New Orleans has 300 years of history begging to be shared. Hear the best, most illuminating stories to help you understand its history from an adoring local. You'll hear about the Chitimacha tribe that lived here, about life in the early colonies, stories of famous locales, and landscape of the city's music. More than just a jumble of names and dates, we'll dig into the meat of the strange stories and characters who created this amazing town.
- Hear stories of the characters who founded the city
- Get to know some secrets and scandals from ages past
- Learn about the city from a local’s perspective
- Small group tour
What To Expect
Washington Artillery Park
We begin the tour in the most scenic spot in the French Quarter, as you hear about the river and bed of mud out city rests on, the early Chitimacha tribe that settled the area, and the rather odd French colonists who founded New Orleans in 1718.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Mississippi River
We’ll see the mighty Mississippi from our tour start.
• Admission Ticket Free
Cafe Du Monde
Next we’ll stop by Cafe Du Monde, the oldest coffee house in the city, and explore the sweet history of beignets.
5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Jackson Square
Then we’ll take a look around Jackson Square and we’ll tell you about the statue of Andrew Jackson — the only statue in the city to be erected out of spite! During the French colonial period, it was a place of bizarre punishments.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Pontalba Buildings
We’ll see the Pontalba Buildings, and hear the story of the Baroness Pontalba, from the wealthiest family New Orleans has ever seen, Spanish nobles who paid for the construction of all the buildings in Jackson Square. Her bizarre story is a real-life psychological thriller.
15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
French Quarter
There are plenty of mini-stops along the way where we’ll share all the knowledge we’ve learned in our years of tour guiding. This city is SO interesting and you will leave with an exciting and amazing understanding of The Big Easy!
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
St. Louis Cathedral
Our next stop is at our most iconic landmark, the St Louis Cathedral. It’s a spectacular sight, and has some really interesting history, from pirate prisons to dueling grounds! Along the way we will talk about Pirate’s Alley, and if it’s open we will take a quick peek inside of the Cathedral. It’s the oldest in the country!
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Included
Louis Armstrong Park
We’ll begin with a stroll through the beautiful Louis Armstrong Park, the birthplace of Jazz music! We’ll talk NOLA history and how this amazing city began and share some juicy stories before heading into the heart of the French Quarter.
14 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar
We’ll stop between this historic bar and a nearby coffee shop. Built in the 1780s, this popular dead-end-of-Bourbon St. bar was once a business front for smugglers and pirates. These pirates also enlisted to fight the war of 1812. To this day, men who re-enact the battle come to drink afterwards.
In the 1960s, “Cafe Lafitte” was a popular gay bar, frequented by Tennessee Williams.
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
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Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
include
Mid-tour break, both coffee and alcohol available for purchase within one block.
exclude