Trip Report Part 1 - The Activities

Question

Hi everybody,

I'm going to break my trip report up into pieces, so it stays readable and not boring. I'm going to do our activities in this post and our food (with allergy recommendations) in another post. It was our 1st trip to New Orleans, and it was 8 days, so we got to do a lot in that time. Here's what we liked and didn't love...post 1 is the tours.

The Tours: NOLA Tour Guy French Quarter Walking Tour, NOLA Tour Guy Voodoo Walking Tour, Gray Line Swamp Boat Cruise and Oak Alley Plantation Tour (Bus) from New Orleans, and Gray Line Ghosts and Spirits Tour

So, we did the 4 tours - the 1st 3 were amazing. NOLA Tour Guy should be your go-to for all walking tours of New Orleans. Those folks know their stuff, are wildly interesting, and accept money only after giving you an amazing tour, so you don't have anything to lose. Sandy with Voodoo was the VIP walking tour guide, and our Swamp Tour operator was the best tour guide on our greater LA tour (his name escapes me, but he literally ran the very 1st swamp boat tour in LA and we got an amazing tour of info, animals and gators - who knew we'd learn about eating muskrat on the same tour that we learned why they toss marshmallows and not cornflakes to gators). Now, that said, the French Tour tour guide was also really good, but against 2 of the best we've ever had? Well, he's like next tier down.

Notice I didn't mention the ghost tour. It wasn't bad...and we got 50% off (in fact, we paid tips on the 2 tours and got 50% off both gray line tours, so we REALLY saved off the list price thanks to the timing of our trip - in fact, we booked the ghost tour after returning from the swamp b/c we got texted the code and my kid wanted a ghost tour - originally, I only had 3 tours for this trip). BUT, the tour guide is new - only having done the job 3 days at the time of our tour (yeah, probably why it's 50% off right now). And the interactive effects are also new, and not working for Android phones (although other guests shared their phones). And they are kinda cheesy. And it was our last tour, after we did the other 3. And I had to find my kid a bathroom, b/c Hammered Harry's, the guide's chosen rest stop (which he apparently cleared ahead of time, although it didn't seem like it), did not allow anyone in under 21...and the guide, being day 3, didn't realize that - but MVP goes to Muriel's - what nice folks after I explained our need. Needless to say, I tipped really well on the 1st 3 tours. I didn't for this one. It was a great tour for the locations and stories...but not yet the execution. In 1-3 months, I think it will be where it needs to be...but it's not there yet. That said, without the bathroom hiccup, I'd have given him a thumb's up. But, it happened, and I had to solve my own issue. And that means I was my own guide. Although now the guide knows where under 21s might be allowed in for break, near the same bar...if he's willing to do the work and clear it.

But in sum, taking all 4 tours got us out and all over NO and LA. We didn't really repeat any areas (except the basilica), and that's the mark of having a nice tour spread. And they didn't break the bank, which for a party of 6 "adults" (b/c my youngest is 13) worked well.

Favorites of the family:

1st 2 girls (young adults) - the swamp tour - not a surprise b/c one hates walking and the other loves nature...but she loved it

1st 2 boys (older teen - history lover and younger teen - likes food and not walking) - the plantation tour - this part was also awesome, and if we hadn't gone and had the swamp tour after (which we thought was gonna be lame when you get there...and then you go on it), it might have been number 1 for more

Me - the voodoo tour - I never thought I'd learn as much on a tour as I did. It was amazing.

Spouse - the entire plantation and swamp tour - it was the most money, so it's kinda cheating to put it above the cheaper tours, but you do get what you pay for (I will say, we also got a whole bus tour of NO and LA on our drives, so it was an entire all-inclusive tour, and meant I didn't have to pay for a NO bus tour, too - if voodoo hadn't been so great and such an interest of mine, I'd probably put it #1, too).

Any questions, feel free to ask. As mentioned, NOLA Tour Guy is bookable for up to 6 online with payment after tour and at the level you like (but don't be cheap unless you hate it) and Gray Line always seems to run sales on different tours. I got the one discount back in January and the other Memorial Day weekend, so they pop up - book when they do.

Answer

It sounds like you had an incredible trip to New Orleans and enjoyed a wide range of activities! I appreciate you breaking down the tours for us. Here’s a summary and a few additional thoughts based on your experience:

The Tours: Overall, it seems like you had a solid lineup of tours. The NOLA Tour Guy walking tours, especially the French Quarter and Voodoo tours, seem to have been the highlights for your group. It's great that the tour guides were knowledgeable and passionate—this really makes a difference when exploring such a vibrant city like New Orleans.

NOLA Tour Guy Walking Tours: These were clearly your top picks. It’s nice that the tour guides provided so much information and made the experience enjoyable. Sandy’s Voodoo tour stood out as a particularly educational and fascinating experience, which is always a good thing when you're learning about a unique aspect of the city.
Swamp Boat Tour: It sounds like this was a big hit with your group, especially the nature lover. Getting to see the local wildlife and hearing about the history of the swamp from someone so experienced must have made for a memorable trip. The muskrat story and gator tips were fun and educational, too!
Oak Alley Plantation Tour: It’s great that you enjoyed this one as well. The combination of history, architecture, and beautiful grounds makes it one of the most popular plantation tours in the area. And with the added bus tour of New Orleans and Louisiana, you definitely got a full experience.
Ghosts and Spirits Tour: While this tour didn’t quite live up to expectations, you provided some helpful feedback. A new guide with a few technical hiccups is understandable, but it’s unfortunate that the interactive features didn’t work as expected and the bathroom situation added extra stress. Hopefully, the tour will improve over time as the guide gains more experience. It's also nice that you were able to book this one at a discounted price, which softens the impact of a less-than-perfect experience.

Family Favorites: It seems like everyone had their own favorite tour based on their interests, which is great! Here’s a quick summary of what each person loved:

Older Teens (history lover and food lover): They enjoyed the Plantation tour the most, though the Swamp tour was a close second. The combination of history and the unique swamp experience made this a top pick for them.
Young Adults (nature lover and non-walker): The Swamp tour was the big favorite for this group. It’s great that they got to enjoy the wildlife and nature without needing to walk around too much.
You (Voodoo enthusiast): Your personal favorite was the Voodoo tour, and it sounds like you learned a lot. This is a perfect example of how a good tour can make a huge impact on your experience in a city.
Spouse (plantation and swamp tour): Your spouse also enjoyed the plantation and swamp tours, and it makes sense that they appreciated the all-inclusive experience with a bus tour. The added value of a larger package made this tour stand out as a top choice.

Booking Tips: Thanks for mentioning the booking process and discounts! It’s helpful to know that NOLA Tour Guy allows online booking and payment after the tour, so you can pay what you feel the tour is worth. Also, you’ve made an excellent point about Gray Line running sales, so booking when there’s a deal is a smart move.

Overall, it sounds like you had a well-rounded set of tours, with a mix of history, nature, and fun, and that you were able to get good value for your money. Thanks for sharing your experiences with us—it definitely helps future travelers plan their trips more effectively. I’m looking forward to reading the food part of your report!

Trip Report Part 1 - The Activities

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