New Orleans Music Tour in New Orleans
New Orleans, United States

New Orleans Music Tour

Outty Ranking 64 4.5 · 73 traveler reviews2 hoursFrom $25

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

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Age 12 and under

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Outty Ranking

64/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

4.5/5

Based on 73 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is New Orleans Music Tour worth booking?

New Orleans Music Tour is a 2-hour experience in New Orleans, United States, from $25 per person. It scores 64 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 73 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
64 / 100
Rating
4.5/5 (73)
Duration
2 hours
From
$25 per person

Although New Orleans is heavily associated with Jazz, this tour will show how every form of American popular music is informed by New Orleans. As the outgrageous New Orleans R&B legend Ernie K-Doe said: “I'm not sure, bu

What you get

    About this experience

    Although New Orleans is heavily associated with Jazz, this tour will show how every form of American popular music is informed by New Orleans. As the outgrageous New Orleans R&B legend Ernie K-Doe said: “I'm not sure, but I'm almost positive, all music came from New Orleans.”

    What's included

    Included

    • A look at current street music and where the hottest live acts
    • Tour Guide
    • Visits to music-related landmarks

    Not included

    • What to bring: comfortable shoes, water, sunscreen, hat, and rain/sun protection
    • Gratuities

    What you'll see and do

    1. Louis Armstrong Park

      Explore the world’s richest musical city, starting with Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, historic site of African slave gatherings, the only place in North American where pure West African religious ritual and musical traditions were performed.  Congo Square is considered the wellspring of all New Orleans music and, consequently, so much of worldwide popular song. It is also the site of the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 1970. From Armstrong Park, view the building which housed Cosimo Matassa’s groundbreaking J&M Studios which created the “New Orleans Sound” with such New Orleanians as Professor Longhair, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Guitar Slim, Shirley & Lee, Lloyd Price, Ernie K-Doe, Allen Toussaint, Clarence “Frogman” Henry & visitors including Little Richard, Ray Charles, & Jerry Lee Lewis.   J & M Studios is the true birthplace of rock ’n roll.

      30 minutes here

    2. Basin St. Station

      You will visit Basin Street Station and stroll down Basin Street where you’ll see the remains of Storyville (including Frank Early’s “My Place” Saloon where “Pretty Baby” was written), fabled turn-of-the-century red light district whose parlors presented the likes of King Oliver, Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet and many more during the early days of jazz.

      20 minutes here

    3. May Baily's Place

      Then stroll through the Tango Belt to May Bailey’s and the site of the Old French Opera House.

      20 minutes here

    4. Preservation Hall

      End at the legendary Preservation Hall, a place which represents the past, present, and future of New Orleans music. Learn the origins of New Orleans Bounce Music and check out the world’s greatest street musicians who are carrying the flame to this very day.

      20 minutes here

    5. Congo Square

      Congo Square is the only place in North America where pure West African religious ritual took place. If American popular music comes from New Orleans, it specifically originates in Congo Square.

      30 minutes here · Admission included

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    New Orleans

    Meet the tour guide at the Rampart Treehouse, 740 North Rampart Street

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    The legendary Preservation Hall at 726 St. Peter Street where people will be already lining up for the 5 PM show.

    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
    Historic 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
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Marie Laveau Day & Blessing of the Drums at Congo SquareDr. John's Second Line, Canal StreetCongo SquareBuddy Bolden statue , Louis Armstrong ParkSecond LineThe French Opera House

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 73 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    10 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    The guide

    3 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Traveler reviews

    73 verified traveler reviews for New Orleans Music Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    58
    4 star
    8
    3 star
    1
    2 star
    1
    1 star
    5
    Sort
    Colleen_C · May 2026

    David the guide was great

    Our guide, David, was extremely knowledgeable, personable and engaging. Worth more than every penny.

    via Viator

    Alex_C · May 2026

    Great tour! Ended too quickly because of rain

    Our tour guide, Mr David Higgins, was wonderful! Full of energy, very knowledgeable, and a musician himself with music in his family lineage. I learned so much in one hour! I 100% recommend. A few things I didn't expect: there was quite a bit of standing for long periods, although there were benches to sit nearby and we could have asked him to move. It began to rain one hour into the tour, we took cover in a nearby bar and he ended the tour there. I wish he would have stayed to chat until the rain ended and we continued on.

    via Viator

    SHAROND_M · May 2026

    Music Tour

    David is very passionate about music. And a wealth of knowledge. He is very animated and fun to listen to.

    via Viator

    George_M · April 2026

    New Orleans Music tour

    Very informative, interesting, well presented. David Highins is a weakth of knowledge regarding New orleans music as well as all things New Orleans

    via Viator

    Italiantravelor · April 2026

    Fabulous tour

    Brion was absolutely the BEST!! He was so knowledgeable in history and music. It was more than we ever expected!! We learned so much. He was personable and fun. I highly recommend this tour.

    via Tripadvisor

    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
    26
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 64

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)67
    Review evidence (18% weight)50
    Booking momentum (14% weight)44
    Value for money (12% weight)99
    Listing quality (10% weight)64
    Local standing (8% weight)31
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    New Orleans Music Tour: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for New Orleans.

    How much does New Orleans Music Tour cost?

    +

    Prices start at $25 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 Music Tour take?

    +

    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 Music Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 64 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 73 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 Music Tour?

    +

    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 Music Tour suitable for kids and families?

    +

    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 Music Tour?

    +

    Around 26 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?

    +

    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 Music Tour start and how do I get there?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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?

    +

    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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