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French Quarter Tours

Discover the rich history of one of new orleans' most infamous neighborhoods .

To outsiders the French Quarter can resemble a gorgeous puzzle -- 100 blocks of wrought iron balconies, pastel-colored walls and secret gardens. How to make sense of all its stories and histories? The walking tours of the Vieux Carre bring the neighborhood to life – with specialized guides possessing expert knowledge of all sorts: Creole cuisine, spirited cocktails and antebellum architecture are only a few. They can tell spine-tingling tales of voodoo and vampires and help visitors understand the neighborhood’s colorful past.

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French quarter tours.

Take a step back in time to colonial New Orleans with our French Quarter Tours. New Orleans was founded in 1718. It was to be a defensive port city. This was during the reign of French King Louis XV . The city has withstood 3 regime changes (France, Spain, France again, America) and has become one of the nation’s most interesting cities.

Our French Quarter Tours give you a crash course in our earliest New Orleans Architecture. From our last remaining French Era building through present day, we cover it! Did you know that the French Quarter really isn’t French architecture? You will learn why on our tour. Differences between  Creole Cottages  of the Spanish Era and  Shotguns  of the American Era are clarified on our tour for easier identification. Guests will also learn how to recognize the different types of Creole townhouses. To the naked eye they all look the same but we will show you the secrets to knowing the difference.

Our tropical climate and diverse cultures created area unlike anywhere else on Earth. You will notice on our French Quarter Tours that some blocks feel like Europe, and others feel like the Caribbean. Don’t take our word for it! Benjamin Latrobe, the Father of American Architecture, wrote about this unique neighborhood in his journal. He was definitely a fan. “However different this mode (Creole building styles) is from the American manner of building, it has very great advantages, both in regard to the interior dwelling and to the street. In the summer the walls are perfectly shaded from the sun and the house is kept cool, while the pedestrians are shaded from the sun and protected from the rain…”

Join our French Quarter Tour guides as we share the most historic part of New Orleans with you. Book your tour with us today to insure a spot on our sold out tours.

Tour Details

• Every day –  10am 
• 2 hour tour

Things you’ll see

• St. Louis Cathedral
• The Presbytere
• Pontalba Apartments
• Ursuline Convent
• Napoleon House
• Creole Townhouses (4 types)
• Shotgun Houses
• Creole Cottages
• Dependencies

Architecture styles

• French Colonial
• Spanish Colonial
• Greek Revival

Book Online or Call 504.777.7769

Tours Daily: 10am + 4pm

Ages 13–64: $37.00 each Ages 65+: $30.00 each Kids 6-12: $18.00 5 and under: Free

History & The People, Architecture, Must-See Spots

As you stroll with us, you’ll learn about the fascinating beginnings of our city that shaped this world-famous neighborhood. Discover the must-see spots in the French Quarter and learn about the history of the “Vieux Carré”. Our local guides will enlighten you about the best bars, restaurants, and hidden gems to see on your visit here.

We will guide you on tour from the mighty Mississippi River, to buildings older than our country, to present-day curious and unique locales. Understand why people become captivated with our city and keep coming back for more.

What to expect on this local’s history tour?

When you take a New Orleans history tour you should expect, first and foremost, a well-spoken expert as your guide. A good tour guide is a mix of historian, writer and actor. A guide could be so knowledgeable on one hand, and super boring on the other. Not good.

A New Orleans history guide could be an excellent storyteller, but not convey much of the richness of our story. Finally, a tour guide could be a great person, entertaining and absolutely devoid of any information with any depth.

At Unique Nola Tours we select guides that check all three boxes so that guests know they are getting a special and valuable experience.

We offer a few different ‘flavors’ of history tours at Unique Nola. If you want a comprehensive look at the political and cultural origins of the Crescent City we have our New Orleans Locals history tour. Here we start from the original Native peoples here, the arrival of the French, then the Spanish. As we walk the very streets that earlier colonists, famous heroes and sketchy bad guys walked, we are transported to another time.

On the history walk we not only break down the architecture of the city, we frame it in its cultural impact – where the styles come from, what the builders wanted to express. Beyond the architecture we talk about the rainbow of people that have contributed to the development of the city – our food, our music, our festivals – all the way to the candy colors of the houses.

Of course we get into Voodoo and Mardi Gras and what the heck does lagniappe mean? What’s the difference between a Creole and a Cajun? And did the Virgin Mary actually help us win a Super Bowl ?

A New Orleans history walking tour will break down why we are “America’s most interesting city.”

Other Tours

If you desire a more nuanced look at our town we suggest two other offerings: our Plague and Pestilence history Tour and our Garden District Tour.

Plague Tour: A most unique look at New Orleans and American History

We as a nation, and a planet, have come through an epically challenging time for public health. As a port city, New Orleans has borne the brunt of several outbreaks of nasty sicknesses – Yellow Fever, Cholera, even Bubonic Plague! And many more. This history tour describes the pathology of the plagues, the effects on our society, the heroes who sacrificed to help us and how we coped through the pestilences. And don’t worry, we do not talk about COVID 19.

Garden District Tour: A different side of New Orleans history

If you want to venture onto the other side of town, we have a completely different history to show you. Our Garden District walking tour may suit your tastes. It’s more than just a tour of homes, it’s a microcosm of American history. 

Why take a New Orleans History Tour?

We are proud to celebrate New Orleans as being way more than just Bourbon Street. A New Orleans history tour will open up guests to the myriad shining facets of this jewel of a city. New Orleans has the party, of course; but beyond that let’s talk about all the other aspects here. We are the birthplace of Jazz and Rock and Roll . Our cuisine is heralded around the world. Many important world historical events took place here. Finally, there is a vibe here unlike any other place, and this French Quarter tour allows us to look “under the hood.”

The Local's Guide to the French Quarter Tour Info:

• Content is for all ages.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Tour is designed to be 2 hours but, can run over.
• Check in is 15 minutes prior to start.
• For everyone’s courtesy, tours leave on time.
• Tours go on rain or shine.
• Tours are about a mile walk.
• Tour does not end where tour starts. Guest will be helped after the tour with directions to where they are going next.

Starting Location:

815 Toulouse St., New Orleans, LA 70112 Meet at the Unique NOLA Tours shop

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The best history tour in New Orleans!

What sets Unique Nola apart from other tour companies is our concern for the quality of our guests’ experience. For example, unless requested, we do not send out groups of more than a dozen or so people. Often, the groups are less than eight people making for almost a private tour feeling.

Every guest gets a text from their guide meaning you can communicate with them, even after the tour. This is a great resource if you want further advice or explanation.

Our office has drinks and snacks at a dollar a piece. We also give out ponchos or hand warmers during inclement weather. We have a guest restroom. The office is also a leading purveyor of occult and unique gothic items. Also you can meet Rodger ! Our giant, cymbal playing simian.

New Orleans history tour Frequently Asked Questions:

Is there a lot of walking?

The French Quarter is very, very, very flat! We cover just under a mile in close to two hours. That means it is usually we walk a block, stop, tell a story and move on. Very chill.

Is the tour mobility accessible?

Absolutely. The sidewalks in the French Quarter are wheelchair accessible, and the leisurely pace of the tour means no one has to feel rushed. And, by the way, if you need a minute, we can wait. This is the Big Easy after all!

What about rainy days?

The good news is most of the French Quarter is under balconies. Generally, an umbrella is fine for your walk. Except for the severest weather, we go. A light rain can be a pleasant environment for a New Orleans history tour. 

