Louisiana · NEW ORLEANS HISTORY TOURS

The 15 Best New Orleans History Tours

88 tours  ·  from $8 a head

French, then Spanish, then American, and the buildings still show all three. The 15 history tours below are priced and compared on route and length, from a Quarter walk to a paddlewheeler on the river.

New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour - A small group, with room for questions
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New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

1.New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,879 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35Our pick

Spend about two hours walking the Garden District with a local guide in a group of no more than 15. Hear about above-ground burial traditions from outside Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, then explore antebellum homes, architecture, local lives, and celebrity connections. Guides have included Caroline, Angie, Sean, and Carol. The tour starts and ends at 1427 Washington Ave.

“Shawn was an amazing guide. He knew a lot about the Garden District and its history. He made the tour both fun and interesting.”

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French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour - The French Market, where commerce meets local stories
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French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour

2.French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,724 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $35

In two hours, a guide leads you from Dumaine Street through the French Quarter, French Market, St. Louis Cathedral, the Mississippi River and Royal Street, ending at Jackson Square. Expect stories about architecture, faith, culture and local life, plus tips for places to eat and shop. Groups are capped at 12, and guides have included Scott, Tim, Libby and Renée.

“Exceptional review of the French Quarter including historical facts and the people who made it what it is today. Tim was an excellent guide.”

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New Orleans Small-Group Haunted History Carriage Tour - The LaLaurie Mansion and stories with a real past
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New Orleans Small-Group Haunted History Carriage Tour

3.New Orleans Small-Group Haunted History Carriage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,289 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $65

Ride through the French Quarter in a covered mule-drawn carriage with up to seven other passengers. A licensed guide shares stories of the city’s founding, fires, epidemics, and haunted landmarks such as the LaLaurie Mansion. The tour lasts about an hour, starts at 700 Decatur Street, and costs $65 per person.

“Very easy going tour. I enjoyed the ride. Our guide Trish was superb. Very informative story telling.”

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New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour - Bourbon Street, haunted bars, and a drink stop
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New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour

4.New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,084 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Follow a theatrical local guide through the French Quarter for two hours of ghost stories and city history. Stops may include the LaLaurie Mansion, Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, and a haunted bar. Guides have included Stella, Artie, Ariadne, and Neo. Drinks cost extra, and the group can include up to 28 people.

“Well paced, short pleasant walk with stops and a friendly atmosphere. Very informative and interesting”

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Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise - Chalmette: The Battle Comes Ashore
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Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

5.Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,948 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $47

Spend about two and a half hours aboard the Creole Queen, with a narrated Mississippi River ride and a guided stop at Chalmette Battlefield. Guides have included Dr. Lauren, Dr. Tarantino, Charles, and Michael, though the speaker varies by departure. You’ll pass New Orleans landmarks, hear about the Battle of New Orleans, and find food and drinks for purchase onboard.

“We had a wonderful day. Boat was fun and food was great. Everybody on the boat made us feel like family.”

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New Orleans Food and History Walking Tour - Po’boys and the stories behind the bread
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New Orleans Food and History Walking Tour

6.New Orleans Food and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,544 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $85

Start at 3rd Block Depot for gumbo, then follow a guide through the French Quarter for hot sauce, pralines, po’boys and other Creole and Cajun tastes. The three-hour tour pairs generous food samples with stories about New Orleans cuisine and culture. Groups are capped at 16, and guides have included Beth, Meg, John and Dylan.

“Wonderful and fun tour. This walking tour was a great way to taste the flavors of New Orleans and learn some of the amazing history of the city. Our guide was very knowledgeable.”

