I booked an extended Manchac Swamp kayak tour during a visit to New Orleans in late February,…read morewanting to see the swamp and its wildlife in a more personal and eco-friendly way than the more popular airboat and alligator-feeding tours. My partner and I have some experience paddling and wanted plenty of time to see wildlife and get deep in the swamp for the best scenery, and for us the extended tour was the right choice! I'd recommend it to visitors to New Orleans who love nature, the outdoors, and/or getting a fun and unique workout in during vacation. We were on the water for about 4 hours. Sunscreen, sunglasses, shoes you don't mind getting wet, and PLENTY of water are a must! There are stops at a truck stop right before and after for the bathroom and buying any drinks/snacks, plus a stop on dry land during the tour. Our guide Nick was clearly dedicated to both paddling and nature even outside of work, and our tour felt less like a scripted performance as some tours can be and more like a buddy was showing and telling you things he was passionate about. We saw several small alligators, barred owls, hawks, turtles, and water birds. It was unseasonably warm so the reptiles were a treat to see, and it was awesome getting to see owls out in daylight which I'd never be able to pick out myself. Bring binoculars if you have them! My only small complaint, which has nothing to do with the tour itself: the AI-generated content on the company's Instagram page is kind of weird. Photos and videos from actual tours would be more honest and enticing!

MJ was fantastic, very knowledgeable. Plenty of gators to see, birds, and a turtle…read more Great time on the water for amour first trip to New Orleans! Can't recommend this tour enough. Ask for MJ!

If you're visiting New Orleans, this swamp tour is an absolute must! From start to finish, the…read moreexperience was fantastic. Our shuttle driver was so kind, friendly, and welcoming. She picked us up and made the ride enjoyable before we even arrived. Once there, we checked in at a charming little house with a cute gift shop while we waited for our boat. The airboat tour itself was incredible! We got to feed marshmallows to the alligators, learned so much about the swamp, and met some amazing gators, including Benjamin and Stone. The highlight was getting to pet Pee Wee, the adorable 18-month-old alligator! The staff was knowledgeable, fun, and made the entire experience memorable. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting New Orleans. It was one of the highlights of our trip!

We had a great time on the swamp tour. The captain/host was courteous and knowledgeable throughout…read morethe trip. The boat ride through the marsh felt exciting--almost like drifting quickly over water while still being smooth and safe. We were able to get up close to alligators, which was an unforgettable experience. Beyond the scenery, the guide shared interesting insights about wetland conservation, the preservation of Louisiana's coastline, and local history and culture, which added real depth to the tour. Overall, this is a fun and engaging activity that's suitable for the whole family. Highly recommended.

We purchased a lunch jazz package for my husband and me on this steamboat, and overall, we had a…read morereally enjoyable experience. The staff was friendly and welcoming, and the lunch was actually above par for a meal served on a boat. Everything was fresh and flavorful. The fish was cooked perfectly, and the red beans and rice and jambalaya were outstanding. Our server, Iris B., was amazing--attentive, friendly, and made the experience even better. The jazz music was enjoyable, although it was fairly basic. The cruise itself was a nice city tour as we traveled up and down the Mississippi River. Overall, it was a fun and relaxing way to enjoy lunch, some live jazz, and beautiful views of New Orleans from the river.

One of the best dinner cruises I have been on! I decided to partake in the buffet dinner just to…read moreget the full experience. I selected the 6PM seating time so that I would be done with the meal by the time the Steamboat Natchez starts moving around 7PM. The dining area interior space was lovely and expansive with chandeliers, as well as a stage area. Each table had a bowl of Caesar Salad placed there already. Lettuce was nice and crunchy, with plenty of tangy dressing and croutons. Upon being seated, the server took drink orders and I selected Iced Tea (one of the complimentary beverages being offered). The Iced Tea was sweet and refreshing. Next, we were served Gumbo with rice, which was warm, flavorful, and comforting. As for the buffet, there was Shrimp Pasta, a few different saucy dishes made with veggies and meat, potatoes with bacon and peas, Prime Rib, Fried Chicken, and Green Beans. I really enjoyed the Shrimp Pasta, which was made with creamy, well seasoned sauce, and tender shrimp. The saucy dishes were cooked well and bold in flavor. Prime Rib was a little tough. Fried Chicken was delightfully crispy, but a bit on the dry side and could have used more flavor. Green Beans had a perfect consistency with yummy seasoning. For dessert, I tried both the Bread Pudding and Cheesecake with tasty coffee. Both were delicious in their own way. Bread Pudding was dense, with a milky, velvety smooth topping, while the Cheesecake was more light and airy, yet still rich. Service was solid. The waitress was friendly and attentive. Everything (drinks, appetizer, dessert, coffee) came out in a timely manner and the main dishes were part of the buffet. When done eating, I went out to take in golden hour sunset, then headed up to the top deck, where I found a seat. Live jazz music was performed throughout the evening. It was a perfect night for feeling the wind in my hair, watching the skyline go by along the Mississippi River, and the twinkling lights of the city as the sky turned dark. I really enjoyed myself on this iconic Jazz Cruise along Mississippi River.

I want to recognize Byron and General Manager Patrick for their outstanding customer service. Even…read morethough my concerns were brought to their attention on a Sunday, they took the time to address them promptly and professionally. As a Vice President of Operations for a national dessert brand, I understand how important customer service is to building and sustaining a successful business. Byron and Patrick demonstrated exactly what that looks like by listening, taking ownership, and working toward a resolution. Thank you, Byron and Patrick, for going above and beyond. Your responsiveness and commitment to customer satisfaction truly make a difference. Highly recommended!

Great location. That's about all the good. The rest of our visit: not so good…read more Very friendly front desk folks when they're actually on station - which is rare - we walked by several times day and night over our 4 day stay and the front check-in was abandoned 80% of the time. Just abandoned. The front door security folks were always on station. The ubiquitous bucket-banging kids were always out front, but fortunately hotel security had pushed them down the sidewalk to the corner. Still quite loud, but not directly out front. The sidewalk beggars of all ages are like flies constantly circling whenever we walked up. Reminded us of the beggars in Tijuana. They never sleep. The harmless homeless sleep anywhere they pass out along the sidewalk - wherever they plop down. Cardboard bedding appears to be a luxury - the cement and the bricks seem to be fine. The bed was atrocious. It truly was the hardest bed we've ever had the misfortune to encounter. Not firm - just hard, like a piece of plywood. Nola is a conundrum. If only the local politicians would realize tourists will someday get fed up with the filthy streets and nasty beggars and loud bucket bangers and the broken sidewalks and just stop visiting. Nola's well-documented history of corrupt politicians combined LA's corrupt governors is eventually gonna kill our enthusiasm for enjoying a great city.