Swamp Cruise and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Pair a scenic swamp boat ride with a guided Oak Alley Plantation visit on a convenient day trip from New Orleans.

From$126/ person

Duration

7 hrs 45 mins

Includes

Plantation tour, Swamp cruise

Highlights

Combine two quintessential Louisiana experiences in one day: the grandeur of Oak Alley Plantation and the wildlife-rich Manchac Swamp. Travel from New Orleans in comfort, tour the historic mansion, then board a covered boat to glide among cypress trees and alligators.

Journey along River Road by air-conditioned coach
Join a guided tour of Oak Alley’s 1839 Greek Revival mansion
Wander the gardens, slave cabins, and blacksmith shop at your pace
Cruise a private section of Manchac Swamp in a covered boat
Spot alligators and hear Cajun lore from your local captain

What's Included

Round-trip transport from New Orleans
Guided Oak Alley Plantation house tour
Self-guided access to plantation exhibits
Swamp boat cruise with local captain
Local taxes and narration

Things to know

Access to the mansion's second floor is by stairs only; a video tour is available for guests unable to climb. Tours run rain or shine, and photography is not allowed inside the plantation home.

Disclaimer: The company is not liable for any attraction or service provided by independent entities not affiliated with them. Claims must be filed within six months of travel, and any lawsuit for personal injury or loss of life must be filed within one year.

FAQs

Q: Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

A: Basic and motorized wheelchairs are permitted at Oak Alley, but only one swamp boat is wheelchair accessible and must be requested in advance.

Q: Can I take photos?

A: Photos are not allowed inside the Big House but are welcome on the balcony, grounds, exhibits, and throughout the swamp tour.

Q: What should I expect if it rains?

A: Tours run rain or shine. Swamp boats are covered and only extreme weather with lightning may cause cancellation.

Q: Is food available during the tour?

A: Meals are not included, but snacks and drinks can be purchased at both the plantation cafe and the swamp location.

Q: Where can we park for the tour?

A: Parking is available in nearby French Quarter lots on Decatur Street and next to the dock. These lots are not affiliated with the tour company and offer hourly or daily rates.

Cancellation policy

Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.

Meeting location

400 Toulouse St New Orleans, LA 70130 US

Experience provided by New Orleans Steamboat Company

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Swamp Cruise and Oak Alley Plantation Tour from New Orleans

Pair a scenic swamp boat ride with a guided Oak Alley Plantation visit on a convenient day trip from New Orleans.

From$126/ person

Duration

7 hrs 45 mins

Includes

Plantation tour, Swamp cruise

Highlights

Journey along River Road by air-conditioned coach
Join a guided tour of Oak Alley’s 1839 Greek Revival mansion
Wander the gardens, slave cabins, and blacksmith shop at your pace
Cruise a private section of Manchac Swamp in a covered boat
Spot alligators and hear Cajun lore from your local captain

What's Included

Round-trip transport from New Orleans
Guided Oak Alley Plantation house tour
Self-guided access to plantation exhibits
Swamp boat cruise with local captain
Local taxes and narration

Things to know

Access to the mansion's second floor is by stairs only; a video tour is available for guests unable to climb. Tours run rain or shine, and photography is not allowed inside the plantation home.

FAQs

Q: Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

A: Basic and motorized wheelchairs are permitted at Oak Alley, but only one swamp boat is wheelchair accessible and must be requested in advance.

Q: Can I take photos?

A: Photos are not allowed inside the Big House but are welcome on the balcony, grounds, exhibits, and throughout the swamp tour.

Q: What should I expect if it rains?

A: Tours run rain or shine. Swamp boats are covered and only extreme weather with lightning may cause cancellation.

Q: Is food available during the tour?

A: Meals are not included, but snacks and drinks can be purchased at both the plantation cafe and the swamp location.

Q: Where can we park for the tour?

A: Parking is available in nearby French Quarter lots on Decatur Street and next to the dock. These lots are not affiliated with the tour company and offer hourly or daily rates.

Cancellation policy

Bookings are non-refundable. All sales are final.

Review summary

4.4

Very Good

4.5K reviewsGoogle Maps

The Steamboat Natchez delivers an authentic slice of New Orleans culture, combining live jazz, Mississippi River views, and Creole cuisine on a genuine paddlewheel steamboat. When things click, guests rave about it being a trip highlight: the jazz bands get people energized, the Creole buffet impresses with fresh, high-quality dishes, and there's something undeniably magical about cruising at dusk with the city skyline as your backdrop. The calliope music adds charm, and many appreciate simply sitting down after walking all day around the city. The southern hospitality from staff gets consistent praise, and for those seeking a quintessential New Orleans experience, this checks all the boxes. However, operational hiccups can dampen the experience considerably. Boarding logistics appear inconsistent, with some guests reporting waits over an hour that cut into their reserved dinner times, creating a crowded, chaotic situation where people couldn't find deck seating. The actual cruise pace feels slow to some visitors, and extended periods without music or commentary leave gaps that make the shoreline views drag. Food service has its issues too: items running out before everyone gets seconds, cold dishes that should be warm, and confusing protocols about requesting refills. A few travelers found the whole experience fairly mundane, suggesting it's skippable if your New Orleans itinerary is packed. The consensus leans positive overall, but timing your visit and managing expectations about the relaxed pace will help determine if this classic riverboat experience is worth your time.

What people are saying

Wonderful jazz cruise on an authentic New Orleans steamer (though I believe the steam mechanism is superseded by electrical power). The paddle is very impressive, and mesmerising to lose yourself into for periods of time. The cruise is a perfect length of time, and leaves you well situated to make your way to Bourbon, Frenchmen or the hotel district as you depart. The boat took approximately 1 hour before departing, and we were inundated with interesting facts about the boat as we departed, before the band returned for a second ~1 hour long set. The atmosphere is very relaxed and the crew do not seem to prevent you from moving chairs around and sitting in paces that perhaps aren’t intended. The band were good, and broadcast throughout the ship, though there were some mixing issues at the start and only the sousaphone could be heard. Merely a minor teething issue. The sousaphone player gave us some notes as we were departing the boat which was a nice extra surprise. Overall a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend!