Tours Beyond New Orleans

While there's plenty to do and see within the city proper, nearby are sprawling plantations and wildlife-filled swamplands to explore. Take in the scenery with a half-day or daylong excursion, whether you're looking for a thrilling, backwoods adventure or a lesson in American history.

Swamp Tours

Venture into the untamed Louisiana bayous, where moss-covered cypress trees cascade into brackish waters, and floating lily pads spread across the water's murky surface. Bring a camera and get ready to capture images of marshland birds such as white egrets and great blue herons, as well as scaly predators like alligators and snakes. For a family-friendly tour through the marshlands, a swamp boat tour is your best bet. These pontoon boats meander through the bayous and ensure a relaxing trip with ample opportunities for sightseeing.

For crazy - er, adventurous - explorers, spring for an airboat tour, which promises an exciting, high-speed ride through the wetlands. The tour guide will take you to places that are accessible only with an airboat, giving you an unrivaled glimpse of the Deep South's natural ecosystems, as well as up-close encounters with gators and other swamp critters.

Plantations

Explore Louisiana's plantations with the help of professional tour guides/historians who will guide you through these pre-war estates and their iconic architectural features such as intricate, wrought iron balconies, colorful facades and wraparound verandas. Or create your own tour by selecting a few you'd like to visit. You'll be able to choose from several spectacular properties that sweep you back in time with period furnishings, folk art and craft demonstrations, lush gardens and landscapes and more.

Locally, River Road is an easy jaunt from New Orleans. Here you'll find several majestic plantations including Oak Alley, San Francisco, Laura, Destrehan, Houmas House and other plantations. Also be sure to search our listings for other nearby plantations.

Complete your visit with an overnight stay in a cozy B&B or historic guesthouse.

Combination Tours

Travelers looking for a comprehensive journey through swamps and nearby plantations can consider a combination tour packages. Search our listings for operators.