Laplace, LA Outdoor Activities

Big Easy Scooters facilitates half- and full-day excursions throughout New Orleans with name-brand scooter rentals from Aprilia, Genuine, and Kymco. Equipped with helmets and accidental-damage insurance, guests can guide themselves through the historic French Quarter, pausing for glimpses of celebrity-owned residences and sprinklers that spray Sazerac. In addition to rentals, Big Easy Scooters sells previously owned and new scooters including classic models and agile Kymcos.

Devoted to preserving Cajun culture by sharing it with the public, Cajun Pride Tours’ knowledgeable and passionate guides lead groups on tours that explore area swamps, plantations along the Great Mississippi River Road, and the historic districts of New Orleans. They also stroll along city streets in the French Quarter in New Orleans, the Garden District, and areas that display the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina. On boat trips, groups can spot friendly gators while floating through the Manchac Swamp—a protected area that prohibits any hunting, fishing, or tickling of the native wildlife. A short drive past the swamps drops tourists off near the area’s plantations that are notable for their history, architecture, landscaping, and insight into Creole culture.

In partnership with Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries, Insta-Gator Ranch strives to preserve Louisiana wetlands and educate its visitors on regional wildlife. On the ranch, tour guides explain the ins and outs of the Louisiana alligator industry, from hatching gators to using them for food and textiles. During the tour, guests stroll along protected walkways near crystal clear waters to witness the goings-on of more than 2,000 alligators and view the specialized airplane used to scoop up alligator eggs from Louisiana swamps. Adding flair to the experience, a guide leaps into the pen to catch one before giving it a warm embrace and a box of water buffalo-flavored chocolates. Before tour's end, both kids and adults can hold and play with baby gators and have their portrait taken with the scaly youngsters. The hatchery also allows for the adoption of infant gators and houses a retail shop filled with alligator belts, wallets, heads, and more.

A Musing Bikes' owner, Gastavo, proudly owns and operates one of the newest shop additions to the lower garden district. The store outfits cyclers with new rides and rentals but also helps keep bikes in working order with new parts and repair services. Rentals are available by the hour, day, weekend, or week and all renters will be equipped with a u-lock, helmet, basket, and safety lights.

Coral Reef's instructors help fledgling divers to fall in love with scuba diving, guiding students as they master buoyancy-control skills and environmental awareness. The scuba teachers oversee divers as they advance from beginner to master scuba diver in small and private classes at their PADI five-star facility, where water shimmers in both indoor and outdoor pools. Additionally, instructors teach specialized skills such as cave diving, rescue diving, and how to become a certified scuba instructor. They also pull up their anchors to take regular diving trips to exciting, watery locals such as Panama City Beach and William Howard Taft's tub.

Formed in 1989, the Louisiana Tour Company started out by organizing Swamp tours narrated by knowledgeable boat captains. Today, the company has grown to offer other excursions such as city Ghost tours on foot, visits to plantations in a van, and Airboat tours of swamp and marshland on the backs of indigenous amphibians. Three-hour New Orleans City and Post-Katrina tours invite sightseers to load up into a minibus to visit city landmarks and areas ravaged by Hurricane Katrina.