Top Things to do in Louisiana
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10 Day Trips from in Louisiana That You Shouldn't Miss
Louisiana tourism is centered on New Orleans and the North Shore region in the southeastern corner of the state near the Florida border. West of New Orleans is the Great River Road, with the I-10 running to the Mississippi River port capital city of Baton Rogue. West of New Orleans along the Gulf of Mexico, the I-10 cuts through Lafayette and Lake Charles on its way past Abbeville to Texas. Central Louisiana is Lake Country, and home to cities like Alexandria and Natchitoches. In northern Louisiana, the I-20 runs west from Monroe to Bossier City, Shreveport, and East Texas. Unless Louisiana is very familiar and frequent territory, New Orleans will be the top choice for a Louisiana vacation. Though Mardi Gras, music, and the winning ways of the New Orleans Saints football team get the spotlight, there is much more to explore in New Orleans. Within New Orleans choose among Bourbon Street, Royal Street, the Upper and Lower French Quarters, the Warehouse and Central Business District, the Garden District and Uptown, and Mid-City. With street car lines linking the French Quarter to the Garden District, Convention Center, and everywhere else, it is easy for the whole family to get around. If long walks are your exercise, explore the scenic city on foot. An easy two-hour drive from New Orleans brings you to Baton Rogue, Natchitoches and Lake Country. Explore old Beauregard Town in downtown Baton Rogue, the historic homes of the Baton Rogue Garden District, and tour one or several working plantations. Walk the 33-block Historic Landmark District and tour the historic homes and churches of Natchitoches. Relive Spanish Empire history in Louisiana at Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site. Heading west from New Orleans is Cajun Country and Lafayette with its mix of French, French Canadian (Acadian), Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. Besides Cajun and Creole cookery, explore the Civil War heritage at the Lafayette Museum. Stop by Abbeville to view the courthouse designed by Hayes Town, St. Mary Magdalen Church, and have a seafood meal. With 75 annual festivals Lake Charles is Louisiana's Festival City, and home to the Creole Nature Trail Scenic Byway. Shreveport and Bossier City in northwest Louisiana are casino and entertainment centers. Shreveport is renowned for hosting the Louisiana State Fair in the fall. Plus floral centers, art galleries, and museums. Monroe in the northeast also has notable gardens.
Restaurants in Louisiana
1. Oak Alley Plantation and Large Airboat Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Your tour guide will point out many points of interest along the way, Lake Pontchartrain,The vast marsh Land and Louisiana swamp, The site of the largest slave revolt recorded in American history Destrehan Louisiana in 1811 slavery rebellion.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
Reviewed By yeraldinu2021
Brian was great, funny and educational. On our way to the Whitney Plantation, he pointed out several landmarks and showed us a lot of movie sites without the extra cost, including evergreen plantation, oak alley plantation and other locations. We even stopped for food, Brian was very generous and very hospitable. The entire experience was made 100 times better thanks to "Derek". Recommend this 100%.
2. Double Plantation Tour: Oak Alley and Laura
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
The picturesque beauty and architecture of the Louisiana plantations are a “must” for any visitor to New Orleans. Many of these breathtaking homes are within an hour’s drive from the city. Your tour will begin with a comfortable ride out of New Orleans where your guide will share with you the origin of the Louisiana plantations, along with the effect they had on the city of New Orleans, and its residents. Along with discovering beautiful buildings, luscious gardens and historic artifacts, these homes also represent some of the darker chapters of Louisiana history. Many of the plantations will provide a focus on the lives of the slaves that brought these homes to life, and share some of the realities of the rural south during this time in our nation’s history. Upon arrival, each plantation home has its own guide to bring you through the main house, and share its specific story. Following your home tour, we will escort you around the grounds and answer any questions that may arise.
Inclusions: Bottled water
Exclusions: A stop for lunch is optional, cost not included.
Reviewed By A1682TLnancym
Our guide Jim was so knowledgeable about New Orleans history. He made the rest of our trip enjoyable because we knew so much
3. Whitney Plantation and Large Airboat Tour
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 13 reviews
This is a half day tour of the Whitney Plantation and a Tour of the Louisiana swamp in a 16 to 20 passenger airboat through the marsh and swamps of southeast Louisiana.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
Reviewed By yeraldinu2021
Brian was great, funny and educational. On our way to the Whitney Plantation, he pointed out several landmarks and showed us a lot of movie sites without the extra cost, including evergreen plantation, oak alley plantation and other locations. We even stopped for food, Brian was very generous and very hospitable. The entire experience was made 100 times better thanks to "Derek". Recommend this 100%.
4. Destrehan Plantation and Large Airboat Tour Combo from New Orleans
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 22 reviews
Experience two great New Orleans day trips in one with this 6-hour trip including Destrehan Plantation and an airboat swamp tour. Visit the oldest documented plantation in the lower Mississippi Valley followed by an exciting ride in a 16-passenger airboat.
