Top New Orleans Half-day Tours

Gaze at the spectacular sights of New Orleans from the comfort of a luxury coach on an unforgettable 3-hour city tour. With a professional guide, cruise past historical highlights like the French Quarter and the Garden District while listening to illuminating commentary. See the the lakefront area and the 17th street canal where the canal bank was breached by hurricane Katrina, and delve into the city’s rich history as you take a tour of the best museums in New Orleans. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation from your hotel in Downtown New Orleans on this informative tour.

Although not your typical tour of New Orleans, this expedition through the Big Easy takes in some of the major points of interest, including the French Quarter, Treme, the Esplanade, the Garden District and the Metairie Cemetery. Relax in air-conditioned minibus comfort, and listen as a guide leads you through one of America's most historic cities.

Take a trip to either Oak Alley or Laura Plantation on this 4-hour tour from New Orleans. Explore the creole Laura Plantation, known for its historic representation of slave plantations. Or head further down to Oak Alley Plantation and stroll around the 300-year old oak trees that cover the plantation grounds with a 40-minute guided tour. See the ‘Big House,’ slave quarters, and beautiful architecture and gardens on either tour.

The Steamboat Natchez is taking some time off, but her sister vessel will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic experience of New Orleans at night on this romantic riverboat cruise! Journey through time on a paddle-wheel boat ride along the mighty Mississippi. Stroll the deck, cozy up with family and friends, and delight in the sparkle of the urban shoreline at dusk. This excursion includes a Creole‐inspired dinner (if option selected) and live jazz music.

Experience the grandeur of New Orleans’ antebellum south on a half‐day tour of Oak Alley Plantation. Take a journey through time to the manicured estate and into the gorgeous home, built in 1839. View stunning architecture, oak‐lined esplanades, and enduring sugar cane fields while learning about the plantation’s fascinating – and often somber – histories from expert guides.

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.

Visit the Whitney Plantation Museum, a former indigo and sugar plantation on the River Road now dedicated to promoting an understanding of slavery in Louisiana. Learn about the realities of plantation life through museum exhibits and recorded narratives as you explore the restored structures and historical slave cabins. Download the Whitney Plantation app for the self-guided tour of Whitney Plantation Museum.

Get more from the city by exploring New Orleans’ food culture with a guide. Stop by some of the French Quarter’s most famous restaurants for some of the area’s most delicious food. Enjoy tastings that could include seafood gumbo, Creole brisket, and beignets. Learn fun facts from your guide as you walk along the city streets, and if you choose, upgrade to a small-group tour with no more than 12 guests.

Go for the gastronomic gusto on a food‐filled walking tour of New Orleans! Journey with a savvy local guide to popular Creole eateries, markets, and artisanal shops to sample diverse foods that define Louisiana’s culinary landscape. Stopping at several locations, savor such classic bites as gumbo, muffulettas, po'boys, bananas foster, and pralines. Along the way, meet local chefs and learn about New Orleans’ rich culinary history.

Immerse yourself in the culture, history, and landscape of vibrant New Orleans on this half-day tour with a small group of 15 people or fewer. This experience combines elements from several disparate tours, including those focusing on architecture, the Garden District, historic cemeteries, the French Quarter, and recovery from Hurricane Katrina. Hotel pickup included.

Tour the Oak Alley Plantation, named for the alley of centuries-old oaks leading up to the antebellum Big House. Follow the oak-shaded paths to the blacksmith shop and a souvenir shop during your free time. Alcoholic drinks and lunch are available to purchase at the restaurant on-site, with round-trip hotel transport provided from New Orleans.

Experience Louisiana’s wild bayou country on an exciting, family-friendly airboat tour. This tour includes an airboat ride that zips through the tree‐lined marshes at speeds up to 45 mph (72 kph). While onboard, enjoy lively commentary from your guide as you view lush scenery and local wildlife, including alligators, nutria, and native birds. Pickup and drop-off from downtown New Orleans and French Quarter hotels included.

Experience the grandeur of New Orleans’ rich and conflicted past on a small‐group plantation tour. Take a journey through Laura Plantation and St. Joseph Plantation, spying other historic plantations as you travel the Great River Road. View stunning architecture and enduring sugar cane fields while learning about the plantations’ fascinating—and somber—histories from expert guides.

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.

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.

Take a wild ride through the bayous of Cajun Country on this airboat adventure from New Orleans. In a small group, wind through tree‐lined swampland and spot abundant local wildlife, including nutria, alligators, and giant catfish, and stop at Destrehan Plantation to get a taste of the elegant antebellum south.

Avoid hours of walking between landmarks on an active and convenient bike tour through the heart of New Orleans. In addition to navigating for you, your guide provides little–known facts and anecdotes about the city’s must-see landmarks, from the Mississippi River to Congo Square. Bottled water and a small group size ensure a comfortable tour.

Discover New Orleans’ vibrant history through its dynamic history on this sightseeing tour. Enjoy a small group van ride through the city, viewing the diverse architectural wonders of the French Quarter, the Garden District, Esplanade Avenue, and Bayou St John. You’ll disembark for small-group walking tours of the St. Louis Cemetery No 3, City Park, and the Longue Vue House and Gardens—a masterpiece of architectural and horticultural history.

Beat the heat on this New Orleans SUV tour that takes you to four of the city’s must-see areas. Get a local perspective on essential sights throughout the French Quarter such as Ursuline Convent and Jackson Square before continuing to the Garden District, Metairie Cemetery, and the 1,300-acre City Park. Throughout the tour, hear fun facts and get local-approved recommendations for restaurants, jazz bars, and other Big Easy haunts.

Get a glimpse into Louisiana's antebellum history on a guided tour of Destrehan Plantation, once a major producer of indigo and sugar. Learn about the impact of these industries and the slave trade on the Louisiana economy as you tour the French Colonial mansion, gardens, and slave cabins. No rental car needed, as van transportation from New Orleans is included.

Get the best of Louisiana with this historical tour that combines all the flavors of New Orleans with a trip into the past. You'll follow your expert guide to eight different locations throughout the city that include Creole restaurants, cocktail lounges, sandwich shops and pre-Civil War bars. This tour includes samples of up to ten different dishes, plus four full-sized drinks that showcase the best of Louisiana's culinary and cocktail heritage. This is the perfect tour for foodies and allows travelers to sample the best in a single afternoon!

See New Orleans beyond just the French Quarter on a bike tour that gets you out into less-touristy neighborhoods like Faubourg Tremé and Storyville. Learn about the city's multicultural origins and follow the evolution of jazz, stopping to hear local lore and snap photos at landmarks like Congo Square and the famous St. Louis Cemetery No. 2. The flexibility of both a small group size and two-wheeled tour is a great way to expand your view of the Big Easy.

Get the full New Orleans tasting experience with a 3-hour French Quarter cocktail and foodie tour! Discover the pillars of New Orleans’ restaurant scene with visits to renowned establishments such as Seafood Treasure for grilled oysters and Cafe du Monde for a warm beignet (or three!). Learn about local food and drink history from your savvy guide, and sip on some of New Orleans most celebrated drinks.

Stroll around Frenchmen Street, New Orlean's top nightlife spot for live music, on this small-group evening tour. Listen to guided commentary on the street's colorful history and visit some of the hottest nightclubs, one of which will serve you an included New Orleans-style cocktail. You can also peruse the Frenchmen Street Art Market to pick up some locally-made souvenirs.