More Reading?

New Orleans history is American History!

• 504.777.7769
• [email protected]
• 815 Toulouse St. New Orleans, LA 70112

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French Quarter Walking Tours

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This post provides details for our daily, guided walking tour of the French Quarter.

We also include information on our self-guided GPS-enabled audio tour and our other tours in the Quarter.

• Our Daily Tours
• GPS Audio Tour
• Cocktail Tour
• Other Tour Options
• Things to Do in the FQ

WALKING TOUR OF THE FRENCH QUARTER

Famous for its beads and beers on Bourbon Street, the reality of the Vieux Carre far surpasses its Mardi Gras reputation.

In a city that dazzles the visitor with its remarkable architecture, the French Quarter is certainly a standout, with Spanish, Caribbean, French, and American influences.

It's also a district full of characters: from musicians to magicians to voodoo practitioners.

Join Free Tours by Foot on our French Quarter Tour, as we wander the historic streets and alleys of the Old District, passing by the street theater, peeking into historic churches, and discovering hidden courtyards, all while entertaining you with stories of authors, and artists, priests, and pirates.

Join us as we uncover the real French Quarter.

Sights we cover on this walking tour of the French Quarter:

• Jackson Square
• St. Louis Cathedral
• The Cabildo
• Pirates Alley
• William Faulkner House
• Tennessee Williams House
• Bourbon Street
• Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop
• and much more...

Check out our self-guided tour of the French Quarter to learn more about what you will see.

Tour information

Reservations: REQUIRED. Click here to reserve .  Groups of 10 or more persons should visit our  group inquiry page

Where: Meet at the Andrew Jackson Statue in Jackson Square ( map ). Look for your guide with the Free Tours by Foot logo.

Duration: Approximately 2 hours. Approximately 1 mile in length.

• Check out our tour calendar
• Or take our anytime GPS-enabled audio tour .

Cost:  name-your-own-price tour .  Groups of 6-9  must prepay $10/person.  Groups of 10 or more  must organize a private tour and can read about our  options for groups .

Save more money in New Orleans with a  tourist discount pass  and consider a  swamp tour  and a plantation tour .

In addition to our tours, this company also offers two great tours of the French Quarter that you might want to consider.

The first tour covers some of the secrets of this neighborhood, including details about Bourbon Street, Hurricane Katrina, and a potentially haunted mansion.

The second outing is their New Orleans in a Day trip, which includes various subjects and locations such as the Garden District, the French Quarter, and more.

Secrets of the French Quarter

• $39/Adults, Students | $29/Children
• Availability: Tues, Thur - Sat at 2 pm
• Duration: 3 hours
• Includes tickets to the Presbytere .
• Includes free Beignet from Cafe du Monde .
• It Covers French Quarter, Bourbon Street, The Tango Belt, Pirate Alley, Jackson Square , the Cabildo and more.

New Orleans in a Day

• $99/Adults, Students | $89/Children
• Availability: Tue, Thur - Sat at 9 am
• Duration: 8 hours
• Includes tickets to the Elms Mansion.
• Includes tickets to the Streetcar.
• Includes free Beignet from Cafe du Monde.
• Includes complimentary Praline.
• Covers the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, The Tango Belt, Pirate Alley, Jackson Square , the French Market , St. Louis Cathedral , the Cabildo, a Praline Factory, Elms Mansion, and more!

FRENCH QUARTER AUDIO TOUR

We also offer a self-guided, audio tour for you to use anytime you wish.

The audio tour is GPS-enabled, so you can also follow on your phone. Downloads cost just $1.99.

Here is an audio sample.

We also offer audio tours of the Garden District, Lafayette Cemetery #1, and an audio tour of our Arts, Music, and More Tour.

Here is how it works:

• Purchase an audio tour.
• Get a confirmation email with .mp3, .pdf, and embeddable Google Map
• Enjoy the tour(s).

Even if you don't download any tours, you will still have access to valuable information on sightseeing, eating, and playing in New Orleans.

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Secret Walking tour New Orleans: French Quarters

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• Walking New Orleans: French Quarter

If a tour is fully booked, or you are looking to book a *Group or Private Tour - please email us about Group & Private Tours options.

*Please note - Group & Private Tours are specifically organised for your group and therefore subject to a premium price. Flat fee rate applies for groups of 6 and under.

New Orleans’ French Quarter is a journey through the culture of an unquestionably unique group of varied peoples - a meld of Spanish, French, African, and American cultures mingled on these streets and created a culture unlike any other corner of the world. On this incredible walking tour of the French Quarter, join a local Creole guide as they lead you through the narrow streets with places and spaces that could only be found in The Crescent City.

If America is a melting pot of cultures then New Orleans’ French Quarter is its essence. Within this district, Spanish, French, African, and American cultures gave birth to a culture unlike any other. In company of a native Créole guide take on this amazing tour of the French Quarter, ambling through the labyrinth of narrow streets and open spaces that only NOLA can offer you.

• French Quarter
• Bourbon Street
• The Tango Belt Exchange Place
• Pirate Alley
• Jackson Square
• Local Cocktail Bar
• Pontalba Apartments (outside)
• Cabildo (outside)
• St. Louis Cathedral (outside)
• Presbytère (inside)
• Haunted buildings
• French Market
• Café du Monde

In company of a native, visit the French Quarter and learn how Creole culture grew into becoming the heart and soul of the city. Take a peek in a traditional gas lamp factory and learn the craft that made lanterns emblematic of NOLA.. In the Presbytère Museum learn of the history of the city from details of Mardi Gras to Hurricane Katrina. Take a stroll through the famous spots of Jackson Square. For a little thrill, dare enter the most haunted building of the French Quarter. Finish this fantastic tour with a beignet from the world-famous Café du Monde.

We take your health and the health of our community seriously. To accomplish this, we have set a series of standards that will be implemented across every tour;

• We have has been certified by SanseeShield.com
• We use and offer hand sanitizer before, during, and after all tours
• We have received health & safety training, are self-monitoring temperatures daily, and trained in group social distancing practices
• Masks will be worn and are available if you do not have one
• If headsets are needed, they are disinfected at the beginning and end of your experience
• All tours are always small groups to give you the maximum comfort and safety

Sunday 11:00 a.m.

Not defined*

You will feel like a Gladiator for the day, by entering the Colosseum, with our special access pass, from the famous Gladiator’s Gate. Once inside, you will be impressed by the scale of the arena floor, where you'll get a complete view of history's greatest sports arena. This is a VIP access and is normally closed to the public, offering a fantastic rest from the crowds that often are outside. Take some time to feel the energy as your local guide tells about the best stories of blood sports, death and heroism, which happened just where your feet are.

N.B., Because of the very special access on this tour you are REQUIRED to bring an ID with you. Please don't forget, as this can hold up the tour and may result in you having to miss parts.

WHY THE FRENCH QUARTER TOUR

The French Quarter is a journey through the culture of an unique American city. A Creole guide will take you on a journey through The Crescent City’s history, as well as provide insight into the rich culture that makes this quarter so lovable and unique.

