Swamp and Bayou Tour: Choose a morning or afternoon pick‐up from the French Quarter and climb aboard your coach for the 3.75‐hour tour. Make your way to the dock across the Mississippi River and deep into Cajun country, where knowledgable native guides will take you on an unforgettable wildlife‐spotting expedition. Spy nesting alligators, snakes, raccoons and nutria. True animal enthusiasts will love the getting an up close (an interactive) at the Bayou Nature Wildlife Show. Get great up‐close photos and learn about the history and mystery of the swamps and the Cajun people, including the origin of their famous gumbo dish.
Your coach returns to the French Quarter by mid‐afternoon or evening.
Oak Alley Plantation Tour: This 4.5‐hour tour departs at noon year‐round from the French Quarter. Grab a seat in the comfortable coach and journey back in time to the pre‐Civil War era.
Feel the spirit of the Old South as you arrive at Oak Alley Plantation and stroll though a postcard‐perfect canopy of 28 knotty oak trees – each over 250 years old! – that line the promenade to the mansion. Built in 1839, the ‘Big House’ is a perfectly restored example of antebellum elegance and Greek Revival architecture. Your knowledgable guides, donning period costumes, provide colorful commentary about the estate and some of its former inhabitants. Tour the opulent rooms of this classic southern home that has been the setting for Interview with a Vampire and Primary Colors, then continue on your own to wander the enchanting grounds or grab a refreshment in the cafe and ice cream parlor (own expense). Then relax as your coach returns to the French Quarter, arriving by late afternoon.Important Note: Each leg of the tour must be taken on a separate day. The Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour operates twice daily, and the Oak Alley Plantation Tour departs daily at noon. At checkout, note which date you would like to take each separate tour in the special requirements box.
