New Orleans City & Barataria Swamp Full-Day Tour: French Quarter, Tombs, and Gators
Difficulty
easy
Duration
7–8 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; you should be able to board and walk short distances including cobblestones and docks.
Overview
Spend a day that begins in the French Quarter and ends on the cypress-lined waterways of the Barataria swamps. This full-day tour blends a city overview, a tomb walk in historic cemeteries and a 1 hour 40 minute swamp boat or airboat ride—expect culture, history and close-up wildlife viewing.
New Orleans City & Barataria Swamp Full-Day Tour: French Quarter, Tombs, and Gators
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You step off the air-conditioned minibus onto a hot city morning and the French Quarter breathes around you—brass from a passing parade, the clack of streetcars, and the smell of chicory coffee. The guide folds open a map, points down to a lane of iron balconies and says simply: this is how a port city grows bold. Three hours of narrated streets, storied squares and a 20-minute walk beneath the city’s famed above-ground tombs give shape to New Orleans’ layered personality before the bus heads toward the horizon of marsh.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Be Ready for Pickup
You must be outside at the beginning of the 30-minute pickup window or the bus will depart—plan to be visible and punctual.
Choose Your Boat Carefully
Covered swamp boats are calmer and accessible; airboats are fast with stadium seating but have health and height restrictions.
Expect Noise on Airboats
Airboats are loud—bring ear protection for young children and consider a covered boat if you have pets or noise sensitivity.
Wildlife Isn’t Guaranteed
Alligators are most active in spring–fall; sightings are common but not guaranteed, so enjoy the habitat even if wildlife stays hidden.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- American alligator
- Great blue heron
History
New Orleans’ above-ground tombs grew from a high water table and multicultural burial practices; the Barataria Basin was shaped by the Mississippi’s shifting sediment after the Louisiana Purchase era.
Conservation
Wetland loss and canals have altered the coast—support operators who practice responsible viewing and avoid disturbing wildlife to help protect these fragile marshes.
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Adventure Hotspots in New Orleans
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sturdy walking shoes
Provides traction on cobblestones, docks and swamp boat gangways.
Insect repellent
Keeps mosquitoes at bay during warmer months in the swamp.
spring specific
Sun protection (hat & sunscreen)
Essential for long periods outdoors on the water and in open city squares.
summer specific
Light rain jacket
Quick showers are common; a lightweight shell keeps you comfortable without bulk.
fall specific