America is known for being a melting pot of culture and these streets are the living testimony of the collision of so many cultures, Voodoo, Jazz and Mardi Gras are but a few suggestions of this cultural hodgepodge. Meeting your native creole guide on Bourbon Street he will walk you past former bars and flophouses and through the source of wickedness such as the Tango Belt, Storyville, Pirate Alley, and Exchange Alley. One can not talk about the history of the French Quarter without mentioning the cocktails and it will be your guide's duty to reveal all the secrets surrounding them. If you are thirsty or you want to try first hand you can grab one (not included in the price of the tour) as it may even set the mood for the next stop - Royal Street where local musicians will beguile you with their fantastic music. But there's more to this district than the music and the drinking. Discover all about Jackson Square, the impending St. Louis Cathedral, the Pontalba apartments, and of course the Cabildo, where the sale of Louisiana by France was acted. Away from the music and laughters, witness the darkest hours of New Orleans recent history with the visit of the Presbytère Museum and its emotional displays of Hurricane Katrina aftermath. As you reach the end of the tour your Creole guide will tell you of Voodoo and supernatural as he takes you into one of the most haunted buildings in the United States. Finally, as a cherry on a cake, lose yourself in the old French Market finishing at Cafe du Monde where a treat awaits you.

Secret New Orleans Walking tours: Garden District with Private Mansion entry

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French quarter walking tour, french quarter history & architecture tour, walking tour description.

MEETING POINT: Cafe Beignet, 334 Royal Street, next to the Police Station

Explore the storied streets of the Vieux Carre where the documented history is better than fiction. From the dynamic Mississippi River to the serene courtyards, discover everything from the outrageous colonial history to Creole culture, piracy and architectural masterpieces. The French Quarter walking tour includes the Mississippi River or the “Father of Waters” – this mythological body of water has provided New Orleans with its reason for being. We also tour the French Market, the oldest open-air market in the nation, and see the Ursuline Convent, the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley.

Enter Jackson Square and views its architectural magnificence, including St. Louis Cathedral; the Cabildo and the Presbytere, Spanish colonial buildings which flank the cathedral; the Pontalba Buildings, the oldest apartments in the U.S.; and the statue of Andrew Jackson. Experience the lush atmosphere of a Creole courtyard where you will learn about the complexities of Creole society, including the system of ‘placage’ at the Quadroon Ballroom.The tour includes New Orleans’ history of slavery and the St. Louis Exchange.

The tour also stops at Pirate’s Alley, the scene of daring pirate prison escapes and a legendary dueling ground.

For the most comprehensive look at New Orleans, book this French Quarter tour online today!

WHAT TO BRING:

• Please remember to wear comfortable shoes
• Umbrella for the sun or rains

TOURS MUST BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE

QUICK DETAILS

• AGES: All ages
• DURATION: 2 hours
• TOUR TIMES: 10:30 am & 5 pm
• MEETING LOCATION: Cafe Beignet 334 Royal Street (next to the Police Station)
• Twilight French Quarter Tour, 5pm
• Advance Purchase Recommended - Tickets can be purchased at meeting place, Cafe Beignet 20 minutes before tour time
• NOTE: - TOURS MUST BE BOOKED ONLINE - PLEASE BOOK MORE THAN 1 HOUR IN ADVANCE - 24 HOUR CANCELLATION POLICY

Ages 62+ with valid ID

Ages 62+ with valid ID at checkin

Ages 16+ with valid ID

• Wear comfortable shoes, stay hydrated, bring a raincoat
• We do many tours in the rain but reserve the right to cancel if there's lighting or if the rain is too loud to speak over.

• 504.947.2120
• Send a message

NEW ORLEANS MUSIC TOUR Today, 2 PM

Great Tour Jane was our tour guide and having majored in history in school, she was very knowledgeable and informative. Provided historical and current data on the French Quarter. Had a very nice time as a first timer to New Orleans. - Fred K

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Great Tour with a Great Guide Leonce is charming and energetic ... he could have kept going when we were ready for a nap. The 2 hours flew by. By all means, book a tour and ask for Leonce. - Laurie G G, Arlington, Vermont

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Public French Quarter Tours

Wander the streets of New Orleans accompanied by an expert tour guide.

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New Orleans Brothel History Tour

Trace the world’s oldest profession from the founding of New Orleans through infamous Storyville on this adults-only walking tour.

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Highlights of the French Quarter Walking Tour

A GREAT intro to New Orleans. This is based on what we’d do with our friends on an afternoon in the French Quarter.

Ready to Book Your French Quarter Tour?

Iconic French Quarter locations and hidden gems are discovered in small groups with passionate guides excited to connect visitors with our rich past. Our diverse heritage can be appreciated many different ways. Our tours provide a unique lens on the Vieux Carre.

Notable landmarks include the iconic Café du Monde, the historic Jackson Square, and the picturesque St. Louis Cathedral.

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21 Best Things to Do in New Orleans' French Quarter — From Famous Cafes to Ghost Tours

Heading to New Orleans? Here are some of the best things to do in the famous French Quarter.

It's Mardi Gras season in New Orleans , and the place to enjoy the true flavor of Carnival is the city's historic French Quarter, where festivities begin annually on January 6 and continue through Fat Tuesday, which falls on March 1 this year. Yes, Mardi Gras is more than just one day. Parades and celebrations are already under way, so if you want to get a taste of the season, it's time to plan your trip to the French Quarter of New Orleans. Of course, this neighborhood has plenty to offer all year round, so whether you're visiting for the festivities or planning a future trip, we've got you covered.

First, a quick French lesson: Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday, the last day of feasting before Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, traditionally a time of fasting and sacrifice. The French Quarter is also called Vieux Carré, meaning Old Square, recognizing the area as the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans.

Here are 21 of the best things to do in the French Quarter of New Orleans.

See a parade.

Experience a parade or two put on by one of the local Krewes, organizations that host balls or parades during the Mardi Gras season. Get into the spirit with a costume, wear the Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold, and get ready to catch some beads.

Try king cake.

If you visit during the Mardi Gras season, buy a king cake at one of the local bakeries, and if you get the piece with the baby, tradition says you host the next party.

Visit The Mardi Gras Museum of Costumes & Culture.

Visit the Mardi Gras Museum to see costumes, exhibits, and a themed show. The museum is open all year, so you can get a taste of the festivities whenever you visit.

Cruise the Mississippi.

Board the Steamboat Natchez or The City of New Orleans river boat and cruise on the Mississippi for sightseeing, dining, and traditional jazz entertainment.

Learn about local history.

Learn more about New Orleans at the Louisiana State Museum that includes the Cabildo , The Presbytère , the New Orleans Jazz Museum , and the 1850 House .

Try a classic New Orleans cocktail.

Sip a Sazerac, the official cocktail of New Orleans, at the circus-style Carousel Bar in Hotel Monteleone, the city's only revolving bar. You can learn everything there is to know about the cocktail and more at Sazerac House , a museum, bar, and distillery.

Stroll through Jackson Square.

Spend some time at Jackson Square , a National Historic Landmark with a statue of Andrew Jackson, an open-air artist colony, and historic St. Louis Cathedral .

Spot sea life at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas.

Visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas , located on the Mississippi River, featuring exhibits on the underwater world of the Caribbean, Amazon, Gulf of Mexico, and the Mississippi.

Shop around the French Market.

Shop, dine, or enjoy an event at the historic French Market . You'll find art galleries, restaurants, cafés, candy shops, souvenirs, and more.

Window shop on Royal Street.

If you love antiques or just browsing, don't miss Royal Street , one of the oldest streets in New Orleans and home to a number of antique shops and art galleries. You'll also find interesting shops on Decatur, Magazine, and Chartres Streets.

