
New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 306 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour worth booking?
New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour is a 2-hour experience in New Orleans, United States, from $29 per person. It scores 72 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 306 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 72 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (306)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $29 per person
Delve into the history of the French Quarter on a 2-hour walking tour with a knowledgeable guide who shares the legends and landmarks of this fascinating city. At a relaxed pace, take in the Mississippi River, French Market, St Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Presbytere, Jackson Square and more. Visit historic buildings and secluded courtyards, see famous literary and silver screen locations, and learn about Creole culture. Your entertaining guide provides a deep understanding of the forces that shaped the Big Easy.
What you get
About this experience
Delve into the history of the French Quarter on a 2-hour walking tour with a knowledgeable guide who shares the legends and landmarks of this fascinating city. At a relaxed pace, take in the Mississippi River, French Market, St Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, the Presbytere, Jackson Square and more. Visit historic buildings and secluded courtyards, see famous literary and silver screen locations, and learn about Creole culture. Your entertaining guide provides a deep understanding of the forces that shaped the Big Easy.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
Not included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Gratuities
- Food and drinks
What you'll see and do
French Quarter
Make your own way to Musical Legends Park to meet your guide for your walking tour. After introductions, stroll a short distance to the banks of the Mississippi River where you learn how levee construction transformed the swamp into fertile farmland, making New Orleans an important hub in the region.
30 minutes here
Choose from a morning or evening tour and expect to walk about 2 miles (3.2 km) at a leisurely pace before wrapping up near the Mississippi River levee.
15 minutes here
French Market
Continue by walking through the French Market, the oldest open-air market in the US.
5 minutes here
Jackson Square
Next, you will head to Jackson Square, the heart of the French Quarter
15 minutes here
The Cabildo
See important sites including the Cabildo - built between 1795 and 1799 - this building once housed the center of government in New Orleans and it is now the Louisiana State Museum.
15 minutes here
The Presbytere
See the Presbytere - built in 1791 to match the Cabildo is a fascinating museum with 2 permanent exhibits telling of both the cities resilience and celebration.
Pass by without stopping
Pontalba Buildings
Learn about these block-long buildings which form two sides of Jackson Square in the heart of the French Quarter of New Orleans.
Pass by without stopping
St. Louis Cathedral
Your guide takes you inside St Louis Cathedral and shows you where the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788 started, explaining how rebuilding post-fire resulted in what is now considered the classic architectural style of the French Quarter.
20 minutes here
Next, step into a lush Creole courtyard and learn about the complexities of Creole society and slavery in South Louisiana. Walk to the balcony of the former Quadroon Ballroom while your guide explains the former lives of Creole mistresses and the system known as 'placage.' During your tour, your guide points out film sites and literary haunts such as the building where Tennessee Williams wrote ‘A Streetcar Named Desire.’ You'll enter William Faulkner’s home before you stop at Pirate's Alley, where your guide recounts local legends about prison escapes and dueling. Also, enjoy the tunes of talented street musicians as you stroll.
10 minutes here
Old Ursuline Convent Museum
Stand outside the Mississippi River valley’s oldest building, the Ursuline Convent, whose history provides a window onto early colonization efforts in Louisiana.
10 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New Orleans
Departure Point: Royal Cafe Beignet, 334 Royal Street, next to the Police Station
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
In and around Jackson Square in the middle of the French Quarter
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 9 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Historic New Orleans Tours
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos





What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 305 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
9 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
305 verified traveler reviews for New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Guided tour of New Orleans
Dave was a great tour guide, very knowledgeable and friendly.
via Tripadvisor
Fun Tour
Tour was so enjoyable and learned so much. Even the kids were entertained by David’s tour and stories.
via Viator
Very interesting tour!
Our tour guide David was very knowledgeable about the French Quarter history and architecture. He explained the history of many of the buildings that we had seen before, but we didn’t know what they were. It was a very enjoyable and interesting tour.
via Viator
Entertaining
Wonderful experience. I come to New Orleans every year, and have gone on numerous tours; David captivated our attention the entire time, and made this history tour a favorite of mine.
via Viator
Big shout out to Eve!
If you book with Eve, you are in for a treat. She was extremely knowledgeable and catered the tour to the group’s interests. I truly enjoyed every second of the tour and wished it was a little longer. I would 100% book this tour again, it was the best way to explore the French quarter.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 107
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Historic New Orleans Tours, who run 6 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 66.8.
See everything Historic New Orleans Tours runsWhy this scores 72
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New Orleans.
How much does New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour cost?
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Prices start at $29 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 New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour take?
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Plan for about 2 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 New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 72 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 306 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in New Orleans, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History 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 New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour?
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Around 107 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 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History 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 Adults-Only True Crime and Ghost Walking Tour, New Orleans Garden District History Walking 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.
What is included in New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour?
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Included: Local guide. Not included: Hotel pickup and drop-off; Gratuities; and Food and drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour?
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Departure Point: Royal Cafe Beignet, 334 Royal Street, next to the Police Station Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Wheelchair accessible; Transportation options are wheelchair accessible; and All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about New Orleans French Quarter Walking and History Tour?
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Across 306 reviews averaging 4.6 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, good for families. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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