free walking tours new orleans andrew

NEW ORLEANS

Growing up in small-town Louisiana, New Orleans was That City Down the River - part eccentric neighbor, part cautionary tale, easy to judge, hard to understand. Since moving here in 2004, I've learned enough of its stories to understand one fundamental thing: it's a place where great hardship and great joy have always lived side by side, and in that way, I think it's a place we can all learn from.

I've created a series of New Orleans audio tours for Free Tours by Foot, including the French Quarter, the Garden District, Lafayette Cemetery #1 (temporarily closed to the public), the St. Charles Avenue Streetcar route, sites related to Hurricane Katrina, and sites connected to music and art. The company also offers audio tours of many cities around the world, and you may hear my voice in a few others.

For several years I've led tours in New Orleans through Free Tours by Foot, a pay-what-you-will tour company. My in-person tours are sporadic these days, but I can heartily recommend my colleagues there, and there's a chance we'd cross paths.

In partnership with my colleagues at Free Tours by Foot New Orleans, I've put together a YouTube channel showing many parts of New Orleans. If you're planning a trip, they can help you find ideas, or if you're just fantasizing, they can help immerse you in the feeling of being here. New videos every few weeks; subscribe via YouTube for updates.

How to Visit New Orleans Cemeteries | Tips from a Local Tour Guide

Visit 20 New Orleans Cemeteries with the Streetcars #visitneworleans #travel #nola

Mayfair Witches Filming Location #mayfairwitches #gardendistrict #visitneworleans

Mardi Gras World and How They Make Carnival Floats

A Cocktail Tour of New Orleans with Andrew and the Guides of Free Tours by Foot

Coming Soon - New Orleans Cocktail Tour Video #shorts

Why You Should Take a New Orleans Swamp Tour (Andrew - Free Tours by Foot)

Mardi Gras Day 2023 Part 2

Free Tours by Foot

Free Tours By Foot

Services Offered

Verified by Business

Virtual Consultations in 1 review

Review Highlights

“ There's a variety of options to choose from for all sort of interests and we chose the voodoo tour . ” in 130 reviews

“ YouTube has great examples of Sandy's and Robi 's style but it still doesn't do them justice... ” in 77 reviews

“ Louis Cemetery #1 where booking was just $2 online plus whatever we felt was appropriate as their keep in person. ” in 41 reviews

Show more review highlights

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Serving New Orleans Area

You Might Also Consider

Cajun Pride Swamp Tours

Cecille R. said "Decided to play "tourist" in my hometown while I was visiting. Picked up a deal for this place on living social so decided to check out. We checked swamp tour times beforehand on their website and made a reservation . This tour is…" read more

French Quarter Phantoms

2.5 miles away from Free Tours By Foot

Ashton B. said "This tour was an awesome way to spend our opening day in New Orleans! My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves with Bobby Thomas as our tour guide! He was actually pretty funny when most guides to us usually aren't. The…" read more

K’s Luxury Transportation & Tours

Our Goal at K’s Luxury Transportation and Tours is to make each one of our guest’s trips an experience they will never forget. Our staff is made up of seasoned hospitality experts that are enthusiastic about their work. Every member… read more

in Limos, Bus Tours, Historical Tours

Amenities and More

Ask the community.

Ask a question

About how much did you tip at the end of the tour?

Where does the French Quarter Tour end? Is it the same end point for all tours?

The exact ending point depends on the tour guide, but with that said, the ending is going to be very near to the starting point.

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

846 reviews

We took 7 tours in total during our recent NOLA trip, with 6 FTBF guides. I have EXTENSIVE reviews of each and every one of these AWESOME experiences. Yelp limits my post, so ANYONE seeking more detailed information regarding the below tours is welcome to message me and I'll pass along that specific review! I've also posted it's entirety on the FTBF page of a major social media site that once used faces as it's bases for publishing books... so you can find it there, too! Enjoy! #AndrewFarrier: Garden District Tour, &Creole Christmas Tour In The French Quarter #DanielChick: French Quarter Tour #KaylaLemaire: French Quarter Food Tour #EvianHardester: Tremé Tour #SandyHester: Historically Accurate Voodoo Tour #AndrewSimoneaux: Ghost Tour #NewOrleans #FreeToursByFoot #NOLA

See all photos from Shekinah S. for Free Tours By Foot

I took the Voodoo tour led by High Priest Robi. The tour was education and exceptionally fun. Priest Robi is unapologetic about his passion for history, Voodoo and genuine in his presentation. This was definitely a high point of my visit to NOLA and I would highly recommend anyone who has the chance to join in. You will laugh, might feel uncomfortable at times and learn a great deal. All of these are good things that will leave you a better person after you take this tour.

My husband, teenage son and I did the Ghost Tour with Lisa. She was great! Super knowledgeable, and a great storyteller. It was exactly what we were hoping for. We had a blast! Highly recommend!

I love finding free tours by foot. We did at 7:30 PM ghost tour with Mari and she was great. She is from the city and was highly knowledgeable about the haunted history and took us to places we shouldn't miss. Some of the stories gave a little chill, and some were downright disturbing. Mari was animated and hilarious. Even a weird thing happened during our tour. A potato came out of nowhere and hit some of the people in our group which is quite freaky. There were many other ghost tours around, saying essentially the same things. The next day we went on a French Quarter food tour with Kayla. She is also from Louisiana and very knowledgeable about the food history and gave us lots of information about the food influences found here. The places we went to try some of the food wasn't too bad, could have been better, but she did provide us with an extensive list of restaurant recommendations. I do recommend this tour as it is very informative and Kayla is super nice.

