Prices & schedules checked October 18, 2026
New Orleans packs a lot into a short trip: French Quarter ghost walks, a guided visit inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, swamp boats an hour out of town, a steamboat on the Mississippi, a world-class WWII museum, and — this winter — Celebration in the Oaks, Christmas Eve bonfires on the levee and Mardi Gras on February 9, 2027. We compare the options using the operators’ and organizers’ own pages and say plainly which one fits which kind of trip.
Top picks at a glance
| If you want… | Our pick | Key fact (official source) |
|---|---|---|
| The one museum | The National WWII Museum | Open daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; general admission $27–$37 |
| A ghost tour | Haunted History Tours’ French Quarter ghost walk | Two hours, with a local guide |
| Inside a famous cemetery | St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 guided tour | 55 minutes; the cemetery is normally closed to the public except on tours |
| Bayou wildlife | Cajun Pride swamp tour (pontoon) or an airboat | About 1.5 hours on the water (Cajun Pride) |
| The river | Steamboat Natchez cruise | Sightseeing, lunch, brunch and evening jazz dinner cruises |
| This December | Celebration in the Oaks or a Christmas Eve bonfire trip | Oaks: Nov 27, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027 |
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Holidays & Mardi Gras 2027
Celebration in the Oaks, Réveillon dinners, the levee bonfires, a Christmas Eve jazz cruise and Mardi Gras dates.
Ghost & cemetery tours
French Quarter ghost walks, a nighttime bus tour and the only way inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
Swamp tours
Pontoon versus airboat, pickup or drive yourself — and a free national-park swamp boardwalk.
Riverboats, the WWII Museum & Mardi Gras World
Hours, closures and how long to allow for the big three daytime sights.
One day in New Orleans
Museum morning, streetcar ride, French Quarter afternoon and a ghost walk after dark.
French Quarter, Marigny or Garden District?
What each neighborhood suits, with hotel and rental searches.
Getting there & getting around
Nearest airports, whether you need a car, and transfers.
How we pick
- Facts from the source. Prices, hours, dates and departure points come from the operators’ and organizers’ official pages. Each guide lists its sources and the date we checked.
- No fake reviews. We don’t invent first-person stories or star ratings. Where a booking site shows traveler reviews, we point you to them.
- Book direct when it’s better. Several holiday trips here are sold only by the operator, and some are non-refundable. We say so, with a plain link that earns us nothing.