New Orleans | Southern Dreams | 3-Day Itinerary: Beyond the City πΏ
While eating and drinking in New Orleans is a delight, the plantations and swamps outside the city are absolutely worth the trip! πΆ Airboat Adventure β Highly Recommended! β π About 40 minutes from downtown We booked with Louisiana Tour Company β found a discount on Groupon for around $50 per person. β° Four time slots daily, small groups of ~15 people. β‘οΈ The airboat is fast and nimble, slipping into narrow waterways for up-close views of the swamp. Our guide was entertaining and even used marshmallows to lure baby gators π! We spotted plenty of alligators, waterbirds, and glided through reed-lined channels β pure Southern scenery πΎ. The highlight? Our guide fed a 3-4 meter long giant gator right beside the boat β thrilling! We also held a baby gator for photos. The 2-hour tour flew by. A must-do! π³ Oak Alley Plantation π About 1.5 hours from the city One of Louisianaβs most famous plantations. I expected vast fields and crops, but itβs mainly the main house + a few slave cabins. Historic, but a bit monotonous. Still β when in NOLA, you kinda have to see it π The oak alley is stunning β incredibly photogenic π³πΈ. You can cover the whole site in 1.5β2 hours. π£ Wild Louisiana Tour β Manchac Magic Kayak π About 40 minutes from downtown Not recommended β The swamp water is murky, and paddling often splashes dirty water on you β not pleasant. We joined an afternoon tour. After sunset, we were attacked by mosquitoes π¦β¦ Iβm not exaggerating β 20+ vicious bugs swarmed into our car the second we opened the door! Though the paddle from Canal into the Bayou was peaceful and secluded, with birds singing and a sense of escape, we barely saw any alligators. The guide chatted randomly about his friends most of the time. At $65 per person, itβs poor value. Skip it! #NewOrleans #NOLATravel #SwampTour #PlantationVisit #DayTrip #TravelNOLA