See all photos from Pamela B. for Free Tours By Foot

Another 5-star worthy walking tour by Free Tours By Foot! [Booking]: I had my very 1st Free Tours By Foot when I visited Washington DC in 2017 and this time I booked a French Quarter Walking Tour at 10 AM on Sunday. There's an OPTIONAL booking fee of $2.75 per person and the booking fee is used to guarantee a spot on the tour. [Parking]: Free Sunday street parking in The French Quarter. In fact the city turns off all of street parking machines until the following Monday. I was able to find plenty of street parking spots at 7:30 AM on Sunday (near St Philip St / Chartres St intersection - about two blocks away from Jackson Square) so come early (before 8 AM) for free Sunday street parking spots near Jackson Square. Paid parking lots are available near Jackson Square, but don't expect cheap parking fees in this part of the town. [French Quarter Walking Tours]: Daniel was an amazing tour guide and time for 2-hour tour flew so quickly. The meeting spot switched from Andrew Jackson Statue (Jackson Square) to St. Louis Cathedral instead because Jackson Square was closed the December Concert Series. The cathedral entrance was quite chaotic as the Sunday mass just ended at 10 AM. Our group started at St. Louis Cathedral, made a small loop, and ended approximately few blocks away from Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop Bar on Bourbon Street. What made Daniel such a good tour guide was his great delivery with a good mix of humor and fun history facts. He made a small joke on how many people are going to cancel the tour because the World Cup Final was happening at the same time and everyone actually showed up for the tour. Below are some of memorable highlights mentioned by our guide: * The tragic story of chess prodigy Paul Morphy and Morphy was mentioned in Netflix's hit show "The Queen's Gambit". * Four pillars of New Orleans cuisine are Creole, Cajun, Vietnamese, and Soul Food (aka comfort food). Not eating one of the four cuisines = missing out 25% of food New Orleans is really good at. * The story of Axeman of New Orleans and how it has been covered by various true crime podcasts. * Brief history of the original red-light district of New Orleans called Storyville as well as the "unofficial" red-light district designation for Bourbon Street. * The oldest bar in town (Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop - built in the 1770s) and how it survived fires that engulfed the French Quarter in the late 1700's. * Old Ursuline Convent is the oldest building in the French Quarter. At the end I paid appropriate compensation to our guide (for reference their competitors charge $20 - $40 per person.) Out of all tours I had in New Orleans, this was the best one and I highly recommend it!

See all photos from Luke L. for Free Tours By Foot

We participated in the ghost tour within the French Quarter and walked away with goosebumps! Our guide, Andrew S., met us out front the St. Louis Cathedral. He checked everyone in, introduced himself, and away we went on an adventure we will never forget (and was one of the highlights of our whole trip to New Orleans)! Andrew S. safely guided us to different buildings around the neighborhood that hold some seriously tragic and dark history and teach us the story behind each place. He explained the fully history of each building, and then elaborated on how and why some people have picked up on different energies or hauntings at these buildings. Every question that was asked he was able to answer. My two (fairly particular) teenagers were even creeped out after the tour and had huge smiles on their faces because the tour was so engaging and fun. The ghost tour is well worth it!

Shocked by the high reviews for Robi. I am a proud liberal and am certainly no fan of trump but the amount of time Priest Robi spent complaining about trump and politicians in general was truly excessive. I was there to learn about Vooodoo not listen to political rants. It felt like a waste of time.

I thoroughly enjoyed my previous tour with Free Tours by Foot (of the Garden District) and knew that I could trust them to provide a stellar tour of the French Quarter while visiting with a friend who hadn't been to New Orleans before. Daniel was an amazing guide through the FQ, or as we learned it's called by those who've lived there for years, Vieux Carre! His deep knowledge of the area, from the time the French Market was a Choctaw trading post to the years The Axeman terrorized the neighborhood (while also boosting the popularity of jazz music!), was extremely impressive and gave me a better appreciation for the city's rich history and culture. His sense of humor and passion for the subject made the experience one not to be missed. I couldn't recommend Daniel's walking tour more!

We were so lucky to find this company while in New Orleans! We did two tours with them, and both of them were amazing and the best tours we had while on our trip. They offer multiple different walking tours of New Orleans, and they only charge a small booking fee. However, their tour guides are great, so make sure you tip them well! Highly recommend Robi's Voodoo tour and Robert's ghost tour. Robi was so energetic and full of knowledge on voodoo. He really enlightened us on the topic and made the tour engaging - we would gladly take the tour a second time. And Robert's ghost tour was so much fun - we walked through the French Quarter at night while stopping at different locations to hear ghost stories about that spot. Robert's telling of the stories was spooky and made the tour that much more fun. Greatly recommend looking up this company while looking for tours in New Orleans!

Very much enjoyed the Voodoo tour with Priest Robi. I didn't really know what to expect going in, but Robi's clarification of misconceptions of voodoo and education in its history and practices were great. I recommend the tour as an excellent way to get a clear introduction to voodoo.

59 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Hidden History Tours

Priscilla Z. said "Our group was looking into black-owned tour companies and we reached to to Hidden History Tours and were so glad we did! We took the 1811 Slave Revolt Walking Tour and this was the highlight of our trip to New Orleans! Our main…" read more

in Historical Tours

Ultimate Swamp Adventures

4.7 miles away from Free Tours By Foot

Ultimate Swamp Adventures is a small, locally-owned and -operated business that is more than just a swamp tour -- it's a total adventure! We offer two types of exciting, informative, and fun adventures into the beautiful and… read more

Collections Including Free Tours By Foot

New Orleans - NOLA

By Tiffany T.

Nawlins Baby!!!

By Carol I.

~*NOLA..more than just Bourbon St.*~

By Cynthia L.

New Orleans in 3 Nights with Options

By Angela H.

Nola Favorites

By Brittany B.

A Weekend In New Orleans

By Rachel S.

New Orleans Must Have List

By Shevonne P.

Louisiana Activities

By Scarlett M.

Big Easy Eats! My NOLA Adventure

By Philip V.

Eight Days in New Orleans

By Doctor G.

