Last Updated: 5/26/23 | May 26th, 2023
New Orleans is dedicated to fun. Or, as they like to say here: laissez les bons temps rouler (let the good times roll)!
Founded in 1718 as part of a French colony, New Orleans has a long and complicated history. With the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, the city became part of the United States, growing to become the third largest city in the country by 1840.
Slavery was the driving force behind the economy during this time, as New Orleans had the nation’s busiest slave market. Yet at the same time, the city was home to the largest and most prosperous community of free persons of color. Following the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation, the city’s predominantly Black population fought for their rights, equality, and dignity, gaining some and yet continuing to struggle for others.
In 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, claiming over 1,500 lives and wreaking havoc on the city. Yet New Orleans always seems to bounce back, and over 15 years later, the city has rebuilt and is enjoying a period of revival.
Thanks to the city’s complex history, there is a mash of cultures here: French, Anglo, Spanish, Haitian, and West African, among others. Most recently, Vietnamese immigrants are putting their own stamp on “the Big Easy.”
Its colorful chronicles and unique mix of cultures are what make NOLA so amazing. There’s a reason why the city’s vibrant Mardi Gras festival is world-famous!
The best way to learn about and experience this unique city is to take a guided tour. You’ll get a deeper understanding of the city’s past and present, hear some amazing anecdotes about historical figures, and possibly walk away with a few super-local tips on where to eat, drink, and have fun.
There are a lot of options to choose from but here are my favorites:
Best Paid Tour
Take Walks
Take Walks is my go-to company when I want a detailed, in-depth tour without breaking the bank. It offers a few different options in NOLA, including a haunted walk, a tour of the French Quarter (which includes a cocktail stop), and a Garden District tour with access to one of the neighborhood’s private mansions. If you want a fun, affordable, and educational tour, this is the company to go with!
Best Free Tour
Nola Tour Guy
David G. Hedges is the Nola Tour Guy in question. He’s a historian who loves to regale visitors with entertaining tales of New Orleans’ history; he also has a small team of other locals who give tours. You can choose between free walking tours of the French Quarter or Bayou St. John, one of the city’s oldest cemeteries. The tours are technically free, but tips are expected at the end of the tour, so keep some cash on you.
1. Free Tours by Foot
The name doesn’t lie: the tours are free (though you’re expected to tip at the end), and you’re doing it by foot. There are various two-hour offerings: the Garden District, the French Quarter, and Lafayette Cemetery (and other parts of town), as well as voodoo-themed tours. If you’re on a budget and just want a quick overview of the city, this is the tour for you!
2. Devour Food Tours
If you’re a foodie like me, a food tour is a must in NOLA. The city is bursting at the seams with tasty eats influenced by Creole, French, African, and Cajun communities. On this tour, you’ll make 6 stops and try 9 different foods, including the city’s famous beignets and the best jambalaya in New Orleans. Not only will you feast on incredible food but you’ll learn a ton about the history and culture of the food scene here and how integral it is to New Orlean’s today.
Tours from $69 USD.
3. Lucky Bean Tours
This company is focused on walking and storytelling tours around the French Quarter and Garden District. The Garden Tour takes you around the neighborhood including a peek inside Lafayette Cemetery #1 and around the mansions and gardens and finally to Magazine Street. The French Quarter walk gives you a taste of the vibrant past and present and you can visit the French Market, see the Mississippi River, St Louis Cathedral, and Jackson Square.
Tours cost $30 USD.
4. G L-f de Villiers
Glenn Louis de Villiers is a born-and-bred New Orleans denizen. He can even trace his family lineage directly back to its founders. He leads small groups on a walk through the French Quarter, regaling tour-takers with fascinating historical anecdotes as well as stories from his own life and family history. It’s hard to get a better, deeper perspective than that of Mr. De Villiers. He also offers tours of other parts of town, plus LGBTQ-themed tours and food outings as well.
Tours start at $30 USD.
5. Two Chicks Walking Tours
Two Chicks takes small groups on walking tours of the Big Easy, covering pretty much the whole city with their various offerings. Choose from tours of the French Quarter or the Garden District, or choose by theme (for example, the Brothels, Bordellos, and Ladies of the Night tour is sure to stimulate the senses). Christine Miller, one of the “two chicks,” has been living in New Orleans for 30 years and knows it as well as anyone.
Tours start at $30 USD.
6. New Orleans Secrets’ Mystery of Voodoo Tour
Voodoo in New Orleans can trace its roots back to the 18th century. The tour company New Orleans Secrets offers a fascinating voodoo-themed tour about this secretive amalgamation of religions. The guide teaches small groups about its history and connection to slavery in New Orleans, while visiting authentic voodoo-related sites and a shop. If your interest has been piqued by the city’s past, this is the tour for you.
Tours start at $29.99 USD.
7. New Orleans Architecture Tours
Buildings in New Orleans, especially in and around the French Quarter, are easily identifiable. This fascinating walking tour takes visitors through various neighborhoods, spotlighting their architectural stars. You can choose between the French Quarter, the Garden District, the Marigny, Tremé, or Poydras Street, or from among various cemetery tours.
Tours start at $35 USD.
8. Drink & Learn
Wouldn’t it be nice if learning and drinking were married more often? They are, though, on this bibulous two-hour walking tour. Drinks historian Elizabeth Pearce takes thirsty visitors through New Orleans one drink at a time. Imbibe some classic local cocktails while learning the history of the city through the story of those libations. The tour, surprisingly, doesn’t stop at any bars, but cocktails are consumed while hitting major (and minor) landmarks.
Tours start at $60 USD.
9. Strange True Tours
Billed as the “first NSFW French Quarter tour,” this guided jaunt delves into weird and wacky New Orleans’ history, focusing on true crime stories, brothels, the mafia, and other sordid tales that are too bizarre to have been made up. There’s even an intriguing JFK/Lee Harvey Oswald stop.
Tours start at $45 USD.
10. Doctor Gumbo Tours
You can’t leave New Orleans without taking a food tour. Doctor Gumbo’s will fill you up and make you hungry for more artery-hardening deliciousness. Plus, you’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of the history of the food here too. Over the course of three hours and six locations, you’ll sample Creole brisket, po’ boy sandwiches, gumbo, and more. This is a must-do for foodies!
Tours start at $75 USD.
Walking tours are a great way to get a primer on a destination. Even if it’s your second, third, or even fourth visit to New Orleans, a tour can be a fun way to learn about it from a different perspective and deepen your experience. This is a city with layers after all.
And as an added bonus, you’ll be helping small business tour companies make a living. So laissez les bons temps rouler!
Book Your Trip to the USA: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Use Skyscanner or Momondo to find a cheap flight. They are my two favorite search engines because they search websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is left unturned. Start with Skyscanner first though because they have the biggest reach!
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the biggest inventory and best deals. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as they consistently return the cheapest rates for guesthouses and cheap hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
- SafetyWing (best for nomads)
- Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
- Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)
Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use to save money when I’m on the road. They will save you money when you travel too.
Want More Information on the United States?
Be sure to visit our robust destination guide on the US for even more planning tips!
