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.
American Queen River Cruise - New Orleans to Memphis
Guide Price £4,499 pp
Sit back, relax and unwind as you voyage up the iconic Mississippi River. Climb aboard the luxurious American Queen River Cruise, the world’s largest river boat, and discover a wealth of fascinating, rich history along the way, while admiring the...
City holidays
A Southern Story - Sounds And Specialities
Guide Price £3,399 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...
Escorted tours
American South Escorted Tour
Guide Price £2,699 pp
Vibrant and full of southern charm, America’s Deep South is something that has to be experienced. Journey through 6 states, each as intriguing as the last, with cities besides the sea, mouth-watering cuisine, endless history and places that have inspired...
Escorted tours
Deep South Discovery
Get a taste of true southern charm as you set out on a Deep South Discovery tour. Venture through the states of Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama and Louisiana, stopping at vibrant cities ready to welcome you in with classic southern...
City holidays
Rhythms of the South Tour
Spend eight days exploring the rhythms of the Deep South, visiting cities that have changed the world’s musical stage. Alongside fellow travellers, journey through the states of Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi and Louisiana, and discover a region with music running through...
Iconic journeys
Rhythms of the South Self Drive
Guide Price £2,599 pp
Hit the road on a Rhythms of the South self drive tour and explore Georgia, Tennessee , Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina. Spend 14 days discovering the cities that changed the world’s musical landscape and awakened the civil...
Adventure holidays
American Rhythms
Guide Price £1,999 pp
Music and magic collide on this incredible 11-day tour of the American south, which stops at some of the world’s most legendary musical - and historical – landmarks. Our American Rhythms self drive will appeal to music lovers and history...
Fly drive holidays
Jazzy Jambalaya Adventure Self Drive
Guide Price £1,999 pp
There’s a reason the city of New Orleans is a bucket list destination for many people visiting the United States. Situated on the banks of the mighty Mississippi, the ‘Big Easy’ is known for its rich cultural heritage, vibrant music...
Cultural holidays
American Queen River Cruise - Memphis to New Orleans
Guide Price £4,399 pp
Immerse yourself in the essence of America’s Deep South as you journey down the Mississippi aboard the luxurious American Queen paddle steamer. Sit back, relax and unwind as you enjoy award winning cuisine, beautiful staterooms, outstanding Broadway style entertainment and...
Iconic journeys
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.
