New Orleans tours

Things to do in New Orleans

New Orleans is a city that dances to its own beat—a vibrant symphony of jazz notes, the hum of streetcars, and the mouth-watering aroma of Creole cuisine. Let your local guide take you on a journey beyond the lively French Quarter. With their insider knowledge, you'll delve into the heart of this soulful city. Picture yourself savouring beignets in a hidden café or joining a second-line parade, feeling the pulse of the city under your feet. Your private New Orleans tours will open doors to enchanting courtyards, haunted history, and irresistible food and wine tours. Skip the line with your guide, and uncover the stories that make New Orleans an unforgettable tapestry of culture and spirit. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in New Orleans. Explore New Orleans your way At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every New Orleans tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in New Orleans for every interest, including: History tours: Stand in Congo Square to learn about music and culture, then step into the Cabildo for exhibits that frame the city’s colonial era. Your guide can add Tremé stories and a visit to the Chalmette Battlefield at Jean Lafitte National Historical Park for the War of 1812. Architecture tours: Compare Creole cottages and shotgun homes in the Marigny and Bywater, then examine cast‑iron balconies around Jackson Square and the St. Louis Cathedral. For grand homes, stroll the Garden District and visit a permitted cemetery such as St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 or Metairie Cemetery with an authorised guide. Nature and Wildlife tours: Walk the Barataria Preserve boardwalks to spot alligators and wading birds, take a flatboat or small‑group kayak tour in Honey Island Swamp, or paddle Bayou St. John at sunset. Audubon Park is an easy add for birding under live oaks. The French Quarter and nearby Marigny are walkable, and streetcars connect areas like St. Charles Avenue and City Park; swamps and plantations sit beyond transit routes, so you can book chauffeured tours or ask your local guide about private transportation. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows New Orleans inside and out. Walking tours & neighbourhoods Take a private walking tour to explore New Orleans, and make sure to add some popular neighborhoods to your itinerary with a local guide. There's no better way to truly know a neighborhood than having a local by your side. - French Quarter: Dive into the vibrant heart of New Orleans where music spills onto the streets and history whispers from every corner. Perfect for cultural tourists and families, this area offers lively jazz clubs and historic architecture. - Garden District: Stroll through streets lined with grand mansions and lush gardens. A great choice for those seeking meaningful connections with the city's past, it's a peaceful escape that multi-generational groups will appreciate. - Marigny/Bywater: Known for its eclectic vibe, this neighborhood is ideal for art lovers and those looking to experience the city's bohemian side. Street art, cozy cafes, and live music venues make it a hotspot for cultural exploration. - Tremé: This historically rich neighborhood is perfect for those interested in African American culture and heritage. Visit the jazz-filled streets and soak in the history that defines the city's soul. Day trip ideas from New Orleans From New Orleans, you can pop over to swamps, river plantations, a second Louisiana city, and even the Gulf Coast, making day trips easy to fit into your tour plans. River Road Plantations: Dive into Louisiana sugarcane history, walk oak-lined avenues, and learn about the lives of the enslaved people who built it all. If you’re into architecture or photography, this stretch delivers strong visuals, and food fans can pair the visit with a hearty country lunch along the way. Jean Lafitte’s Barataria Preserve and the swamps: Boardwalk trails and bayous put you face to face with cypress knees, gators, and wading birds. Nature lovers get quiet paths and easy wildlife spotting, while kids and curious minds can turn a simple walk into a low‑key science lesson. Northshore towns via the Causeway: Covington, Abita Springs, and Mandeville bring shaded streets, local art, cafés, and the Tammany Trace for biking. If you like easy-going small towns, craft beer, or lakefront views, this side of Lake Pontchartrain suits a relaxed day with time to linger. Mississippi Gulf Coast: Bay St. Louis and Ocean Springs offer sandy stretches, shrimp boats, and an art scene that’s simple to explore on foot. Beach time pairs well with seafood shacks and coastal architecture, so you can mix a stroll, a swim, and gallery hopping without rushing. Baton Rouge: Louisiana’s capital adds riverfront views, the towering State Capitol, and neighbourhood spots for boudin or plate lunches. If you’re into politics, history, or campus energy under ancient oaks, it’s a straightforward day trip that rounds out your tour with a different side of the state. A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of New Orleans most travellers miss.