Find local goods at Palace Market.

For more shopping, visit Palace Market on Frenchmen Street, where more than 80 painters, illustrators, jewelers, and sculptors offer their unique creations in an open-air setting.

Eat beignets at the famous Café du Monde.

Stop — at least once or twice — at Café du Monde , dating to 1862, where you'll find coffee, hot chocolate, and their famous beignets, square French-style donuts. The café is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Try a favorite local sandwich.

Another New Orleans specialty is the "muffuletta" (or "muffaletta"), a sandwich on a sesame roll with Italian salami, ham, cheese, and olive salad that includes celery, cauliflower, carrots, peppers, pepperoncini, onions, capers, garlic, and spices. Its Sicilian background combines with Cajun tastes to create the popular sandwich, said to have been invented in the French Quarter in 1906 by Salvatore Lupo of Central Grocery , now called "Home of the Original Muffuletta."

Walk down iconic Bourbon Street.

Stroll down Bourbon Street , named for the French royal family, not the cocktail spirit. You'll hear music from street performers and clubs, see historic buildings with ornate wrought iron balconies, and encounter happy revelers carrying their drinks in plastic to-go cups — legal in New Orleans.

Enjoy the nightlife on Frenchmen Street.

Spend an evening in Frenchmen Street , home of restaurants, jazz clubs, and lively nightlife.

Take a ghost tour.

For an eerie nighttime activity, take one of the many ghost tours offered in New Orleans, focusing on haunted locations and the city's vampire, witch, and voodoo legends.

Learn about Louisiana Voodoo.

If you're intrigued after your tour, you'll want to visit Marie Laveau's House of Voodoo for talismans, charms, a spiritual reading, or to learn more about New Orleans Voodoo.

Stop for a drink at a quirky cafe.

Want to continue the theme? Stop in for a bite at the New Orleans Vampire Café for luxurious all-day dining and cocktails.

Visit the nearby National World War II Museum.

Just outside of the French Quarter in the Warehouse District, the National World War II Museum takes visitors through fascinating stories with exhibits, artifacts, multimedia experiences, and first-person oral histories.

Wander through Louis Armstrong Park.

Also bordering the French Quarter, Louis Armstrong Park commemorates the New Orleans trumpeter and singer nicknamed "Satchmo," one of the most influential figures in jazz. The 31-acre park includes the Mahalia Jackson Theater for the Performing Arts .

Hang out by the river.

Traveling with your furry friend? They'll be welcome at Crescent Park , a 20-acre urban park along the riverfront with bike paths and a dog run. Also along the Mississippi, Woldenberg Riverfront Park offers 16 acres of green space from the river to the French Quarter with a jogging path, sculptures, and 90-foot linear water feature.

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French Quarter Tours du Jour

While the French Quarter is a fascinating place to simply sit and stare, it becomes ever more so when you make the effort to learn a bit about its history, quirks and secrets. A veritable panoply of guided tours are available to address all manner of subjects specific to the French Quarter and a knowledgeable, enthusiastic tour guide can peel back the wrappings and allow you to see what’s really inside. French Quarter tours are quick crash courses that take the form of everything from polite, informative walking tours to pub crawls, paddle wheeler sojourns, horse-drawn carriage rides and bizarre nocturnal romps in search of ghosts and vampires.

Some tour guides work independently and offer their services almost as a “friend in New Orleans” – for hire. Some of them are highly specialized and offer a microscopic look at one area of interest. Others touch on a little bit of everything, like City Sightseeing New Orleans – New Orleans’ Hop-On Hop-Off tour that traverses four distinct neighborhoods in classic red open-top double-decker buses. At the other end of the spectrum is Gray Line Tours, a comprehensive one-stop shopping Mecca on the tourism front with numerous tour options available from one brochure. The company offers investigative tours of the French Quarter and Garden District as well as a sweeping look at the entire city. Specialty tours include a cocktail tour, swamp and bayou tours, plantation tours and ghosts and spirits tours.

At the other end of the spectrum is Gray Line Tours, a comprehensive one-stop shopping Mecca on the tourism front with numerous tour options available from one brochure. The company offers investigative tours of the French Quarter and Garden District as well as a sweeping look at the entire city. Specialty tours include a cocktail tour, swamp and bayou tours, plantation tours and ghosts and spirits tours.

Due to its status as the epicenter of the New Orleans, many tour companies offer transportation from French Quarter hotels and landmarks for exploration of other parts of the area.

Highlighted below are a few of the many tours available. Some are noted for their outstanding reputations, others are noted for the unique nature of their offerings.

Hop-On Hop-Off Tours

For French Quarter tours and beyond, a tour that offers a few days of sightseeing is a great option for exploring. City Sightseeing New Orleans is New Orleans’ most flexible tour, with options for 1-Day and 3-Day  unlimited Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing  . Visitors can view New Orleans from a red open-top double-decker bus while enjoying live narration from a guide. These tours also include walking tours and “City Deals” throughout the city for those who want to Hop-Off and enjoy its many attractions.

Walking Tours

This is the very best way to familiarize yourself with the French Quarter. Get a comfortable pair of shoes, some sunscreen and a hat for the walk.

Friends of the Cabildo French Quarter Walking Tours – two hours long and led by highly trained volunteers with the Louisiana State Museum System who educate on architecture and historical fact. The tour visits Madame John’s Legacy as well as the 1850 House.

Nola Tour Guy – Offers a free “pay what you feel” tour experience of the Quarter and St Louis Cemetery. Well known and respected by both locals and repeat visitors to the city.

City Sightseeing New Orleans boasts several walking tours along with their 18-stop route, including one starting at the New Orleans French Market. Learn about the French Quarter’s history and see some of its most popular attractions, then hop back on the tour bus to explore beyond the French Quarter!

National Park Service – These popular 90-minute walks are free and led by rangers from the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park. These tours are hugely informative and focus on history and architecture.

Gray Line French Quarter Walking Tour – These tours make up at the River and Toulouse Street then range throughout the Quarter visiting all the key points including Jackson Square, the Old Ursuline Convent, the Pharmacy Museum, Washington Artillery Park, Royal and Bourbon Streets.

Carriage Tours

Every day from about 8 a.m. to midnight, mule-drawn carriages line up on Decatur Street in front of Jackson Square. These tours are a staple in New Orleans tourism. Some carriages hold four people, others hold six. They roll through the French Quarter, rain or shine, pointing out all of the expected sites. For something more substantial than the standard nickel tour, carriage drivers can be engaged for private tours of the city.

Riverboat Tours

See the city from the body of water that made it all possible.

Steamboat Natchez Cruise – Riding the last steamboat on the Mississippi River recalls an era when steamboats were the main source of transportation, communication, and commerce. It cruises downriver to Chalmette (7 ½ miles) and back twice daily, and once in the evening for a Dinner Jazz Cruise with the Grammy nominated Dukes of Dixieland. During the day there is live jazz and optional food and beverage in addition to the historic and port narration.

Cemetery, Voodoo, Vampire and Haunted Places Tours

These tours range from highly educational and informative, such as those offered by the reputable Save our Cemeteries, to absolutely ridiculous to the point of insult. Due to their popularity, there are so many vampire, voodoo and whatnot tours currently available that over-competitive guides have been known to engage in battle over customers in Jackson Square. Note that due to vandalism issues, only approved docents who are registered with the Archdiocese of New Orleans can lead tours into St Louis Cemetery No. 1.

