Things to do in Louisiana, United States: The Best Nature & Wildlife Tours

March 7, 2022 Moriah Teneyck

Louisiana tourism is centered on New Orleans and the North Shore region in the southeastern corner of the state near the Florida border. West of New Orleans is the Great River Road, with the I-10 running to the Mississippi River port capital city of Baton Rogue. West of New Orleans along the Gulf of Mexico, the I-10 cuts through Lafayette and Lake Charles on its way past Abbeville to Texas. Central Louisiana is Lake Country, and home to cities like Alexandria and Natchitoches. In northern Louisiana, the I-20 runs west from Monroe to Bossier City, Shreveport, and East Texas. Unless Louisiana is very familiar and frequent territory, New Orleans will be the top choice for a Louisiana vacation. Though Mardi Gras, music, and the winning ways of the New Orleans Saints football team get the spotlight, there is much more to explore in New Orleans. Within New Orleans choose among Bourbon Street, Royal Street, the Upper and Lower French Quarters, the Warehouse and Central Business District, the Garden District and Uptown, and Mid-City. With street car lines linking the French Quarter to the Garden District, Convention Center, and everywhere else, it is easy for the whole family to get around. If long walks are your exercise, explore the scenic city on foot. An easy two-hour drive from New Orleans brings you to Baton Rogue, Natchitoches and Lake Country. Explore old Beauregard Town in downtown Baton Rogue, the historic homes of the Baton Rogue Garden District, and tour one or several working plantations. Walk the 33-block Historic Landmark District and tour the historic homes and churches of Natchitoches. Relive Spanish Empire history in Louisiana at Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site. Heading west from New Orleans is Cajun Country and Lafayette with its mix of French, French Canadian (Acadian), Spanish, and Caribbean cultures. Besides Cajun and Creole cookery, explore the Civil War heritage at the Lafayette Museum. Stop by Abbeville to view the courthouse designed by Hayes Town, St. Mary Magdalen Church, and have a seafood meal. With 75 annual festivals Lake Charles is Louisiana's Festival City, and home to the Creole Nature Trail Scenic Byway. Shreveport and Bossier City in northwest Louisiana are casino and entertainment centers. Shreveport is renowned for hosting the Louisiana State Fair in the fall. Plus floral centers, art galleries, and museums. Monroe in the northeast also has notable gardens.
Restaurants in Louisiana

1. Champagne's Cajun Swamp Tours

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5.0 based on 1,895 reviews

Champagne's Cajun Swamp Tours

RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED: Please call prior to confirm a tour is departing at a scheduled time. Swamp Tour Times: 8am, 9:30am, 11am, 1pm, 4pm, 6pm Located in Breaux Bridge near Lafayette, LA, Champagne's Cajun Swamp Tours guided eco boat rides offer insight into Lake Martin's swamp, St. Martin Parish's hidden jewel. Please call for reservation because tour times vary. This professionally guided swamp tour will take you safely through cypress trees and tupelo gum trees draped in Spanish moss. This swamp is home to 205 different species of birds, and inhabits some of the largest alligators you will ever see up close and personal! We are open year round, 7 days a week. We are the only swamp tour at Lake Martin to provide indoor air-conditioned clean restrooms, souvenir shop, including cold drinks, hot dogs, sandwiches, nachos, ice cream, and New Orleans' snowballs! Outdoor covered deck provides seating areas overlooking the water, inside seating areas with A/C, big screen TVs - just to name a few amenities. Come hang out with us for an afternoon and join us on a Cajun Swamp Tour that you will remember for years to come! We can accommodate large groups. Photographers, bring your cameras!

2. Couret's Swamp Tours

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5.0 based on 43 reviews

Couret's Swamp Tours

Atchafalaya Basin Swamp Tours; Third generation Swamp Tour Guide.

3. The Last Wilderness Swamp Tour

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5.0 based on 90 reviews

The Last Wilderness Swamp Tour

A Louisiana swamp tour like no other! We are a family owned and operated business who share the same passion for the swamp. By using smaller boats, we provide an adventure deep into the magical swamps of the Atchafalaya Basin, where other swamp tours with their big boats can’t go.

4. Cajun Country Swamp Tours

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5.0 based on 720 reviews

Cajun Country Swamp Tours

TripAdvisor Hall of fame member does insightful eco-swamp tours by local Cajun guides well educated in local culture and natural history. Tours are conducted thru an area well known for its scenic beauty and wildlife with emphasis on natural history, geology and culture of the swamp. Tours are by appointment in a large open crawfish skiff, powered by very quiet environmentally friendly outboard motor. Tours are done 7 days a week and most holidays.

