top of page
Bayou_background_small.gif

Don't just visit New Orleans. Experience it!

Go beyond the crowded streets and familiar attractions to discover the stories, flavors, music, wildlife, people, and hidden places that make New Orleans unique. Finding the authentic side of the city isn't always easy, but that's where we come in.

​

We're your local guide, captain, and connection to the New Orleans most visitors never see. From neighborhood favorites to hidden bayous, we bring you authentic experiences, local connections, and unforgettable adventures.

From Bourbon Street to the bayou, we take you BEYOND!

tours & events

border graphic

Beyond the French Quarter

Cajun_Seafood_Boil_Experience.gif

$160  $140/person
Seasonal Seafood Experience
Crabs, Crawfish & Shrimp Heaven

X

Experience an Authentic Cajun Seafood Boil like no other. First, you'll explore the scenic bayou that is the source of it all via a 30-person party boat for an hour as you learn the process and systems of securing the catch. Then, back at dock you learn how the live seafood is prepared by a master chef who grew up perfecting the art of boiling seafood the Louisiana way. This hands-on culinary event brings together a nature-based bayou tour, fresh Gulf seafood and bold local flavors while learning the time-honored traditions, techniques, spices, and stories behind how we boil shrimp, crawfish, crabs, and more that make a true New Orleans boil unforgettable. After the cooking comes the best part: gathering around the table, rolling up your sleeves, and diving into a feast piled high with perfectly seasoned seafood, corn, potatoes, and all the fixings. It’s an immersive, delicious taste of New Orleans culture you won’t find anywhere else. It’s part nature tour, part cooking lesson, part cultural experience, and all fun!

sunsetcruise.gif

$135 $99/person
includes 1 hour sunset cocktail cruise, dinner upstairs (Wine, appetizer, entree & dessert) 

X

Experience the beauty of Bayou Bienvenue at sunset with a relaxing cruise and cocktails, followed by an unforgettable three-course dinner at Lucille’s. Enjoy waterfront dining in our elevated restaurant overlooking the bayou, with your choice of wine or a cocktail, an appetizer, an entrée, and dessert included. It’s the perfect blend of Louisiana scenery, great food, and a memorable evening just minutes from the French Quarter.

Coastal Restoration.gif

$80  $65 Adult / $30 Child (under 16)
$1,600-private tour
Can accommodate up to 56 guests at a time

X

More than a sightseeing cruise, this immersive educational boat tour explores one of the most important environmental restoration stories in Louisiana. Journey through Bayou Bienvenue and the Central Wetlands while learning how the construction of the Mississippi River Gulf Outlet (MRGO) transformed thousands of acres of thriving cypress forest into the iconic "Ghost Swamp," and how the closure of MRGO, large-scale coastal restoration initiatives, reforestation projects, and modern flood protection systems are helping shape the future of southeast Louisiana. Along the way, you'll discover how engineering, science, public policy, and community advocacy continue to influence one of America's most ambitious ecosystem restoration efforts.

Sherlock4.gif

Riddlesbrood Touring Theater Troupe brings its interactive dinner theater experience to Lucille’s Landing on Bayou Bienvenue for two unforgettable nights of mystery, murder, dinner, and theatrical mayhem.

WingsWetlands.gif

$90 $75 Adult / $25 Child (under 16) 
$1,500-private tour
Accommodates up to 28 guests

X

Wings of the Wetlands, our Birding Tour glides into the hidden marshes of Bayou Bienvenue on a 1 hour 45 minute guided boat birding tour led by a licensed captain and an experienced bird guide. As you thread through waterways and open tidal flats around the bayou, your guide will point out habitat features, assist with identification, and share natural history and conservation notes.  Expect excellent opportunities to see the bayou’s signature wading and water birds—great blue herons, great and snowy egrets, little blue and tricolored herons, roseate spoonbills, white and glossy ibises, anhingas, double-crested cormorants, wood storks and of course it's iconic Great Brown pelicans—alongside raptors like osprey, bald eagles and red-shouldered hawk. During migration seasons you may also encounter shorebirds and a variety of migrant songbirds and warblers that stop through the wetlands. Bring your camera and binoculars for close, respectful viewing and a memorable glimpse of Southeast Louisiana’s rich birdlife. This tour includes a complimentary bottle of water and a souvenir local bird guide booklet to help you keep track of sightings—perfect for first-time birders and seasoned spotters alike. - Timeframe: 1 hour 45 min tour - Slots: 8am; 12pm & 4pm - Restaurant Bar & Grill on-site: Enjoy the Wharf’s full-service bar and grill "Lucille's Landing" - Parking: Free parking is on-site at your convenience - Cruise accommodations: up to 28 guests - Restrooms: Available on board, on dock and in restaurant

nature_tour_butterfly.gif

$75 $60 Adult / $40 Child (under 16)
$1,500-private tour
Accommodates up to 28 guests

X

Our Nature and Wildlife Tour takes you off the map and into one of southeast Louisiana’s most fragile and important landscapes. On this guided wetland excursion your guide will explain the mechanics and stakes of coastal restoration—why marshes are disappearing, how salinity and subsidence reshape shorelines, and which restoration techniques (living shorelines, replanting, and targeted sediment work) are being used to give this place a fighting chance.  You’ll come away understanding how hurricanes, development, and changing river management have altered the delta.  Expect to spot alligators basking along the banks, wading egrets and herons threading the shallows, and a lively cast of migratory songbirds and raptors that use the bayou as a seasonal highway. Guides point out feeding behavior, nesting sites, and the subtle cues that signal a healthy—versus stressed—wetland. This tour is aimed at curious visitors who want more than postcards: it’s an immersive look at how people, policy, and nature intersect in Louisiana’s coastal wetlands. - Timeframe: 1 hour 45 min tour - Slots: 10am, 2pm & 6pm - Restaurant Bar & Grill on-site: Enjoy the Wharf’s full-service bar and grill "Lucille's Landing" - Parking: Free parking is on-site at your convenience - Cruise accommodations: up to 28 guests - Restrooms: Available on board, on dock and in restaurant

vanloop.gif

$50 $40person 
6 hour event - including bayou pre-game party
Seats are limited and expected to sell out. RESERVE NOW!

X

Game Day Made Easy: Your Gateway to Saints Football Skip the traffic, avoid expensive parking, and make game day an experience worth celebrating! Join us on Bayou Bienvenue in Chalmette, just 15 minutes from the Caesars Superdome, for convenient transportation to and from New Orleans Saints home games. Our scenic waterfront location offers free parking, a restaurant, a full-service bar, and a marina overlooking the beautiful Louisiana bayou. Arrive early to enjoy a great meal, grab a drink with friends, and soak up the laid-back atmosphere before heading to the game. After the final whistle, return to the bayou to relax, celebrate, and unwind. Enjoy Saints football without the downtown driving and parking headaches. Let us handle the ride while you enjoy game day!

kayaker.gif

Discover the magic of areas swamps and bayous on a 2 hour guided kayak tour that places you right in the heart of one of Louisiana's treasured landscapes, the Manchac Bald Cypress Swamp where you'll experience one of the most unique environments on earth at a pace that enables you to soak it all in.

bruncheggs.gif

$145 $120person 
2 hour event - 1 hour brunch/1 hour tour
groups of min: 10 - max: 27guests

X

Bayou Brunch Party Boat pairs easygoing waterside brunch with an intimate Bayou Bienvenue cruise. The experience begins at Lucille’s Landing with a generously catered buffet showcasing local favorites: Gulf-inspired dishes, seasonal sides, and an array of cocktails served waterside and laid out so you can linger, socialize, and soak up the marshland atmosphere.

Local Adventure

Beyond New Orleans

Beyond the French Quarter border  graphic
AlligatorHunt4.gif

$1,250 /person Alligator Hunter
$250 / person Spectator
Accomodates up to 4 guests

Step into the wild side of Louisiana with an unforgettable alligator hunting adventure just 30 mins away from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. You'll explore remote bayous and waterways filled with incredible wildlife, background on the Canary Isalnders that settled these lands and mysterious stories. These marshes have witnessed pirates, battles, hurricanes, and shipwrecks, and locals still share eerie tales about what lies beneath the dark waters. First-time hunter or an avid outdoorsman, our guided alligator hunts deliver an exciting, safe, and authentic Louisiana experience. Choose your preferred hunting method, including baited hook or firearm, and get ready for the adrenaline rush of coming face-to-face with North America's most powerful predator. Our guides will be by your side from start to finish, teaching you about alligator behavior, the unique ecosystem of the Louisiana marsh, the Alligator harvesting program and the fascinating history of St. Bernard Parish. This is more than a hunt—it's a journey into one of the most legendary and mysterious places in Louisiana's bayou land.

wildhog2-ezgif.com-optimize.gif

$600 /person Hog Hunter
$150 / person Spectator
Accomodates up to 2 guests

Take to the backcountry of southeast Louisiana on a guided Wild Hog Hunting Adventure designed to combine the excitement of the hunt with a firsthand look at one of the region’s most persistent environmental problems. Guests will travel by land into the bayou and surrounding wetlands, where experienced guides will lead the group to established hunting stands in areas affected by invasive wild hogs. These destructive animals can cause significant damage to fragile coastal habitats by rooting through the soil, destroying native vegetation, consuming plant roots, and disturbing the ground in ways that can accelerate erosion and habitat loss. This experience offers more than a traditional hunting trip. Your guide will explain the role wild hogs play in Louisiana’s changing coastal environment, the challenges of managing their growing populations, and why controlling these invasive animals can be an important part of protecting wetlands and native habitat. The hunt is conducted in a small-group setting, giving guests an opportunity to experience the Louisiana bayou from a perspective few visitors ever see while participating in an effort that directly supports the health of the surrounding ecosystem. It’s part adventure, part conservation, and a rather practical way to deal with a pig that has apparently declared war on the marsh.

airboat-ezgif.com-optimize.gif

$99 /person  1 hour bayou tour
Saturdays only
Accomodates up to 4 guests

Experience Bayou Bienvenue from a whole new perspective on a thrilling airboat ride through the waterways and wetlands of southeast Louisiana. This 45-minute to 1-hour guided adventure takes you deep into the bayou and surrounding marshes, where the power and speed of an airboat provide an exciting way to explore a landscape that is often inaccessible by conventional boats. Along the way, your guide will point out native wildlife, unique wetland habitats, historic waterways, and the remarkable natural environment that surrounds Bayou Bienvenue. But this is more than just a fast ride through the swamp. Guests will learn about the history, ecology, and ongoing changes shaping this important coastal ecosystem, including the area's wetlands, wildlife, waterways, and the challenges facing coastal Louisiana. With room for up to four guests, the small-group format provides a more personal experience and plenty of opportunities to take in the scenery, spot wildlife, and ask questions along the way. It's an adventure with plenty of excitement, but with a healthy dose of Louisiana education thrown in, because apparently even the swamp has a curriculum.

a Little Further Out

Beyond the Gulf Coast

Beyond the French Quarter border  graphic
IslandHopper.gif

$500 Half-Day (4 hrs)/$1,000 Full Day (8 hrs)
Private Charter to barrier islands
Accommodates up to 6 guests

Escape to some of the most beautiful and remote destinations on the Gulf Coast with a Barrier Islands Adventure aboard our 24-foot charter vessel. This 4-5 hour excursion takes guests beyond the mainland to explore the pristine shores of Mississippi's famous barrier islands, including Cat Island, Horn Island, Ship Island, and Petit Bois Island. Each trip is customized to your group's interests, with visits to two or three islands of your choice, allowing plenty of time to explore, relax, and experience these unique coastal treasures. Known for their crystal-clear waters, white sand beaches, abundant wildlife, and untouched natural beauty, the barrier islands offer a side of the Gulf Coast that few visitors ever get to see. Spend your day beachcombing for shells, spotting dolphins and coastal birds, swimming in secluded waters, or simply enjoying the peaceful surroundings far from the crowds. Whether you're seeking adventure, photography opportunities, or a relaxing day on the water with family and friends, this island-hopping experience provides an unforgettable look at one of the Gulf Coast's best-kept secrets.

