Top 15 Things To Do in Gretna, Louisiana

Gretna is a compact, river-fronted counterpoint to the high-energy streets of New Orleans—ideal for short, focused sightseeing tours that emphasize local history, architecture, and riverside life. Whether you prefer a guided walking loop through the historic district, a ferry crossing with a photo op of the skyline, or a relaxed half-day that stitches together food stops and waterfront vistas, Gretna distills a slice of Lower Mississippi culture into a walkable, approachable experience.

Where the Mississippi widens into braided channels and hidden marshes, Gretna is a discreet launch point for airboat trips that slip into the languid heart of Louisiana wetlands. From thundering prop wash to long, reed-lined runs where birds wheel and alligators slip beneath lily pads, airboat rides here are part natural history lesson, part visceral thrill. Operators based in and around Gretna connect cityside convenience with remote watery terrain—making sunrise runs, wildlife-focused cruises, and photo-friendly evening runs equally accessible to visitors based in New Orleans or staying locally.

Tucked across the river from New Orleans, Gretna is a low-slung waterfront town where the pulse of Louisiana’s waterways is everyday life. The water-activity scene ranges from lazy ferry crossings and family-friendly kayak loops through narrow bayous to guided swamp tours and offshore fishing charters that chase shrimp, speckled trout, and redfish. This guide focuses on making the most of Gretna’s riverfront, its gateway access to the Barataria Basin and nearby coastal marshes, and the practical considerations—safety, seasonality, and logistics—you need to plan memorable hours on the water.

Gretna's bus tours act as a slow-moving key to the West Bank: narrated rides that stitch industrial riverfronts, shotgun houses, cemetery stones, and lively main streets into a compact story. Whether it's a short heritage loop or a half-day deep dive that includes ferry crossings and riverside photo stops, bus tours here make the subtle history and local rhythms of this overlooked side of the Mississippi easy to access.

Gretna is a compact hinge between urban Louisiana and a wild, waterlogged world. Eco tours here thread through marshes, bayous, and riverfront neighborhoods—places where migratory birds, fiddler crabs, and the slow choreography of tidal creeks define a living coastline. Whether it’s a short interpretive boat trip into the Barataria basin, a paddle through braided marsh channels, or a nocturnal swamp tour that introduces the chorus of frogs and owls, Gretna’s eco experiences balance close-up wildlife viewing with the cultural story of human life beside the river.

Perched on the west bank of the Mississippi, Gretna is an understated doorway to Louisiana’s teeming coastal ecology. From levee-edge raptors and river otters to sprawling brackish marshes that stage dramatic migrations, wildlife watching here blends urban accessibility with swamp-country intimacy. This guide curates the best ways to meet the region’s birds, reptiles, and marsh dwellers—by foot, by kayak, and by guided boat—offering practical advice for timing, terrain, and how to see more while leaving less trace.

Gretna's bike tours are an invitation to pedal along a working riverfront, through creole streets, and out toward marshes where the delta meets suburbia. Short urban loops, levee cruises with skyline views of New Orleans, and explorations that push into the Barataria basin make Gretna a small but surprisingly varied base for two-wheeled travelers. Expect flat, rideable terrain, humid air, and an experience that blends culture, ecology, and food in compact, rideable chunks.

Gretna sits like a small harbor town shadowing New Orleans, where the broad Mississippi relaxes into a braided network of bayous, channels, and sheltered coastal backwaters. For sailors the area is a study in contrasts: tidal river runs, quiet marsh reaches full of birds and crabbing stakes, and short coastal hops that open toward Grand Isle and the barrier islands of the Gulf. This guide focuses on sailing experiences launched from Gretna-area slips and nearby marinas—day sails, estuary explorations, fishing-focused charters, and overnight coastal passages—tempered by practical notes on currents, weather windows, and what to pack for Southern Gulf conditions.

Gretna’s compact streets, river levees, and direct ferry link to New Orleans make it a quietly compelling place to pick up a bike. Rentals range from sturdy hybrids and cruisers for relaxed riverfront loops to e-bikes for longer West Bank excursions. Expect flat terrain, warm air, and a mix of residential lanes and paved levee paths that are ideal for riders who want an accessible, neighborhood-focused cycling experience with easy connections to urban culture across the river.

Gretna's dinner-boat scene is an after-dark choreography of river light, Louisiana flavors, and low-slung southern hospitality. Cruising from the west bank of the Mississippi provides a quieter vantage on New Orleans' skyline, with a range of vessels that pair multi-course Creole meals and live music with wide-water scenery. This guide focuses on the nine standout dinner-boat experiences centered on Gretna—perfect for planners who want the romance of a river cruise without the big-city bustle.

Gretna’s low-slung horizon, braided waterways, and proximity to the Gulf make it an unexpected launchpad for aerial exploration. From short scenic flights over the Mississippi’s bends and urban skylines to swamp-and-marsh seaplane runs and helicopter transfers, the town is a compact hub for air-based perspectives on South Louisiana.

Gretna sits on the west bank of the Mississippi, a short boat ride from estuarine corridors where bottlenose dolphins weave between working waterways, mudflats, and leisure craft. This guide focuses narrowly on dolphin-focused outings—boat tours, paddle trips, shorewatching, and shared conservation experiences—so you can plan a responsible, exciting encounter without losing the practical details.