The 15 Best New Orleans History Tours

1.New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

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

Walk New Orleans’ Garden District with guides such as Caroline, Angie, Shawn, or Sean. Hear stories of antebellum life, above-ground burials, famous homes, film locations, and local culture. The small-group tour lasts about two hours, with cemetery history explained from outside the closed gates.

“Caroline was great! Very knowledgeable & answered lots of questions too. We would never have known the history & details without her!”

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2.French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour

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

Walk the French Quarter for about two hours with a local guide such as Scott, Tim, Libby, Renée, or Yvonne. Expect stories about architecture, religion, food, politics, and culture, plus practical dining and sightseeing tips. Groups are capped at 12 people, and the tour ends at Jackson Square.

“Scott was not only informative but he was polite, engaging and genuinely had so much fun telling the stories!! I’ve been to NOLA several times but learned many things by taking this tour. Great experience!”

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3.New Orleans Small-Group Haunted History Carriage Tour

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

Ride through the French Quarter at night in a covered mule-drawn carriage with up to eight people. A licensed guide such as Matt, Trish, Lemen, or Charles leads you past Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Napoleon House, and the LaLaurie Mansion while mixing documented history with ghost lore.

“We had a great guide! Nice history of New Orleans- spooky but in a relaxed atmosphere. Would definitely recommend!”

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4.The National WWII Museum Admission Ticket New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2,202 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $37

Explore New Orleans’ National WWII Museum at your own pace with general admission. See wartime artifacts, aircraft, personal stories, D-Day and Home Front exhibits, the European and Pacific theaters, and preserved military machines. Allow at least four hours, and add the 4-D film or submarine experience for an extra fee.

“Comprehensive, media enhanced, brief, readable summaries throughout. Very helpful, friendly and knowledgeable staff. An experience that should be undertaken by all visitors to New Orleans. Best museum i have ever visited!”

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5.New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour

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

Walk New Orleans’ French Quarter after dark with guides such as Ariadne, Stella, Artie, and Neo, hearing grim tales tied to LaLaurie Mansion, Jackson Square, Pirate’s Alley, and haunted bars. Expect theatrical storytelling, real city history, a group of up to 28, and drinks at your own cost.

“Super interesting and fun tour - we learned a lot! Yah Yah Universe was a fantastic tour guide with all kinds a knowledge!”

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6.Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

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

Spend about 2.5 hours aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, passing New Orleans landmarks while a historian explains the city’s past. You’ll stop at Chalmette Battlefield for a guided visit with a National Park ranger. Lunch and drinks are available for purchase, but bring no outside food or beverages.

“Relaxing River boat ride on the Mississippi. The narrator was very informative and entertaining. Highly recommend it.”

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7.New Orleans Food and History Walking Tour

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

Walk through the French Quarter with Doctor Gumbo Tours for a three-hour progressive lunch. Sample gumbo, hot sauces, pralines, catfish po-boy, muffuletta, boudin, and more while guides such as Beth, Meg, and Dylan explain the food and history of New Orleans.

“The Professor is a gem. Very knowledgeable and with a relaxed style, we had all our questions answered and learned a lot while trying delicious food!”

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8.New Orleans: Creole Queen History Cruise with Optional Lunch

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

Ride the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen from the Riverwalk to Chalmette Battlefield. Hear New Orleans history from guides such as Charles and Dr. Lauren, enjoy river views, join a National Park Ranger for an hour, and add a Creole buffet lunch if you wish.

“Totally fabulous experience. Commentary given by the tour guide, Charles, was the best I have ever had. Food was delicious and a real authentic experience of New Orleans cuisine. Drinks were reasonable, with no queuing. Battlefield tour guide was knowledgeable. This experience is highly recommended. Perfect few hours.”

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9.New Orleans Cocktail and Food History Tour

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

Spend four hours walking the French Quarter with guides such as Meg, Ben, Gary, or Dylan. Stop for gumbo, muffuletta, jambalaya, pralines, plantains, hot sauces, and up to four full-size cocktails while learning how New Orleans food and drink grew from many cultures.

“Lovely 4 hour experience, walking the streets of New Orleans, drinking cocktails and sampling local cuisine...our guide Meg was superb and made the afternoon informative and enjoyable.. would highly recommend.”

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10.New Orleans: French Quarter Food History Walking Tour

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

Spend three hours walking the French Quarter with an English-speaking guide such as Beth, Gary, Meg, or John, stopping for Louisiana classics at restaurants, shops, and casual food counters. Expect generous tastings, local stories, a vegetarian menu by request, and enough food to replace lunch.

“An excellent combo of New Orleans food, sites, and history. Dylan was an outstanding tour guide.”

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11.New Orleans: The National WWII Museum Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 704 reviews · 1 day · from $37

Spend a full day tracing America’s World War II story across five pavilions in downtown New Orleans. See D-Day craft built locally, walk catwalks beside restored aircraft, follow campaigns from Pearl Harbor to Berlin, and add the Tom Hanks narrated 4D film or a guided tour.

“This was my third visit to this wonderful museum. Excellent!!!”

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12.The National WWII Museum Campus Pass plus 4-D Film

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 672 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $49

Spend a full day exploring five National WWII Museum pavilions in downtown New Orleans, then watch Beyond All Boundaries, a Tom Hanks-narrated 4-D film with moving seats, fog, sound, and lighting effects. Enter the museum before your selected film time and plan for plenty of walking and reading.

“We spent 5 hours in this museum and could have spent more time there. Very well done and worth it. Did the Beyond All Boundaries with Tom Hanks narration, well worth it.”

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

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

Spend about three hours walking one mile through the French Quarter with a local guide such as Beth, Gary, Meg, or John. Visit four bars, taste four cocktails including a Sazerac and Roffignac, and hear the stories behind absinthe, apothecaries, and New Orleans drinking culture.

“Loved learning about history of the drinks and loved drinking them. Beth was a FANTASTIC guide! Thanks for making our trip so much fun! Teresa and John”

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14.New Orleans Jazz History and Music Walking Tour

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

Walk from Louis Armstrong Park through Tremé and the French Quarter with guides such as Kristi, Adam, or Andre. Learn how African, Caribbean, Creole, and European sounds shaped jazz, then visit one or two live music venues with a complimentary drink.

“We had a great time! Adam, our tour guide was very passionate about jazz and very informative. Highly recommend the tour!”

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15.New Orleans Historic Cemetery Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 175 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $23Best value

Walk through St. Patrick Cemetery #2 and two Mid-City cemetery areas with guides such as Taylor, William, Chris, or Robert. Expect about two hours of stories on above-ground burial, Irish New Orleans, yellow fever, hurricanes, and the Katrina Memorial. Small groups are capped at 10.

“Taylor gave tons of interesting facts and history. In addition, when you’re inside he gives you time to explore one of the cemeteries on your own and ask questions when everyone links back up. Take your sunscreen, hats, and umbrellas the sun beats down on you out there. He also gives you locations nearby to checkout after the tour. My wife and teens loved it”

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