New Orleans & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 1 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is New Orleans & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm worth booking?
New Orleans & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm is a 2-hour experience in New Orleans, United States, from $38 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 5/5 rating across 1 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (1)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $38 per person
New Orleans was built by water, and its survival has always depended on how people learned to live with it. On this two-hour walking tour, follow the Mississippi River through the story of a city shaped by flooding, commerce, slavery, immigration, engineering, music, and extraordinary cultural exchange. Discover why New Orleans was founded here, how the river created both opportunity and danger, and how levees, drainage canals, and pumps transformed the landscape. Follow that story through the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 to Hurricane Katrina, when failures in the flood-protection system devastated much of the city and exposed long-standing social and environmental vulnerabilities. Finally, explore what changed after Katrina and how coastal restoration, stronger storm protection, and a new approach to living with water are shaping the future of New Orleans.
What you get
About this experience
New Orleans was built by water, and its survival has always depended on how people learned to live with it. On this two-hour walking tour, follow the Mississippi River through the story of a city shaped by flooding, commerce, slavery, immigration, engineering, music, and extraordinary cultural exchange. Discover why New Orleans was founded here, how the river created both opportunity and danger, and how levees, drainage canals, and pumps transformed the landscape. Follow that story through the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 to Hurricane Katrina, when failures in the flood-protection system devastated much of the city and exposed long-standing social and environmental vulnerabilities. Finally, explore what changed after Katrina and how coastal restoration, stronger storm protection, and a new approach to living with water are shaping the future of New Orleans.
What's included
Included
- Follow up information if desired
- Environmentalist guide
- Licensed tour guide
Not included
- Gratuities
- Food or Beverages
What you'll see and do
Mississippi River Heritage Park
New Orleans and the Mississippi River are extricably linked. Tourism, trade and commerce are all powered by the river, lakes and the gulf that surrounds it. But the very thing that powers the city’s economy also makes it vulnerable to catastrophic floods. We will discuss this in detail
15 minutes here
Latrobe Park
This park was named after Benjamin Latrobe who built New Orleans' first water system
15 minutes here
Woldenberg Riverfront Park
This area used to be flood walls, warehouses, and industrial that ran along the Mississippi River. The area was transformed into a public park complete with lush greenery, bricked walkways, and public art, and it opened to the public before the 1984 World’s Fair, which the city hosted that year. The park was named for philanthropist Malcolm Woldenberg, who contributed to the park’s creation.
15 minutes here
Jackson Square
Jackson Square, or the Place d’Armes, as it was originally known, began to take its shape in August 1721, when French engineers laid out a plan for the new colonial capital of La Louisiane. We will discuss the histroy as we view this gorgeous square.
15 minutes here
French Market
In 1791, this French Market originated as a Native American trading post along the Mississippi River. From there it continued to evolve into a cultural and commercial hub for New Orleans, as French and Spanish colonists opened the market up to ships and traders from all over the world. Over the next three centuries, immigrants from Europe, Africa and the Caribbean began to open their own venues at this French Quarter market, offering everything from Italian butcheries to African coffee and Choctaw spices.
15 minutes here
French Quarter
This was the original city. When the French created a permanent colony here they initiated a century’s-long effort to pin the Mississippi within its banks by building man made levees on top of the natural ones. But the Mississippi river was not easily tamed. Even Mark Twain said “The Mississippi River will always have its own way; no engineering skill can persuade it to do otherwise. And he was right. No matter what man did to try to control the river, floods plagued each generation of New Orleanians.
45 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
New Orleans
This address brings you to the amphitheater. You will notice a semi circle of concrete steps. Your guide will meet you at the bottom of those steps. You will receive a text from the guide describing themselves before the meeting time.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
This address brings you to the amphitheater. You will notice a semi circle of concrete steps. Your guide will meet you at the bottom of those steps. You will receive a text from the guide describing themselves before the meeting time.
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
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- DuPont and Company
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for anyone with mobility issues
- Tours run rain or shine
- Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues
Photos
Traveler reviews
1 verified traveler reviews for New Orleans & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly recommend!!
We had the absolute pleasure of the planets aligning to set us up with Lea Lea as our tour guide. Her love of New Orleans was infectious, her knowledge of the water ways, history of the city, food recommendations, and ability to weave us through the French Quarter made this tour our favorite. Ask for Lea Lea, spend time with her, and you may just find yourself wanting to make New Orleans your home.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for this beautiful review and for joining us on the Waters of Katrina History Tour. We are thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed your time with Lea Lea. Her passion for New Orleans and its waterways shines through in every tour, and it means so much to know she made such an impression. We agree, her love for this city is truly contagious. Thank you for sharing your experience and for helping others discover the magic of New Orleans through her eyes.
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
- Mon, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 0
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by DuPont and Company, who run 9 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.1.
See everything DuPont and Company runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
New Orleans & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New Orleans.
How much does New Orleans & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm cost?
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Prices start at $38 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 & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm 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 & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 1 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 & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm?
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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 & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm 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 & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm?
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Around 0 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 & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm 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 & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm?
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Included: Follow up information if desired; Environmentalist guide; and Licensed tour guide. Not included: Gratuities; and Food or Beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for New Orleans & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm?
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This address brings you to the amphitheater. You will notice a semi circle of concrete steps. Your guide will meet you at the bottom of those steps. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is New Orleans & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm 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 & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm?
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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 & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller; Not recommended for anyone with mobility issues; and Not recommended for travelers with mobility issues. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to New Orleans & Katrina: Built on Water, Tested By Storm 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.
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