USA
- 7 hours 45 minutes (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Why travelers loved this
·
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
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.
- Experience two different sides of New Orleans with one simple booking
- Take a short coach ride across the mighty Mississippi River
- A great experience for history buffs and nature lovers
- Convenient meeting location and transfer from the French Quarter
What's Included
- Swamp Boat Tour
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Narrated by a local guide
- Round trip transportation
- Tour of either Oak Alley or Destrehan Plantation
- Hotel Pick-up and Drop-off
- Food & Drink (Available for Purchase)
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Gray Line New Orleans400 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Departs from the Gray Line Lighthouse at Toulouse St. and the Mississippi River (at the Steamboat Natchez Dock), just one block from Jackson Square in the French Quarter. Please arrive 15 minutes before boarding to check in.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Your tour offers a morning or afternoon start time. You’ll start by boarding your air‐conditioned coach in the French Quarter. Admire the scenery of the Lake Pontchartrain shoreline as you head first to either Oak Alley Plantation or Destrehan Plantation. Oak Alley is one of the most beautiful plantation homes in the lower Mississippi Valley. As you marvel at the unbelievable alley of 28 magnificent Oak trees, your guide will reveal the fascinating stories of the home and its history. If you choose to visit Destrehan, you'll learn the history of this famous plantation that was once a major producer of indigo and sugarcane.
After your plantation tour, return north by coach to Lake Pontchartrain and Manchac Swamp, where you’ll board an open‐sided, covered boat – good for touring during any season. This privately‐owned swamp is a great venue for uninterrupted wildlife spotting. Glide along the water, viewing the lush greenery and with abundant local wildlife, including alligators, egrets, raccoons, snakes and giant nutria. Get great photos and gain insight about local history and wetland preservation from your local guides.
This tour returns you by coach to the French Quarter.
After your plantation tour, return north by coach to Lake Pontchartrain and Manchac Swamp, where you’ll board an open‐sided, covered boat – good for touring during any season. This privately‐owned swamp is a great venue for uninterrupted wildlife spotting. Glide along the water, viewing the lush greenery and with abundant local wildlife, including alligators, egrets, raccoons, snakes and giant nutria. Get great photos and gain insight about local history and wetland preservation from your local guides.
This tour returns you by coach to the French Quarter.
1
Oak Alley Plantation
2 hours • Admission Ticket Included
Lake Pontchartrain (Pass By)
I-10 Bonnet Carré Spillway Bridge (Pass By)
2
Cajun Pride Swamp Tours
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Infants must sit on laps
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Service animals allowed
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- In order to help protect the French Quarter from vehicular traffic, it is requested that you please walk, if possible, to the convenient tour departure point -- just a short stroll from most downtown hotels.
- Alternate Routes: Due to uneven and narrow paths, alternate routes may be necessary for guests traveling in wheelchairs.
- 9am & 11am = Oak Alley Plantation
- 1pm = Destrehan Plantation
- Oak Alley Plantation is a Smoke Free Facility
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 travelers
Supplied by
Frequently Asked Questions (9)
Q:What is the departure point for the Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans?
A:The tour begins at the Gray Line "Lighthouse" Ticket Office in the French Quarter at Toulouse Street & the Mississippi River - at the Steamboat Natchez Dock (400 Toulouse Street.)
Jun 2021
The answers provided are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 3,487 reviews
Sort by: Most insightful
Florice_C, Jul 2026
Wonderful experience and super fun boat driver! The boats are good, and Oh My and all
Of the wildlife! Just a great overall day and don’t be worried about the heat the bayou is very shaded and boats breeze is great! Be sure you come with a fully charged battery— you will want to video and take lots of photos!!!
Larretta_M, Jul 2026
Dustin was a great captain! He was funny and knowledgeable and we saw a ton of alligators and other wildlife.
Stephanie_S, Jul 2026
Very informative, beautiful environment, swamp tour captain and ride excellent! Would definitely recommend!
Michele_P, Jul 2026
Would have been a 5 star experience but our Tour Guide, Robert S, was horrible. Knowledgeable no doubt, but he expressed his opinions more than the historic facts. He led it with arrogance and condescending tones towards us. It was incredibly loud and unbearable throughout the bus rides. Would not do it again.
