Take a plane or helicopter ride over New Orleans and the Mississippi River on one of these excellent flying tours.
(Photo: Getyourguide.com)
Helicopter rides are an increasingly popular way to see natural and manmade beauty side by side in the United States. And nowhere is quite like New Orleans, with its lively French Quarter and the mighty Mississippi River passing through before emptying out into the Gulf of Mexico. There are a select number of sightseeing tours from the air, utilizing plane or chopper, and the fares are surprisingly reasonable. Some even throw in a few extra surprises to make your trip even more memorable. Here are four excellent options.
New Orleans Daytime City Helicopter Tour
Posing great value for money, this 15-mile helicopter flight experience covers a surprising amount of ground in 12 minutes of flying time. The route will take you over many of the iconic Big Easy monuments, including the Mercedes Benz Superdome, New Orleans City Park and the French Quarter. You’ll also pass over the Mississippi swampland. Please note that this tour requires two or three participants to run. A longer, 30-mile route can be selected instead, costing $185 per person. From $95 per person.
New Orleans Sightseeing Flight
(Photo: Viator.com)
If you’d like to spend longer in the air, flights aboard a small plane are even better value for money. Flights depart regularly between 9am and 5pm every day, with 30-minutes being the shortest option available. Although many previous customers recommend at least a 45-minute experience, you can see a lot in 30 minutes, especially with the helpful commentary from your pilot. See the various sides of New Orleans, from Bourbon Street to the bayous. Longer flights are reasonably priced at $139 per person for 45 minutes and $149 person for an hour. From $128 per person.
Private New Orleans City Lights Helicopter Night Tour
While the splendor of the natural world may disappear from view at night, a different side to human life is rendered in lights. And nowhere parties quite like New Orleans, particularly around the French Quarter. This 15-mile, nighttime helicopter flight takes you right over the top of it all, viewing the city lit up at night, from the Mercedes Benz Superdome, the skyscrapers of downtown, and the dark ribbon of the Mississippi cutting its way through it all. A 30-mile route is also available. From $133 per person.
(Photo: Viator.com)
New Orleans VIP Sightseeing Flight
Are you considering taking a flight over New Orleans for a special occasion? When a majestic aerial view of the world is not romantic enough, the inclusion of either wine and cheese, or champagne and chocolates on this tour should knock things up a notch. The 45-minute tour in a single-engine airplane passes over the meandering bayous, the iconic French Quarter and the exalted Mercedes Benz Super Dome. You can customize the route to suit your preferences, that way if you’d prefer more time over the bayous, it can be arranged and delivered as you sip on your champagne. From $168 per person.