Nestled along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River in Southern Louisiana, New Orleans is renowned for its vibrant jazz and blues scene, mouthwatering Creole cuisine, and charming colonial architecture. Often referred to as ‘The Big Easy’, the city is, in fact, a true cultural melting pot—shaped by African, Native American, French, Spanish, and Caribbean influences.
Moreover, this warm and welcoming coastal city is a haven for music and food enthusiasts seeking a dose of creativity and cultural richness. Beyond the lively streets, visitors can venture into the surrounding swamps and bayous, where they’ll encounter a stunning variety of native wildlife. As a result, these serene natural landscapes provide the perfect escape from the urban rhythm and a deeper connection to Louisiana’s untamed beauty.
Take to the Waves on a Mississippi River Steamboat Cruise
There’s no finer way to admire the coastal Louisiana scenery than from a Mississippi River steamboat cruise, and there’s a wide selection of day and evening tours – with meal and live music options to choose from.
Step aboard your traditional paddle-wheel riverboat as the old-timey sounds of the calliope steam whistle fill the air, and admire spectacular river views from the many vantage points on deck. You’ll cruise out from the Bienville Street wharf in the French Quarter, and pass points of interest like the site of the Battle of New Orleans. And as you gracefully drift downriver, your captain shares insight into the city’s colorful history and heritage.
Depending on the tour option chosen, you might sit down to a delicious buffet-style lunch or dinner of chicken and sausage jambalaya, bayou seafood pasta, or Creole creamed spinach.
Experience New Orleans’ Cuisine, Cocktails, and Nightlife
Louisiana Creole cuisine blends influences from a whole host of cultures and nations, including West Africa, France, Spain, Native America, and, of course, the southern United States. One of the best ways to get to know the Big Easy is through its fresh and tasty food scene, and a New Orleans culinary and cocktail tour is the perfect recipe.
The experience begins with an informative demonstration class at the New Orleans School of Cooking, where food lovers learn the basics of traditional Louisiana cuisine. Professional chefs prepare well-known Cajun and Creole dishes, with a tasting menu of local specialities such as jambalaya, gumbo, and moreish pralines.
When the tasting part of the tour comes to an end, it’s time to explore the French Quarter’s bar and restaurant offerings with a guide. You’ll visit a selection of warm and welcoming New Orleans bars, enjoy the city’s vibrant nightlife, and stop to sample some of the Big Easy’s most celebrated cocktails.
Discover the Dark Side of New Orleans on a Haunted History Tour
The Big Easy has experienced its fair share of hardship over the centuries – from devastating fires to dramatic shipwrecks and more. By exploring the darker side of the city’s history on a New Orleans ghosts and spirits walking tour or a New Orleans city and cemetery tour, you’ll better appreciate the colorful and vibrant city we see today.
Follow your knowledgeable guide through ancient neighborhoods such as the French Quarter – or the Vieux Carré – and Jackson Square. Hear spine-tingling tales of haunted hotels and courthouses, visit a former exchange for enslaved people, and discover the relics of ancient voodoo ceremonies. Follow the tracks of the historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar downtown, and find out for yourself why New Orleans is widely considered the most haunted city in the US!
Explore the Wild Side of Louisiana on a Swamp and Bayou Tour
A swamp and bayou tour from New Orleans gives you unrivalled access to Louisiana’s watery wilderness. Take a seat aboard an airboat – the best kind of vessel for exploring the marshland, bayous, and open waterways outside New Orleans – and zoom out into the wetlands and swamplands.
With your expert guide at the tiller, explore the historic fishing village of Jean Lafitte – named after a notorious 19th-century privateer and smuggler – and keep watch for native alligators, egrets, snakes, raccoons, birds, and large river rodents called nutria. As you cruise through the swamps and bayous, gain insight into the coastal erosion damaging this pristine wilderness – and learn of the efforts being taken to protect the vulnerable habitat for the future.
Learn from History on a New Orleans Plantation Tour
From the early 18th century through the end of the American Civil War in the 19th century, enslaved people in Louisiana toiled in the fields, harvesting sugar cane, cotton, and indigo. These valuable crops were then transported to trading ports and shipped around the world. As a result, immense wealth flowed into the region. Meanwhile, grand plantation estates such as Whitney, Oak Alley, and Destrehan rose to prominence. These elegant mansions stood through centuries of change, surviving colonial rule, the Civil War, Union Army occupation, and years of neglect and decay. Today, many of these homes have been beautifully restored to their former splendor. As visitors walk through their stately halls and manicured grounds, they gain insight into the prosperity built on the backs of enslaved labor—and, more importantly, into the devastating human cost that fueled it.
Plantation tours from New Orleans shed a sensitive light on the individuals who were enslaved in antebellum Louisiana, forced to labor on the land until slavery was abolished. Depending on the tour chosen, visitors can learn about the German Coast Uprising of 1811—the largest slave revolt in US history—and gain a deeper understanding of Louisiana’s slavery history through compelling stories and exhibits.
With Mississippi River cruises, bayou wildlife tours, food-tasting events, cocktail-making classes, haunted history walks, and plantation visits, New Orleans offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a foodie, or an adventure seeker, memorable experiences await.
Moreover, by incorporating a selection of these unique tours and excursions into your itinerary, you’ll enhance your appreciation for Louisiana’s rich culture and charm. In the end, you’re sure to fall in love with both the spirit of the South and the irresistible allure of the Big Easy.