Gray Line Ghost & Spirits Walking Tour – Includes several ghost tour operators, which means no two tours are exactly alike. While the sites you visit will vary, expect to take in destinations including haunted hotels.

Historic New Orleans Walking Tours : Cemetery & Voodoo Tour – The guides at this blue chip touring outfit have a talent for sprinkling just enough intrigue and mystery over the facts to keep them compelling.

Save Our Cemeteries – This outstanding non-profit group works to preserve the city’s fragile, crumbling burial places. The tours are led by Save Our Cemeteries-trained volunteers who unveil the mysteries of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 in the Garden District as well as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, which is adjacent to the French Quarter. The wise folks at Save Our Cemeteries are wise to the reality that these places are compelling enough without the mythical embellishments some others place on the Cities of the Dead.

Flat, warm New Orleans is a perfect city for casual cycling.

Confederacy of Cruisers – The original godfathers of the local cycling tour scene, the folks at Confederacy offer several wryly funny tours of the city’s iconic neighborhoods (including the Quarter). Some rides take in the city’s distinctive architecture, and some focus on the great cocktails of Creole culture – any way you slice it, you’ll bike away happy.

Music Tours

Learn serious facts about the history of jazz or bang your head at a nightclub. The offerings are diverse.

Cradle of Jazz Tour – Visit the birthplaces of JellyRoll Morton and Buddy Bolden with jazz aficionado and historian John McCusker during his 2.5-hour Friday and Saturday tours into the heart and history of the city’s definitive musical style. The tour also visits cemeteries, old jazz clubs and other significant musical sites.

New Orleans Music Tours – Offers three different walking tours that range from a tour hour stroll past some of the Quarter’s seminal musical sites to a nighttime walking itinerary that takes in the live music scene on Frenchmen Street.

Photo courtesy of Pe arl River Eco Tours on Facebook

Swamp Tours

Though there are days when the French Quarter may feel like a swamp, to really see one you have to leave the neighborhood. Several of the numerous swamp tour companies distinguish themselves for their quality while others merely ride along on ridiculous bits of pseudo-Cajun folklore and pantomimed accents, which people seem to eat up. The Louisiana bayous and swampland are stunning, majestic and mysterious. In summer, when the heat can be brutal, a morning tour is recommended. Insect repellent and sunscreen are a must. Reservations are required. These tours offer transport from many French Quarter hotels.

Pearl River Eco-Tours – While Swamp Tours may be numerous, this one, located 45-50 minutes from downtown New Orleans, distinguishes itself in a number of ways. The folkloric approach is avoided in favor of a learning adventure that is richly informative and exciting in its own right. The company’s president and founder is a lifelong resident of the area. The tour which heads deep into the Honey Island Swamp and White Kitchen Nature Preserve has become a favorite for its intelligent focus and quality experience. The site’s attention to detail – such as comfortable, well-appointed flat boats; a large, covered dock seating area; clean handicap accessible restrooms; complimentary insect repellant and sunscreen; and available refreshments – are unique bonuses not often encountered at this type of facility.

Gray Line Swamp & Bayou Tour – After a short motorcoach ride across the Mississippi River, take a fascinating boat trip into the Louisiana Swamps & Bayous. Experience the timeless beauty of South Louisiana in a custom built, all weather swamp boat. Native guides will reveal the mysteries of the swamps and bayous and the Cajun “joie de vivre”. Hear how the Cajuns turned soup into gumbo, the washboard into a musical instrument, and the swamps of Louisiana into a paradise. Alligators! Observe the nesting grounds of alligators, egrets, raccoons, nutria, and many species of snakes. Some wildlife are more numerous during the warmer months of the year. Swamp Boat You will be treated to a Bayou Nature Wildlife Show by a local naturalist. Snakes, alligator snapping turtles, raccoons and nutria will be among the animal guests.

Whitney Plantation by Michael McCarthy

Plantation Tours

Gray Line’s Whitney Plantation Tour Motorcoach guided tours leave from the Gray Line ‘Lighthouse’ in the French Quarter at Toulouse Street and the River. The Whitney Plantation, besides being a fine example of Creole architecture, is the only plantation museum in the state that focuses on the history of slavery.

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Breathtaking views. Authentic New Orleans culture. We've specialized in it for 80 years (and counting.)

Carriage rides in the French Quarter now operate 7 days a week pending weather. We have limited availability, please make sure to book your ticket now by clicking "book now". Guests will board the carriages at 700 Decatur St. in front of Jackson Square. We look forward to seeing you in our 82nd year in business!

Our Sightseeing Tours of New Orleans

New orleans history & haunts carriage tour, history and haunts carriage tour.

New Orleans is a city with a dark and sometimes sinister history. With Royal Carriages History & Haunts Carriage Tour, you'll discover a few of the reported hauntings, as well as the legends behind them!

1 hour tour - $60 per person (13 & up) $40 per person kids (5-12) Children 4 and under free (1 per paid adult)

Private Carriage Tour

Let our expert guides tailor a tour just for you! This unique one hour carriage experience travels through the French Quarter and beyond. These more intimate carriages seat 1-4 people per party.

1/2 Hour Tour is $150 1 Hour Tour is $300

French Quarter and More Tour

This fully narrated, hour long tour travels the centuries old French Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny; both neighborhoods as rich in history as they are in character. See Creole architecture up close, and feel the past come alive!

Mules in the Marigny Walking Tour

Stable and neighborhood walking tour.

Explore the home of our Mules and stroll through one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans.

2 hour tour - $35 per person (13 & up) $25 per person kids (5-12) Children 4 and under free (1 per paid adult)

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We went on the one hour tour with Mark, tour guide, and Elizabeth, mule pulling the carriage. Mark was very knowledgeable about New Orleans' history and is very funny! He took us to St Louis Cemetery #1 as well. Great tour, good time and well worth the booking.

TripAdvisor Member: Ronni Raynae L

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Royal Carriages provides romantic private carriage rides that are perfect for surprise engagement proposals. Let us arrange something amazing for you! #SheSaidYes #LoveByCarriage

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We are now open for walking tours only with full COVID-19 safety precautions in place. Please stay tuned for our launch of carriage tours as we phase back in. In the meantime, we invite you to book as we expand our product.

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GARDEN DISTRICT TOUR

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Pick from our wide range of walking New Orleans tours below. 

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INTERNET SPECIAL - ONLY $22.00! 

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No need to print - your tickets will be at our box office inside the Voodoo Lounge. 

GARDEN DISTRICT WALKING TOUR / LAFAYETTE CEMETERY TOUR

SEE THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HOMES IN NEW ORLEANS

We invite you to join us on a leisurely stroll through the stunning " Garden District " of New Orleans . See the stomping ground of authors, poets, movie stars, artists, and sports legends such as Anne Rice , John Goodman, and Archie Manning, including the Benjamin Button House and home to the "Coven" in American Horror Story as well as many mysterious and loved fictional characters. 

Enjoy the towering southern live oak trees, magnificent crepe myrtles, and the stunning magnolias that some have said make walking tours through the garden district neighborhood akin to walking through a fairy tale. Learn the deep and rich history of the area and how it fits into the overall story of New Orleans, including the jealousy and mistrust that led to the "new money" of the "garish" Americans trying to show up the splendor and glory of the "old money" Europeans on the other side of town.

