Traveling to New Orleans as a single parent allows me to really expand my search for the best family-friendly adventures in the area. And, of course, I had a lot of help by watching ‘Princess and the Frog’ a ton of times to know that we wanted to get a peek of the bayou and swamps. Here’s my full swamp toour in NOLA.
Recommended Read: Tips for a Visit to New Orleans With Kids
And when I originally contacted Lindsay from BigEasy.com, I was sure that this would be a full-day excursion. Not so much for the swamp tour itself, but that it would be really far away. After talking to her countless times, she was super helpful, I was relieved to know it was only 30 minutes each way in a comfy shuttle.
This immediately made it a must-do for us to do.
The Big Easy actually works with Jean Lafitte Swamp Tours, but Lindsay was the one that set up the shuttle pick up and drop off at our hotel. You can choose a number of times to do the tour, from early morning to afternoon. Love the flexible schedule, especially with kids, we did the late morning tour.
Jean Lafite Swamp Tour Review
Our guide was a fun, jolly Louisiana man who was just great. He was to the point, no bells and whistles, a true Southern man. This alone made me enjoy the tour so much.
Upon arrival, you have some time to walk around the property and check out some of the rescue animals they have. They have some gators and turtles.
Once we boarded our boat, we were off into the swamp area. Interesting enough, even though New Orleans is mainly on swampland, the canal we first started on was man-made.
Once we got further in, we entered the bayou. Bayou is the natural waterway of the swamp area. That is literally the only difference, it is nature made vs. man-made. With plenty of gators for us to say hello to.
Secretly, we were all hoping to see Madam Odie’s house, instead we got to see this one. This is what the houses at one point truly looked like when people lived along the swamps and bayous.
However, the most fun was on the boat. The guide brought out taxidermy heads of a gator, which he recommended the kids to go nuts with.
And wear it like a mask.
But my favorite was the turtle.
At the end, the guide passed around a baby gator for us to touch. The gator was a rescue as well, and they are actually rehabilitating it until it is big enough to be released.
So was the tour worth it?
Yes. Absolutely.
Interestingly enough, my kids were the only kids on the boat. So, even though I thought this was more a family adventure – which it is – this really is for everyone.
Video Fun
The post New Orleans Swamp Tour Review – Is It Worth the Trip? appeared first on Travel Experta - Travel, Lifestyle, Freedom.
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By: Marina 'Travel Experta'
Title: New Orleans Swamp Tour Review – Is It Worth the Trip?
Sourced From: travelexperta.com/swamp-tour-new-orleans/
Published Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2023 11:43:52 +0000
