Top New Orleans Outdoor Activities

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.

Discover one of Louisiana’s last preserved wetlands on a Honey Island Swamp boat tour. After making a short drive to Slidell, travel deep into the secluded swamp across Lake Pontchartrain to view native wildlife and witness a remote Cajun village only accessible by boat. Enjoy guided commentary on Cajun culture and the lush swamps as you spot alligators, wild boar, snakes, and native birds. This tour does not include transportation.

Escape the city for an afternoon to experience life on the Louisiana bayou with a kayak tour of Manchac swamp. Just a short drive from New Orleans, the swamp offers a sleepy southern landscape of cypress trees, bird calls, alligators, and slow-moving currents that are perfect for beginning paddlers. No kayaking experience is necessary, and pickup from central New Orleans makes it convenient to take a nature break from the Big Easy.

Cruise through the wild wetlands of Honey Island Swamp on a 2-hour boat tour. Located on the marshy shores of Lake Ponchartrain just north of New Orleans, this protected nature reserve is home to an array of southern wildlife, from egrets and herons soaring above to otters and alligators lurking below the water’s surface. Hear tales of swamp pirates, fishermen’s lore and mysterious creatures from your captain as you glide past hanging moss and swooning cypress trees.

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.

Discover the mystique of the swamps and bayous on a sightseeing boat tour from New Orleans. Travel deep into the secluded bayous across the Mississippi River to witness Cajun life and spot native wildlife. Your guide will provide commentary on Cajun culture and the myth‐laden swamps while you snap photos of alligators, raccoons, snakes, turtles, and native birds.

Sail down this Mississippi River on a classic Paddlewheeler boat on this New Orleans river cruise. Enjoy illuminating narration from a licensed historian and stop part-way through the trip to learn about the Battle of New Orleans. Then, get back aboard the vessel and enjoy a cash bar while admiring the views.

Get your flying chops in beautiful New Orleans with a personal 50-minute flying lesson! No prior experience is needed for this excursion, which includes a 20-minute on-ground lesson and 30 minutes of flying time in the company of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified instructor. You’ll help guide the small plane through take-off and landing, and — once airborne — maneuver over New Orleans’ famous sights such as the French Quarter, the Mississippi River and the sleepy Louisiana bayous.

Explore the French Quarter and Marigny aboard a relaxing horse and carriage during this small-group tour in New Orleans. Discover the history, culture, and legends that surround this historic city as you see landmarks including the St. Louis Cathedral, Napoleon House, and French Market. You also get insider tips from your guide about the best places to eat, drink, and explore in New Orleans.

Experience life on the Louisiana bayou on this ultimate swamp tour from New Orleans, run by one of the city’s oldest tour companies. Ride on a state-of-the-art swamp boat through the famous wetlands teeming with native wildlife, while learning about Cajun culture from your tale-spinning captain.

Explore one of Louisiana’s last protected wetlands on a 2-hour boat tour that includes round-trip transport from New Orleans. Depart in the morning or afternoon for Honey Island Swamp, a wildlife preserve teeming with critters such as 'gators, wild boar, snakes and birds. Ride through the swamp dripping with lush foliage and visit a boat-accessible Cajun village with an informative local guide who sheds light on the area’s inhabitants.

Take a two-wheeled ride through the raucous history and heritage of New Orleans on a bike tour that takes you from the lively streets of the French Quarter to the swampy bayous at the edge of the town. Learn about the city's founding as you follow a flat and leisurely route down oak-lined avenues, through leafy parks, and past creepy cemeteries to reach Bayou St. John. It's a great way to get off the tourist track and see the diverse neighborhoods of the Big Easy.

Immerse yourself in the rich culture and natural splendor of New Orleans’ mystifying swamps and wetlands on a 2-hour New Orleans swamp tour and wetlands adventure. Relax in the luxurious interior of a New Orleans swamp tour boat as you cruise past cultural highlights like a Cajun cemetery, an Indian burial mound and a traditional fishing village. Scour the scenery for fascinating flora and fauna like snakes, turtles and alligators while listening to interesting commentary from your professional guide.

