For adventure and mystery in New Orleans, spend the morning on a swamp tour, the afternoon in the 78-square-block French Quarter, and the evening on a ghost tour. Bayou Swamp Tours departs about 30 minutes from downtown for a 90-minute ride past alligators and cypress. Here's how to pack wild nature and paranormal history into one day.
How Long Is a Bayou Swamp Tour and What Will You See?
Bayou Swamp Tours runs 90-minute to 1-hour-45-minute trips that depart about 30 minutes from downtown New Orleans, with French Quarter hotel pickup available. Louisiana is home to roughly 2 million wild alligators, and male American alligators average 10 to 11 feet and can weigh 500 pounds, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. You can choose a small airboat for 6 to 10 passengers, a large airboat for 13 to 27 passengers, or a quieter covered pontoon boat. Book an airboat tour or a covered swamp boat tour to match your pace.
Why Does the Louisiana Wetland Matter for Wildlife?
Louisiana holds about 3 million acres of coastal wetlands — roughly 40 percent of the continental U.S. total, per the USGS. The Mississippi Flyway carries about 40 percent of North America's migratory waterfowl, and Louisiana hosts around 400 bird species across its wetlands, notes Audubon. See our guide to the best swamp tours in Louisiana for more.
Morning: Get Wild with a Swamp Tour
Start your day deep in Cajun Country with Bayou Swamp Tours. Just 30 minutes outside New Orleans, this tour takes you into the heart of Louisiana’s wetlands. Glide through mysterious bayous and moss-draped cypress trees as you spot gators, raccoons, wild hogs, and dozens of bird species. If you’re looking for a New Orleans swamp tour that’s authentic, accessible, and full of wildlife, this is the one.
- Airboat Adventure: High-speed and high-thrill, perfect for adrenaline junkies.
- Covered Boat Tour: Slower pace, great for families and photographers.
- Transportation Included: Book a tour with hotel pickup so you can relax and enjoy the ride.
Why it’s a must-do:
This is hands-down one of the most memorable things to do near New Orleans. It’s not a staged experience—this is real Louisiana wilderness. Guides are locals with deep roots in Cajun culture, and they’ll show you parts of the swamp tourists rarely see.
Afternoon: Refuel and Explore the French Quarter
After the swamp tour, head back to the city and grab lunch in the French Quarter. Try po’ boys at Verti Marte, or grab beignets and coffee at Café du Monde. Then, walk off the carbs with a self-guided stroll past historic buildings, street performers, and Voodoo shops. This is the perfect time to browse, snap photos, and soak in the spirit of the city.
If you want to keep the adrenaline going, pop into a local Voodoo museum or take a quick streetcar ride down St. Charles Avenue.
Evening: Take a Ghost Tour That Will Haunt You (In the Best Way)
As the sun sets, the real fun begins. Big Easy Ghost Tours offers some of the most spine-chilling (and historically accurate) experiences in town. These tours dig into the darker side of New Orleans—think murders, hauntings, and unsolved mysteries.
Top Tours:
- Haunted French Quarter Tour: Walk the same streets where pirates, priests, and poltergeists once roamed.
- Vampire Tour: Learn why New Orleans is the unofficial vampire capital of the U.S.
- Ghost & Voodoo Combo: Get the full picture—from haunted mansions to Voodoo queens.
Why it’s unforgettable:
With charismatic guides, true-crime storytelling, and real paranormal history, these ghost tours are among the top things to do in New Orleans at night. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you’ll leave entertained (and maybe a little spooked).
Bonus Tip: Book Ahead and Bundle Your Experience
Both Bayou Swamp Tours and Big Easy Ghost Tours are popular, especially on weekends and during festival season. Book in advance to guarantee your spot. Want to do both in one day? Plan your swamp tour in the morning and ghost tour after dinner—it’s a perfect mix of nature and the supernatural.
One Day, Two Adventures
If you’re wondering what to do in New Orleans beyond Bourbon Street and beads, this itinerary gives you an authentic taste of what makes the city legendary: wild nature, rich folklore, and stories that refuse to die.
So don’t just visit New Orleans. Experience it.
Frequently Asked Questions
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