People Also Viewed

New Orleans Ghost Adventures Tour

Haunted History Tours

Witches Brew Tours

French Quarter Phantoms Ghost Tours New Orleans

Nola Ghost Riders

The Voodoo Bone Lady Tours

Livery Tours

New Orleans Secrets Tours

Ghost City Tours

Best of New Orleans

Things to do in New Orleans

People found Free Tours By Foot by searching for…

Things To See New Orleans

Tour Companies New Orleans

Best Food Tour in New Orleans

Cemetery Tour in New Orleans

Katrina Tour in New Orleans

Plantation Tours in New Orleans

Walking Tour in New Orleans

Garden District Tours in New Orleans

Haunted Tours in New Orleans

Night Tours in New Orleans

River Cruise in New Orleans

Tourist Attractions in New Orleans

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Bike Rentals

Travel Services

Other Walking Tours Nearby

Find more Walking Tours near Free Tours By Foot

Service Offerings in New Orleans

Virtual Consultations

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

• Complimentary Planning Assistance
• Destination Wedding Guide Digital Copy
• Elopement Packages
• Marriage License & Legal Essentials
• Welcome Bag Ideas
• Second Lines
• The History of Wedding Umbrellas and More in New Orleans
• Wedding Cake Pulls
• Destination Wedding Guide Printed Copy
• Wedding Inspiration
• Wedding and Event Planners
• Photographers & Videographers
• Transportation
• Beauty, Hair & Makeup
• Spas, Health & Wellness
• Cakes & Bakeries
• Entertainment
• Engagement Photos in New Orleans
• Bridal Shower & Brunch
• Joint Bachelor/ Bachelorette Parties
• Bachelor Parties
• The Ultimate New Orleans Bachelorette Party Guide
• Honeymooning
• LGBTQ Bachelor / Bachelorette Party Itinerary
• Walkable Downtown
• Corporate Group Incentive
• LGBTQ New Orleans
• Convention Center
• Caesars Superdome
• Smoothie King Center
• Special Events Venues
• Hotels with Meeting Space
• Venue Search
• Custom Maps
• Services Directory
• Convention Services Request
• Exhibitor Services Request
• Custom Post Cards & Save the Date
• New Orleans Print Materials Request
• Visitor Guide Request
• Corporate Social Responsibility & Donations
• Emergency Planning
• Meeting Planner Guide
• Transportation Directory
• Transportation & Getting Around
• Promotional Videos & Images
• Stats and facts
• Free Things To Do
• Talk like a New Orleanian
• Local Outreach
• Social Media Resources
• Marketing e-Templates & Ads
• Convention Calendar
• Testimonials
• Submit Your Request for Proposal (RFP)
• Availability Grid
• Coupons Deals
• Group Transportation
• Assistance Request
• Bulk Brochure Request
• Photos & Videos
• Microsite Request
• Itineraries
• Performance Venues
• Motorcoach/Group Transportation
• Educational Opportunities
• Student Itineraries
• voluntourism
• Class Reunions
• Venue & Services
• Hotel Assistance
• Promote Your Reunion
• Family Reunions
• Military Reunions
• Regulations and Maps
• Motorcoach Parking
• Tax Free Shopping
• International Travel Tips
• Consulates in New Orleans
• Maps & Transportation
• Advisor VIP Pass
• Brochure Request
• Photos/Videos
• Cruise Coupons
• Pre-Post Packages
• General Coupons
• Voluntourism
• Group Travel Planner Guide
• Travel Advisor Certification
• International Groups
• Group Travel
• Cruise Lines
• Meet the Team
• Did You Know | New Orleans Facts
• Member Benefits
• Maximize Your Membership
• Application NOT USED
• Membership Policies
• Member Directory
• Event Photos
• Member Anniversaries
• New Members
• Member Login
• Media Assistance Request
• What's New in New Orleans
• New Orleans Awards & Accolades
• Image Library
• B-roll Assets
• New Orleans & Company Press Releases
• Hospitality Industry Press Releases
• Image / Video Request
• Communications & PR Contacts

• New Orleans Festivals And Events
• French Quarter
• A Guide to New Orleans Nightlife
• Attractions
• Cultural Arts
• Mystical/Haunted New Orleans
• Family-Friendly Guide to New Orleans
• Multicultural
• Recreation & Outdoors
• Architecture
• Find Restaurants
• Where to Eat
• Traditional Foods
• Top Chefs In New Orleans
• Restaurant Deals
• Love To Eat Video Series
• Find a Place to Drink
• Where to Drink
• Classic New Orleans Cocktails
• Book a New Orleans Hotel
• Hotel Directory
• Bed And Breakfasts: Hotels - New Orleans & Company
• Saint Charles Avenue Hotels
• Luxury Hotels
• Garden District Hotels
• French Quarter Hotels and Lodging
• Downtown/Central Business District Hotels and Lodging
• Bourbon Street Hotels
• Green Hotels
• Bourbon Street Balcony Hotels - New Orleans & Company
• Haunted Hotels in New Orleans
• Pet-Friendly Hotels
• Historic Hotels
• Upcoming Events
• Ultimate New Orleans Event Calendar
• New Orleans LIVE Music Calendar
• Submit an Event
• Major Events and Festivals in New Orleans
• New Orleans Neighborhood Guide
• Streets to Visit
• Request a Guide
• Deals & Coupons
• Essential New Orleans Three-Day Itinerary
• Bleisure Itinerary
• Monthly Newsletter
• Insider's Blog
• Virtual Tour
• Accessibility
• New Orleans Artist Database
• LOVENOLA.TV 24/7 Broadcast

Free Tours By Foot

• P: (504) 222-2967
• New Orleans, LA 70130 ( Directions ) P: (504) 222-2967
• Neighborhood: Garden District/Uptown

Daily 8am - 10pm

• Sightseeing
• Cocktail Tours
• French Quarter Tours
• History/Heritage
• Personalized
• Tour Company

Walking tours of the French Quarter, Garden District and many New Orleans cemeteries. Also offering food, ghost, voodoo and bike tours. We offer both public group walks as well as pay-what-you-wish public group walks. 

• Things to Do
• Trip Planning Tools
• Meeting Planners
• Travel Professionals
• Press and Media
• Privacy Policy
• Site Search
• Doing Business in New Orleans
• About NewOrleans.com
• Report Fraud
• Accessibility Options

Sign up for special tips, offers, and info about all the latest happenings around NOLA with our monthly Insider’s Guide, delivered right to your inbox.

