New Orleans: Laura Plantation and Airboat Tour

Explore the Historic Laura Plantation and Louisiana Swamps in One Day

This 8-hour tour offers a captivating mix of history and adventure, departing from New Orleans for a full-day experience in Louisiana. The tour costs $160 per person and is operated by Crescent City Tours & Transportation. It begins with a guided visit to the 200-year-old Laura Plantation, where you learn about the Creole women who managed the estate and the lives of the enslaved people who worked there. Later, the tour shifts gears with a full narrated airboat ride through the Louisiana swamps, giving you a close-up view of the vibrant ecosystem.

The tour provides hotel pickup and drop-off, making logistics simple. It’s designed for those interested in history, culture, and swamp wildlife, although it’s not suitable for wheelchair users. With only one review so far, a consistent highlight is the engaging storytelling during the plantation visit and the thrilling swamp boat adventure, offering a well-rounded glimpse of Louisiana’s unique environment.

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Key Points

• Guided tour of Laura Plantation including the house, gardens, and slave quarters
• Learn about the Creole women who managed the plantation for over 60 years
• Visit 12 historic buildings on the National Register, including animal barns and overseer cottages
• Experience an airboat ride through Louisiana swamps with a local captain
• Hotel pickup and drop-off included for easy transportation
• Suitable for history enthusiasts and nature lovers, but not accessible for wheelchair users

The Laura Plantation: A 200-Year-Old Creole Estate

The Laura Plantation serves as the heart of this tour, cutting a striking figure just outside New Orleans. The guided tour takes you inside the plantation house, where the guide shares stories about the Creole women who orchestrated plantation life for more than six decades. This historic home has survived a fire in 2003, and extensive reconstruction used vintage materials from other antique homes.

Walking through the grounds, you’ll explore three gardens: the Jardin Français, the kitchen potager, and the Banana Land grove. The estate includes 12 buildings on the National Register, such as animal barns, overseer cottages, and the Maison de Reprise from 1829. These structures give a vivid picture of plantation life and work practices in Louisiana.

Visiting the 1840s Slave Quarters and Learning Enslaved Lives

A key feature of the Laura Plantation tour is the visit to the 1840s slave quarters, where the guide recounts stories of the enslaved people who labored on the estate. These stories provide insight into their daily lives and hardships, balancing the historical narrative with respect and authenticity. The plantation’s connection to “Br’er Rabbit” stories—which were penned here—adds a cultural layer to the visit.

The estate’s history includes a near-destruction by fire in 2003, followed by a meticulous restoration process. Visitors learn about the restoration efforts that used materials from antique homes, preserving the authenticity of this historic site.

Transitioning from History to Swamp Adventure

After absorbing plantation history, the tour shifts to an adventurous airboat ride through Louisiana’s swamp lands. The boat is fully narrated, with a local captain explaining the ecosystem’s uniqueness and the lifestyle of those who live in and alongside the wetlands. The airboat ride offers close encounters with alligators, birds, and other swamp wildlife, making this a dynamic contrast to the quiet solemnity of the plantation.

The swamp tour is designed to showcase the vibrant, lively environment of Louisiana’s wetlands, giving visitors a genuine sense of the area’s ecological richness. The ride is considered thrilling for its speed and proximity to wildlife but remains accessible with safety instructions from the guide.

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Tour Logistics: From Pickup to Return

The pickup service operates at most New Orleans hotels, simplifying transportation for participants. The scenic drive to the plantation covers roughly 70 miles, allowing time to enjoy the scenery en route. The tour schedule is flexible, with starting times available for different days and a duration of 8 hours overall.

Physical requirements are minimal; however, being not suitable for wheelchair users could be a consideration for some travelers. Once at the plantation, visitors walk through the homestead, gardens, and historic buildings at a comfortable pace.

What’s Included and What’s Not

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off, a guided house and grounds tour, and entry to Laura Plantation. However, it does not include meals or beverages, so plan to bring snacks or arrange for meals before or after the tour. The airboat ride is fully narrated and included in the package price, providing a seamless experience combining history and nature.

Comparing This Tour to Similar Experiences

This tour stands out because of its combination of historic insight and swamp exploration in one package. Similar experiences, such as the Oak Alley Plantation or other swamp tours, tend to focus on either history or wilderness, but this tour balances both in an immersive way.

Other options, like high-speed airboat rides or plantation visits with transportation, are available but may not include the historical narratives or site-specific stories offered here. The small-group atmosphere and full narration make this experience particularly engaging.

The Sum Up: A Well-Rounded Day in Louisiana

This 8-hour tour from New Orleans delivers a compelling mix of history and nature. The Laura Plantation offers a vivid look into Creole plantation life and the stories of enslaved peoples, with guides providing detailed, respectful storytelling. The swamp airboat ride adds an exciting, lively dimension, giving visitors a chance to see alligators, birdlife, and the ecosystem’s vibrancy up close.

While the tour’s length allows for a thorough experience, travelers should be prepared for some walking around historic buildings and the airboat ride’s potential for speed and proximity to wildlife. The cost of $160 reflects the depth of the experience and logistics, including transportation.

This tour suits those interested in Louisiana’s cultural heritage and wetland ecosystems, especially if you appreciate a combination of education and adventure. It’s an excellent choice for visitors seeking a full-day activity that immerses them in both the past and present of the region.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is hotel pickup available for this tour?
Yes, pickup and drop-off are included at most New Orleans hotels.

How long is the entire tour?
The total duration is approximately 8 hours.

What is the cost per person?
The tour costs $160 per person.

What does the tour include?
It includes guided tour of Laura Plantation, entry to the estate, and a narrated airboat swamp ride.

Are there any physical limitations?
The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

What are the main highlights?
Highlights include visiting the 200-year-old plantation, exploring slave quarters, viewing historic buildings and gardens, and experiencing Louisiana swamp wildlife.

Is food included in the tour?
No, meals and beverages are not included.

Can I cancel the tour?
Yes, full refunds are available if canceled up to 24 hours in advance.

What kind of wildlife might I see?
You can expect to see alligators, various bird species, and other swamp animals.

How is the guide?
The guide provides fully narrated tours with engaging stories about the plantation and the swamp ecosystem.

You can check availability for your dates here: More Great Tours Nearby