The 10 Best New Orleans History Tours

1.New Orleans Garden District History Walking Tour

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

Spend about two hours walking New Orleans’ Garden District with a local guide such as Caroline, Angie, or Sean. Learn why Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 has above-ground tombs, admire antebellum homes and film locations, and hear stories about the people who shaped the neighborhood. Groups are capped at 15, and the cemetery is viewed from outside its gates.

“Not a ton of walking, but very informative. Learn and hear about a dozen homes and the different style of architecture. Also lots of other history about the Garden District.”

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2.French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour

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

Spend about two hours walking New Orleans with a guide such as Scott, Tim, Libby, or Renee. You’ll connect architecture, religion, food, local politics, and colonial history while visiting the French Market, St. Louis Cathedral, Jackson Square, Royal Street, and the Mississippi River. Groups are capped at 12, with three daily departures.

“Our guide was friendly, engaging and knowledgeable. She provided insights into New Orleans history that made me think of the city in a whole new way.”

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3.New Orleans Small-Group Haunted History Carriage Tour

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

Board a covered mule-drawn carriage at 700 Decatur Street for an approximately one-hour evening ride through the French Quarter. With no more than eight passengers, you’ll hear stories about Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, Napoleon House, floods, fires, epidemics, and the LaLaurie Mansion. Guides such as Matt, Trish, Leman, and Charles bring different styles to the route.

“This is one of the greatest tour I have taken. Armstrong our mule was gentle, he knew the route to the tour, he listened to every tug/guidance of the reins. Our tour guide Matt knew his narration so well he commented for 1 hour non stop. We gained so much from this trip than all past 5 days we have been here. I definitely recommend this trip to you all.”

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4.New Orleans Haunted History Ghost Tour

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

Walk through New Orleans’ French Quarter with guides such as Ariadne, Stella, Artie, and Neo, hearing true crime, voodoo, fire, and ghost stories tied to the city’s oldest streets. Visit the LaLaurie Mansion, Jackson Square, Bourbon Street, and a haunted bar. Drinks cost extra, and the tour returns to its starting point.

“We had a great time on the tour! Stella was a very informative and entertaining tour guide. It was a perfect mix of history, laughs, and some gruesome details about New Orleans. Definitely learned a lot and had a great time! Would recommend to anyone!”

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5.Paddlewheeler Creole Queen Historic Mississippi River Cruise

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

Sail from downtown New Orleans aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen for about two and a half hours. A historian covers the LeMoyne brothers, Hurricane Katrina, and the city’s past before you stop at Chalmette Battlefield for a ranger-led visit. Food and drinks are available onboard, with lunch offered separately.

“The historian was very interesting and knowledgeable! I learned a lot while enjoying a leisurely ride.”

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6.New Orleans Food and History Walking Tour

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

Spend three hours walking New Orleans’ French Quarter with guides such as Beth, Meg, John, or Dylan. Visit five food stops for gumbo, hot sauces, pralines, catfish po-boy, muffuletta, boudin, red beans and rice, and bread pudding, while your guide explains the city’s food traditions. Vegetarian meals are available, but gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan diets cannot be accommodated.

“The tour was informative & fun. Food was a nice local mix. Our guide (Beth) really kept our attention and was open to answering any and all questions.”

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

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

Spend 150 minutes aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, cruising from Canal Street to Chalmette Battlefield and back. Guides such as Charles and Dr. Lauren bring New Orleans history, Hurricane Katrina, and the Battle of New Orleans to life. Add the buffet for Creole dishes, or buy drinks and snacks on board.

“Iconic to sail on a paddle steamer on the Mississippi, very cold wet day, stopped for Battlefield tour. Guide on board was extremely informative and amusing. Shame about the weather but still very enjoyable.”

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8.New Orleans Cocktail and Food History Tour

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

Spend four hours walking through the French Quarter with Doctor Gumbo Tours, stopping for gumbo, muffuletta, jambalaya, pralines, plantains, hot sauces, and four full-size cocktails. Guides including Meg, Ben, Gary, and Dylan connect each bite to New Orleans history. The tour starts at Red Fish Grill at 2 p.m. and ends at Cane & Table.

“Ben was an incredible guide who gave us plenty of information but also freedom to ask questions and explore our own interests! Great food, great drinks, great locations!”

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9.New Orleans Historic Cemetery Walking Tour

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

Spend about two hours walking through St. Patrick Cemetery #2, Mid-City cemeteries near City Park, and the Hurricane Katrina Memorial. Guides such as Taylor, William, Chris, Robert, and Spooky Rob explain above-ground burial customs, Irish New Orleans, yellow fever, hurricanes, and local traditions. Expect uneven pavement, grass, heat, and a maximum group of 10.

“Spooky Rob was a great guide. Whole family thoroughly enjoyed the tour! He was knowledgeable and entertaining.”

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10.Haunted Drunken History Tour from New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 135 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $30

Walk New Orleans’ French Quarter with guide Raffle, or Rafelle, hearing stories of ghosts, pirates, murder, brothels, and Creole life while stopping at historic bars. The two-hour, 21-and-over tour includes one drink, covers mostly flat but uneven streets, and suits adults who want history with their evening cocktails.

“Our guide Raffle was excellent. Extremely knowledge about the city and places to go. Enjoyed the information. Not really a haunted tour as much as awesome info.”

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