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New Orleans: Creole Queen History Cruise with Optional Lunch - The downriver story and the Battle of New Orleans
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New Orleans: Creole Queen History Cruise with Optional Lunch

7.Creole Queen History Cruise with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 1,112 reviews · 2h 30m · from $47

Board the Creole Queen at the Riverwalk/Canal Street Dock for a 150-minute Mississippi River trip, with a local narrator and a one-hour stop at Chalmette Battlefield. Guides have included Charles and Dr. Lauren T. Choose the optional buffet for Creole dishes, or buy drinks at the onboard cash bar. The boat is wheelchair accessible, but the battlefield is not.

“Need bigger sign, it was hard to find. Make it easier for the handicapped. We took my blind aunt and we loved it after we got on boat but it was tough getting to the boat.”

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New Orleans Cocktail and Food History Tour - Gumbo and a Hurricane at Red Fish Grill
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New Orleans Cocktail and Food History Tour

8.New Orleans Cocktail and Food History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 819 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $160

Start at Red Fish Grill at 2 pm for gumbo and a Hurricane, then walk between French Quarter food stops for hot sauce, muffuletta, jambalaya, pralines, plantains and cocktails. Guides such as Meg, Ben and Gary share food and city history. The tour lasts about four hours, costs $160 per person and is for ages 21 and up.

“Ben was our guide and was awesome. Super knowledgeable about Louisiana and New Orleans history and food. Tour was well paced, featured a lot of classic NOLA highlights, and had great portions”

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New Orleans: French Quarter Food History Walking Tour - Gumbo, potato salad and the stories behind a bowl
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New Orleans: French Quarter Food History Walking Tour

9.French Quarter Food History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 713 reviews · 3 hours · from $85

Walk the French Quarter with an English-speaking guide, stopping for Louisiana favorites such as gumbo, catfish po-boy, muffuletta, boudin and praline. The three-hour route starts inside 3rd Block Depot and ends on Toulouse Street. Guides have included Beth, Gary, Meg and John. A vegetarian menu is available by request; vegan and gluten-free options are not.

“My Tour was very great. I really enjoyed it the Tour Guide because he was so interactive with us and he knew a lot of stuff about his city. I had a great time.”

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New Orleans Cocktail History Walking Tour in the French Quarter - Sazerac and Brandy Crusta: the history in the glass
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New Orleans Cocktail History Walking Tour in the French Quarter

10.New Orleans Cocktail History Walking Tour in the French Quarter

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 604 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $95

Start at Patrick’s Bar Vin at 5 pm, then walk about a mile through the French Quarter, stopping for four included cocktails and stories about drinks such as the Sazerac, Brandy Crusta, and Roffignac. Guides including Beth, Meg, John, and Gary have led the tour. You must be 21 or older.

“Beth was excellent and very knowledgeable! It was a great experience and all of the cocktails are ones I would have never ordered may may now!”

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New Orleans Jazz History and Music Walking Tour - Hear about Bourbon Street, Frenchmen Street, and the clubs
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New Orleans Jazz History and Music Walking Tour

11.New Orleans Jazz History and Music Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 477 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $60

Walk about 1.5 miles through Tremé and the French Quarter with a local music guide. You’ll visit Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, hear how jazz grew from the city’s many cultural influences, and stop at a live music venue chosen for the evening. Groups are capped at 12, and one drink is included.

“Amazing tour. Our guide, Kristi, knew so much and was so exited to share her knowledge with us. If you want to know the history of jazz in New Orleans and do a tiny deep dive into Louis Armstrong, listen to some great music & LEARN about the Creole influence on the City, at the same time, this is your tour!”

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Garden District Home and History Walking Tour - The guides make the stories stick
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Garden District Home and History Walking Tour

12.Garden District Home and History Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 470 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $26

Take a two-hour, English-language walk through New Orleans’ Garden District, starting with an interior visit to an 1859 mansion and continuing past grand homes tied to authors, actors, artists, and sports figures. Guides such as Erin, Mikey, Margo, and Pepe are known for mixing architecture and local history with humor. The group is capped at 20.

“Interesting history and lovely houses. Guide was informative and fun. Garden district is a must see in New Orleans.”

