Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour
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September 2026
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Who is going?
Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 16 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour worth booking?
Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour is a 3-hour experience in New Orleans, United States, from $495 per person. It scores 57 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 16 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 57 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (16)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $495 per person
1. Authentic Local Experience: Experience New Orleans through the eyes of a true local. Michaela, a 7th generation Orleanian, provides an authentic insight into the city's rich history, architecture, and culture. 2. Tail
What you get
About this experience
1. Authentic Local Experience: Experience New Orleans through the eyes of a true local. Michaela, a 7th generation Orleanian, provides an authentic insight into the city's rich history, architecture, and culture. 2. Tailored Luxury Tours: Enjoy a unique and personal experience with each tour customized to your specific interests. Explore New Orleans' historic neighborhoods and vibrant city life at your own pace. 3. Expertise and Passion: With over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry, Michaela's deep knowledge and passion for New Orleans ensure an unforgettable tour experience that truly captures the magic of the city.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Luxury Executive Transportation (Sedan, SUV, Van)
- Fully Narrated Tour
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Licensed Tour Guide/Driver
Not included
- Tea and coffee
- Snacks
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
French Quarter
Founded by the French in 1718, the Quarter is New Orleans oldest neighborhood. From cast iron balconies and walled courtyards, to colorful Creole cottages and townhouses, the “Vieux Carré” is a unique collection of historic French, Spanish, Creole, and American architecture.
Pass by without stopping
Faubourg Marigny
Designated as an official Historic District, the Faubourg Marigny was one of the first "suburbs" in New Orleans,is filled with stunning and well-preserved historical buildings and landmarks. Originally a residential neighborhood filled with Creole cottages, the Marigny’s geographical location soon transformed the neighborhood into a small business and industrial area
Pass by without stopping
Garden District
Laid out in 1833, Annexed by New Orleans in 1852 Grand mansions, St. Charles Streetcar, Magazine Street shopping, Famous universities, Audubon Park and Zoo Filled with stunning, grandiose mansions, colorful Creole cottages. Uptown and the Garden District are known for the variety of historic homes, from colorful row houses to Classic Revival mansions and charming cottages shadowed by giant oak trees.
Pass by without stopping
New Orleans City Park
Serving as New Orleans' largest outdoor attraction since 1854, City Park is one of the oldest and largest parks in the country. With its iconic oak trees and picturesque moss canopies, this 1,300 acre green space brings in millions of visitors each year. People come from near and far to enjoy the beautiful trails and scenery, as well as the endless amount of vendors, museums and activities within the park itself. With multiple themed gardens, biking and walking paths, live concerts, an amusement park and the World's largest grove of mature live oak trees, City Park has something for everyone!
Pass by without stopping
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 5 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Michaelas Private New Orleans Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated providing the passenger is accompanied by someone who can assist them board and disembark
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
- Please use the Special Requirements field for Hotel/Pickup information at the time of booking
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 16 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
3 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
16 verified traveler reviews for Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Andrew was the best! This...
Andrew was the best! This was well worth it. We had a great time with him. It is the perfect amount of time too.
Response from the operator: Hi Andrew! It’s Michaela here—though after such a kind review, I’m tempted to change my name to Andrew if it means keeping you as a happy guest! I am so glad to hear you enjoyed the Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour. Striking that balance of "the perfect amount of time" is always my goal, so I’m thrilled it hit the mark for you. It was a pleasure having you along for the ride and sharing a bit of the city's magic. Thank you for the 5-star shout-out and for being such a great sport! Warmly, Michaela
via Viator
Best driving tour of NOLA
Michaela is the best tour guide ever! We thoroughly enjoyed getting to know her and about her city. Great drive and great information! We saw parts of NOLA we had never seen before and Michaela gave us some great ideas for our next trip.
