Top New Orleans Historical Tours

Exploring New Orleans in the evening can seem like an intimidating quest on your own, but this ghost, voodoo, and vampire walking tour takes you to the city’s most eerie sites at night in the safety of a group with a knowledgeable guide. Stop by top attractions such as the LaLaurie Mansion and New Orleans Pharmacy Museum, all while listening to your guide’s detailed stories of the paranormal and beyond.

Although not your typical tour of New Orleans, this expedition through the Big Easy takes in some of the major points of interest, including the French Quarter, Treme, the Esplanade, the Garden District and the Metairie Cemetery. Relax in air-conditioned minibus comfort, and listen as a guide leads you through one of America's most historic cities.

"When friends and family ask me what they shouldn’t miss when they visit New Orleans, I tell them, “Take a tour with Hottest Hell.” - Michael Cerveris, Star of 'Mindhunter' Do you believe there are things in this life that simply cannot be explained? Come take a walk through the haunted French Quarter stories that may leave you questioning what you ever thought possible. Our 8PM tour will be available with the VIP option of HELLVISION™! We use handheld projectors to bring the bloody images of New Orleans out of the archives and onto the streets for your tour. Our new 7PM tour is for those that prefer the road less traveled - an alternative to our popular main route, starting at the New Orleans Jazz Museum, telling oft-forgotten true crime gems.

Rich history and voodoo legends make New Orleans one of the most fascinating places to visit, but if you see the sights alone, you could miss out on some of the key details that bring this vibrant city to life. This New Orleans voodoo tour takes you through the city during daylight hours—perfect for those who don’t want to get too scared, but still want a look into the city’s mysterious past. The BYOB Cemetery Insiders option allows you to journey through three of New Orleans’ hallowed historical cemeteries. Bring your favorite beverage onboard the air-conditioned coach bus, and learn of the city's burial customs and traditions on your short drive to the cemeteries. While you pass through the aisles of tombs, you'll hear stories like one of thousands buried in the graveyard behind the Katrina Memorial. No matter which option you choose, this tour will leave you with feelings of trepidation and excitement, as well as an appreciation of New Orleans' incredible history.

Gaze at the spectacular sights of New Orleans from the comfort of a luxury coach on an unforgettable 3-hour city tour. With a professional guide, cruise past historical highlights like the French Quarter and the Garden District while listening to illuminating commentary. See the the lakefront area and the 17th street canal where the canal bank was breached by hurricane Katrina, and delve into the city’s rich history as you take a tour of the best museums in New Orleans. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation from your hotel in Downtown New Orleans on this informative tour.

Go for the gastronomic gusto on a food‐filled walking tour of New Orleans! Journey with a savvy local guide to popular Creole eateries, markets, and artisanal shops to sample diverse foods that define Louisiana’s culinary landscape. Stopping at several locations, savor such classic bites as seafood gumbo, Creole brisket, po'boys, and pralines. Along the way, meet local chefs and learn about New Orleans’ rich culinary history.

Delve into the stories behind the oldest neighborhood in New Orleans during a French Quarter walking tour. Take in famous landmarks including Jackson Square, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Mississippi River, along with lesser-known places of interest. Hear from your guide about the architecture and heritage of the district, and get the inside scoop on recommended places for shopping and dining as well.

Visit the Whitney Plantation Museum, a former indigo and sugar plantation on the River Road now dedicated to promoting an understanding of slavery in Louisiana. Learn about the realities of plantation life through museum exhibits and recorded narratives as you explore the restored structures and historical slave cabins. Download the Whitney Plantation app for the self-guided tour of Whitney Plantation Museum.

Discover New Orleans’ dark side on this haunted history ghost tour. Hear tales of famous hauntings from your local guide, and visit the French Quarter’s most infamous and eerie locations—hotspots for paranormal investigators and historical videographers. By the end, see the Vieux Carré in a different (and profoundly more ominous) light.

Explore New Orleans’ "Cities of the Dead: on the only ghost tour offering cemetery access after dark. While most haunted history tours stay in the bustling French Quarter, this one takes you into the silent, shadowy realms of some of the city’s oldest and most haunted graveyards. Hear chilling tales of paranormal activity while exploring the curious above-ground burial practices of these famous final resting places.

