From New Orleans: Swamp Airboat, 2 Plantation Tours & Lunch

Exploring the rich cultural heritage and natural wonders of Louisiana has never been easier. This full-day tour from New Orleans promises an immersive experience, whisking visitors through the serene swamps on an exhilarating airboat ride before unveiling the captivating history of two iconic plantations. With a gourmet Creole lunch included, this well-crafted itinerary offers an unparalleled glimpse into the region’s past and present. Whether seeking adventure or a deeper understanding of the South’s legacy, this tour provides an opportunity to…

This experience made our article of Vacherie’s 2 Best Lunch Experiences (With Prices & Reviews).

Key Points

• A full-day experience from New Orleans that includes a scenic swamp airboat tour, visits to two historic plantations, and a gourmet Creole lunch.
• The tour is priced at €233.51 per person and lasts 9 hours with a maximum of 13 participants.
• Highlights include exploring the bayous, learning about the history and stories of the Laura Plantation, and dining at the Houmas House Plantation.
• The tour includes hotel pickup, transportation, a historian driver-guide, and all admissions, but excludes alcoholic drinks and tips.
• The tour is not suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, or individuals with back problems, and has limited walking at the mansion sites.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Overview and Pricing

The activity offers a full-day experience that includes a swamp airboat tour, visits to two historic plantations, and a gourmet Creole lunch, all for a price of €233.51 per person.

The tour lasts 9 hours and is limited to 13 participants. Pickup from New Orleans hotels is included, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance.

Spots are likely to sell out, so early booking is recommended. Customers can reserve now and pay later.

Itinerary and Experience

After being picked up from their New Orleans hotel, guests embark on a scenic drive over the Mississippi River to a remote swamp area for their airboat tour.

The small airboat ride offers a chance to explore the marshes, bayous, and spot diverse wildlife like alligators, turtles, and exotic birds.

Glide through the marshes and bayous on a small airboat, spotting alligators, turtles, and exotic birds along the way.

The tour then visits Laura Plantation, focusing on the family history and enslaved people’s stories, followed by a museum exhibit on slavery.

Next, they pass by Felicity and St. Joseph Plantations before stopping at Oak Alley to admire the ancient oak trees.

Finally, a gourmet Creole lunch is served at Houmas House Plantation.

Lunch Menu

Guests can savor a sample menu featuring a variety of Creole-inspired entrees like Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, Crown Jewel Hamburger, Shrimp Po Boy, Breast of Chicken, and Vegetarian Pasta.

For dessert, indulge in White Chocolate Bread Pudding or Turtle Creole Cream Cheese Cheesecake.

The lunch also includes home-baked bread, iced tea or soft drink, and coffee.

This gourmet Creole cuisine is served at the Houmas House Plantation, allowing guests to dine in the historic setting after touring the mansion.

Tour Inclusions and Exclusions

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, roundtrip transportation, a historian driver-guide, a small airboat tour, entrance fees to two plantations, a gourmet lunch with drinks, and taxes.

The tour offers hotel pickup and drop-off, roundtrip transportation, a historian driver-guide, an airboat tour, plantation admissions, a gourmet lunch, and taxes.

However, the tour excludes:

1. Alcoholic drinks

2. Tips (cash tips expected for guides)

3. Baby strollers

4. Large luggage and non-folding wheelchairs

The tour operates rain or shine, and ponchos are provided if needed.

Walking is limited at the mansions. The tour has an impressive 4.7/5 rating based on 62 reviews, with highlights including knowledgeable guides and smooth operations.

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Important Information

This tour isn’t suitable for children under 5, pregnant women, or people with back problems.

Large luggage and non-folding wheelchairs aren’t allowed.

However, the tour operates rain or shine, and ponchos are provided if needed.

There’s only limited walking involved at the mansion sites.

Swamp Airboat Tour

What better way to explore the lush, untamed landscapes of the Louisiana swamps than by an exhilarating airboat ride?

Your small group will glide effortlessly through the serene bayous, spotting alligators, turtles, and exotic birds in their natural habitat.

The thrilling ride offers:

1. A unique perspective of the region’s diverse wetlands.

2. Up-close encounters with captivating wildlife.

3. Fascinating narration from your experienced guide.

4. A chance to learn about the area’s rich ecological and cultural heritage.

This swamp tour is a must-do adventure to complement your plantation visits and truly experience the essence of Louisiana’s great outdoors.

Laura Plantation Tour

Following the tour of the remote Louisiana swamps, visitors embark on a guided exploration of the historic Laura Plantation. Established in 1804, this Creole plantation offers a glimpse into the lives of the enslaved individuals who lived and worked on the property. The tour delves into the family history and the harrowing stories of the enslaved, providing a poignant perspective on the region’s complex past. Guests also visit the plantation’s museum exhibit on slavery, further enriching their understanding of this crucial chapter in Louisiana’s history.

| Key Facts | |

| — | — |

| Established | 1804 |

| Focus | Family history, enslaved people’s stories |

| Included | Guided tour, museum exhibit on slavery |

Houmas House Plantation Tour

After exploring the remote Louisiana swamps and the historic Laura Plantation, the tour continues at the Houmas House Plantation.

Guests enjoy a gourmet Creole lunch at the mansion, followed by a tour of the grand estate.

Guests enjoy a gourmet Creole lunch at the mansion, followed by a tour of the grand estate.

The highlights include:

1. Admiring the impressive antebellum architecture and 38 acres of lush gardens.

2. Learning about the plantation’s rich history as the "Sugar Palace" and the lives of its former owners.

3. Savoring the exquisite flavors of Creole cuisine, from shrimp po’ boys to white chocolate bread pudding.

4. Exploring the museum exhibits and gaining insights into the region’s complex past.

Ask Away

Is Photography Allowed During the Tours?

Photography is generally allowed during the tours, though visitors should check with the guides for any restrictions or rules. Photography may be limited in certain areas to preserve the plantations’ historical integrity.

Can Dietary Requirements Be Accommodated?

The tour can accommodate dietary requirements with advance notice. Guests should let the tour operator know of any dietary needs, such as vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free, when booking so they can make the necessary arrangements for the included lunch.

What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?

The tour doesn’t have a strict dress code, but casual, comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes are recommended. Guests should dress for the weather, as the tour operates rain or shine.

Is There an Option to Extend the Duration of the Tour?

The tour doesn’t offer an option to extend the duration. It’s a fixed 9-hour itinerary that includes the swamp airboat ride, two plantation tours, and a gourmet lunch. Customizing the duration or adding extra activities isn’t available.

Can the Tour Be Customized to Visit Additional Plantations?

The tour can likely be customized to visit additional plantations, though this may incur an extra fee and require advance notice. Travelers should contact the tour provider to inquire about customization options.

Final Words

This full-day tour from New Orleans offers a comprehensive exploration of Louisiana’s natural wonders and historic plantations. The thrilling airboat ride, visits to two renowned plantations, and delectable Creole lunch provide an immersive experience that showcases the region’s rich cultural heritage. With a small group size and all-inclusive pricing, this tour is an excellent choice for those seeking an engaging and memorable adventure.

You can check availability for your dates here: