The 15 Best 2-Hour Experiences in New Orleans

1.New Orleans City and Cemetery 2-Hour Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,967 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $54Our pick

Ride an air-conditioned bus through the French Quarter, Treme, the Garden District, and neighborhoods shaped by Hurricane Katrina. A licensed guide leads the commentary, with a walk through St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 and a stop in City Park near Café du Monde. Guides such as Chris, Justin, and Henry are known for lively storytelling.

“The driver/tour guide was very knowledgeable and fun. The stops were nice. Great to see and hear about the different parts of a large city and the effects of the hurricanes. Bus was a bit rough. Glad it was 2 hours.”

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2.2-Hour Ghosts & Vampires Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 465 reviews · 1h 27m · from $22Best value

Walk the French Quarter with a live English-speaking guide and hear tales tied to Madame Lalaurie, the Mad Butcher, the Ursulines Convent and an Octoroon Mistress. The 87-minute tour meets at Voodoo Lounge, where you can claim a two-for-one hurricane offer an hour beforehand. Past guides have included Kathryn, Raven and Yvette.

“The guide was very entertaining and gave us a lot of history about the city. I would definitely book another tour with this company.”

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3.2-Hour 15-Minute City and Cemetery Tour by Bus

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 326 reviews · 2h 15m · from $45

This 135-minute bus tour links the French Quarter, St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, City Park, Bayou St. John, Lake Pontchartrain and the Garden District. You get hotel pickup, a guide, a cemetery visit and a short Cafe Du Monde stop. Guides such as Justin, Lee and Jared are praised for mixing local stories with humor.

“The guide, Lee, was very friendly and knowledgeable. His first priority was to encourage us to speak up and let him know if we were uncomfortable. Encourage us to ask questions.”

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4.2-Hour Homes of the Rich & Famous Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 115 reviews · from $25

Spend two hours walking the Garden District with a licensed English-speaking guide. See grand homes linked to Anne Rice, Nicolas Cage, John Goodman, and Sandra Bullock, hear about local history and scandals, and spot locations tied to American Horror Story and Mayfair Witches. The route may include a stop by Lafayette Cemetery #1, which is currently closed to visitors.

“Bobby, our guide was terrific. Whole deal seemed a little disjointed. He had no idea who was on the tour or how many were going to show up. Didn't know who had paid and who hadn't. Expected a Garden District Tour. Spent half the time in the Cemetery. Bobby was great. We had had a tour of the the St. Louis cemetery the day before by an ancestored creole but Bobby was even more informative.”

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5.2 Hours Boat Tour in Louisiana Bayous Near New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 109 reviews · from $75Top rated

From Violet, Louisiana, join local commercial blue crab fisherman Captain George for a roughly two-hour boat tour through the bayous. He explains how crab traps work, points out wildlife, and takes you to a riverside camp and the post-Katrina flood wall. Groups are limited to 12, and animals are never guaranteed.

“We enjoyed the tour of our guides background. I'll never think of marshmallows the same way! Great stories, scenery and fun time seeing some gators up close and personal”

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6.2-Hour French Quarter History and Voodoo Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 89 reviews · 1h 45m · from $22

Walk from Congo Square through the French Quarter with an English-speaking guide, hearing about Indigenous people, enslavement, voodoo, Marie Laveau, music, food, politics, and architecture. The route ends at Jackson Square, beside the St. Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the Presbytère. Guides named on past tours include Erin, Wolfy, Gracie, and Nika, though your guide may differ.

“This tour was fantastic! Our guide Erin was super knowledgeable and entertaining. This is a wonderful way to learn more about the history behind of the city!”

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7.2-Hour Sinister Criminal Intentions Murder Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 63 reviews · 2 hours · from $37

Spend two hours walking the French Quarter with an English-speaking guide, hearing about murders from the early 1800s to modern times. The stories include Madame LaLaurie and the Katrina Cannibal murder-suicide, told at or near locations tied to the crimes. Groups are capped at 15, and the tour is for ages 16 and up.

“As a true crime fan, you get the full story of the beginning of the crime to the actual crime and aftermath. The guide we had Randy was awesome. Your walk through the French Quarter and where stuff happened reminds us all, nothing is what it seems!!”

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8.Private New Orleans 2-Hour Sail Aboard a Luxury Yacht

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 44 reviews · 2 hours 10 minutes (approx.) · from $225

Set sail on Lake Pontchartrain aboard a private 47-foot Beneteau with local Captain Doug, a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain with more than 35 years of sailing experience. This roughly two-hour cruise includes wine, craft beer, soft drinks, snacks, blankets in cooler weather, and views of the New Orleans shoreline and Lake Pontchartrain Causeway.

“What a great trip Captain Doug was the best host the boat was great and the music was good all in all just a great time thAnks”

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9.2-hour Eco-Swamp Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 2 hours · from $73

Take a two-hour, small-group boat tour into the Atchafalaya Basin, with a guide sharing its wildlife, plants, waterways, and local culture. Boats carry no more than six people and can reach narrower swamp channels than larger craft. Wildlife is not fed or captured. Guides have included Al, Alan, Albert, and Mitchell.

“Al was a great guide. Saw many birds, turtle and small alligators. Worth the cost.”

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10.New Orleans’ Garden District 2 Hour Walking Tour (Small Group)

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $39

Walk the Garden District with a local guide for two hours, stopping at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, historic homes, Anne Rice’s former home, and Commander’s Palace. Hear about architecture, local history, filming, and Creole and Cajun food. Sarah is one guide associated with the tour; groups are capped at 20.

“Sarah was funny, personable, and very knowledgeable. The tour did not at all feel scripted! She added so many interesting facts about the culture, customs, with a little harmless local gossip sprinkled in. Highly reccomend💕”

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11.2-Hour Paranormal Investigation Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours · from $24

Walk the French Quarter with a local guide, starting near a reputed mass burial ground and visiting haunted houses, pubs, cemeteries, and streets. You’ll use an EMF meter and a paranormal detector, with stops across the historic district. The tour costs $24 and lasts two hours. Past guides have included Cody, but the guide for your departure may differ.

“My daughter and I had a really good time. He was a good guide and I learned more things on his tour than my other ghost tour I took my son's on. He was polite, would answer anyone's questions , and we all just got along well. He did bring a handheld meter and he welcomed you to see, hold, and ask questions about. Our group ages ranged from 12- 50 and was family friendly.”

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12.2-Hour Date Night and Sunset Cruise Near New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 6 reviews · from $150

Set out from Madisonville at 7 pm for a two-hour Tchefuncte River cruise capped at six people. You’ll pass riverfront mansions, pause for sunset photos near the historic Tchefuncte River Light Station, and stop at T Rivers Bar & Grill, where food, drinks, and often live music are available to buy. Bring your own snacks and drinks, and check whether Captain Mike is your skipper.

“The most memorable part of the trip was seeing baby alligators. Also, it was peaceful and relaxing cruising along the river.”

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13.2-Hour Historical Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.2 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Spend two hours walking the Vieux Carré with an English-speaking guide, visiting landmarks such as St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, the Cabildo and LaLaurie Mansion. Hear stories about the Sultan’s Palace and other local sights. The tour costs $35 per person and meets outside the gate beside Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar on Bourbon Street.

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14.Explore New Orleans’ Garden District: Private 2-hour Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $175

Start at Commander’s Palace at 9:30 am for a private two-hour walk through the Garden District. Your guide connects grand homes to the cotton economy, jazz, film, and local history, then leads a short visit to Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 if it is open. A drink at a local bar or café is included.

“Lesley was amazing. We had so much fun hearing all the stories about the homes and neighborhood. Her passion for the area was obvious and appreciated.”

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15.2-Hour French Quarter Ghost Walking Tour in New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $39

Join a licensed guide for an evening walk through the French Quarter, with stories of crime, ghosts, vampires and local history at nine stops. The route includes LaLaurie Mansion, the Old Ursuline Convent and Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. Guides named on recent outings include Lacey, Kamille and Diana or Deana, though your guide may differ.

“We loved Lacey and enjoyed hearing a bit about the history of the city!!! We would absolutely recommend to anyone.”

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