How to Get Off the Beaten Path in New Orleans

Experience the dazzle of New Orleans at night with a romantic dinner cruise aboard the famous Steamboat Natchez. Journey through time on this paddle-wheel boat ride along the mighty Mississippi. Stroll the deck, cozy up with family and friends and delight in the sparkle of the urban shoreline at dusk. This excursion includes a Creole‐inspired dinner and live jazz music.

Go beyond the French Quarter and discover the unique Cajun and Creole cultures of New Orleans during this full-day swamp and plantation tour. Venture deep into the bayous, with a small group limited to 8, to see Cajun living and spot wildlife like alligators and pelicans. Then, admire the beautiful architecture and learn about the history of Houmas House and Laura plantations. Upgrade your ticket to include a high-speed airboat ride through the bayous.

Travel back in time to the era of the antebellum South on a guided afternoon tour from New Orleans to the Whitney Plantation, a former indigo and sugar plantation on the River Road now dedicated to promoting an understanding of slavery in Louisiana. Learn about the realities of plantation life through museum exhibits and recorded narratives as you tour the 18th-century Spanish Creole main house and historical slave cabins with a guide.

Peek behind the curtain at the marvel of Mardi Gras with this tour of Mardi Gras World in New Orleans. See the behind-the-scenes work and incredible artistry that goes into preparing for the annual celebration. With a guide, learn the history of the event, and see fantastic floats and props. Get a picture in front of your favorite float, dress up in costumes, and sample some classic King Cake.

Trade in the urban bustle for the bayou on a half-day trip from New Orleans to the wilds of the Honey Island Swamp. Relax on the ride from your downtown or French Quarter hotel, and then cruise beneath hanging moss and cypress trees while a wetland ecologist shares tall tales and fun facts about this protected nature reserve on the shores of Lake Ponchartrain. Learn about Louisiana’s long-standing fishing industry, and keep an eye out for native critters like otters, turtles, egrets, and alligators lurking beneath the surface.

Venture beyond New Orleans to the wilds of the Louisiana bayous on a small-group kayaking tour of the Manchac and Maurepas swamps. Climb aboard a tandem kayak and paddle through a lush landscape of cypress forests and wetlands teeming with wildlife. No kayaking experience is necessary, as a guide teaches you everything need to know to enjoy this Southern-style adventure.

Spend a morning or afternoon in Impressionist‐era New Orleans with a tour of Edgar Degas’ former home and art studio, led by his great-grandniece. See the grand interior spaces that provided the setting for many of Degas works, learn about the artist’s Creole roots and stroll under the beautiful oaken canopy along Esplanade Avenue. Extend your tour with optional upgrades including a courtyard breakfast beforehand or a visit to the New Orleans Museum of Modern Art.

Introducing the newest New Orleans experience, the city's first ever Cycle Boat. This social, active adventure is the perfect way for friends, families, visitors and locals to explore New Orleans. This Pedal Party Boat is an incredibly unique eco-experience/ booze cruise that will take you past a Shipwreck Graveyard and show you scenic views of the New Orleans City Skyline. There are 12 pedal seats that surround a center high-top table with built-in coolers and a padded bench that seats 12 comfortably.

Experience the grandeur of New Orleans’ antebellum south on a half‐day tour of Oak Alley Plantation. Take a 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 expert guides.

Take a big bite out of the Big Easy on this culinary walking tour of the Freret neighborhood in New Orleans. This charming uptown neighborhood packs all the charm and flavor of the French Quarter without any of the crowds and offers you an authentic taste of New Orleans food and culture.

Experience New Orleans’ wild bayou country on an exciting, family‐friendly airboat ride. This boat tour winds through the mossy cypress swamp close to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, named for the 19th‐century pirate and smuggler. While onboard, enjoy lively commentary from a native guide as you admire lush, forested shoreline and spot local wildlife.