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New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour - Read Jackson Square as a civic center
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New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour

13.New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 288 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $29

Walk about two miles through the French Quarter with a local guide and no more than eight other people. The route links the Mississippi levee, French Market, Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Pirate’s Alley, and literary landmarks. Past guides have included Dave Roberts. Choose a morning or evening start; allow about two hours.

“We have travelled extensively and taken historical and foodie tour. This history tour of NO was the best I have ever taken. The breathe of Dave’s knowledge of local and Louisiana history was exceptional. And very pleasant and personable. He is a real pro. I haven taken tours in cities where I knew some of what the guide said was wrong. No danger of that with Dave! He was exceptionally competent. We were lucky because there were only 4 of us in the group probably because it was New Year’s Day at 10:30 in the morning. If you were out late the night before thus would have been early.”

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New Orleans Music Heritage Tour - Crossing the French Quarter, from Chartres Street to J&M Studios
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New Orleans Music Heritage Tour

14.New Orleans Music Heritage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 246 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Walk from Frenchmen Street through the Marigny, French Quarter, and Treme with local record producer Keith Abel, who brings New Orleans music history to life with stories and song clips played on a Bluetooth speaker. The route includes J&M Studios, Preservation Hall, Louis Armstrong Park, and Congo Square.

“Keith was absolutely the best tour guide. He really made it entertaining and educational. His knowledge of the beginnings, and throughout the years was impressive. I really liked the route of the tour but I have to say, Keith was the best part. The stop at Lafitte for drinks and a history lesson of the actual bar was also a favorite stop if ours on the tour.”

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New Orleans History and Sightseeing Small-Group Bike Tour - Faubourg Marigny brings music into the picture
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New Orleans History and Sightseeing Small-Group Bike Tour

15.New Orleans History and Sightseeing Small-Group Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 215 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $55

Ride for about three hours with a local guide from the French Quarter through Tremé, Faubourg Marigny, and City Park. The route pairs New Orleans history with neighborhood streets and riverfront views. Guides such as Chip, Guy, Jeffrey, and Betsy lead groups of no more than 10. Bikes, baskets, and bottled water are included.

“Chip was so knowledgeable about New Orleans. I can’t say enough about this bike tour we absolutely loved it! 🥰 It was a flat and easy ride. I would do it again. We are in our 60s”

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New in New Orleans History Tours

★ 4.9True Voodoo History of NOLA’s Congo Square with Local GuideFrom $3916 reviews
★ 5.0The Soul of New Orleans: Jazz History Private TourFrom $1114 reviews
★ 5.0A Chef led Culinary Journey exploring hidden gems and history!From $16517 reviews
★ 4.5Sip History in the Crescent City Cocktail Making ClassFrom $6732 reviews
★ 4.5Self Guided Walking Tour of New Orleans’ Historic Garden DistrictFrom $713 reviews
★ 5.0Private New Orleans Historical Sightseeing Tour with Hotel PickupFrom $48015 reviews
★ 5.0Private New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour31 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans Small-Group History Tour Pub Crawl of The Irish ChannelFrom $2540 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans History of Drinking Cocktail Bike TourFrom $1157 reviews
★ 4.5New Orleans Historical and Haunted Walking TourFrom $1821 reviews
★ 4.0New Orleans Haunted & History TourFrom $3511 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans Garden District Food & History Tour with Local GuideFrom $1473 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans French Quarter History Walking TourFrom $1512 reviews
★ 3.5New Orleans Drunken Voodoo, Mystery, Paranormal, Supernatural and History TourFrom $3523 reviews
★ 5.0New Orleans Creole History and Culture RideFrom $5550 reviews

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New Orleans French Quarter Tours114New Orleans Walking Tours155New Orleans Garden District Tours55New Orleans Treme Tours10New Orleans Architecture Tours6New Orleans City Tours64New Orleans Bike Tours21
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