Points of Interests

On your tour to the Garden district, you will enjoy seeing the following locations: 

Garden District Anne Rice House/House on 1st Street/Mayfair Mansion Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 Commander's Palace Garden District Book Shop Magazine Street St. Charles Avenue

TOUR THE LAFAYETTE CEMETERY

Along with your garden district walking tour, you will also get a chance to visit the oldest Municipal Cemetery in New Orleans , Lafayette #1, the site of filming for many famous movies and TV shows, including Interview with a Vampire and Double Jeopardy. Learn about New Orleans’ above-ground burial practices, and join us in some gossip about dead people!

** Note: Lafayette Cemetery is closed on Municipal Holidays such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Labor Day. The tour will not include the cemetery on those holidays.

Tour Information

  WHEN :   Everyday 10am

  LENGTH :   2 hours

  STARTS FROM:  INSIDE Starbucks Coffee located at 2801 Magazine St (corner of Magazine and Washington Streets)

  ENDS AT:  1403 Washington Ave

  DISTANCE:   1 mile

 INTERNET SPECIAL: $22

Over 20 Years of Excellence!

Worth the trip to new orleans by itself, luke is great, charm, professionalism, knowledge & fun, it was amazing and very informative, great start tge trip, enjoyed it so much we booked another tour, great tour, best walking tour ever.

Not Just Your Ordinary Cheap Thrill!

Fun French Quarter Walking tours led by Master Storytellers. Choose from our Ghost & Vampire walking tour, Garden District walking tour, Tour Tremé or Saints and Sinners: a Dirty little French Quarter History tour. Who knew history could be so much fun? All tours are about one hour forty-five minutes, walking distance is just under one mile. Bring your camera (and your friends), wear comfortable shoes, and be prepared to have fun! Established in 2006. Locally owned and operated. We love entertaining you and it shows. Join us for the best walking tours New Orleans has to offer. Book online for $22 per person and you receive a discount of $3 per ticket! (Regularly $25 per person).

THE VOODOO LOUNGE, 718 N RAMPART STREET, NEW ORLEANS LA 70116 504-666-8300 | PRIVACY POLICY

Celebrating 12 Years of Delicious Food Tours - Small & Large Group Team Building Available

FRENCH QUARTER FOOD TOUR

Quick Details

Hour Glass   Duration: 3 hours

Hour Glass   Stops: Five different tasting locations

Hour Glass   Tastings: All food included. Enough food for lunch. Vegetarian friendly. Click here for gluten-free and Vegan food substitutions.

ABOUT FRENCH QUARTER FOOD TOUR

Our French Quarter food walking tour showcases distinctive Creole and Cajun cuisines that bring food lovers back to the bayou year after year. We guide you to the best spots for tried-and-true Big Easy classics as well as innovative riffs on NOLA’s traditional dishes.

We stop at five classic New Orleans-style food places that really showcase New Orleans culinary history. Between the food stops, your guide narrates the quintessential history, culture, and food scene of the gorgeous Vieux Carre (“Old Square”) neighborhood.

Tasting Locations

(5 of the following places, you MAY NOT go to ALL of the places, subject to change)

*Private Tour tasting locations may be different than ones listed below.

• Felix’s Restaurant & Oyster Bar: Fresh shucked oysters & Creole staples in a relaxed and fun setting.
• Leah’s Pralines: Family-owned, female-run confectionary that has been in the sweets and treats business for over 70 years.
• Royal House: A French Quarter staple in an historic building offering up Southern Louisiana specialties like alligator bites and bread puddin’
• New Orleans Creole Cookery: : Classic Creole dishes with next generation energy, overflowing with family history and great jazz music!
• Frank’s Restaurant: Started in 1965 by Frank Gagliano Sr as a small storefront deli serving famous PoBoys and Muffuletta sandwiches
• Gazebo: Convivial spot offering Cajun bites, ice cream daiquiris, live jazz & courtyard seating.

Behind every great food establishment in this city, there is an equally great story of tradition and innovation. On our food tours in New Orleans, you can discover these amazing histories while tasting what has made these eateries so beloved by locals.

Tour Highlights

• 5 delicious & unique food tastings with an alcohol component add-on
• Storytelling through food – an unforgettable historic & cultural experience
• Hear from the food vendors themselves as they share their story
• New Orleans most unique, tasty, and trendy food. Leave with a full belly & mind
• Eat your way through a flavorful neighborhood from a local’s perspective

Private French Quarter Food Tour

Want to make our delicious and fun French Quarter food tour a private event? Contact us! We specialize in curating the best private culinary experiences.

• Chevron down What's Not Included?
• Feel free to bring a bottled beverage. Some establishments provide water.
• Gratuity for your food tour guide. It’s customary to tip your guide 15%-20% of the purchase price.
• Chevron down Activity-Specific Policies

Please review the seller’s policies for this activity. Once tickets are purchased, these are binding.

• Non-refundable, cannot be rescheduled Once purchased, tickets cannot be refunded and cannot be rescheduled because your space is being guaranteed at the event.
• Activity takes place rain or shine The activity runs regardless of weather conditions. In the rare situation where the seller is forced to cancel the event, ticket-holders will be allowed to reschedule to another time (subject to availability).

Related Food Tours

• Map Marker New Orleans
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LOWER GARDEN DISTRICT FOOD TOUR

This walking food tour showcases the award-winning restaurants as well as a trendy neighborhood with beautiful architecture, curving streets, and old-world NOLA charm!

• Clock Flexible
• Calendar 7 days a week

NOLA PRIVATE FOOD TOUR

Sidewalk Food Tours of New Orleans offers the best private walking food tours for all our tour options. The Sidewalks team will work with you to create the perfect tour suited to your group’s interests and showcasing your desired city’s best foodie neighborhoods!

NOLA CORPORATE TEAM BUILDING TOUR

Sidewalk Food Tours specializes in curating the best corporate team building food tour experiences in New Orleans. Our tours are a great opportunity for your team to get outside of their usual office environment and hit the streets to taste delicious treats from our favorite spots in your city’s neighborhood!

French Quarter

Review Highlights

“ I do recommend a visit to Bourbon Street , but I DO recommend you take in all the Museums, and attractions that you can. ” in 59 reviews

“ Jackson Square , with its statue of Andrew Jackson tipping his hat and the wonderful buildings, the St. ” in 41 reviews

“ If you're not a fan of the pandemonium that occurs certain nights, then take a nice stroll in the morning. ” in 8 reviews

Location & Hours

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730 Dumaine St

New Orleans, LA 70116

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Looking for family friendly things in French quarter? Or should we avoid on a weekend night?

The carriage rides around the Quarter, getting beignets at Cafe DuMonde. Free tours by foot(yelp has a listing), the Cabildo Museum, the Insectarium, taking the street car down St. Charles Street or take it down Canal all the way and check out our… more

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241 reviews

Wonderful scenery! So much to see & so many places to eat! Outside of french quarter is nice as well. The Houses are just Stunning the craftsmanship and history behind them is breathtaking.

