Notice: Some tour suppliers on this checklist could have restricted or ceased operations as a consequence of COVID-19. Verify along with your tour operator about availability earlier than you e book.
To get the complete expertise of a metropolis like New Orleans, there isn’t any higher manner than to observe a neighborhood’s recommendation. With the assistance of traveler evaluations, U.S. Information tracked down 18 guided excursions that gives you a real lay of the land – from walks by way of well-known cemeteries and tales of haunted mansions to discovering the very best beignets and reside avenue music.
Airboat Adventures – New Orleans Airboat Trip
Expertise the wild aspect of Louisiana on a New Orleans Airboat Trip. For practically two hours, you will zip by way of the realm’s swamplands and bayous whereas preserving your eyes peeled for the swamp’s resident animals, together with alligators, herons, ibises and turtles. Guests love being near wildlife and seeing the animals’ pure habitats. In addition they praise the pleasant guides for his or her entertaining and informative commentary. Tickets begin at $75 per individual on a big airboat (as much as 30 passengers) and $99 per individual on a small airboat (as much as eight passengers). Youngsters ages 5 and youthful and pregnant girls should not permitted to trip. Excursions are supplied a number of instances every day. Consider: The departure level for the boat tour is positioned roughly 30 miles from downtown New Orleans. You’ll be able to organize your personal transportation or pay additional for round-trip transportation supplied by the corporate.
Two Chicks Strolling Excursions – Grand Backyard District Tour
Take a stroll by way of one in all New Orleans’ most picturesque neighborhoods and soak within the space’s wealthy historical past on Two Chicks’ Grand Backyard District Strolling Tour. On this two-hour tour, guides take you on an intimate stroll previous Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 and by native mansions, together with Buckner Mansion (featured in “American Horror Story: Coven”). Reviewers benefit from the storytelling and humor of Two Chicks’ tour guides, in addition to their huge native perception. Excursions are sometimes supplied Monday by way of Friday at 10:30 a.m., although Saturday excursions may additionally be out there, relying on the month. Tickets price about $30 per individual. Two Chicks’ different excursions embody guided walks by way of the French Quarter and several other well-known cemeteries.
Witches Brew Excursions – New Orleans Ghost, Voodoo, and Vampire Tour
Get your adrenaline pumping and your ghost radar up on this two-hour strolling tour by way of the French Quarter’s most haunted areas. Guides take a most of 28 folks alongside for the trip, whereas recounting tales of well-known ghosts and native witchcraft. The tour additionally features a cease at New Orleans’ most haunted home, which was featured in “American Horror Story: Coven.” Together with the gorgeous surroundings and structure, reviewers love the tour information’s native information and tales concerning the space. Excursions can be found every day within the morning, afternoon and night at varied instances. Tickets begin at $27 for adults and $15 for teenagers ages 6 to 12. When you’re craving extra chilling experiences, try the corporate’s cemetery tour.
Vacation spot Kitchen – New Orleans Meals Strolling Tour of the French Quarter
Fulfill your interior foodie (and abdomen) on this three-hour meals tour from Vacation spot Kitchen. A neighborhood information takes you to a number of the French Quarter’s most well-known eating places for six to seven meals tastings. A number of the dishes sampled could embody jambalaya, muffuletta and pralines. Tickets price about $70 per individual and embody all meals tastings (cocktails will be bought individually). Along with the eclectic tastings, vacationers commend the educated guides and the historical past they share. Reviewers are additionally impressed by the beneficiant portion sizes. Excursions can be found every day within the morning and afternoon. Vacation spot Kitchen additionally gives a model of this tour that features a cooking class.
Confederacy of Cruisers – Creole New Orleans Bike Tour
Hop on a motorbike and let Confederacy of Cruisers present you a brand new aspect of New Orleans. With the assistance of a neighborhood knowledgeable, you will cowl 6 miles of New Orleans at your personal tempo (excursions typically final three hours), cruising by way of the historic Bywater and Faubourg Marigny neighborhoods, down Esplanade Avenue and thru Treme. Reviewers recognize that the route takes you past the standard sights. In the meantime, different contributors love the tour’s leisurely tempo and the convenience of using the corporate’s cruiser bicycles. Excursions are typically supplied seven days per week in each the morning and afternoon. Tickets begin at $49 per individual, which incorporates the bike rental. When you plan on bringing your personal bike, tickets begin at $44. Excursions are capped at eight folks. The corporate additionally gives culinary and cocktail bike excursions.
Royal Carriages – New Orleans Historical past and Haunts Carriage Tour
For a hair-raising tour of the French Quarter, take into account this nighttime carriage trip. The one-hour tour particulars the town’s purportedly haunted previous and options landmarks just like the LaLaurie Mansion, the Ursuline Convent and Pirate’s Alley. Although the tour focuses on the town’s ghost lore, it is nonetheless labeled as a family-friendly expertise by the corporate. Reviewers reward the guides for his or her humorous storytelling and say that is the right exercise for vacationers. Excursions, that are capped at eight contributors, are supplied Thursday by way of Tuesday on the hour from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets price $50 per individual. Vacationers even have the choice to e book non-public carriage rides, in addition to daytime excursions of the French Quarter.
