The Jean Lafitte swamp tour was my favorite part of our trip to NOLA! I have tons of pictures of alligators, cardinals, other nesting birds, turtles, and the real natural swamp. The guides are FANTASTIC!

I refused to go on a swamp boat tour because I found it appalling that all the companies feed the alligators marshmallows. I don't even feed those to my kids. Why teach an alligator to have a sugar habit when they are meant to live in the wild? The ranger at the Barataria Preserve agreed--teaching an alligator to associate a... More

First, I must clarify that the Jean Lafitte National Historic Park and Preserve is made up of several locations, but only one location is listed on trip advisor. There is a nature preserve about half an hour outside of the city, s culture center, a battlefield and a little shop in the French Quarter. Please be sure to do your... More

We took the paddle wheel trip on the Creole Queen to the Battle of New Orleans Site. There really wasn't very much to see or do there and the ranger giving the lecture was not a good speaker.

We accidentally found this museum on Bourbon St. Great exhibits on different dialects of New Orleans, backgrounds of various music and samples of cajun, creole, jazz, blues, and rock 'n roll and information on the various types of architecture found in New Orleans. Free!

I really enjoyed this. It's only about half an hour outside New Orleans but worlds away! There was a wooden walkway over the swamp and it was fascinating seeing the different landscape, and we even saw an alligator lounging in the swamp! Well worth the trip.

While in a downpour we ducked in here to get out of the rain for a bit, ended up going through all the exhibits--very well down, provides a nice overview of the history of the area and it's people.

It's not far from New Orleans at all, so even for a few hours to spare it would be easily worth it to go to this preserved swampland. There are two parking lots where walking paths commence, and I recommend visiting both, as they are quite different. Near the visitor's center, you'll walk on boardwalks that keep your feet dry... More

We got there just as a thunderstorm started but were determined to walk after driving all the way from the city. Nice walkways, great nature center, and apparently we turned around just before we would have gotten to where the alligators hang out. Going back next month.