Located in the French Quarter, these adventures offer a one-of-a-kind premium experience. Follow clues and solve puzzles to complete your mission together. You might escape...You WILL have fun! Choose to play one of five uniquely immersive games: - Prison Break: Complete a daring escape from the evil warden! - Special Ops: Mysterious Market: Uncover the truth as a secret agent! - The Heist: Recover a stolen masterpiece from an art thief! - Playground: Complete your report card and get to summer break!

Cruise from the banks of the Mississippi River to the streets of Tremé with ease on this half-day Creole New Orleans tour by electric bike. Ride past telling monuments and through the streets of the original Creole Faubourg Marigny as your guide shares insight into New Orleans trivia and lore with a focus on Creole culture. Stop to snap photos and ask questions—it’s easy to chat with your guide on this small-group tour of just 10 people or fewer.

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.

SMALL GROUP LOUISIANA SWAMP TOURS! Swampin' Grounds Tour Co. is an authentic Louisiana Swamp Tour! Small groups and expert guides make your experience personal to you. We pride ourselves on customer service and guest experience. We offer two hour small group swamp tours just outside of New Orleans in Louisiana's Honey Island Swamp, one of the country's most unclaimed wetlands. We will travel by boat through cypress swamps in search of alligators, boar, and birds of prey! Being true to our name as an ECO tour we DO NOT feed the wildlife. Our expert, coast guard certified guides will use their knowledge and experience to share with you the history of this beautiful area and show you all the diverse wildlife of Louisiana's swamps.

See New Orleans in a whole new way on an exhilarating sightseeing flight! Choose a 30-, 45- or 60-minute flight time, and delight in lovely aerial views as you glide by small plane over urban New Orleans and the surrounded wetlands. You’ll hear colorful tales of the city from your experienced pilot and glimpse famous sights including the French Quarter, the Mississippi River and sleepy Louisiana bayous.

Lose yourself in the atmospheric depths of the New Orleans swamps and wetlands on an exhilarating 2-hour boat tour, led by a professional guide. Cruise past ancient wonders and listen to legends surrounding a 2000-year-old Indian burial mound and an atmospheric Cajun cemetery. Scour the Barataria Swamps for sightings of fascinating wildlife such as snakes, turtles and ferocious alligators, and learn about the area’s history and geology from your knowledgeable guide. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation by luxury vehicle fro your New Orleans hotel.

Among the best ways to get a feel for New Orleans is to get out and walk it, but the standard self-guided tours can get a bit dull. Take one of these 3-hour smartphone-guided scavenger hunts and a three-hour window of your day will suddenly turn into adventure. Solve puzzles, study clues and celebrate at the finish, all while navigating the historic streets and taking in the sights of the Big Easy.   

Experience New Orleans’ wild bayou country on an exciting, family‐friendly airboat tour. This fun-filled tour includes a ride on the boat plus admission to an albino alligator exhibit and transportation from New Orleans. While on-board, enjoy lively commentary from your guide as you spot local wildlife, including alligators, nutria and native birds, and visit the secluded fishing village of Jean Lafitte, the infamous 19th‐century smuggler. The airboat holds 15-27 passengers.

Get amazing aerial views of New Orleans on this 15-mile helicopter tour. While listening to guided commentary from your pilot through your headset, you and just a two other passengers will fly over Jackson Square, the French Quarter, City Park, and Lake Pontchartrain, among other landmarks.

Delight in sweeping views of New Orleans at twilight on an evening sightseeing tour! Choose a 30-, 45- or 60-minute flight time, and glide by small plane over dazzling urban New Orleans and the surrounding wetlands. You’ll hear colorful tales of the city from your experienced pilot and glimpse famous sights by night including the French Quarter, the Mississippi River and the sleepy Louisiana bayous. Sightseeing requests are welcome!

The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off, but her sister vessel will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic riverboat experience, journeying back in time to when cotton was king and New Orleans was a budding port town that dazzled visitors with its colorful Creole culture. Board the historic riverboat for a morning or afternoon float down the mighty Mississippi. Stroll the deck, admire the iconic paddlewheel, enjoy live music, and snap picturesque shots of the beautiful urban shoreline. This family‐friendly excursion offers an optional tableside lunch (additional expense).