Roberto_W, Jul 2026
Our tour guide Robert was very detailed throughout the tour, to and from our destination. The driver, Alton was very good at driving us safely to our two locations of our tour and back. I highly recommend using Gray Lines Tours to see the plantation tour and getting a historical insight of how New Orleans came to be. I give 5 stars for professionalism.
Roxie_F, Jul 2026
The Oak alley tour was so beautiful and I learned so much. Our tour guide who traveled from Gray line to Oak Alley was so knowledgeable and sweet. Her name was Dionne and she was a native to New Orleans who knew everything about New Orleans and its history.
Oak Alley plantation was absolutely beautiful and so many beautiful Oak trees that I couldn't count. There were a lot of beautiful photo opportunities. We went to the restaurant at Oak Alley and the food was delicious. We had fried green tomatoes and gumbo. Soooo Yummy.
When we got to the Swamp tour "Cajun Pride" it was so fun. We had a great Swamp captain named Tom. He was the coolest. We got to see many Alligators, raccoons, boars, turtles, and birds. We were able to hold a baby Gatorade and we watched Captain Tom feed them. Captain Tom also had the best stories and accent. We loved him and the tour. Soooo much fun.
Val_A, Jul 2026
It was good, the tour guide was knowledgeable but not very expressive and got mixed up in her presentation.
The tour guides at the plantation were excess we had ample time to see everything and eat.
Christine_L, Jul 2026
Great tour informative and interesting
Robert gave a running commentary the whole trip letting you know the history of the plantation and swamp
Jennifer_L, Jul 2026
We had a fabulous time. The guide was knowledgeable and entertaining. There was a good balance between history of the area and searching the swamp for alligators
Maricela_S, Jul 2026
Visited the Oak Alley Plantation and then our tour guide and driver Jane and Duane took us to the Cajun Pride swamp tour, everything was wonderful! Our guides took care of everything and made our trip stress free and interesting with all the Louisiana facts and stories on the way over there. I Definitely recommend this experience!
jon_g, Jul 2026
Our tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and our bus driver was great. Everyone at the plantation and on the swamp tour were great. I would highly recommend this experience
Jennifer_M, Jun 2026
This was a beautiful tour! Our guide, Kate, had lots of knowledge and there was plenty of time to explore. The bus ride was smooth, thanks Donald! Captain Dustin was fantastic on our swamp tour!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Our whole staff, and our guides, are pleased to know that you had a fantastic experience.
Dainer_B, Jun 2026
Our bus driver Dwayne did a great job getting us to where we needed to be and slowing down at important spots so we could look at the sites. Our bus tour guide Jane had great stories and history that made the trip seem quick. I learned about New Orleans on our way out. Tomas our boat Captian at the Swamp Tour was so much fun! Informative, answered so many questions and gave is a new perspective on life in the swamp, while keeping our trip fun.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thank you so much for your 5-star review! We are thrilled to hear that you had a wonderful experience with our team. Your kind words mean the world to us, and we cannot wait to welcome you back again soon!
Rose_L, Jun 2026
Tour guide was excellent . Bus ride was smooth and comfortable. The tour at Oak Alley and the swamp boat tour was awesome. I would recommend it to everyone.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Your recommendation will help us share this "day in Louisiana" with so many new guests.
Luci_E, Jun 2026
Always enjoy history and the birth of our nation. Very informative about the families and their backgrounds and what they produced on the Plantation.
The swamp tour was one of the best I have been on. It had rained so much activity in the swamp. Our guide was very knowledgeable and genuine. This is definitely a must do.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
We love to be a "must do". Thank you Luci!
Holly_H, Jun 2026
Outstanding experience. We toured Oak Alley, beautiful plantation and had a great lunch on property. Next was a swamp boat ride. The captain went out of his way to show us wildlife. The Grayline tour lady was very friendly and knowledgeable! She made the bus ride enjoyable.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Providing an awesome experience is important to us. Thank you for sharing all this information.
Jeremy_J, Jun 2026
Lots of fun facts about the area and the different plantations. Swamp tour was great for the kids and others who haven’t been around the swamp!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks so much Jeremy
Hannah_D, Jun 2026
Our tour guide was super knowledgeable and made the drive to the plantation (almost 2hrs) full of knowledge of the city, and the history of slavery. The plantation (we went to Oak Alley) was more glorified than I thought it would be, if I had to change anything about this trip I would’ve chosen to go to Whitney instead, learn more about the experience of the slaves, learn their stories.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks for all you comments. We like to know how our guests enjoy different experiences and if our tour guide provided the additional information.