Kayak-iti-Yat gives a calming, but energetic, technique to see New Orleans.(Randy P. Schmidt/Courtesy of Kayak-iti-Yat)
Kayak-iti-Yat Authentic Kayaking Excursions of New Orleans – Massive Straightforward Bayou Tour
See Bayou St. John from the water on Kayak-iti-Yat’s Massive Straightforward Bayou Tour. If you wish to loosen up, that is the tour for you as you will spend many of the two-hour journey leisurely paddling by architectural must-sees and fascinating landmarks, together with properties constructed within the late 1700s. Alongside the way in which, guides gives you the rundown on native trivia and historic lore. Along with the partaking and informative guides, reviewers additionally benefit from the tour’s laid-back tempo. Tickets price roughly $49 per individual. Excursions are typically supplied Wednesday by way of Monday within the morning and night. When you’re on the lookout for extra enjoyable on the water, the corporate additionally gives an extended, extra energetic paddle alongside Lake Pontchartrain.
FreeWheelin’ Bike Excursions – Creole & Crescent
Breeze by way of New Orleans’ most well-known neighborhoods with FreeWheelin’s Creole & Crescent bike tour. The three-hour tour will take you thru the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods, alongside Esplanade Avenue, by way of St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 and again by way of Treme. Tickets, which embody the bike rental, helmet, basket and water, begin at $55; excursions are capped at 10 folks. Reviewers rave concerning the energetic tour guides in addition to the native historical past they share. Excursions can be found Monday by way of Saturday at 10 a.m. and a couple of p.m. When you’d relatively set out by yourself, FreeWheelin’ additionally gives bike leases, along with quite a lot of themed excursions.
Wild Louisiana Kayak Swamp Excursions – Manchac Swamp Excursions
Maintain your eyes peeled for alligators, eagles, snakes, egrets, herons and owls as you paddle by way of Manchac Swamp on this two-hour kayak tour. The swamp, which was as soon as used as a logging waterway, options slow-moving currents, making this a super journey for newbies and youngsters. Reviewers gush concerning the lovely cypress timber and lots of animal sightings, and say guides are specialists within the swamp’s historical past and ecology. Excursions will be booked every day at 10:15 a.m. and 1 p.m. Tickets begin at $59 per individual and embody use of the kayaks, life vests and obligatory gear. Notice that the swamp is positioned about 30 miles northwest of the French Quarter. For an extra cost, you should use Wild Louisiana’s shuttle to get to and from the town. Wild Louisiana additionally gives kayak leases and kayak fishing journeys, amongst different choices.
Cajun Encounters – New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour
See New Orleans’ Honey Island up shut on one in all Cajun Encounters’ swamp excursions. This two-hour tour will take you thru wildlife territory on a flat-bottomed boat for up-close views of Louisiana alligators, boars, snakes and egrets – all with a minimal affect on the setting. Reviewers benefit from the adventurous really feel of the tour and the corporate’s skilled guides. Tickets begin at $30 for contributors ages 12 and older and $20 for kids ages 4 to 11; infants 3 and youthful trip free. For an extra cost, the corporate additionally gives round-trip transportation from choose areas inside downtown New Orleans. Excursions are supplied every day a number of instances within the morning and afternoon. Cajun Encounters additionally gives metropolis bus excursions, plantation excursions and sundown swamp excursions, amongst others.
Metropolis Sightseeing New Orleans Hop-On Hop-Off Tour
Create your personal journey with the assistance of Metropolis Sightseeing’s Hop-On Hop-Off tour. Alongside the 90-minute route, you will cease at a few of New Orleans’ prime sights, together with the Nationwide WWII Museum, Frenchmen Avenue and the Backyard District, for a complete of 18 stops. Buses service every cease each half-hour. Reviewers recognize the comfort and ease the bus gives for touring the town and applaud the educated onboard guides, who present commentary all through the journey. Nonetheless, just a few reviewers be aware that the standard of the guides can range extensively. Excursions can be found Thursday by way of Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to five:30 p.m. One-day tickets begin at $39 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3 to 12. A package deal that features a two-day hop-on, hop-off cross and a guided Backyard District strolling tour are additionally out there.
Buzz Nola – Backyard/Quarter Combo Bike Tour
Cycle your manner by way of the town and see the very best of the Backyard District and the French Quarter with the assistance of Buzz Nola. This three-hour guided bicycle tour takes you thru two of the preferred areas of the town with historic trivia and fascinating tidbits about New Orleans’ early beginnings shared alongside the way in which. The tour additionally features a strolling portion by way of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. Reviewers rave about their information’s storytelling, in addition to the convenience of the corporate’s electrical bikes. Excursions are sometimes out there Tuesday by way of Sunday at 10 a.m. Tickets begin at $50 per individual and embody bicycle and helmet rental, in addition to water. Riders have to be no less than 12 years outdated. Able to discover past the French Quarter? Buzz Nola gives quite a lot of bike excursions that enterprise into different elements of the town, resembling Bayou St. John.
