The top six must-do New Orleans excursions are flying a plane, a ghostly French Quarter tour, a voodoo cemetery walk, the New Basin Canal Lighthouse, the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, and a swamp airboat tour with Bayou Swamp Tours, about 30 minutes from downtown. New Orleans welcomes roughly 18 million visitors a year, and these trips show why.
Fly a Plane
The Flying Chop is the ultimate aviation experience, and it needs no previous flight knowledge. A session lasts about 50 minutes: a short ground lesson followed by 30 minutes of flying. A certified Federal Aviation Administration instructor stays with you the whole time, and you can help with take-off and landing. Watch for landmarks like the Mississippi River, French Quarter, and Louisiana bayou.
Ghostly French Quarter Tour
Take a frightening walk around the French Quarter while your guide explains the city's strange and creepy history. The tour suits ghost enthusiasts and skeptics alike, with scary tales from long ago. It is a perfect way to spend an evening in the French Quarter neighborhood.
Voodoo Walking Tour
Take a guided tour through the famous St. Louis Cemetery to learn about its history and architecture. Several notable people are buried here, from football champions to human rights activists and religious figures.
At the Voodoo Queen's tomb, pay close attention to your guide's details about the myths and beliefs of New Orleans Voodoo, a religion rooted in West African traditions. You will also see Our Lady of Guadalupe and the Voodoo Temple.
Visit the Lighthouse
The New Basin Canal Lighthouse sits on Lake Pontchartrain. Badly damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and later rebuilt, it is the only operational lighthouse in Louisiana. The building is open to the public and houses a small museum inside.
Besthoff Sculpture Garden
Your next stop should be the Besthoff Sculpture Garden. The garden holds 64 sculptures across about 5 acres, sitting next to the New Orleans Museum of Art (also worth a visit). It is one of the largest sculpture gardens in the country.
Steamboat Harbor Cruise
Climb aboard one of six working steamboats on the Mississippi River. As you cruise, you will pass the historic Chalmette Battlefield, where Andrew Jackson fought off the British in defense of New Orleans - now part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, per the National Park Service.
What Is the Most Unique Excursion in New Orleans?
For many visitors, it is a swamp airboat tour. Bayou Swamp Tours airboats skim the bayou at up to 40 miles an hour, taking you past part of Louisiana's roughly 2 million wild alligators, according to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries. Tours run 90 minutes to 1 hour and 45 minutes, year-round.
When Is the Best Time for New Orleans Excursions?
Spring and fall bring the most comfortable weather. Summer highs average about 92 degrees with quick afternoon showers, while January highs sit near 62 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. Cooler months are ideal for walking tours and cruises.
How Do You Book a New Orleans Excursion?
Most excursions can be booked online in advance, which is smart during festival season and busy weekends. For a swamp trip, Bayou Swamp Tours departs about 30 minutes from downtown with French Quarter hotel pickup available. Browse more ideas in our guide to things to do in New Orleans.
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