Discover the historic crypts and monuments at New Orleans’ Saint Louis Cemetery #1 on a guided walking tour. While guests aren't allowed inside the cemetery at this time, you'll still hear stories about the city’s most colorful characters and luminaries from outside the gates and have options for photo shoots. Pay your respects to Marie Laveau, known as New Orleans’ ‘Voodoo Queen,’ see the tombs of the city’s greatest families and visit sections devoted to Louisiana’s different Christian denominations. Learn about New Orleans’ history and culture as you explore the city’s oldest cemetery.

Experience the grandeur of New Orleans’ antebellum south on a half‐day tour of Oak Alley Plantation. Take a journey through time to the manicured estate and into the gorgeous home, built in 1839. View stunning architecture, oak‐lined esplanades, and enduring sugar cane fields while learning about the plantation’s fascinating – and often somber – histories from expert guides.

Sail down this Mississippi River on a classic Paddlewheeler boat on this New Orleans river cruise. Enjoy illuminating narration from a licensed historian and stop part-way through the trip to learn about the Battle of New Orleans. Then, get back aboard the vessel and enjoy a cash bar while admiring the views.

Get a taste of 18th-century New Orleans while exploring its most notorious haunts aboard a mule-drawn carriage. Join a small group of no more than eight people for an intimate evening tour through the French Quarter, where rollicking nightlife conceals a past filled with dark deeds, natural disasters, and supernatural sightings. Hear the city's most salacious history from a guide as you clip-clop your way past iron-laced balconies, darkened alleys, and southern mansions steeped in legend.

Who doesn't like ghosts and vampires save for their unfortunate victims? If you're looking for a family-friendly night activity in New Orleans, then this ghost walking tour of the French Quarter might get your blood flowing. With a small group, you'll wander through the darkened streets for a fun, historical tour of New Orleans, and listen to tales of ghoulish invincibility and souls returned from the dead. 

Take a trip to either Oak Alley or Laura Plantation on this 4-hour tour from New Orleans. Explore the creole Laura Plantation, known for its historic representation of slave plantations. Or head further down to Oak Alley Plantation and stroll around the 300-year old oak trees that cover the plantation grounds with a 40-minute guided tour. See the ‘Big House,’ slave quarters, and beautiful architecture and gardens on either tour.

On this Garden District walking tour, meander down tree-lined alleys and past grand antebellum homes while learning about the historic neighborhood from your guide. Your guide shares local perspective on the posh 19th-century district and historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, the filming location for famous movies. A small-group tour offers a more personalized experience.

Pedal through two centuries of New Orleans history on a combo bike tour of the French Quarter and Garden District. Learn about the city’s Creole roots as you ride along the banks of the Mississippi and through the legendary streets of the oldest neighborhood in town. Then, cross over to the ‘American’ side, where stately southern mansions overlook leafy boulevards and the time-worn tombs of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1. It’s a great way to meet the many faces of New Orleans while enjoying fresh air and exercise.

Enjoy an educational and leisurely stroll through one of New Orleans' most gorgeous neighborhoods on this walking tour of the Garden District. Hear about the history of the stately mansions along the tree-lined streets before visiting one of the city's haunting cemeteries.

Discover four generations of Creole history at the Laura Plantation with an informative tour of this well-preserved estate. Located just an hour from New Orleans on the Great River Road, Laura Plantation was founded in 1804 and provides a vivid window into Louisiana's Creole past. Learn about the family and slaves who lived here during a guided tour of the manor house, slave quarters, sugar fields and gardens.

Discover the grandeur and complex history of New Orleans’ antebellum south on this guided tour of Houmas House Plantation. Experience the authenticity of place as costumed guides narrate the history of this landmark sugar plantation, leading through the mansion’s elegant rooms before you head off for a private stroll through the estate’s stunning gardens.

Experience New Orleans from a perspective rare to visitors on a carriage ride through the French Quarter. In addition to navigating for you, your guide tells anecdotes about the historic landmarks from Jackson Square to Bourbon Street. Booking a private tour ensures the itinerary is customized to your own interests, whether it be a food–themed tour or a quiet, romantic ride.

Savor your New Orleans experience with a professional photographer to show you around the French Quarter and capture high-quality photos of the excursion. The local photographer not only knows the top photo spots in the city but can also share other details about the sights throughout the tour. This enables you to maximize your time and take home photos.

Indulge in New Orleans liquid culture on this insider cocktail tour of the historic French Quarter! With an expert guide and fellow drinks enthusiasts, journey beyond the hubbub of Bourbon Street and visit four historic local haunts for a sampling of iconic cocktails. At each legendary venue, admire the mixology of notable bartenders, discover the origins and truths of centuries‐old spirits such as absinthe, and sip on a Sazerac (or two).