City Sightseeing New Orleans HOHO Bus Tour & Bookable Extras

New Orleans is a city of distinct neighborhoods, and this open-top bus makes a useful first pass through them. You can ride the full 1.5-hour loop to get oriented, then hop off later at places you want to explore on foot, from Jackson Square to the Garden District.

I like two things in particular: the live guide adds local stories and practical tips, and the route links historic districts with museums, riverfront sights, and Magazine Street. A 2 or 3-day ticket also includes a Garden District walking tour, while the 3-day option adds a French Quarter walk.

The main trade-off is the schedule. Buses run about every 30 minutes, but the last departure is at 4pm and the final tour ends at 5:30pm, so this is a daytime sightseeing tool, not evening transport. At $51 per person, the value depends on how often you ride and how much you use the included walks.

• Start with the full loop: Allow about 1.5 hours to see the route and decide where to return.
• Expect live commentary: English-speaking guides tell stories as you ride, but sound can be hard to hear from some seats.
• Pick your pass carefully: The Garden District walk comes with 2 and 3-day tickets; the French Quarter walk is exclusive to the 3-day option.
• Use the route for more than the Quarter: Stops reach Tremé, Bywater, the Garden District, the Arts District, and the riverfront.
• Plan around daytime service: Buses run every 30 minutes, with the last departure from any stop at 4pm.
• Bring your voucher and ID: Mobile and paper vouchers are accepted; the voucher only works on the date booked.

A full loop helps you read the city

The route is most useful when you treat the first ride as an orientation tour, not a checklist. It begins and ends near 700 Decatur Street, close to Jackson Square, and runs through the French Quarter, Tremé, the Central Business District, the Garden District, the Convention Center area, and the riverfront.

A full circuit takes about 1.5 hours. That is long enough to notice how New Orleans shifts from old Quarter streets to broad avenues and residential blocks, but not enough to study every neighborhood from the top deck. I’d ride the loop before deciding where to spend the rest of your day, a strategy that several past riders found helpful.

The bus runs about every 30 minutes. That interval gives you room to hop off, but it does require a little patience if you miss a departure. The first buses leave Stops 1, 5, 6, and 17 between 9:30am and 9:40am. The last departure from any stop is at 4pm, and the last tour finishes at 5:30pm. Start early if you want to make more than a couple of stops.

Jackson Square, the cathedral, and the French Market

Stop 1 puts you in the heart of the French Quarter, near Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral. The cathedral is identified as the oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States, and its position beside the square makes this a natural place to begin a visit. The stop is also close to the City Sightseeing shop and ticket office.

From there, it is a short walk to the French Market at Stop 2. Its stalls include local produce, keepsakes, and souvenirs, so you can browse without committing to a museum-length visit. The market is an easy hop-off choice if you want a casual lunch stop or a look at a more commercial side of local food and shopping.

Royal, Bourbon, Chartres, and Canal streets are also within reach from the central stops. Royal Street is noted for crafts, antiques, art objects, and museums. Bourbon Street is part of the Quarter’s famous nighttime identity, but the bus service ends well before evening, so plan to return on your own if you want to stay late.

Frenchmen Street, Bywater, and Tremé

The route heads beyond the most familiar Quarter streets toward Marigny and Bywater. Stop 3 serves Frenchmen Street music clubs, Crescent Park, JAMNola, and a Bywater brew pub. These stops give you a chance to see a different part of the city, though the best use of this area depends on your interests and how much time you have.

Frenchmen Street is a useful alternative to simply circling the main Quarter blocks, with music venues among its listed sights. Crescent Park offers a riverfront stop, while JAMNola provides an indoor arts option. Attraction admission is not included, so check ticket requirements before making either a main purpose of your day.

At Stop 4, you reach Tremé and the area around St. Augustine Church and the Tomb of the Unknown Slave. Basin St. Station follows at Stop 5. These stops extend the tour into places with important cultural and historical associations, and the live guide can help put what you see in context. If a particular site matters to you, allow time to get off and explore rather than expecting a quick glance from the bus.

Canal Street, the CBD, and the Superdome

The Canal Street stop connects you with Bourbon, Royal, and Chartres streets, as well as hotels along Canal. This is one of the practical stops for moving between the Quarter and the broader center of the city. Stop 7 serves Caesars New Orleans, the American Italian Cultural Museum, and Italian Piazza.

From there, Stop 8 at 1100 Poydras brings you near Lafayette Square and Gallier Hall. Stop 9 is at 545 St. Charles Avenue. The route’s movement into the Central Business District and along St. Charles gives you a contrast with the Quarter’s denser historic streets.

The Superdome, originally called the Louisiana Superdome, is described as the world’s largest fixed dome structure and home of the New Orleans Saints. It is worth seeing if you have an interest in sports or large-scale architecture, but it is not a historic district you need to spend hours exploring. Think of it as one landmark on a wider circuit, not the main reason to buy the ticket.

The WWII Museum, Magazine Street, and the Garden District

Stop 10 is one of the strongest museum-area stops. The National WWII Museum is nearby, along with the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Confederate Civil War Museum. The bus ticket does not include attraction admission, so this stop can easily become a full day on its own if you choose to go inside the museums.

Stops 11 to 13 serve Magazine Street, with named locations at Jackson Avenue, 2727 Magazine Street, and 3137 Magazine Street. This section gives you a chance to leave the main tourist corridor and explore a long commercial street. Shops and other stops can make a pleasant change of pace, but keep an eye on the bus timetable if you have a museum booking or a limited sightseeing day.

Stops 14 and 15 run along St. Charles Avenue, including the Garden District area. The 2 and 3-day tickets include a guided Garden District walking tour, a real benefit if you want more than a view from the bus. The pass descriptions do not give the walk’s length or departure schedule, so confirm those details when you redeem your voucher.

Mardi Gras World, the Arts District, and the riverfront

Stop 16 serves the Convention Center and Mardi Gras World. The latter is a listed attraction, but entry is not included in the bus ticket. If you want to visit, allow for the time required to see it rather than treating it as a quick stop between buses.

The Arts District stop, numbered 17, brings you near Julia Street galleries, shops at The Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, and other Julia Street shops and galleries. It’s a useful place to get off if you want art or shopping rather than another stretch of historic streets. The stop is also one of the route’s starting points for the first bus of the day.

At Stop 18, the riverfront connections include the Creole Queen paddlewheeler, VUE Orleans Observation Deck, and Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium. These attractions have separate admission or ticket arrangements. The bus gets you close, but you will need to budget both time and any entry costs separately.

What the live guide adds, and what it cannot fix

The live English commentary is a major reason to choose this tour over a route that relies only on recorded audio. Guides have included Linda, Ron, Colin, Mary, Deidre, and others, though you cannot book a particular guide. Their stories and practical suggestions can help you understand the city as you pass through it, and riders have especially valued the mix of history, humor, and local recommendations.

There is a practical caveat: hearing the guide can be difficult from some seats. If the commentary matters to you, try to sit where you can hear clearly, and ask staff if you are unsure where to wait or board. The route also places importance on safe, unhurried boarding, so don’t rush the driver or guide when getting on and off.

Several riders have used the tour on their first day to learn the layout and choose later stops. That is a sensible plan. The bus can help you decide whether the Quarter, a museum, Magazine Street, or the Garden District deserves more of your time, but it will not replace walking those areas.

Is $51 a fair price for your visit?

The listed price is $51 per person, with 1, 2, or 3-day ticket choices. You get unlimited hop-on hop-off rides for the selected period, live English commentary, and stops near major sights. The longer options add guided walks, which can improve the value if you intend to use them.

For a single day, the ticket makes most sense if you plan to ride the full loop and get off at multiple stops. If you only want to travel between two nearby places, the cost may be hard to justify. For two or three days, compare the price with how much you expect to use the bus and whether the walking tours fit your plans.

Attraction tickets, food, drinks, and hotel pickup are not included. The bus is wheelchair accessible, but check the details of any separate attraction or walking tour if you need to plan around access. Pets and smoking are not allowed on the bus.

Mobile and printed paper vouchers are accepted and can be redeemed at any stop. Bring a passport or ID card and some cash, and remember that the voucher is only valid on the date specified when you book. Service does not operate on certain dates, and some dates have earlier finishes or closures at Stops 1 to 4. Check the operating calendar before you commit to a particular day.

Should you book the New Orleans hop-on hop-off bus?

I’d consider this a strong orientation tour for a first visit, especially if you want a guide’s running commentary and the freedom to choose your own stops. The best value comes from riding the full loop early, then using the pass for several planned visits. If you want only a short transfer or expect to spend your days inside museums, the ticket may not earn its keep.

Choose the 2-day option if the Garden District walk interests you and you want time to explore at a relaxed pace. The 3-day ticket is the one to consider if you also want the included French Quarter walk. Keep your expectations grounded: this is a daytime sightseeing route, not a replacement for exploring on foot or arranging evening transport.

FAQ

How long does the bus tour take?

A complete bus tour takes about 1.5 hours. You can also hop off at stops and catch a later bus.

How often do buses run?

Buses run every 30 minutes. The first departures from Stops 1, 5, 6, and 17 are between 9:30am and 9:40am.

What time is the last departure?

The last departure from any stop is at 4pm. The final tour ends at 5:30pm.

Which pass includes the Garden District walking tour?

The Garden District Guided Walking Tour is included with 2 and 3-day tickets.

Does the 1-day ticket include a French Quarter walking tour?

No. The French Quarter Guided Walking Tour is included only with the 3-day ticket.

Are attraction admissions included?

No. Attraction tickets, food, and drinks are not included.

Can I use a mobile voucher?

Yes. Mobile and printed paper vouchers are accepted and can be redeemed at any stop. The voucher is valid only on the date selected when booking.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the buses are wheelchair accessible.

Are there dates when the tour does not run?

Yes. The tour does not operate on February 7, 8, 14, 15, and 17; April 18 and 19; November 26; and December 5 and 25. Some other dates have an earlier finish, and Stops 1 to 4 are closed on April 16 and 17. Check the operating details for your travel date.