Top New Orleans Seasonal & Special Occasions

Go for a sunset cruise aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen on this boat trip. Listen to an on-board jazz band and choose to add on a Creole-style dinner buffet as the boat sails along the Mississippi River. Take in the views from the promenade deck and sip New Orleans-inspired cocktails.

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).

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.

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.

Add magic and romance to your New Orleans vacation with an unforgettable VIP sightseeing flight! Choose between champagne and chocolate or wine and cheese as you glide by small plane over urban New Orleans and the surrounded wetlands. On the 45-minute flight, hear colorful tales of the city from your experienced pilot and enjoy aerial views the French Quarter, the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, the winding bayous and more. Sightseeing requests are welcome!

Maximize time in New Orleans with a sightseeing bus tour. Explore beyond the beauty of the French Quarter to see other neighborhoods including the Garden District, Treme, and the 9th Ward. Learn about city culture and history as you travel along Frenchmen Street, Esplanade Avenue, and more.

Discover the grandeur and complex history of New Orleans’ antebellum south on this guided tour of Houmas House Plantation. Experience the authenticity of place as costumed guides narrate the history of this landmark sugar plantation, leading through the mansion’s elegant rooms before you head off for a private stroll through the estate’s stunning gardens. Houmas House is located one hour from New Orleans and 30 minutes from Baton Rouge. Please allow adequate time for travel. Should you miss your scheduled tour, do not worry. Your ticket is good all day and can be used for any of the remaining tour times on the same day.

Set on a sprawling 6-acre (2.5-hectare) campus in downtown New Orleans, the National World War II Museum is the official United States museum of World War II and a must for any visiting history buffs. This ticket package includes timed entry to the groundbreaking 4D Beyond All Boundaries film narrated by Tom Hanks, with vibrating seats, atmospheric effects, and more: pick your desired screening time and arrive beforehand.

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 while you step up the luxury on this Viator VIP dinner cruise. Your experience begins with a complimentary Champagne cocktail while you take a guided tour of the boat’s authentic fixtures and spaces such as the pilot house. In the dining room, you’ll have a reserved table where you can relax, indulge in a sumptuous tableside dinner and enjoy a live jazz performance. If you want to go all out, upgrade to a full‐bar option.

Savor your New Orleans experience with a professional photographer to show you around the French Quarter and capture high-quality photos of the excursion. The local photographer not only knows the top photo spots in the city but can also share other details about the sights throughout the tour. This enables you to maximize your time and take home photos.

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.

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.

Hear stories about voodoo, ghosts, and even vampires on this 2-hour holiday tour of New Orleans with a choice of three different departure times. Travel through the French Quarter, and pass historical landmarks decorated and lit up for the holiday season. See the St. Louis Cathedral, as well as the spot where the Louisiana Purchase was signed in 1803. Watch your guide try to find ghosts with a paranormal detector, and pass by Marie Laveau’s property. Plus pop into at any of the bars you pass along the tour route for a drink (own expense).

Experience a New Orleans-style Christmas on this guided walking tour through the festive streets of the French Quarter. For a magical two hours, amble past eclectic shops and down charming walkways bedecked in extravagant decorations. Stroll past historic homes, romantic courtyards, and main attractions like St. Louis Cathedral. Take in the dazzle of the Vieux Carre blanketed in holiday lights, and warm up with a drink or two along the way (own expense).