My teenage daughter is now a full-time (summer) employee! Great right? Well, it’s sorta put a damper on our travel plans this summer. Between my son’s summer football practice, volleyball practice, weight training and this summer job, both of my kids have my running the roads but that doesn’t put a stop to travel even if it’s just exploring our own area on the weekends.
This summer local family attraction (near New Orleans) we visited was Kliebert’s Alligator & Turtle Farm in Hammond, Louisiana. I went to college in Hammond so I was already familiar with Kliebert’s family owned business that’s been around for decades. Since our weekends are already packed, I love that they are open on Sundays and stay open until dark which allows guests to beat Louisiana’s unbearable summer heat!
Does the Kliebert name sound familiar? Owner T-Mike, Mike Kliebert are History Channel’s Original Swamp People, Season One! In fact, Mike might be the one giving you a guided tour of hour the world’s first and largest Alligator farm. The one hour long, one-of-a-kind walking tour takes you on a guided path through some of Louisiana’s fieriest creatures!
The alligators are interesting but you’ll also learn about the production facilities that houses 47,000 turtles of all kinds. The turtles and their eggs are part of a breeding program that reaches countries worldwide. The breeding program also helped repopulate the American alligator which were once in the endangered list.
The alligators at Kliebert’s live in their natural habitat. Guests will find them sunbathing, nesting and of course eating as the would in any other environment. Several of Kliebert’s alligators 1st hatched in 1957 by Harvey Kliebert which makes them almost 60 years old!
While on the tour the tour guides will feed the beasts which range anywhere from from 9 to 18 feet. I tried to take photographs which represented a full age-range of alligators. Even to 6-8 month old alligators are not the kind of creatures you want to encounter in the swamp!
Our experience at Kliebert’s Alligator & Turtle Farm was pleasant. We arrived shortly after a new tour started and were allowed to catch up with the previous tour or wait another 45 minutes for the next tour. We took our chances and opted to catch up with the previous tour which to our surprise, were still in the 1st turtle exhibit. Perfect timing!
The tour took less than 1 hour and spent another 15 minutes or so learning about the animals kept inside the main lobby for viewing. As you can see from previous photographs, we saw various animals in addition to alligators and turtles. We also had the opportunity for a signature alligator holding photo op for the kids (check out our #BayouTravel Instagram account) at no extra charge!
Also, for bonus savings visit the New Orleans Groupon section for a great deal at Kliebert’s and other local attractions.
Although Kliebert’s Turtle & Alligator Farm is an hour north from New Orleans, it’s one of the more affordable alligator tours in Southeast Louisiana. Also, Hammond has other attractions that families can enjoy while stretching their travel dollar.
My suggestion: Guests can visit Kliebert’s then have a family picnic at one of several state parks in the area. Visit Tangipahoa Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau for other attraction and family outing ideas in the Hammond area.
Kliebert’s Turtle & Alligator Farm
41083 W Yellow Water Rd, Hammond, LA · (985) 345-3617
http://kliebertgatortours.com/
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