If you’re in New Orleans and craving a quick escape from the city, there’s no shortage of unforgettable day trips to explore. Whether you’re seeking adventure in the wild swamps, stepping back in time at historic sites, or taking a scenic drive, there’s something for everyone.
From kayaking through hidden swamps to diving into the area’s rich history, these day trips offer a fresh way to experience the culture and natural beauty of Louisiana.
In this guide, I’ll take you through some of my favorite local spots, each with its own unique flavor and charm.
Swamp Tour with Cajun Encounters (Honey Island)
One of the best day trips from New Orleans is a swamp tour, and I highly recommend the Honey Island Swamp Tour with Cajun Encounters. We chose one of their traditional boats instead of an airboat, since airboats can be really loud and tend to scare away wildlife.
The tour took us through stunning cypress groves deep in the swamp, where we encountered an impressive variety of wildlife. We spotted several alligators and countless turtles, but the real highlight was a group of raccoons that climbed right down from the trees and walked up to the boat. It was wild to see them so close.
The surprises didn’t stop there—snakes dangled from the trees, camouflaged so well they were nearly invisible until you were right next to them. It was incredible (and a little eerie) to realize just how many were hidden in plain sight.
If you’re planning to take this tour, consider going when the weather is warmer. Alligators are far more active in the heat, and colder days might leave you missing out on some of the action.
One of the coolest parts was spotting the tree that inspired Disney’s The Princess and the Frog. The filmmakers actually scouted this exact location—so for Disney fans, that’s a fun connection. We also passed by actual homes in the swamp, giving us a glimpse into a totally different way of life.
We had an amazing tour guide who was not only funny but also made us feel completely at ease as we went deeper into the swamp. He shared lots of great information and made the whole experience feel personal and engaging.
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Oak Alley Plantation
A visit to Oak Alley Plantation, a National Historic Landmark, is both beautiful and complicated. The oak-lined entrance is stunning—something straight out of a movie.
In fact, it has been featured in several films and TV shows, including Interview with the Vampire, Primary Colors, and Midnight Bayou, as well as Beyoncé’s “Déjà Vu” music video.
Its striking visuals have made it one of the most photographed plantations in the South. But it’s also the site of a brutal past, and that contrast makes for a very thought-provoking experience.
You can take a guided tour of the main house, where a guide walks you through different rooms and talks about how the family lived back then. The house is beautiful and full of details that show how wealthy plantation owners were, but it’s also a bit surreal knowing what was going on just outside those walls. You’re not allowed to take photos or videos inside, which honestly helps you stay in the moment and really take it all in.
Outside, you can visit the slave quarters, where there are exhibits, a wall of names, and displays that tell the stories of the people who were enslaved there. Some people say it doesn’t go deep enough, but I still found it moving and worth seeing. It’s a powerful reminder of the full history of the place—not just the pretty parts.
If you want a more direct and deeper focus on the lives of enslaved people, Whitney Plantation is often recommended as the place to go. I haven’t been yet, but it’s on my list.
Kayaking the Manchac Swamp
If you want more of a thrill, there are several places that offer swamp kayak tours in the area, but we chose to head to Manchac Swamp (man-SHACK) for something a little different. This specific area offered a unique experience—not just for its eerie beauty and wildlife, but also for its dark legend. Manchac is said to be haunted by a voodoo priestess who cursed the area before her death. We were excited (and a little spooked) to explore a new swamp with such a haunting backstory.
Unlike a boat ride, you’re much closer to the water, and when a gator shows up, there’s no boat deck between you and it. Just you, the kayak, and maybe your paddle if things get intense. The 2.5 hour tour gives you a chance to see plenty of wildlife, like beautiful owls perched in the trees, turtles basking in the sun, and, of course, the occasional alligator. It’s an incredible experience to be so close to nature.
That said, navigating the swamp can be a bit of a challenge—you might get tangled in branches or thick vegetation, and you’ll need to push through with your paddle to continue on. It can actually end up being a great workout, though it’s still perfectly fine for beginners.
And then, of course, there are the spiders. They skate across the surface of the water and sometimes crawl into your kayak. I wasn’t quite prepared for that, so just a heads-up if you’re not a fan of creepy-crawlies. But despite the surprise, it was an unforgettable way to experience the swamp—raw, up-close, and exhilarating.
Chalmette Battlefield (pronounced Shal-MET)
Just a short drive from New Orleans is Chalmette Battlefield, the site of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. This is where a mix of U.S. soldiers, local militias, free men of color, Choctaw warriors, and even pirates came together under General Andrew Jackson to deal a decisive blow to the British.
It’s wild to think that this group—made up of such different people—pulled off one of the most important American victories of the War of 1812. (Yes, the war had technically already ended, but news of the peace treaty hadn’t made it to Louisiana yet.)
It’s part of Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, and you can walk the very ground where the fighting happened. There are markers and cannons showing where the British advanced, giving a vivid sense of how the battle unfolded. The battlefield sits right on the Mississippi River, anchored by a tall monument that commemorates the victory.
Right next to the battlefield is Chalmette National Cemetery, which holds more than 15,000 graves of veterans from multiple wars—including the War of 1812, Civil War, Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the Vietnam War. At least six Americans who fought in the War of 1812 are buried here, though only one of them participated in the Battle of New Orleans.
Not many people realize we used to celebrate a kind of Independence Day on January 8th because of this battle. It’s a cool piece of history that often gets overlooked.
Drive the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway (pronounced PON-chuh-train)
Another fun half-day trip is to drive across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway, one of the most unique bridges in the world.
At nearly 24 miles long, it holds the title of the longest continuous overwater bridge in the world—though some dispute that claim depending on how “overwater bridge” is defined. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes to cross, depending on traffic and weather. Fog and storms can roll in fast, which makes the drive feel a bit intense—but also exciting.
You can’t turn around except in emergencies, so be ready to commit. Once you’re on the north side of the lake, you can explore Mandeville. We grabbed a classic New Orleans-style snowball, then headed to a little lakeside park.
There were beautiful Southern live oaks everywhere, and we even saw a wild alligator crawl out of the water while we were walking.
The shoreline is not a place you’d want to swim—between the gators and the occasional bull shark, it’s best to stay on land—but for a relaxing stroll along the lake, it’s absolutely worth the trip.
Final word
Louisiana’s surroundings are rich in history, wildlife, and charm, offering the perfect getaway from the bustle of New Orleans. Whether you’re kayaking through swamps, learning about pivotal moments in history, or simply enjoying the beauty of the landscape, these day trips provide a deeper connection to the region’s unique heritage. So, grab your gear, hit the road, and discover the incredible experiences waiting just beyond the city limits.
Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, and CNBC. Read my bio.