• New Orleans
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Andrew was great! - Free Tours by Foot

• United States    
• Louisiana (LA)    
• New Orleans    
• New Orleans - Things to Do    
• Free Tours by Foot

Wow!! High Priest Robi gave us an informative and impassioned tour educating us on Voodoo and it's... read more

We went on Priest Robi's Voodo tour and it was wonderful. We actually got a kind of sermon that... read more

Andrew was great!

Andrew did an amazing combination history/ghost tour for our church youth group. He came very prepared, but also modified the tour as we went along to match what the kids seemed interested in. He fielded every question- some were really "out there"- with professionalism and humor, and knew so much about a wide variety of subjects. The thing that most impressed me, though, was including just enough juicy/gory details to keep these teens hanging on his every word, without crossing the line into "inappropriate" territory. Thank you so much, Andrew! We will definitely request you again next time we're in New Orleans!

We had a really great walking tour around the French Quarter with Andrew. The communication from booking to meeting Andrew was excellent and this is a really professional company. Andrew took us round so many great places and gave us so much information about the history of New Orleans as a whole and many of the individual buildings that we came away thoroughly satisfied and with lots of great facts and a great overview of this great City. Andrew was happy to take questions and was very good at offering recommendations for food, drinks and things to do. He also emailed a list of music venues after the tour which we used for the next few evenings and he gave some brilliant choices which we were really happy with. A brilliant walking tour with an excellent guide.

Make sure you get the 10am tour with Robi! We had a fantastic time on this tour and our tour guide Robi was brilliant! He made it fun and I learnt so many things about voodoo I didn’t know. He didn’t just talk at us about things he included us. It’s defiantly a must when you go to New Orleans. The tour was the perfect length as well as it was hot and I had taken my 73 year old mother with me. 5 stars all round

The Voodoo Tour with our guide, Robi was excellent! He is a great tour guide, very friendly, helpful. And he gave us some insights to local history as well, but most importantly he taught us about the reality of this religion in contrast to the popular images.

Highest recommendation. This walking tour was fascinating and entertaining from start to finish. Robi is an excellent tour guide. He is able to deliver a lot of information in a memorable and entertaining way. We were laughing the whole time as he involved members of the tour group in little re-enactments. It was also very moving hearing Robi recount the history of his ancestors and how they had to keep their religion and rituals hidden. I appreciated his passion for correcting the myths and misconceptions of the Hollywood version of Voodoo.

We did the free walking French Quarter tour with Sandy. She was great. It's a must do. We know so much more now. 👍💪🚀

• Free Cemetery Tour
• Free Garden District Walking Tour
• Free French Quarter Tour
• Free Self-Guided Walking Tours of New Orleans with maps
• New Orleans Self-Guided Audio Tours
• New Orleans Jazz Music Tours
• Private Tours of New Orleans
• Free New Orleans Travel Guide
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Guest Posts
• Free Walking tours Worldwide
• Book A FREE Tour

Free Self-Guided Walking tour of The French Quarter with Map

Cost : Free Starting Point: 800 Decatur, Cafe Du Monde Ending Point: 941 Bourbon Street, Laffite’s Blacksmith Bar Total Distance: A fourth of a mile Time Required: About an hour or two Best Time To Go: Early morning is the best time to avoid crowds and heat Getting Here: The French Quarter is easily accessible by rideshare or public transportation. Parking is difficult, expect to pay. Our Tour starts in the heart of The Quarter right by Cafe Du Monde.

We offer a Free To Join Daily Walking tour of the French Quarter at 10am, find out more about our French Quarter Walking Tour . We also now offer an affordably priced audio tour version of The French Quarter tour

We’re excited to have you on this free self-guided walking tour of The French Quarter!

When you hear ‘Bourbon Street,’ partying, booze, and tourist traps may come to mind, but it is more than that. The French Quarter is a unique, magical place, that is also a mostly intact historic neighborhood that has been around for over 300 years!

Let us show you precisely what makes us fall in love with The French Quarter over and over, every day of our lives, fueling us to do what we do!

Once you’ve fallen in love too, join us for our free “pay what you feel” daily tour that starts at 10 AM daily and leaves from 768 Decatur, right next to Cafe Du Monde.

Start your French Quarter tour at the world famous Cafe Du Monde.

Synonymous with New Orleans, the original Cafe Du Monde was established in 1862. There is almost always a line, but don’t get discouraged because it moves quickly, and we promise it’s worth it!

Cafe Du Monde serves dark roasted Coffee with Chicory, Beignets, White and Chocolate Milk, and fresh-squeezed OJ. The coffee here is served Black or Au Lait (mixed half and half with hot milk), and the world-famous beignets covered with powdered sugar.

Our Free French Quarter Tour meets next door, and we often judge how busy The Quarter is by how long Cafe Du Monde’s line is! Pro Tip: Want to skip the crowds? You’re in luck- Cafe Du Monde is open 24/7, so come back after dinner or before a late-night on Bourbon street.

You can grab a table at Cafe Du Monde or get your coffee and Beignets to go. Walk up the ramp to the first stop on the tour, which features benches, if you’d like to sit and enjoy your beignets and enjoy the view.

You can sip on your Cafe Au Lait Cafe while watching street performers and taking in the fantastic view! Located across the street from Decatur Street from Jackson Square, the Washington Artillery Park and Terrace has spectacular views of the Square, with Saint Louis Cathedral in the background. Behind you, along the Mississippi, is the riverwalk (officially named Moonwalk Park), one of the best places to walk or jog around New Orleans .

Pro Tip: Watch out for locals asking where you got your shoes (Answer: they’re on your feet!)

From here you should have a great view of our next stop, The Mississippi River!

New Orleanians sitting on the Moonwalk next to the Mississippi River

The Mississippi is the second-longest river in North America, starting at Lake Itasca in Minnesota and disappearing into the Gulf of Mexico in Southern Louisiana. The Mississippi reaches almost 200 deep in The French Quarter, the deepest part of the entire river! It is the reason the city was built.

Indigenous people have made a home along the Mississippi River for thousands of years, using it as a highway and source of fish. The Europeans came during the 16th century, and the river was a barrier, forming borders for New France, New Spain, and the United States. In the 19th and 20th centuries, steamboats took over the space to transport agricultural and industrial goods.

