Top New Orleans Cultural Tours

Delve into the stories behind the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans during a French Quarter walking tour. Take in famous landmarks including Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Mississippi River, along with lesser-known places of interest. Hear from your guide about the architecture and heritage of the district, and get the inside scoop on recommended places for shopping and dining as well.

The Steamboat NATCHEZ is taking some time off, but her sister vessel will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic riverboat experience, journeying back in time to when cotton was king and New Orleans was a budding port town that dazzled visitors with its colorful Creole culture. Board the historic riverboat for a morning or afternoon float down the mighty Mississippi. Stroll the deck, admire the iconic paddlewheel, enjoy live music, and snap picturesque shots of the beautiful urban shoreline. This family‐friendly excursion offers an optional tableside lunch (additional expense).

The Steamboat Natchez is taking some time off, but her sister vessel will be taking her place. You’ll get the same authentic experience of New Orleans at night on this romantic riverboat cruise! Journey through time on a paddle-wheel boat ride along the mighty Mississippi. Stroll the deck, cozy up with family and friends, and delight in the sparkle of the urban shoreline at dusk. This excursion includes a Creole‐inspired dinner (if option selected) and live jazz music.

Exploring New Orleans in the evening can seem like an intimidating quest on your own, but this ghost, voodoo, and vampire walking tour takes you to the city’s most eerie sites at night in the safety of a group with a knowledgeable guide. Stop by top attractions such as the LaLaurie Mansion and New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, all while listening to your guide’s detailed stories of the paranormal and beyond.

Gaze at the spectacular sights of New Orleans from the comfort of a luxury coach on an unforgettable 3-hour city tour. With a professional guide, cruise past historical highlights like the French Quarter and the Garden District while listening to illuminating commentary. See the the lakefront area and the 17th street canal where the canal bank was breached by hurricane Katrina, and delve into the city’s rich history as you take a tour of the best museums in New Orleans. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation from your hotel in Downtown New Orleans on this informative tour.

Maximize time in New Orleans with a sightseeing bus tour. Explore beyond the beauty of the French Quarter to see other neighborhoods including the Garden District, Treme, and the 9th Ward. Learn about city culture and history as you travel along Frenchmen Street, Esplanade Avenue, and more.

Although not your typical tour of New Orleans, this expedition through the Big Easy takes in some of the major points of interest, including the French Quarter, Treme, the Esplanade, the Garden District and the Metairie Cemetery. Relax in air-conditioned minibus comfort, and listen as a guide leads you through one of America's most historic cities.

Immerse yourself in the best of the French Quarter on this 2.5‐hour historical walking tour. An entertaining local guide will lead you through the Vieux Carré, along the mighty Mississippi River, and to Louis Armstrong Park and Jackson Square, describing the city’s cultural history and diverse colonial heritage. See notable literary and cinematic landmarks, bustling scenes of local life, and architectural gems including some of the nation’s oldest buildings.

Rich history and voodoo legends make New Orleans one of the most fascinating places to visit, but if you see the sights alone, you could miss out on some of the key details that bring this vibrant city to life. Choose from two options - the voodoo walking tour takes you through the city during daylight hours—perfect for those who don’t want to get too scared, but still want a look into the city’s mysterious past. The BYOB Cemetery Insiders option allows you to journey through three of New Orleans’ hallowed historical cemeteries. Bring your favorite beverage and learn of the city's burial customs and traditions. While you pass through the aisles of tombs, you'll hear stories like one of thousands buried in the graveyard behind the Katrina Memorial. No matter which option you choose, you will leave you with feelings of trepidation and excitement, as well as an appreciation of New Orleans' incredible history.

Experience New Orleans’ wild bayou country on an exciting, family‐friendly airboat ride. This boat tour winds through the mossy cypress swamp close to Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, named for the 19th‐century pirate and smuggler. While onboard, enjoy lively commentary from a native guide as you admire lush, forested shoreline and spot local wildlife.

If you're looking for a no-holds-barred fright in New Orleans, explore the city’s dark history on this adults-only tour from Hottest Hell, one of the top-rated haunted tour operators in town. Storytelling guides save the most grizzly true-crime tales, voodoo legends, and paranormal frights for this one, taking you on the choice of two different routes through the most haunted locations in the French Quarter and beyond.

Experience the grandeur of New Orleans’ antebellum south on a half‐day tour of Oak Alley Plantation. Take a journey through time to the manicured estate and into the gorgeous home, built in 1839. View stunning architecture, oak‐lined esplanades, and enduring sugar cane fields while learning about the plantation’s fascinating – and often somber – histories from expert guides.

Step back in time on this historic walking tour of New Orleans’ Garden District with an experienced guide. Learn about life and death in the city and its unique above-ground crypts and gravesites. Walk shady avenues lined with antebellum homes, and hear how a small riverside settlement grew into a lavish, wealthy city. See a wide range of architectural styles in the elegant Garden District neighborhood then get local tips on the city’s best places to enjoy New Orleans' finest music, food, and drink.

Enjoy an educational and leisurely stroll through one of New Orleans' most gorgeous neighborhoods on this walking tour of the Garden District. Hear about the history of the stately mansions along the tree-lined streets before visiting one of the city's haunting cemeteries.

Eat and drink your way through the French Quarter on a culinary walking tour designed to highlight New Orleans’ rich gastronomic heritage. Visit local institutions and holes-in-the-wall, taste a range of dishes and buy culinary souvenirs, like hot sauce and decadent pralines. Enjoy food samples at eat that stop, which add up to the equivalent of a full meal.

Explore the French Quarter and Marigny aboard a relaxing horse and carriage during this small-group tour in New Orleans. Discover the history, culture, and legends that surround this historic city as you see landmarks including the St. Louis Cathedral, Napoleon House, and French Market. You also get insider tips from your guide about the best places to eat, drink, and explore in New Orleans.

Explore New Orleans’ "Cities of the Dead: on the only ghost tour offering cemetery access after dark. While most haunted history tours stay in the bustling French Quarter, this one takes you into the silent, shadowy realms of some of the city’s oldest and most haunted graveyards. Hear chilling tales of paranormal activity while exploring the curious above-ground burial practices of these famous final resting places.

Get more from the city by exploring New Orleans’ food culture with a guide. Stop by some of the French Quarter’s most famous restaurants for some of the area’s most delicious food. Enjoy tastings that could include seafood gumbo, Creole brisket, and beignets. Learn fun facts from your guide as you walk along the city streets, and if you choose, upgrade to a small-group tour with no more than 12 guests.

Sail down this Mississippi River on a classic Paddlewheeler boat on this New Orleans river cruise. Enjoy illuminating narration from a licensed historian and stop part-way through the trip to learn about the Battle of New Orleans. Then, get back aboard the vessel and enjoy a cash bar while admiring the views.

Take a walk through 300 years of New Orleans’ musical history on this tour led by a local Louisiana record man. Discover how the city became the heart and soul of the American blues scene, and visit legendary music-making haunts including Preservation Jazz Hall, Place de Armes, the Royal Orleans Hotel and several recording studios. Stroll down iconic Bourbon and Frenchmen streets while hearing tales of local jazz and blues legends like Allen Toussaint, James Booker, Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong and more.

Discover New Orleans ‘spirited’ side on a fun and informative cocktail tour! You’ll rub shoulders with local imbibers at historic bars and restaurants and have the option to sip on classic concoctions like the Sazerac and Pimm’s Cup. Immerse yourself in the stories from your guide and savvy mixologists, and learn the famous – and sometimes scandalous – histories of drink and drinking culture in New Orleans.

Discover the mystique of the swamps and bayous on a sightseeing boat tour from New Orleans. Travel deep into the secluded bayous across the Mississippi River to witness Cajun life and spot native wildlife. Your guide will provide commentary on Cajun culture and the myth‐laden swamps while you snap photos of alligators, raccoons, snakes, turtles, and native birds.

Step aboard an air-conditioned bus to escape the heat for a comfortable, comprehensive tour of New Orleans. This whirlwind tour hits all the most important sights—the French Quarter, the Garden District, Treme, the 9th Ward, and others—in a single day. You'll have the benefit of in-depth commentary as you travel and the chance to ask questions.

Go for a sunset cruise aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen on this boat trip. Listen to an on-board jazz band and choose to add on a Creole-style dinner buffet as the boat sails along the Mississippi River. Take in the views from the promenade deck and sip New Orleans-inspired cocktails.