Inclusions: Driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Gratuities
Reviewed By 977belindap
We did the combo city tour and swamp boat ride with transportation. We were very nervous about the transportation as we were being picked up by a parking lot due to checking out of our hotel the day of the tours. Luckily everything went smoothly...picked us up right on time. Both drivers were had were very nice and accommodating. The city tour was very informative and enjoyable for us adults...the 5 year old not so much which was to be expected. The 5 year old perked up with the swamp tour and has since deemed this the highlight of our trip. The boat captain, Reggie, was great. Holding a baby alligator is something I think will be talked about for years in our household.
5. New Orleans City Tour with Swamp Tour Options
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 14 reviews
Spend an unforgettable 3 hours on our comfortable air conditioned Mini-bus and get an overview of New Orleans. No trip to New Orleans would be complete without seeing the highlights of our city and the some of the areas affected by Katrina’s flood waters. Then, head to the swamps to experience the history and culture of the Creoles with your licensed tour guide, in a tour boat or airboat.
Inclusions: Professional driver/guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By Meloncallie76
Our tour guide was Jim, with one "m". He was excellent! Made the trip so fun and entertaining. I learned so much fascinating history but it was fun, as well. Highly recommended.
6. Whitney Plantation, Museum of Slavery and St. Joseph Plantation Tour
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 32 reviews
This is a small narrated group tour by van. At Whitney Plantation's Louisiana Museum of Slavery, see the harsh realities and raw historical facts of a dark side of American history. The slave narratives and artwork recreate the world of a pre-Civil War southern sugar plantation and memorial in honor of the lives of the enslaved people who toiled there. A short ride through sugar cane fields leads to St. Joseph Plantation, a Creole style family-owned working sugar cane plantation. Family members give a relaxed, intimate tour of their ancestral home and dependencies (including original slave cabins).
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, with exact pick up time provided, Live commentary on board, Professional Driver/guide (additional fee for foreign language bilingual guide)
Exclusions: Gratuities, This tour does NOT include a meal, Snacks and drinks available for purchase
Reviewed By kaven m
Gisele was Awesome she knew her history, kept us informed thru-out the tour Great time celebrating our anniversary the best experience was seeing the gators
7. Whitney Plantation Tour with Transportation
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 38 reviews
This is not just an average ride out to the river road. Your driver/guide will cover a number of attractions along the way as we like to say in Louisiana lagniappe And for bigger savings we also offer a wide range of combination tours of swamp and plantations together. Thank you for choosing Crescent City Tours & Transportation
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Lunch
Reviewed By yeraldinu2021
Brian was great, funny and educational. On our way to the Whitney Plantation, he pointed out several landmarks and showed us a lot of movie sites without the extra cost, including evergreen plantation, oak alley plantation and other locations. We even stopped for food, Brian was very generous and very hospitable. The entire experience was made 100 times better thanks to "Derek". Recommend this 100%.
8. Experience Cajun Country: Swamp Boat Adventure and Plantations Full-Day Tour from New Orleans
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 960 reviews
A grand mélange presentation of Cajun and Creole cultures starting with a boat tour of the cypress swamps. Visit Laura Plantation, built in 1804, and learn about Laura's personal family saga. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the elegant dining room of Houmas House Plantation, followed by a guided tour of this grand mansion. The small-group atmosphere ensures a more personal experience.
Inclusions: Transport by 14-passenger air-conditioned high roof van with guide giving live narration, Narrated swamp pontoon covered boat or fast and fun airboat tour, Lunch at Houmas House, Tour of Houmas House and Laura Plantation, Hotel pickup with exact pickup time provided
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By F8821FUcatherined
pick up was prompt. John our driver and guide was excellent! Entertaining,knowledgeable and a safe driver. The plantations were beautiful.
9. Small-Group Airboat Swamp Adventure and Plantation Tour from New Orleans
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 107 reviews
Get ready for an exhilarating 1.5 hour airboat ride deep into secluded bayous in Cajun Country. You will see all sorts of wildlife on your journey - alligators, giant catfish and nutrias. Then, continue onto Destrehan Plantation for a glimpse into the historic past of New Orleans. The small-group atmosphere ensures a more personal experience.
Inclusions: Transport by 14-passenger air-conditioned van, with exact pick up time provided, 1.5-hour airboat ride, Tour of Destrehan Plantation
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks
Reviewed By kaven m
Gisele was Awesome she knew her history, kept us informed thru-out the tour Great time celebrating our anniversary the best experience was seeing the gators
10. Oak Alley Plantation Tour with Transportation
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 12 reviews
This is not just another drive out to the river road to visit plantations. Your driver/guide will enlighten and educate you along the way on such things as the Louisiana swamp, Lake Pontchartrain and an over view of what the Corp of Engineers have done to prevent the next hurricane Katrina catastrophe. And host of other surprises along the way.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions:
Reviewed By yeraldinu2021
Brian was great, funny and educational. On our way to the Whitney Plantation, he pointed out several landmarks and showed us a lot of movie sites without the extra cost, including evergreen plantation, oak alley plantation and other locations. We even stopped for food, Brian was very generous and very hospitable. The entire experience was made 100 times better thanks to "Derek". Recommend this 100%.
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