Learn more about New Orleans’ early history in our video .

A short, 15-minute walk from here, you’ll find the Outlet Mall at Riverwalk, near Canal Street, and a nearby artists co-op (912 N Peters).

Looking towards the Mississippi river you can see our next stop

Named after former New Orleans mayor Maurice Landrieu (Moon) for his significant role in creating the riverside boulevard, Moon Walk is a mile-long paved promenade along the Mississippi River.

Moon Walk is a popular place for locals and tourists alike, filled with artists, musicians, and street performers, plus some of the best views of New Orleans and the Mississippi. Relax on the benches that line the river and watch steamboats, cruise ships, and container ships roll past. The Moon walk is a great place to stroll, find out about the best places to walk, hike and jog in New Orleans

How to access the Moon Walk

Use St. Philip, Dumaine, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, and Bienville Streets or Washington Artillery Park to get to the Moon Walk.

Monuments along the Moon Walk

“Monument to the Immigrants,” a statue by Franco Allesandrini “Old Man River” by Robert Schoen The Holocaust Memorial by Israeli sculptor Jacob Agam

Walk down the stairs or ramp to cross the street to the next stop

Since the beginning New Orleans has had one central square or gathering/meeting place. Originally Place d’ Armes, a muddy square where the French military paraded and public executions occurred. Today that dirt patch is the world-famous Jackson Square. In 1850, Baroness Micaela Almonester Pontalba redesigned the square in the style and spirit of the parks and gardens of Paris and renamed it in honor of Andrew Jackson. She redesigned the Square around the statue of Andrew Jackson, with circular paths surrounding the General in the center. And what was once a muddy field became Jackson Square, named after General Andrew Jackson, who led the city to victory in The Battle of New Orleans.

Today’s Jackson Square

Today, Jackson Square is still a vibrant place and the center of the French Quarter. The fence around the Square is filled with artists selling their crafts and fortune-tellers waiting to show you the future at any time of the day or night. Jackson Square has appeared in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, K-Ville, and The Originals.

What is the Vieux Carré?

Vieux Carre (Pronounced “VOO car A”) is the original name of The French Quarter. French for “old square,” a reference to Jackson Square. The Vieux Carre only came to be known as The French Quarter after the Louisiana Purchase encouraged Americans to move to the city, who noted its distinctly French creole flair and started called this part of town “The French Quarter”.

Pro Tip: All the art is original and makes for impressive and authentic souvenirs. Artists who sell their crafts in Jackson Square are licensed by the City of New Orleans. Most artists will ship if you don’t want to risk damaging your new masterpiece on the return flight home.

From Jackson Square you can see the next five stops.

With Dectuar street at your back ahead of you will see our next stop The Presbytere which is the building to the right of the cathedral. Constructed in 1813 to match the Cabildo, The Presbytere was initially called Casa Curial (“Ecclesiastical House”) and intended to house clergy; however, it was never used as a religious residence. Eventually, The Presbytere would be absorbed as part of the Louisiana State Museum and declared a National Historic Landmark. Today, you’ll find exhibits that tell two sides of the Louisiana story: one of celebration (Mardi Gras: Its Carnival Time in Louisiana) and one of resilience (Living with Hurricanes: Katrina and Beyond).

You’ll notice the prestigious Cabildo right away. It is to the right of The Presbytère and is nearly identical. This elegant Spanish Colonial building is home to rare and cherished pieces of New Orleans history and is itself a piece of history. Built around 1795, The Cabildo has been the site of several pivotal US moments, such as the Louisiana Purchase, which finalized the US acquisition of Louisiana, and the definitive landmark Plessy v. Ferguson Case, which was a challenge to the segregation in the late 19th century.

Today, the Cabildo Museum proudly showcases the history of The French Quarter, New Orleans, and Louisiana, emphasizing diversity of the people of New Orleans.

The next stop are the two identical buildings on the left and right of Jackson Square.

The red brick, four-story-tall Pontalba Buildings divide the two sides of Jackson Square, watching over the artists and their patrons.

Designed and constructed by businesswoman Baroness Micaela Almonester Pontalba, the two Parisian-style houses have custom-made cast-iron railings featuring her monogram. Other cast-iron galleries in the Quarter were shipped into town from the east coast.

These galleries were typical everywhere in the US by the 19th century but now are uncommon. They are now refereed to as ‘lace balconies’ in New Orleans as they resemble lace.

On the Pontalbas bottom floor, you’ll find restaurants and shops, and on the upper floors, you’ll find apartments, the oldest (continuously) rented apartments in the US, to be exact.

Before you move on to the next stop look closely at the cast iron, do you see the Baroness’s monogram? You should see both a A and a P.

Part of the Lower Pontalba Building, the 1850 House offers a rare glimpse into New Orleans’ posh Antebellum period. Owned by the Louisiana State Museum, the 1850 House is furnished to represent life in mid-nineteenth-century New Orleans.

As former apartments, the residents of this house changed every few years, and the current 1850 House displays do not represent any individual family but rather the antebellum period in general.

The museum is a summary of one of New Orleans’ most prosperous periods and is designed to show the daily life of the upper-middle class during that time.

You have probably already noticed one of New Orleans’ most notable landmarks. The mystical Saint Louis Cathedral, whose presence watches over Jackson Square, visible at nearly every corner. Built in 1794 St Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in the United States.

With three steeples proudly towering above its historic neighbors (The Cabildo and The Presbytere), the Saint Louis Cathedral is the oldest cathedral in the United States. Notice the bell embossed at the center with the name “Victorie” in commemoration of The Battle of New Orleans victory in 1815.

Rumors of Hauntings

The Saint John Cathedral is said to be haunted by Dr. Antonio de Sedella (Pere Antoine), who was a priest whose body is buried within the cathedral. During Christmas Midnight Mass, the Dr. appears holding a candle near the altar.

Touch Down Jesus

Added to the cathedral in 1926, The Sacred Heart of Jesus statue was sculpted in Italy and is one of the most photographed statues in the city, viewable behind the cathedral from Royal Street.

