New Orleans: Oak Alley Plantation & Small Airboat Day Trip

4.61

(176 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

“You from around here?” our driver asked as we climbed into the minibus outside our New Orleans hotel. I shook my head, still half-awake, and he grinned—“Y’all are in for something different.” The drive out to Oak Alley Plantation felt like a slow exhale after the city’s noise. Spanish moss everywhere, sunlight flickering through trees. When we pulled up, I just stared at those twenty-eight oak trees lining the path—honestly, it’s hard not to. Our guide inside the house had this gentle way of telling stories, pausing sometimes like she was remembering something herself. The old floorboards creaked under my feet (I love that sound), and the air smelled faintly sweet, maybe from all those flowers outside.

I wandered off after the tour—needed coffee and found it at the café by the gift shop. Sat on a bench for a bit, watching other visitors try to get that perfect photo under the oaks (I gave up on mine; too many shadows). There was a breeze that day but it was heavy, almost syrupy. One of the gardeners nodded at me while trimming roses—I tried to say “good morning” but probably mumbled it. You get about an hour to roam before heading out again; it goes faster than you think.

The swamp part is what I kept replaying later. We clambered onto this small airboat—six of us plus Captain Ray, who wore sunglasses even though clouds were rolling in. When he hit the throttle, my hat nearly flew off and everyone laughed (except me—I was holding on). But then he’d slow down and point out gators sunning themselves or herons standing so still you’d swear they were fake. At one point he cut the engine and let us just listen—the weird quiet of the bayou with only insects buzzing and water lapping against roots. I didn’t expect to feel so calm out there.