Excursions By Steven – Backyard District & Lafayette Cemetery Strolling Tour
Stroll by celeb properties, well-known filming areas and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 on this two-hour strolling tour of the Backyard District. Alongside the way in which, your information will share details about the district’s distinct structure and historical past, in addition to the distinctive burial customs of the town’s well-known cemeteries. Reviewers recognize the personable tour guides and say the expertise made them recognize the district’s distinctive structure and historical past. Excursions sometimes run Thursday by way of Monday at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and a couple of p.m. Tickets for contributors ages 12 and older price $25; kids ages 6 to 11 can be a part of for $15. The corporate additionally gives strolling excursions of the French Quarter and St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
Guests will pattern New Orleans’ staple delicacies whereas studying concerning the metropolis’s historical past and tradition on Physician Gumbo’s Meals Historical past Tour.(Courtesy of Physician Gumbo Excursions)
Physician Gumbo Excursions – Meals Historical past Tour in New Orleans
See the position meals has performed in shaping New Orleans’ previous and current with Physician Gumbo’s Meals Historical past Tour. Throughout this leisurely, three-hour strolling tour, you will style traditional and signature dishes (suppose: gumbo, po’boys and muffulettas) at as much as six eating places within the French Quarter. Along with the meals, tour guides share quite a lot of native tales and historic trivia – a spotlight for contributors. Vacationers are additionally complimentary of the venues and the dishes. Tickets begin at $70 per individual. Excursions are typically supplied Wednesday by way of Sunday at 1 p.m. When you’re seeking to additional enrich your expertise (and trivia abilities), Physician Gumbo additionally gives a cocktail historical past tour, in addition to a combo meals and cocktail historical past tour.
Grey Line – New Orleans Authentic Cocktail Strolling Tour
If you wish to expertise all of the French Quarter has to supply within the cocktail division, permit Grey Line to help. This 2 1/2-hour tour will take you thru the well-known neighborhood with tales (and samples) of well-known cocktails, together with the Ramos gin fizz, the Pimm’s cup and Sazerac. The tour begins with a complimentary native punch. Extra drinks can be found all through the tour for buy. Tourgoers particularly just like the diversion from a standard pub crawl and that Grey Line consists of historical past and tradition trivia. Tickets begin at $29 per individual; contributors have to be 21 or older. Excursions are supplied Tuesday by way of Friday and Sunday at 4 p.m. Grey Line gives extra strolling excursions, in addition to ghost, plantation and swamp excursions, amongst others.
Livery Excursions – Backyard District and Cemetery Strolling Tour
See one in all America’s finest collections of antebellum mansions and Nineteenth-century structure with Livery Excursions’ Backyard District & Cemetery Tour. On the two-hour strolling tour, you will note the beautiful properties and manicured gardens of former celebrities and athletes and end with a go to to Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, residence to noteworthy crypts and the setting for widespread movie and tv scenes. Together with the gorgeous properties, reviewers additionally reward the partaking, entertaining and informative tour guides. Excursions depart every day at 10 a.m. Tickets begin at $30 per participant ages 12 and youthful. Livery Excursions additionally gives a French Quarter and cemetery tour.
New Orleans Secrets and techniques – Journal Avenue Foodie Tour
Fulfill your interior foodie with New Orleans Secrets and techniques’ Journal Avenue Foodie Tour. Through the three-hour tour, you will enterprise to 4 savory eating places and one dessert boutique within the Backyard District. Alongside the way in which, you will get pleasure from six menu objects and a pint of native beer or soda for about $80 per individual. Reviewers reward the sweetness and allure of the Backyard District, and should not disenchanted by the standard or amount of meals. What’s extra, tour sizes are capped at eight folks, making for an intimate expertise. Excursions are supplied Thursday by way of Monday at 11 a.m., with an extra 3 p.m. tour on choose days. New Orleans Secrets and techniques additionally gives historical past, swamp and ghost excursions.
Steamboat Natchez – New Orleans Steamboat Natchez Harbor Cruise
Cruise down the Mississippi River on a historic riverboat throughout this two-hour tour. As you are taking within the sights alongside the riverbank, you will hear commentary from the captain whereas reside jazz music is carried out. You even have the choice to improve your ticket to incorporate lunch. Reviewers are complimentary of the cruise, calling it enjoyable. They’re additionally impressed by the reside jazz music. Nonetheless, just a few vacationers advise in opposition to reserving the lunch choice, describing the meals as common. Tickets begin at $38 per grownup and $15.50 per youngster ages 6 to 12. Excursions are typically supplied every day at 11:30 and a couple of p.m. Dinner and brunch cruises are additionally out there.