At night, lit by the glow of the cathedral, the statue casts a shadow that resembles Jesus with his arms raised like a football referee signaling a touchdown. This has earned the Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue to be dubbed ‘Touch Down Jesus’ by locals and has become heavily associated with the New Orleans Saints.

Between the Cabildo and St Louis Cathedral is Pirates Alley. Walk down it for a great view. Stop for a drink at the “pirate bar” and take your next left to St Peter Street.

Tennessee Williams lived on the top floor with his boyfriend, Pancho, from 1946-to 1947 and wrote his most famous work here, ‘Streetcar Named Desire.’

The New Orleans streetcar would run right past Tennessee Williams’ house down Royal street to Desire street, a clear inspiration for the play.

Today, 632 ½ Peter Street is a residential apartment building, so take extra care and be respectful when viewing and refrain from yelling “STELLA!”

Take a left and walk back towards Jackson Square and take a right on Charters street.

619 Chartres Street was the spot where the Great New Orleans Fire of 1788 started. The Great Fire began at 1:30 PM on Good Friday and destroyed almost the entire city within five hours.

As the city was rebuilt, wooden buildings and homes were replaced with masonry structures that now make up Jackson Square, such as St Louis Cathedral, the Cabildo, and the Presbytere. It is for this reason most of the French Quarter you see today was built between 1800-1860

Walk back the way you came and take a left on St Peter and walk away from Jackson Square to Royal Street.

Step away from the famous Bourbon Street to experience the finer things (and shopping!) in life on Royal Street.

Royal Street is the quiet and refined section of the Quarter, a shopper’s paradise with family-owned art galleries, rare antique shops, upscale jewelry, and themed boutiques.

Royal Street is one of the most prestigious and expensive places to shop in the US, so take time to browse the galleries and admire the refinement. Keep your eyes peeled for spontaneous street performers!

Pro Tip: Street Performers on Royal Sreet

Street performers are usually set up on the street along Royal Street. Royal Street is closed to vehicular traffic 11 AM-4-PM on weekdays and 11 AM-7 PM on weekends. With no cars, it’s much easier for pedestrians to safely shop and explore Royal Street during those hours.

One of our favorite performers is Doreen, who plays the clarinet like nobody’s business ; Doreen is out almost every Saturday on the corner of Royal and St. Louis outside the Rouses.

If you’ve ever seen a photo of the French Quarter, you’ve likely seen the iconic LaBranche House. Constructed in the 1830s and turning heads for just as long, the LaBranche House is one of the Quarter’s most photographed buildings. Romantic cast-iron galleries, an elegantly curved shape, and a distinctly whimsical look define the LaBranche House.

The ghosts of LaBranche House

Like most beautiful buildings in the French Quarter, the LaBranche House is surrounded by rumors of hauntings. Built by Jean Baptiste LaBranche, who died before its completion, the house is said to be haunted by Mr. LaBranche’s secret mistress and wife.

After his death, Mrs. LaBranche found out about his mistress and invited her over for tea. The mistress was drugged and chained to the third floor, dying slowly, her body found 15 years later.

It’s said that the ghosts of both these women haunt the building, still feuding.

Take a left down Royal Street. You should be walking towards the large buildings in the distance on Canal street .

More than just a restaurant, The Court of Two Sisters is a must do. It is a famous buffet in New Orleans, absolutely adored by locals and tourists alike! It is a great way to try many of the most famous New Orlean’s signature dishes all at once.

Built during the city’s first economic boom in 1832, the Court of Two Sisters is named for the two sisters that came to inherit it from their father and ran a general store here for many years. It is known for its daily jazz brunches and authentic creole buffet. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful New Orleans courtyard The building also has boutique shops, a small bistro, a refreshment stand, and a speakeasy, that are all worth exploring.

Walk on Royal and take the next left on Toulouse street then a right on Charters.

Here’s a one-sentence horror story:

Back in the 19th Century, anyone could apprentice for six months at a Pharmacy and then begin selling their concoctions without any regulations.

During this time, Opium was a standard treatment, as was bloodletting. The wealthy were given pills coated in gold as a “cure-all.” The pills would pass through their bodies often to be retaken once removed from their chamber pots!

These days, the Pharmacy Museum provides educational programs to preserve the past and explain the history of pharmacology in Louisiana.

You may wonder how anyone survived during the 19th century as you tour the Pharmacy Museum! The answer is the smart ones didn’t go to the doctor.

Consider a self-guided tour through the museum to see outdated concoctions strange looking medical instruments and gain a better appreciation for today’s healthcare. Currently open for Self Guided Tours: Weds-Sunday 12pm-5pm check out their website for more info

Hauntings at the Museum

Dr. Gupas, who “imposed shocking experiments on pregnant slaves,” is said to haunt the pharmacy after it closes. There is also a young boy and girl that appear in the courtyard, who are thought to be The Dufilho children.

Pro Tip: We consider The Pharmacy Museum a must do for everyone visiting the French Quarter.

continue on Charters towards St Louis Street.

At over 200 years old, Napoleon House is both a National Landmark and one of the most famous bars in the US.

Napoleon was once offered refuge by the mayor of New Orleans, who lived at 500 Chartres in 1812. Although Napoleon never lived there, the name stuck with the house.

One of the best examples of French architecture in the Quarter, Napoleon House is the perfect place to sip craft cocktails in a palm-shaded courtyard.

If you’re ready for a pick-me-up, grab some red beans and rice, or try a “Primm’s Cup,” a gin-based fruit cup. We also love the muffuletta, a great way to explore the Italian influence in New Orleans.

take a right on St Louis back towards Royal Street.

Established in 1946, Brennan’s Restaurant has perfected the art of blending savory Modern French and Traditional Creole dishes. The happy, pink-colored building is a staple of Royal Street.

The Bananas Foster was born at Brennan’s, created by Ella Brennan and Chef Paul Blangé in 1951. As a hub for Central America, the Port of New Orleans saw an influx of bananas in the 50s, so Owen Brennan challenged Chef Blangé to include bananas in a dish to promote the fruit. The desert was named after Richard Foster, chairman of the New Orleans Crime Commission and friend of Owen Brennan.

