The French Quarter History Tour in New Orleans
New Orleans, United States

The French Quarter History Tour

Outty Ranking 62 5.0 · 4 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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From, per person$25
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Outty Ranking

62/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 4 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is The French Quarter History Tour worth booking?

The French Quarter History Tour is a 2-hour experience in New Orleans, United States, from $25 per person. It scores 62 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 4 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
62 / 100
Rating
5/5 (4)
Duration
2 hours
From
$25 per person

History ✦ Famous Places ✦ Epic Lives ✦ Hilarious Scandal Share a local's love for 300 years of our city's history, and learn the stories of those famous locales you've always read about. Hear about famous French Quarte

What you get

    About this experience

    History ✦ Famous Places ✦ Epic Lives ✦ Hilarious Scandal Share a local's love for 300 years of our city's history, and learn the stories of those famous locales you've always read about. Hear about famous French Quarter figures who led epic lives, such as a pirate, a voodoo queen, and Baroness. We bring the private tour experience to every tour we host, by limiting the experience to small groups, and personalizing every tour for you. The early native settlers called the area Bulbancha -- "the land of many tongues" -- and used as a trading post. From there, on to the early French & Spanish colonies, all the way to the jazz age, and the birthplace of modern music! We go beyond just names and dates, and share a connection to our city, and its famous stories, that you'll never forget.

    What's included

    Included

    • Mid-tour break, both coffee and alcohol available for purchase within one block.

    What you'll see and do

    1. Cuban Creations Cigar Bar

      Cuban Creations is a wonderfully inviting and classy spot with very comfortable indoor and outdoor seating. It's the only smoking bar in the French Quarter and has excellent cocktails.

      20 minutes here

    2. Washington Artillery Park

      We begin the tour in the most scenic spot in the French Quarter, as you hear about the river and bed of mud out city rests on, the early Chitimacha tribe that settled the area, and the rather odd French colonists who founded New Orleans in 1718.

      15 minutes here

    3. We'll pass Cafe Du Monde, the oldest coffee house in the city, and explore the sweet history of beignets. Let us know what stories you'd like to include, because content does vary between guides and what the group is interested in.

      5 minutes here

    4. St. Louis Cathedral

      Our next stop is at our most iconic landmark, the St Louis Cathedral. It's a spectacular sight, and has some really interesting history, from pirate prisons to dueling grounds! Along the way we will talk about Pirate's Alley, and if it's open we will take a quick peek inside of the Cathedral. It's the oldest in the country!

      10 minutes here · Admission included

    5. Pontalba Buildings

      We'll see the Pontalba Buildings, and hear the story of the Baroness Pontalba, from the wealthiest family New Orleans has ever seen, Spanish nobles who paid for the construction of all the buildings in Jackson Square. Her bizarre story is a real-life psychological thriller.

      15 minutes here

    6. Jackson Square

      Then we'll take a look around Jackson Square and we'll tell you about the statue of Andrew Jackson -- the only statue in the city to be erected out of spite! During the French colonial period, it was a place of bizarre punishments.

      10 minutes here

    7. French Quarter

      There are plenty of mini-stops along the way where we'll share all the knowledge we've learned in our years of tour guiding. This city is SO interesting and you will leave with an exciting and amazing understanding of The Big Easy!

      20 minutes here

    8. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar

      We'll stop between this historic bar and a nearby coffee shop. Built in the 1780s, this popular dead-end-of-Bourbon St. bar was once a business front for smugglers and pirates. These pirates also enlisted to fight the war of 1812. To this day, men who re-enact the battle come to drink afterwards. In the 1960s, "Cafe Lafitte" was a popular gay bar, frequented by Tennessee Williams.

      10 minutes here

    9. Louis Armstrong Park

      We'll begin with a stroll through the beautiful Louis Armstrong Park, the birthplace of Jazz music! We'll talk NOLA history and how this amazing city began and share some juicy stories before heading into the heart of the French Quarter.

      14 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    New Orleans

    We meet at Cuban Creations Cigar Bar, 533 Toulouse St., outside the bar. If you see your guide, say hello, or just wait with your group in one spot. We may be across the street to avoid cigar smoke.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Louis Armstrong Park is a scenic park in the Treme, just outside 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
    Fri, Sat, Sun
    Group size
    Up to 15 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Spectral City 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

    Photos

    Secondline marching through Armstrong ParkPirate's AlleyLouis Armstrong ParkSpectral City tour cover artCongo Square culture illustrates the history of this important placeSt. Louis Cathedral, in Jackson Square

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 4 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

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

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Value for money

    1 mention

    Travelers feel they got more than they paid for.

    Traveler reviews

    4 verified traveler reviews for The French Quarter History Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    4
    4 star
    0
    3 star
    0
    2 star
    0
    1 star
    0
    Sort
    sarahsohyunjang · May 2026

    Thomas is very knowledgeable

    Thomas was our guide. the guide knowledgeable. gives a lot of information. Humorous

    via Tripadvisor

    melinda_F · June 2025

    Historical and culturally rich tour of New Orleans

    Our guide Tracy provided us with an exceptional guided tour of New Orleans. We visited all the key sites and learnt about the culturally rich history of New Orleans. I highly recommend this tour.

    Response from the operator: We really appreciate your review! Thanks so much! We hope you'll keep us in mind next time you visit

    via Viator

    FrequentFlier747849 · May 2025

    Fun and Informative Tour!

    We really enjoyed our irreverent tour guide, Tracy. We saw a lot and learned a lot, and laughed a lot. We highly recommend this tour.

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind review, and for joining us in the French Quarter!

    via Tripadvisor

    MarleyTimeG · February 2025

    Well worth it!

    Very informative, fun tour! Tracy our guide is a wonderful storyteller and kept things so entertaining. Highly recommend!

    Response from the operator: Thank you so much, Marley! I just realized this is our first ever review for this tour on this platform -- it means a lot to us!!

    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
    Fri, Sat, Sun
    Price range
    $25 to $35
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    1
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 62

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

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)82
    Review evidence (18% weight)19
    Booking momentum (14% weight)9
    Value for money (12% weight)99
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)56
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    The French Quarter History Tour: questions travelers ask

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

    How much does The French Quarter History 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 The French Quarter History 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 The French Quarter History Tour worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 62 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 4 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 The French Quarter History 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 The French Quarter History 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 The French Quarter History Tour?

    +

    Around 1 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 The French Quarter History 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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