Destination
Louisiana – Tours
Tours in Louisiana
Keen historians, foodies and culture-lovers alike will revel in everything Louisiana has to offer. While the ‘Pelican State’s deep-seated appreciation of music and food runs deep, it’s also home to a rich European heritage thriving bayou and marshlands, and mouth-watering Creole and Cajun cuisine.
As part of our nine-day self-drive Jazzy Jambalaya tour, you’ll first explore the vibrant hub of New Orleans – often regarded as the birthplace of jazz. Walk the cobbled streets of the city’s historic French Quarter and join in the festivities as you sip spicy Creole Bloody Mary cocktails. Take in energetic live jazz performances at one of Bourbon Street’s lively bars and sink your teeth into a delicious po’ boy sandwich. Hop aboard the streetcar for a scenic tour of New Orleans’ charming neighbourhoods, admiring the splendour of the Garden District and its 19th century mansions.
Journey onwards to Baton Rouge, visiting the new State Capitol building – the tallest in the US – and enjoy a spot of retail therapy at Main Street Market. Gaze up at the Old State Capitol building, reminiscent of a fairy-tale castle with its stained-glass dome and spiral staircases, before coming face-to-face with its resident Civil War-era ghost as part of its “Ghost of the Castle” 4D experience.
Complete your Louisiana adventure with a trip to Lafayette. Join an exhilarating airboat swamp tour, spotting alligators, raccoons and yellow-crowned night herons, then tour the fascinating Rank Wildcat Distillery for an informative insight into the distilling processes, making sure to leave with a bottle or two of their Sweet Crude Rouler rum.
Gone with the Wind Tour
Guide Price £2,539 pp
Georgia, South Carolina, Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana and mighty Mississippi are united by a haunting history but they're probably most famous now for their lively music, delicious Deep South cooking and charming southern hospitality. One of our most popular escorted...
City holidays
American Queen River Cruise - New Orleans to Memphis
The mighty Mississippi River is famous around the world. Rich in history it is just waiting to be explored, so climb aboard the iconic and the world's largest riverboat the American Queen. This is more than just your average paddle...
Adventure holidays
Rhythms of the South Self Drive
Guide Price £2,319 pp
The southern United States is the birthplace of many different genres of music from country, jazz, blues to rock 'n' roll. On this 14 day self drive adventure you will hit the open road and drive across these southern states...
USA road trips
American Rhythms
Guide Price £2,779 pp
From the jazz filled streets of New Orleans to the Country music sounds of Nashville and the Memphis blues, American Rhythms certainly lives up to its name. Discover some of the Deep South's most vibrant cities on this 11 day...
USA road trips
Jazzy Jambalaya Adventure
Guide Price £2,019 pp
The plantations of the deep south USA are a reminder of a world that used to be. Stunning in appearance and standing grand overlooking beautiful surroundings these antebellum homes are rich in American history and what became the Civil Rights...
City holidays
Romantic Trails Of The South Tour
Guide Price £1,829 pp
This escorted tour is the ultimate way to see the best of the Deep South in just one week. From New Orleans to Atlanta, this tour will take you through some of the most atmospheric locations across four States including...
USA road trips
American Queen River Cruise - Memphis to New Orleans
Guide Price £3,789 pp
Enjoy a quintessentially American experience as you journey down the Mississippi aboard the opulent American Queen. This luxurious paddle steamer offers exquisite staterooms, modern amenities and Broadway quality entertainment, not to mention award-winning dining and signature shore excursions. Start your...
Cruise holidays
A Southern Story Tour
Guide Price £3,349 pp
Discover the vibrant cities of the USA’s Deep South on this unique eight day small group adventure. This fantastic tour focuses on offering you a wonderful mix of culinary, historic and musical activities and best of all you will have...
Cultural holidays
Expert Tips
Clive
Content Editor
“Those visiting New Orleans between February and March will be able to experience the vibrant Mardi Gras festival, an exuberant display of smiles, music and colour that’s not to be missed.”
Martyn
Destination Manager
“Make sure to stop by the award-winning Newcomb Art Museum. Their awe-inspiring galleries regularly celebrate the artistic contributions of women the world over.”
Christie
Destination Executive
“Pay a visit to the Avery Island Tabasco Museum and Factory to learn how the iconic hot sauce is made, having been produced here for over 150 years – and don’t forget to leave with a few bottles.”
Frequently Asked Questions
While easy to traverse on foot, given the city’s flat topography, New Orleans also has a large network of public transport bus lines and trolley tours, in addition to multiple bicycle rental services.
If you’re seeking hotter temperatures, you’ll most likely want to visit between June and August, with regular highs of around 33°C, and temperatures rarely dropping below 25°C at night. For less crowds and cooler temperatures, you may want to consider arriving between late March and May, with temperatures peaking at around 23-24°C during the day.
Known for Cajun and Creole cuisine, seafood is also very popular here. Expect to find dishes such as oysters Bienville (oysters, shrimp, bell peppers, cheese and breadcrumbs), crawfish etouffee (smothered crawfish simmered in blond roux sauce and seasoned with Cajun or Creole spices) and jambalaya (Andouille sausage, crawfish, onions, garlic and rice).
Immerse yourself in the history of the Deep South, whether that’s dining on hearty traditional Cajun and Creole cuisine, touring the bayous and mangroves in search of the local wildlife, or soaking up the atmosphere and listening to the beat in a jaunty jazz bar. Embrace Louisiana’s genteel charm and sensibilities and discover what life is like in ‘The Big Easy’.
Why you'll love Louisiana...
• Strolling the scenic streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans
• Visiting the historic USS Kidd Museum in Baton Rouge, located in the shipwreck of a US gunship
• Tasting delicious beignets and Cajun gumbo
• Sighting cattle egrets, little blue herons and alligators on a bayou tour through Lafayette swamps
• Learning about voodoo lore in the New Orleans Historic Voodoo Museum
• Admiring the pastel pink Old State Capitol castle building in Baton Rouge
• Dancing the night away in one of Bourbon Streets buzzing jazz bars
• Spotting mansions featured in popular film and television at the lavish Garden District
Did you know?
• The parish of Rayne in Louisiana is known as the ‘frog capital of the world’, and is home to more than 8,000 frogs.
• Nicolas Cage owns a pyramid-shaped tomb in New Orleans’ oldest cemetery, St Louis Number One.
• Despite the plethora of cocktails originating from Louisiana, its official state drink is milk.