SunsetCruise.gif

$300 - 2-hour Sunset Cruise 
(perfect setting for engagements)
Accommodates up to 6 guests

Best way to end the day is with an unforgettable Gulf Coast Sunset Cruise and experience the beauty of the Mississippi Sound as the sky glows with brilliant shades of gold, orange, and pink. Relax on the water, enjoy the coastal breeze, and watch for dolphins, pelicans, and other local wildlife. Perfect for couples, families, engagments and more this scenic cruise is a peaceful way to take in the Gulf Coast's natural beauty while creating memories that will last long after the sun sets.

Beachburner.gif

$400 - 3-hour Beach Bonfire Party 
(
includes bonfire set-up, chairs, lights,cooler & clean-up)
Accommodates up to 20 guests

Gather your friends and head for the sand on the ultimate Gulf Coast Bonfire Party experience. This six-hour adventure combines a scenic boat ride with a fully prepared private beach gathering on one of the beautiful barrier islands or remote stretches of coastline. When you arrive, everything is already waiting for you. We handle the permits, setup, chairs, lighting, coolers, trash receptacles, and the bonfire itself, so all you have to do is step ashore, relax, and enjoy the evening. With a maximum of six guests aboard our comfortable 24-foot charter vessel, the experience feels private, personal, and completely stress-free. As the sun sets over the Gulf, the fire comes to life and the party begins. Spend the evening listening to music, sharing stories around the flames, enjoying your favorite food and beverages, and taking in the sights and sounds of the coast under the stars. Whether you're celebrating a birthday, bachelor or bachelorette party, anniversary, family gathering, or simply looking for a unique night with friends, our Bonfire Party Charter delivers an unforgettable experience. We take care of the logistics, the equipment, and the cleanup, leaving you free to enjoy one of the most memorable nights the Mississippi Gulf Coast has to offer.

ABOUT US

ABOUT US

border  graphic

A passionate collective of local residents and businesses, we’re dedicated to sharing the rich culture, history, and natural beauty of this incredibly diverse city with visitors who are ready to explore beyond the expected. New Orleans is more than the French Quarter—it’s a living, breathing place full of stories, traditions, and hidden corners waiting to be experienced. We’re proudly owned and operated by true New Orleanians, born and raised here, with a deep love for everything this city has to offer.

​

There’s a spirit to Louisiana that’s hard to explain until you experience it for yourself. It’s in the food, the music, the waterways, and most of all, the people. Spend a little time with locals, and that unmistakable flavor starts to come through—warm, welcoming, and full of character. With years of experience in tourism and on the water, we’re committed to creating experiences that feel authentic, personal, and memorable.

​

Our goal is simple: to help visitors connect more deeply with this place we call home. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, we want you to leave with a richer understanding of Louisiana’s culture, its landscapes, and its resilience—and maybe even a few stories you didn’t expect to take with you.

Our partners

border graphic
Docville logo
StBernardTourism logo
RNBNOLA Logo
DreamsVacations logo
Roosevelt Hotel logo
GatorMuseum Logo
YeOldCollegeInn logo
The Riley Express logo
TKB Logo
CommonGround logo
TwoCCsEnterprises Logo
HotRods logo
LAZ logo
CONTACT

contact US

Beyond the French Quarter Tours

​

6301 Paris Rd.

Chalmette, La 70043

​

info@beyondthefrenchquarter.com


Tel: (504) 249-8961

Thanks for submitting!

disabled veteran owned small business
border graphic
  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram

All Rights Reserved   -   © BeyondTheFrenchQuarter 2026
New Orleans, La. 

bottom of page