Response from the operator: Hi Brina! "Best tour guide ever"?! You’re going to make me blush under this Louisiana sun! It was truly a joy getting to know you while we cruised around. Showing off those hidden gems and the parts of New Orleans that don't always make it into the brochures is exactly why I love what I do. This city has so many layers, and I’m so glad we could peel back a few together. I’m already looking forward to your next visit—you’ve certainly got a head start on that itinerary now! Thank you so much for the wonderful review and for spending part of your trip with me. Warmly, Michaela 🫓🎷
via Viator
New Orleans through the eyes of a Lover
This tour was the highlight of our visit to New Orleans. Micheala’s family has lived in New Orleans for many generations so she knows the true history of the city she loves. Her talk is presented with humor and insights that only a person who has lived it would know. All four of us agreed that our view of New Orleans changed after our excursion. It is wonderful to be in the presence of someone so passionate about their subject. On a scale of 1-5 I’d rate it a 10.
Response from the operator: Wow, what an incredible review! Reading "New Orleans through the eyes of a Lover" truly made my day—that's exactly what I hope everyone feels after a tour. It means the world to me that my family's history and my passion for this city resonated with you and your group so deeply. The history here is complex, beautiful, and sometimes a little bit quirky, and presenting it with both humor and insight is the whole goal. Hearing that your view of New Orleans changed is the biggest compliment I could ever receive. And a 10 out of 5? I'm not sure how I can top that, but I'll certainly try for every future guest! Thank you so much for choosing Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour. I hope you carry a piece of the Crescent City with you until your next visit. Warmly, Michaela
via Tripadvisor
Outstanding tour guide
Michaela's knowledge of New Orleans and the south is astounding. We've taken a number of different tours and Michaela's tour is by far and away the best and most comprehensive. Highly recommended.
Response from the operator: Thank you for your glowing review! It warms my heart to know that you found my tour of New Orleans and the South to be both astounding and comprehensive. As a passionate guide, I strive to create memorable experiences for every visitor. Your recommendation means the world to me, and I hope to welcome you back soon for more captivating adventures in our vibrant city. Warm regards, Michaela
via Tripadvisor
Amazing Tour!
As part of a pilgrimage to NOLO to take my father in law to the WWII museum, we booked a tour with Michaela and it was nothing short of spectacular. She was great with my 77 year old father and law, as well as my two teen aged sons. Her knowledge of the area is amazing- and her personality and storytelling really adds to the experience. Its like hanging out with an extremely knowledgeable old friend. I cannot recommend her enough and cannot imagine a better way to experience the city. As an added bonus, Michaela also essentially planned the entire trip for me when I called her a few weeks in advance…she recommended hotel rooms and even made dinner reservations. She is the best!!
Response from the operator: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your heartfelt review! It was an absolute joy to share the magic of New Orleans with you, your father-in-law, and your sons. I’m thrilled that my knowledge and storytelling resonated with you—it truly feels like spending time with old friends. Planning your trip was my pleasure, and I’m delighted that the hotel recommendations and dinner reservations added to your experience. New Orleans is a city that captures the soul, and I’m honored to have been part of your journey. Wishing you more wonderful adventures ahead, and remember: the Big Easy always has its arms wide open for you! Warm regards, Michaela
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 6
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 57
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New Orleans.
How much does Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour cost?
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Prices start at $495 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in New Orleans usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour take?
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Plan for about 3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in New Orleans is not rushed.
Is Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 57 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 16 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in New Orleans, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour?
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Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in New Orleans can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in New Orleans and add a light layer if any part of the 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central New Orleans within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in New Orleans?
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New Orleans runs on licensed guides, and it shows: the city requires certification for tour guides, so the floor is higher here than most US cities. Ghost and cemetery walks, French Quarter food crawls, plantation history day trips and swamp boat runs make up the bulk. We rank on whether the operator handles cemetery access properly, since St. Louis No. 1 needs an authorised guide. On Outty we rank every New Orleans experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour with Transportation, New Orleans Swamp Tour Boat Adventure, New Orleans Self-Transport Swamp and Bayou Boat Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit New Orleans?
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February to May and October to November. August is heat and storm season. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in New Orleans?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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