Younsung_L, Jun 2026
The schedule was very well-organized, the guide kept telling us historical information, and the captain of the swamp tour boat was really entertaining.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks so much.
Tammy_H, Jun 2026
We saw lots of wildlife on our tour. Our guide made sure each side of the boat had a view. He had lots of stories to share with us.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Tammy, this is a great time to visit our native wildlife. They love the sun and our guides love to talk about them.
Ellen_Y, Jun 2026
Very good trip, you won’t regret it. It is well organized and the plantation and the swamp tour are so interesting.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks so much.
Amy_P, Jun 2026
The plantation was beautiful, and our guide was very knowledgeable. The restaurant on site has spectacular food and exceeded our expectations (get the chicken gumbo!!!).
After the plantation, we went to Cajun Pride for a swamp boat tour. Dustin was incredible! We saw raccoons, wild pigs, and alligators up close and personal!!! At the end, we even got to hold a baby alligator.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Being a "must do" on your list is a big gold star for us. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Holly_S, Jun 2026
Robert our Tour guide was very informative regarding the local history of the plantations. He was entertaining to listen to and very knowledgeable when asked questions about New Orleans culture and history. Dominique our bus driver has a skill set to be able to drive that bus around those tight corners and crazy walking pedestrians. They were quite the combination and we wouldn't have been able to enjoy our tour without them both!! Absolutely book this tour!!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Robert and Dominique are quite the duo. They both love what they do and how they treat our guests. Thank you.
Eleanor_B, Jun 2026
Amazing tour! The scenery was gorgeous, several gators got right up to the boat, and the guide was informative and entertaining. So much more than we expected. We will definitely do this again for our next trip to NOLA.
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Please return anytime. The swamp is an ever evolving adventure.
Heather_B, Jun 2026
The plantation tour was full of history and fun facts. The swamp boat tour was so amazing. Our tour guide for both were just amazing. I promise you won’t regret booking this.
Carra_h, Jun 2026
Great educational tour of the Oak Alley Plantation and swamp boat tour. Dustin was a great tour guide and had a lot of knowledge about the swamp
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks so much for sharing!
Alejandra_V, May 2026
This tour was one of the highlights of our trip to New Orleans. The plantation was beautiful and full of interesting history, and the swamp tour gave us the chance to see local wildlife and learn more about the area. Our guide was personable, funny, and kept everyone engaged throughout the day. Even though I can’t remember his name, he did a fantastic job making the experience enjoyable and informative. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting New Orleans!
Response from Host, Jun 2026
Thanks so much for the great review of your plantation/swamp experience!
Carrie_S, May 2026
The plantation tour was underwhelming, except for the trees. The swamp tour was AWESOME! I won’t say any more because I don’t want to write any spoilers.
Sara_K, May 2026
Jane and Dwayne were awesome! Jane provided interesting facts during the bus rides. The plantation was absolutely beautiful and the swamp tour was so much fun. Dustin was hilarious. He also gave us a lot of information and kept the ride very interactive. Highly recommend both!
Sweta_C, May 2026
What a tour!!! Jane was incredible and her knowledge was beyond amazing. She had beautiful stories and not boring at all. Very kind. We thoroughly enjoyed the tour. If you’re visiting New Orleans you must book this tour if you’re a history buff. Oak alley plantation was incredible and we had many sightings of the gators during swamp ride. Amazing experience!! Highly recommend Jane!
From
-15%
$111.35
per personWas $131.00
up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
Special Offer
Swamp Boat Ride and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans
3,487
7 hours 45 minutes
Free Cancellation
From
$131.00
$111.35
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Attractions in New Orleans, USA
- Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar Tours & Tickets
- Jackson Square Tours & Tickets
- Bourbon Street Tours & Tickets
- New Canal Lighthouse Tours & Tickets
- New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum Tours & Tickets
- Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery Tours & Tickets
- New Orleans City Park Tours & Tickets
- Magazine Street Tours & Tickets
- Audubon Park Tours & Tickets
- Mardi Gras World Tours & Tickets
- New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA) Tours & Tickets
- Mississippi River Tours & Tickets
- Steamboat Natchez Tours & Tickets
- Preservation Hall Tours & Tickets
- Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) Tours & Tickets