5. Kayak-iti-Yat Original Kayaking Tours of New Orleans

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5.0 based on 302 reviews

Kayak-iti-Yat Original Kayaking Tours of New Orleans

Locally owned, family run. Capture New Orleans from a different perspective. Kayak our beautiful bayou as we guide you along our historic waterway. We'll keep with the pace of the city--nice and easy, taking in the southern scenery, hospitality and weather. We offer three tours of varying levels of physical demand and kayaking experience. Taking place on natural, but urban Bayou St. John, paddles focus on history and ecology of the area and New Orleans. Our tours cover pretty much anything and all things relevant to the waterways and the surrounding neighborhoods. Our website is loaded with information! There you can find full descriptions of each tour, directions to our launch, and even quickly reserve your tour by clicking one of the yellow "book now" buttons.

6. Airboat Tours

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5.0 based on 392 reviews

Airboat Tours

We are a small family owned business. We have been in business since 1994. We invite you take a lazy, leisurely ride or a more adventurous ride. We have six passenger airboats that can reach speed speeds up to 60 mph. Our airboats can acutally ride on the marsh or deep in the cypress swamp where most tours can not go. You can take the 15 passenger United State Coast Guard certified airboats that can run the shallows at 40 mph. Our tour is just 25 minutes southwest of the Orleans Airport, 45 minutes from downtown N. O., and 90 minutes southeast of Baton Rouge. We travel to a quiet fishing village where time seems to stand still. Discover one of the most unique and individualized swamp rides in Louisiana. We are minutes away from the Plantations. We have great Cajun cooking locally. RV parks are nearby. Please call for availablity and prices. Children under five are free under 13 years old are discounted $10. We do not take anyone under 2 years old. Custom tours are available.

7. Wild Louisiana Tours

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5.0 based on 602 reviews

Wild Louisiana Tours

Wild Louisiana Tours offers kayaking swamp tours outside of New Orleans, LA. Paddle through scenic cypress swamps on your kayak swamp tour and see all of the beautiful sites that make Louisiana famous. Come book your New Orleans kayak swamp tour today.

8. Hidden Adventure Tours

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5.0 based on 70 reviews

Hidden Adventure Tours

Kayak Swamp Tours of Lousiana's breathtaking wetlands. Daily guided tours of the Honey Island and Manchac Swamp. Spaces fill up quickly.

9. Cajun Man's Swamp Tours & Adventures

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5.0 based on 222 reviews

Cajun Man's Swamp Tours & Adventures

Cruse quietly inside the most beautiful swamps and bayous with Spanish moss Louisiana has to offer. We feed plenty of alligator friends along the way daily and you will see lots of wildlife and many bird species. Regular tour times are at 10:30 a.M. And 1:30 p.M. From Mon. Through sat. And 2:00 p.M. On sun. Other tour times can be made on any day and at anytime if you have 10 or more. We can also do private tours and sunset tours. Captain Billy Gaston is a licensed boat captain and he was born and raised on the bayous of South Louisiana. The tour boat is a 42 passenger coast guard approved, inspected vessel with a covered roof and bathroom felicity, which is great for large bus tours and school field trips. From Sept. Through may you will see the bald eagles and other migratory birds up close and watch mama bird feed her baby's in the nest from Feb. Through April. "Da' Cajun man" can also line you up with many other cajun adventures while you visit us here in the heart of "Real" Cajun country. We have the best b&b's, and camps on the bayou that you can stay at while you are here in the area. Terrebonne parish is "Sportsman's paradise" we have the best hunting and fishing in the world. We also have the best restaurants, museums, plantations, etc. So whatever you want to see and do while you are here in Louisiana, just let us know and we will line you up. Cajun man's swamp tour's and adventures is your "One stop shop" for all your Cajun adventures. Come pass a good time with us here in Terrebonne parish, it's "Real" Cajun. Ayeeee sha' !!!

10. Canoe & Trail Adventures

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5.0 based on 597 reviews

Canoe & Trail Adventures

Locally and family owned. Offering eco canoe & kayak swamp tours near New Orleans plus educational outings for schools. For over 40 years Canoe & Trail has guided countless people into the Louisiana swamps. We strive to make each adventure a unique experience mixed with information and relaxation. Our guided canoe and kayak swamp tours are the most rewarding experience into the Louisiana outdoors. We paddle into swamps, along bayous and through local marshes. Loved by residents and travelers we are the most experienced guide service in Louisiana. If a guided trip is not for you, we offer kayak (solo and tandem) and canoe rentals daily! We deliver the boats with all the necessary gear to the launch and give you a little paddle lesson and you will be off on your adventure. Want to rent a few boats for delivery other than Cane Bayou? We can do that as well!

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