Embark on the adventure to explore the beautiful Bayou surrounding New Orleans. While riding on our airboat through the swamp, visitors have an opportunity to learn more about Louisiana Cajun culture from our airboat captain as well as taking pictures of all creatures and critters along the picturesque ride. Crescent City Airboat Tour offers small and large airboats tailored to the needs of our visitors. Hop on the small boat for a fun and intimate time with your family or your group of close friends, bringing everyone closer to each other and to the unique wildlife and landscapes. Or book the large boat with 18 seats for visitors that are looking for an educational trip to learn about the amazing nature of Louisiana’s lush landscapes.
Open daily from 9AM to 5PM, Oak Alley Plantation is the destination for visitors to explore its stunning scenery, rich history and engaging tours. Known for the famous breathtaking canopy of 28 evenly spaced live oak trees that create a picturesque entrance to the grand mansion, Oak Alley is the image that pops up in people’s heads when they think of a plantation. The construction of Oak Alley began in the early 19th century and completed in 1893, the Greek Revival-style plantation has been meticulously restored to offer an immersive glimpse into the past. Oak Alley is also famous for being quite haunted as staff and locals claim that ghosts of former residents still roman the house.
Located just 10 minutes from Oak Alley Plantation, Laura Plantation is famous for being Louisiana’s Créole Heritage Site with a history of more than 200 years. Lonely Planet Travel named it, “the best history tour in the United States”. Established in 1805, Laura Plantation is unique for its deep dive into Créole culture, focusing on the real-life stories of those who lived and worked there, including the enslaved people. Originally known as the Duparc Sugar Plantation, the manor house was built by high-skilled slaves to execute the cypress superstructure laid with localled fired brick, plastered inside and stuccoed outside with vivid paints on the exterior. Nowadays, Laura Plantation’s main house displays original furnishings and documents that provide an authentic perspective on Louisiana’s past. Notably, the famous Br’er Rabbit folktales were first recorded here by folklorist Alcée Fortier. Open daily from 10AM to 4PM, Laura Plantation is a well-documented history lesson for visitors who want an eye-opening learning opportunity.
For visitors who seek a profound and educational perspective on American history, a visit to Whitney Plantation is essential. Construction completed in 1752, Whitney Plantation is one of the oldest plantations in Louisiana. Whitney Plantation stands out as the only plantation museum in Louisiana that dedicates to telling the story of enslaved people; presenting a powerful message. Its exhibits are shown in first-person narratives with preserved slave cabins and memorials honoring those who endured slavery. The plantation is known for its hauntingly moving sculptures of enslaved children, which leave a lasting emotional impact on visitors. Head to Whitney Plantation during its open hours from 10AM to 3PM daily.
Explore “One of America’s Most Haunted House” at Myrtles Plantation. This plantation, also known as The Myrtles, is one of the oldest and most famous plantations in the South, now offering tours and hotel stays. Since the day its construction was completed in 1798, Myrtles Plantation has been surrounded by an eerie reputation. Opposite of its vibrant Créole cottage style with lush gardens, Myrtles Plantation is renowned for many bone chilling ghost stories surrounding former residents and enslaved workers here. The most striking legend is about the ghost of a former enslaved woman named Chloe still lingering around. Despite the Myrtles being now a tourist attraction and a historic hotel with beautiful staying spaces, guests often report unexplained occurrences. Open daily from 9AM to 5PM, the Myrtles invites visitors to explore its thrilling haunted stories or to stay in its historic hotel rooms.
Pick any two plantations or any plantation with a swamp tour for your combo tour. Plantation and airboat tours are available with Oak Alley Plantation, Whitney Plantation, and Laura Plantation combined with exciting airboat rides. Crescent City also offers a combo of airboat tours with Destrehan Plantation. Combo tours that are made up of two plantations typically take about 7 hours including 2 to 3 hours of transportation time from pickup location to destination and between the two plantations. Visitors will get to spend approximately 2 hours at each plantation. Pickup starts at 8AM, guests will get to spend 2 hours at the plantation and an additional 35 minutes house tour conducted by the plantation. The airboat tour leaves the dock at 2pm and returns at 3:45pm.
Crescent City Tour provides a single tour on any plantation including Myrtles, Oak Alley, Laura and Whitney or airboat swamp tour. Visit duration for single tours usually span out to 2 hours at the destination not including transportation time. Pick up starts at 8:30AM, each tour begins at 10:50AM until 11:30 AM. After that guests will have another hour and 30 minutes for a self-guided tour; during this time, they are welcome to dine in at the restaurant on the plantation if there is one. Booking a single plantation is recommendable for visitors who are interested in a deep dive into history, architecture, and the stories that each plantation holds. On the other hand, an airboat swamp tour is perfect for those looking to explore Louisiana’s natural beauty, encounter wildlife like alligators and birds while experiencing the excitement of skimming across the water. Whether it is the abnormal occurrences or the powerful storytelling or the diverse nature, a single plantation tour or airboat swamp tour provides a memorable glimpse into Louisiana’s heritage.
Most plantations in Louisiana are located along the Mississippi river and about 2 to 4 hours from New Orleans, with Destrehan Plantation being the exception which is more or less 1 hour from New Orleans.
Since most plantations are at least 2 hours away from New Orleans, it is best for visitors to rent a car when planning to visit a plantation. Or they can book a tour with Crescent City Tour for a plantation tour with transportation included.
When embarking on a swamp tour, make sure you wear comfortable clothes; ideally, long sleeves or long pants and hiking boots are even better to shield insect bites. Remember to apply sunscreen before the tour and bring some extra as well. Water, snacks, and your camera are needless to say a must-bring. A wrist strap to secure your phone or your camera is highly recommended.
Yes! Most plantations are 2 to 3 hours away from New Orleans but located within 15 to 30 minutes of each other. For example, Oak Alley is only 10 minutes away from Laura Plantation. Visitors can also choose to do a plantation tour in the morning and swamp tour in the afternoon.
Swamp Tours New Orleans Airboat Tour Embark on the adventure to explore the beautiful Bayou surrounding New Orleans. While riding on our airboat through the swamp, visitors have an opportunity to learn more about Louisiana Cajun culture from our airboat captain as well as taking pictures of all creatures and critters along the picturesque ride. […]
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