There is a lot to see and do in the French Quarter. We enjoyed touring the many historic buildings and landmarks. Taking in all the sights and sounds is an experience in itself. Around every corner you'll find quaint little shops, interesting architecture, bright colors, churches, voodoo shops, ghost tours, local art, music, bars, restaurants, food, and history. It's a unique pocket of the world that you won't see anywhere else. The different streets in the quarter all have something distinctive that it's known for. The iconic Bourbon Street is where everyone goes to drink and party. It's named after a royal French family, not booze, but has become a place for revelry of all sorts. Canal Street is the city's major thoroughfare where the streetcars run and is a hotspot for parades, shopping, and shows. Frenchmen Street, once a hidden gem among local, is now recognized as one of New Orleans' best spots for live music. Everywhere in the quarter there is lots of energy, though it does get congested with so many people crowding the narrow streets. Not to mention traffic. It's touristy, but you'll also see many locals there. Everybody goes to the French Quarter to drink, party, eat, and live their best lives. Some of the streets are pretty run down and in desperate need of maintenance. Despite that, it is a must in New Orleans for the vibrant atmosphere, history, food and culture.

See all photos from Tina T. for French Quarter

I'll be honest, I wasn't sure what to expect from this. Was it going to be a full neighbourhood like Clifton Hill from Niagara? Would it be some neighbourhood from NYC but French like vibes? Something else? After a hefty lunch from Dooky Chase's we had to walk some of our food off. We ended up coming down Orleans Ave that becomes Basin St. Dropped into Basin St. Station to peak inside and then Toulouse St into the area. It's a really interesting mix of things in here from private residences, to hotels, shops, restaurants and of course Bourbon St and all the things in and around that area. The streets were pretty lively mid day but man there are way to many souvenir shops here. We did stumble across a few museums as well. The architecture is super interesting in this area. There are a lot of street performers and buskers in different pockets of the area. One side has a great park, the other side you come out is the water and more shops depending where you are.

This is our 3 and final trip to Nola. Used to love Nola and exploring the french quarter ... the bold jewel colors, art and galleries, street performers, wide selection of bars and restaurants. Fun of strolling bourbon street and watching the craziness while listening to some good music. Stop at french market, cafe du monde for beignets and visit to Jackson square is always musts. lots of people have dogs even the homeless ... there are lots of homeless especially in the parks. I'd avoid parks at night and not alone. But i guess pot is legal now and the smoke and smell just ruined our trip ... everywhere all hours right in your face. I never smoke and my asthma was not happy. issue 2 the noise ... the music was so annoying and blaring loud. live music is fun but 30 bands playing a max all at once while street performers as pounding drums at same time.

See all photos from Rhonda W. for French Quarter

French Quarter New Orleans Louisiana United States of America How's that for being specific about a one of a kind very cool vacation location? Memories are made of visits to a place like the French Quarter. Music and restaurants I haven't experienced anywhere else. I'm posting some of my photos. Soon the Mardi Gras celebration will take place. In my younger days I always wanted to go during Mardi Gras. Now I appreciate the scene without crowds! Whenever you visit you should have a great time or something is definitely wrong with you!!

See all photos from Marianne W. for French Quarter

Beautiful architecture and rich history, this is how I would describe the French Quarter. Also, if you like crowds and loud music playing at every blocks and corners, this place is for you. We highly recommend taking a tour of the French Quarter on one of the horse carriages by the Park, it's a quick way to learn the city without having to navigate through the crowds.

Great vibe, even if some streets in this area are pretty trashy. Lots of restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and other shops. Must walk around this area when in New Orleans.

See all photos from Charles L. for French Quarter

Super lively and fun! Great place to people watch and soak in a lot of the culture of all ages for all ages !! Although it's represented as a 21+ spot, those underage will enjoy as well. Awesome street performers, souvenir shops, and food options galore !! This place is a def must visit when visiting The Big Easy !!

6'18'2023 6pm in the French Quarter

6'19'2023 10pm on a Monday !! Not bad !!

There's so much excitement in the French Quarter, whether you're visiting during the day or at night. Everywhere you turn there are talented musicians singing and/or playing instruments such as guitars, drums, or saxophones. There are so many restaurants that it's hard to decide where to dine. I relied heavily on Yelp reviews to make my choices. As fun as it was, this neighbor had 3 things I did not enjoy: trash, urine & marijuana. It smelled really bad! I felt like the odor transferred to my clothing and skin. I felt dirty!

See all photos from Mei T. for French Quarter

Bourbon Street aside, the French Quarter as a whole I found to be so many wonderful things. The architecture is phenomenal. I have not seen galleried buildings like that anywhere else I have ever been. Jackson Square is as vibrant a place as you can get. People spilling out of the cafe's and bar's and into the streets (and more on the streets later). A parade or a second line around every corner. The Riverwalk was calm and serene while watching the ferry and the Steamboats cruise up and down. I really did enjoy exploring the shops and places to eat. The down side is it's really congested on the streets because they are so narrow and trying to walk and avoid running into people took more of my concentration than being able to take in everything around me. Speaking of the streets again and having to concentrate, the French Quarter's sidewalks are in need of some serious repair. I'm talking huge sections you could easily twist an ankle in. Add to this that some shops keep their trash bins out front and you're doing some serious bobbing and weaving round there. With Decatur being one of the largest streets you get a lot more breathing room near the square but I agree with another reviewer who thought those poor donkeys looked hot and miserable. I would never pay for them to ride me around. All in all I didn't get to hit all the points of interest on my list so I definitely look forward to coming back.

See all photos from Renee D. for French Quarter

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All the Elegant Photos from Christina Hendricks and George Bianchini's New Orleans Wedding Ceremony (Exclusive)

The couple said "I do" in a jazzy, NOLA-style ceremony on April 20 at the historic Napoleon House

SOPHIE LIN BERARD | @SBERARDWEDDINGS 

Christina Hendricks , 48, and George Bianchini tied the knot in a glamorous New Orleans wedding ceremony on Saturday, April 20.

The pair were married at the historic Napoleon House in the city's French Quarter during a three-day wedding weekend that included cocktails at the Soniat House , a very New Orleans French Quarter ghost tour and, of course, some healthy doses of New Orleans food, including shrimp and grits.

Ahead see all the gorgeous photos from the newlyweds' NOLA-style wedding weekend!

A (Big) Easy Choice

SOPHIE LIN BERARD | @SBERARDWEDDINGS 

The couple settled on New Orleans as the location for their elegant nuptials.

According to Hendricks, New Orleans was a place that both she and Bianchini had long enjoyed going to before meeting each other. When the pair first started seeing each other, New Orleans became one of their favorite places to meet up.

"It just feels like our city together, even though we both loved it individually," the Mad Men star told PEOPLE.

The Perfect Number

Among attendees on the 76-person guest list:  Mad Men  creator  Matt Weiner , actor Bryan Batt, fashion designer  Christian Siriano  (who custom designed Hendricks' welcome party look) and Hendricks' former Good Girls costars  Retta  and  Mae Whitman

High 'Spirits'

The couple kicked off their three-day wedding weekend on Friday, April 19, at a mini mansion on the Soniat House hotel's property.  Guests shared cocktails and hors d'oeuvres together before stepping out into the French Quarter for a ghost tour.

Hendricks, on the ghost tour: "We thought that would be a really fun way for people to get to know each other a little bit, and since many of our guests had not been to New Orleans, it's a way to be like, 'Okay, you've arrived, let's show you around the French Quarter. Let's introduce you to the city that you're in and to each other. So we just thought what an ice breaker and a fun way to walk around in the evening together."

"Overdressed and Fabulous"

The actress told PEOPLE that she was determined to be "overdressed and fabulous" all weekend long.

"That's how I've always wanted to traipse the streets of New Orleans at night — in a serious gown with a drink in hand, just walking around," she explained.

