THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Combine history and nature on a day trip from New Orleans with Louisiana Tour Company's journey to Destrehan Plantation and a covered swamp boat tour. Discover centuries-old oaks, historic plantation grounds, and Louisiana’s thriving wetlands.
Combine history and nature on a day trip from New Orleans with Louisiana Tour Company's journey to Destrehan Plantation and a covered swamp boat tour. Discover centuries-old oaks, historic plantation grounds, and Louisiana’s thriving wetlands.
Book with Louisiana Tour Company
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Louisiana Tour Company · New Orleans, Louisiana
Situated just outside New Orleans, the Destrehan Plantation + Covered Boat Swamp Tour, offered by Louisiana Tour Company, delivers an immersive journey through Louisiana’s rich historical and natural landscapes. This 6.5-hour excursion begins with a comfortable hotel pickup in downtown New Orleans, whisking guests 30 minutes west to the Destrehan Plantation. Here, visitors encounter the oldest standing plantation in the Mississippi Valley, framed by towering oak trees that have stood for over three centuries. The plantation house has been carefully restored to reflect its 19th-century origins, and expert guides provide engaging narratives that bring to life the complex history of the estate, including a sobering visit to the onsite Slave Quarter museum — a rare and important window into the region’s past.
After soaking in the history and wandering the expansive grounds, the tour shifts gear to the unmatched natural world of Louisiana’s bayous. Departing from the plantation, guests board a covered swamp tour boat designed for comfort and versatility, featuring cushioned seating, a restroom, adjustable windows, and ample space to move. The guided swamp tour glides through the labyrinth of Cypress knees and dense foliage, where sightings of alligators basking on banks and great blue herons in flight are common. Knowledgeable captains share insights on the delicate ecology of the wetlands, illustrating how wildlife and local communities have coexisted for centuries.
Louisiana Tour Company’s combination of cultural history and intimate swamp scenery makes this trip a standout experience beyond the typical New Orleans itinerary. It connects visitors not only to the state’s past but also to its living environmental heritage. Whether you’re a history buff, nature enthusiast, or traveler seeking a deeper understanding of Louisiana’s unique landscapes, this adventure offers an accessible, well-paced gateway into the heart of the region.
easy.
6–7 hours.
Suitable for all ages and fitness levels; expect mostly walking on flat plantation grounds and a relaxed boat ride.
Yes, pickup and drop-off from New Orleans hotels is included via a comfortable shuttle.
Yes, the boats have roofs and adjustable windows for passenger comfort in all weather.
Absolutely, the tour is family-friendly and suitable for all ages.
The swamp boat tour lasts approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The plantation grounds are mostly accessible, but some older structures may have limited wheelchair access.
Common wildlife includes American alligators, great blue herons, turtles, and various songbirds.
Destrehan Plantation dates back to 1787 and is the oldest documented plantation home in the Mississippi River Valley, reflecting early colonial and antebellum history.
The swamp tours promote respectful wildlife viewing and raise awareness for preserving Louisiana’s wetlands amid environmental pressures.
Louisiana Tour Company, based in Marrero, Louisiana, operates guided swamp and walking tours that showcase the region’s wildlife, history, and plantation heritage. The company offers a range of experiences including airboat swamp tours (small and large, pickup and drive-out), a narrated tourboat swamp trip with hotel pickup, a combined Afternoon Small Airboat Swamp Tour + Oak Alley Plantation, and 2-hour Haunted Ghost Tours in New Orleans. Airboat options include nine-passenger small boats powered by a Chevy engine that reach speeds up to 35 mph and larger airboats with stadium-style seating for up to 16 passengers. Tour formats include pickup from hotels near New Orleans and drive-out departures from Marrero, providing flexible access for visitors. Swamp tours emphasize close wildlife viewing—alligators and native birds—through areas inaccessible to traditional boats, while the Oak Alley portion includes a guided house tour plus time for self-guided exploration of the grounds. The narrated tourboat option features local captains who provide regional context and natural history on a comfortable, well-equipped boat roughly 35 minutes from New Orleans. Haunted Ghost Tours are led by Master Storytellers in small groups, focusing on historic and chilling narratives in the French Quarter. Louisiana Tour Company presents unscripted, locally led experiences that combine excitement, education, and cultural context, with options suitable for different group sizes and preferences. Pickup and drive-out options accommodate varied schedules, and the tours encourage photography and close-up wildlife observation in shallow water habitats. Reservations are available for groups and individual travelers seeking authentic regional experiences today.
Book with Louisiana Tour Company