Today, Brennan’s Restaurant is said to be extremely haunted. Chef Paul Blangé is known to appear if you order his signature Bananas Foster. The chef is also said to bang together pots and pans at closing time, heard from Royal Street outside the restaurant’s closed doors.

Pro Tip: Brennan’s Restaurant accepts reservations up to 30 days in advance and usually books immediately.

Continue down Royal towards Bourbon street.

Established in 1840 by Antoine Alciatore, Antoine’s Restaurant is one of the oldest family-run restaurants in the US, passed down through five generations. Besides the award-winning French-Creole food, Antoine’s is known for its prestigious patrons, including US Presidents and Pope John Paul II.

Originally only in French, now also in English, the menu includes famous recipes born in the restaurant itself.

Dishes born at Antoine’s Restaurant:

Oysters Rockefeller Pompano en papillote Eggs Sardou Pigeonneaux Paradis

Antoine’s Cookbook, compiled by fifth-generation descendant Roy F. Guste, has hundreds of original recipes from Antoine’s Restaurant.

continue on St Louis street towards Bourbon Street.

Despite what you’ve heard we think you can’t tour The French Quarter without stopping on Bourbon Street!

For many, Bourbon is what they envision when they think of New Orleans. People swarm the area for the many bars and strip clubs; Bourbon Street sees millions of yearly visitors.

People judge Bourbon Street, and yes, it can get trashy, and yes, it is full of drunks and strip clubs, but it has a fascinating history, and everyone should at least look at it once, preferably during the daytime.

During “the golden age” in the 1960s, clubs acquired high returns by utilizing “B-Girls.” These girls were hired to wander the gambling backrooms and flirt with men to rack up high tabs.

Unknown to the men buying their drinks, the women would be drinking colored water instead of actual brandy (this is where the name B-Girls came from). After ordering several drinks, the women would split, leaving the man with nothing more than a hefty bill to pay.

We wrote an excellent guide to “Things to do in the French Quarter” which includes a list of must do to stops on Bourbon Street

Continue on St Louis and cross Bourbon Street.

Built in 1831, the Hermann-Grima Historic House is almost 200 years old and is mostly original. It includes slave quarters and an exquisite courtyard.

For the 15th anniversary of the Hermann-Grima Historic House, the museum opened an exhibit called Urban Enslavement in New Orleans , which is well worth a visit.

We think that the Herman Grimma house is one of the best options in the French Quarter for a historic home tour.

continue down St Louis to the next street, Dauphin Street.

Here on the corner of Dauphin and St Louis street is one of the newest additions to the French Quarter. Before historic preservationists put rules in place protecting buildings in the French Quarter, Texaco Oil built a modern “for the times” service station here in 1925.

In 1996 new owners were allowed to demolish the property and build a new single-family home because it was designed to resemble a 19th-century creole townhome with its French Quarter style brick and stucco walls and romantic cast iron Galleries.

Completed in 2001, 500 Dauphine Street is one of the newest buildings in the French Quarter. Take a close look at it. Now look at its neighbor at 835 St. Louis-both are Creole townhomes.

Can you tell the difference?

Take a right on Dauphine away from Canal street.

The Xiques House is a historic Greek Revival mansion built in 1852 by J.N.B de Pouilly, New Orleans’s most celebrated antebellum architect.

521 Dauphine makes a statement, towering over the surrounding buildings with elegant pillars. This is one of the few Greek Revivals in The French Quarter, although The Garden District has plenty.

Continue down Dauphine.

Pretty easy to spot with it’s impressive towering cast iron galleries. Gardette-LePretre Mansion is one of the tallest buildings in the French Quarter today. It was Built for a dentist in 1837. Can you imagine going to a dentist in 1837? absolutely terrifying! Today this is a 6 unit apartment building.

take a right and walk down Orleans Street towards Bourbon Street. You should be able to see “Touch Down Jesus” from here

Fritzel’s European Jazz Pub is the oldest jazz club on Bourbon Street!

Along with Preservation Hall on St. Peter Street, Fritzel’s is one of the few places on Bourbon Street to catch live jazz music nightly. It opened in 1969. Fritzel’s has a much more laid-back atmosphere than the rest of Bourbon Street, so stop by, grab a drink and enjoy getting lost in the music. If you’re a jazz fan, this place will light your soul on fire.

Want to watch more live music while visiting New Orleans? Check out our Guide to Live Music in New Orleans .

OZ is the #1 LGBTQ dance club in New Orleans, located on Bourbon Street. Featuring different events every night of the week, this 21+ dance club has two floors with a classic Bourbon Street balcony for people watching.

Expect a friendly crowd, loud music, a full bar, and a balcony that you can sit on for that classic New Orleans Bourbon Street balcony bucket list experience.

Across the street is The Bourbon Pub, another gay bar/dance club. This stretch of Bourbon Street is historically a gay neighborhood.

Cafe Lafitte is the oldest LGBTQ bar in the south opened by Roger Caplinger after he lost the original Cafe Lafitte’s (currently Lafitte’s Blacksmith shop) in a tax sale. This is considered by many the oldest gay bar in the south. Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote were frequent patrons of the cafe. Many of the people who renovated, restored, and saved the properties in the French Quarter were gay men who frequented this bar “back in the day”.

Continue down Bourbon Street away from Canal Street.

While its claim as the oldest bar in America is debatable (the building didn’t open as a bar until the 1940s), Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar is likely the oldest building in America with a bar in it.

Named for the Pirate Lafitte, whose brother owned this shop at the height of their Piracy and smuggling operation and were believed to use the business as a front for their pirate operations.

This location used to be Cafe Lafitte, which Roger “Tom” Caplinger opened during the late 40s. Caplinger was big in the queer community and hosted drag shows attended by the likes of Truman Capote, Noel Coward, and Tennessee Williams.

Caplinger never held the deed to the location, and the cafe was sold in 1953. Not to be deterred, Caplinger bought another building and named it Cafe Lafitte in Exile, a block away from the current Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar in the early 1960s.

Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop is exclusively lit by candlelight, complimenting the live piano music. That’s our tour, so sit down and get yourself a drink or read on for tips for things to do and where to eat.