The Blushing Bride

The bride wore a custom  Katya Katya  wedding gown which she said brought her to tears the first time she tried it on "because it was so beautiful."

All Laced Up

With so many events to attend over the three-day weekend, the actress chose to have a little fun with her fashion, telling PEOPLE she had "incredible designers" who created looks for each of the different occasions.

We Are Gathered Here Today

Shirley Manson , lead singer of the rock band Garbage, officiated the couple's ceremony. The two shared hand-written vows, which, for Hendricks was one of the more "nerve-wracking" wedding to-dos.

The Newlyweds

Following the nuptials, the newlyweds took part in a classic New Orleans tradition of a second line, where newlyweds lead their guests on a jazzy parade in the street with parasols and umbrellas in hand — signifying the start of a new life for the bride and groom. The fist line is usually a brass band.

The Buccaneers star paired her lacy dress with a custom version of the Claire Pettibone Boho Juliet veil with pale grey silk ribbons and lace flowers.

New Orleans Cuisine

"People really love to do a buffet in New Orleans for weddings. We're just not really buffet people. I want to sit there and be lazy and have someone bringing [the food]," Hendricks told PEOPLE. "So we did a sit-down dinner. We coursed it out and offered good, Southern New Orleans food."

All That Jazz

What's a New Orlean's wedding without some jazz music?

To Have and to Hold

Hendricks and Bianchini — a camera operator — first met on the set of her series  Good Girls , which ran from 2018 to 2021.

Florals Galore

Hendricks worked with New Orleans floral design studio Sharime Kayla to take the wedding "full floral."

"I came [to her] with Pinterest pictures and, 'I like this and I like this and I like this.' And she went, 'Oh, you want Southern Gothic with Dutch masters.' And I went, 'Oh God, that's exactly what I want,' " Hendricks said of working with the studio.

Take a Walk on the Bridal Side

"We wanted [our friends and family] to feel sexy and welcomed and love and laugh, and have delicious food and indulge and enjoy incredible music. And we wanted to say, 'And hey, if you stick around, it'll continue to be like this. Come to our house. We'll do more of this,' " Hendricks explained to PEOPLE.

Happy Couple

Hendricks told PEOPLE, “We're both romantic, and I think it's easy to say when you've been married before and it's been so hard and it didn't work, and you feel like, ‘Oh my gosh, this is very scary. We don't have to do this. We could just love each other and not do this.’ But I think there's something to be said about really making that commitment and saying it out loud with some of your friends and family."

Forever & Always

"This is our best party, but we're going to have a lot more," Hendricks said of the wedding.

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Irish eyes smile upon Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry in Zurich Classic of New Orleans triumph

Duo outlasts chad ramey/martin trainer in playoff at tpc louisiana.

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When Martin Trainer missed his par-saving, playoff-extending putt late Sunday at TPC Louisiana, the Irish lads – you couldn’t really call them anything else, could you? – looked at each other and hugged. Shane Lowry and Rory McIlroy had won the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

Lowry lifted McIlroy up in a colossal embrace, and the celebration was on.

The duo – friends for a quarter century, nearby homeowners in South Florida and weekly playdate pals with their young kids – turned things around Sunday after a tough start and walked away PGA TOUR winners, again.

“We went out there, we had loads of fun, and we won the tournament. You couldn’t ask for a better week,” Lowry said.

“To win any PGA TOUR event is very cool, but to do it with one of your closest friends … Think about where we met and where we've come from, to be on this stage and do this together – just awesome to be able to do it alongside this guy,” McIlroy added.

For McIlroy, it was his 25th TOUR title, his third in a tournament debut. He now has at least one win in seven consecutive PGA TOUR seasons. Lowry won for the first time on TOUR since the 2019 Open Championship, his third TOUR win overall.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry news conference after winning Zurich Classic

McIlroy and Lowry were the expected champions, given the lack of proven winners around them on the leaderboard heading into Sunday. But no one could have predicted Trainer and Chad Ramey zipping 25 spots up the leaderboard in the final round after a format-tying 9-under 63. They were waiting around for upwards of three hours before finding out they would be in a playoff.

And even though McIlroy and Lowry were the favorites, that doesn’t mean the win was guaranteed.

Lowry said at breakfast Sunday they noticed how much the trees were whipping and yet, Ramey and Trainer shot “an unbelievable score.” Lowry and McIlroy were 1-over through six holes and needed to make something happen quickly – and that’s exactly what they did.

“To play the last 12 holes in 5-under I think was very, very good," Lowry said. "It showed a lot about our character and how much we wanted to win this thing,”

Lowry is about two years older than McIlroy; the duo first represented Ireland at the 2007 European Amateur Team Championship. They were European Ryder Cup teammates in both Wisconsin and Rome. And they played together at the Olympics in 2021, something they’re hoping to do again this summer in Paris.

“I know to go back to Ireland with an Olympic medal would be like a dream,” Lowry said.

“I was in a seven-way playoff in Tokyo for a bronze medal, and I’ve never tried so hard to finish third in my life,” added McIlroy.

This was McIlroy’s fourth straight week of TOUR competition, and Lowry’s third straight. There were no signs of fatigue from either man late Sunday at TPC Louisiana, with McIlroy knocking his drive on the par-5 18th in regulation upwards of 350 yards. Lowry, with a laugh, said he wasn’t sure what to do from the position his partner had left him in.

Rory McIlroy’s clutch 72nd hole chip yields tying birdie at Zurich Classic

This wouldn’t be considered a breakthrough victory for either player, given their long-standing pedigree and solid starts to 2024 (Lowry had two top-five finishes in Florida, while McIlroy won on the DP World Tour earlier this year and finished third at the Valero Texas Open earlier this month), but their easy chemistry in Louisiana could be a harbinger of good things to come.

The fans in New Orleans, too, seemed to buoy the boys. There were chants of "Rory, Rory," and there was a story relayed on the CBS broadcast of Lowry and McIlroy getting a standing ovation when they left dinner on Saturday night at Arnaud’s, a jazzy, 100-year-old fine-dining spot in New Orleans' French Quarter.

“It's not lost on me how cool that is. Every time I get to play in front of thousands of people, the little boy in me just thinks it's so cool and so exciting,” McIlroy said. “The crowd really made the weekend.”

“Rory brings a crowd, and people love him. We've got a lot of love this week in New Orleans, and we've had just the best week,” added Lowry.

What now, though? It was a big week and a big win for some of the TOUR’s most affable players. For Lowry, he’s earned his way into the rest of the Signature Events on the 2024 schedule, and it’s “freed him up,” he said. For McIlroy, he had exited big events like THE PLAYERS and the Masters with a few more questions about his game and its overall direction. This week, though, McIlroy reflected on why he and Lowry, all those years ago back home, started playing golf – because it was fun.

“I think sort of reinjecting a little bit of that fun back into it in a week like this week – it can always help,” McIlroy said.

“Hopefully we can both kick on now,” Lowry said of good things to come. “It was great fun all week, everything about it was just brilliant.”

When Irish eyes are smiling, it leads to a PGA TOUR victory.

Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry rally to win Zurich Classic team event in a playoff

NEW ORLEANS — Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry received a standing ovation at historic, creole French Quarter restaurant Arnaud’s on the eve of their final round at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event.

They also had the largest, loudest galleries at the TPC Louisiana, where the charismatic, 34-year-old McIlroy, had not previously played.