Pro Tip: The “Voodoo Daiquiri” or “purple” drink is highly recommended for first-timers, especially on hot days. It’s rumored that the ghost of Lafitte himself occasionally appears near the fireplace.

Where to Watch Street Performers

The best place to find street performers in The French Quarter are:

Royal Street – Musicians perform at all times of the day. From poets to hire to solo blues guitarists, instrumental guitar/violin duets, gypsy jazz, and more, this is the heaviest concentration of street musicians in The French Quarter. Frenchman Street – there are over a dozen venues with live music to be heard indoors. Jackson Square – stop in front of the Presbytere and the Cabildo, where it’s commonplace to encounter a brass band or two, violinists, or even a lone saxophonist. Take a Free Music Tour- We at Nola Tour Guy have put together a Free Guide on where to see live music in New Orleans . We cover all the best music joints in the Crescent City.

After exploring the history and magic of The French Quarter, relax the New Orleans way: with a crafted cocktail, preferably in a romantic courtyard or patio. Here are some of the must-try cocktails that The French Quarter is known for:

The Hurricane

The Hurricane is a sweet red cocktail traditionally served on ice. Created during World War II, the name comes from the shape of the glass it was originally served in, which resembles a hurricane lamp. Pat O’Brien’s is where it was born! The courtyard at Pat’s is a must-do; with dueling pianos and a timeless atmosphere, you won’t be disappointed. Note: the Hurricane doesn’t taste strong, but it is. Take it slow to avoid feeling like you got hit by a hurricane the next day.

The Sazerac

Created in 1835 by Antoine Peychaud, the Sazerac is the first official cocktail in the world. The drink is rye whiskey, bitters, and Absinthe, so it was banned in 1912 when Absinthe was made illegal in the United States. Herbsaint, an anise-flavored liqueur, was created as a substitute in 1934 by a local company so New Orleanians could still enjoy this cocktail. Enjoy this potent concoction at the Sazerac Bar. Use Sazerac the intended way- a digestif, an after-dinner drink to aid digestion.

Vieux Carre

Vieux Carre is a classic French Quarter cocktail, first mixed in 1938. Try this traditional drink at the famous rotating Carousel Bar in the Hotel Monteleone, where it was created! This cocktail is a compelling blend of whisky, cognac, vermouth, and bitters.

Henry C. Ramos first mixed the Gin Fizz in 1888 at Meyer’s table D’Hotel Internationale. The frothy cocktail needs fifteen minutes of vigorous shaking, which required Ramos to hire “shaker boys” due to the high demand. Louisiana Governor Huey Long loved this drink so much that he brought his bartender with him when traveling to New York so he wouldn’t be without his favorite drink. Ramos sold the rights to the Roosevelt Hotel after the Prohibition, so if you want the original version, this is your stop.

Created in World War I, the French 75 is named after the French military’s M1897 rapid-fire 75mm artillery gun because it packs such a powerful kick. This simple Champagne cocktail has a light citrus taste and can replace a typical mimosa with so many variations available.

Our guide to Planning your Trip to New Orleans

Let us help you plan your trip to New Orleans. We are experts of all things New Orleans and we’ve been putting our knowledge together into a guide. This guide is a collection of articles that can act as a free trip planning guide giving you an idea of some of the best things to do, tours that are worth your time and money, places to see and where to eat. So check out our free trip planning guide.

What we are about

Nola Tour Guy is a collective of passionate guides, both men and women, who are experts in the history of New Orleans. Our goals are to give tours that are intellectually stimulating, historically accurate and FUN. We only offer walking tours because we believe that walking is the best way to see a city and learn about it and at a price everyone can afford. Nola Tour Guy offers no novelty tours only the real history brought to life by our passionate guides. Join us, you won’t be disappointed..

New Orleans  >  Free French Quarter Walking Tour

‎ New Orleans Tourist Tips ‎ |  Suggested Itineraries For New Orleans

• New Orleans
• Top 10 Things To Do
• French Quarter Walking Tour
• Garden District Walking Tour
• Plantation Mansions
• Frenchmen Street
• Top 10 Must Eats
• Top Ten Must Drinks
• Other Sights
• Best Day Trips
• Helpful Tourist Advice
• Suggested Itineraries
• Madri Gras Tips

French Quarter Walking Tour:

Location :  French Quarter New Orleans Cost :  Free, Self-Guided ( Optional costs listed below ) Style :  Do-It-Yourself Walking Tour ( Self Guided ) Starting Point :  Washington Artillery Park & Terrace End Of Tour :  The Carousel Bar Walking Distance :  2.5 miles of walking ( -0.5 if you skip stops 9-13 ) Time Required : 2 Hours of walking ( +a few hours for food and drink ) Fun Scale :  9.5 out of 10

Overview of the French Quarter:

Our free, self-guided French Quarter walking tour will put you in the center of the cultural heartbeat of New Orleans for an unforgettable experience.  Originally called the  Vieux Carré  ( pronounced Vue Ca-Ray ), or Old Square in French, the French Quarter has vibrant roots dating long before New Orleans was officially founded in 1718.  From local Native Americans as early as 400AD to European settlers and slaves centuries later, the French Quarter grew as a blend of many cultures.  By its heyday in the mid-1800s, the French Quarter was a  thriving melting pot  of French, Spanish, African, Native-American, and Creole heritage.

Today the unique mix of culture shines through the French Quarter with bursts of colorful festivals, hints of voodoo, live jazz music, an unbeatable bar district and some of the best food in the country.  New Orleans is often considered the  most unique city in the world  and its all on display in the French Quarter.  We hope you enjoy our do-it-yourself French Quarter walking tour!

French Quarter Walking Tour Sights:

1. washington artillery park & terrace ( 768 decatur street ):.

About Washington Artillery Park :  While often overlooked by tourists, we love to start our French Quarter walking tour on the perch of Washington Artillery Park & Terrace.  The park is actually  on top of a levee  that was enhanced in the 1800s to protect New Orleans from the flood waters of the Mississippi River.  With its elevated position over Jackson Square to one side and the mighty Mississippi River on the other, the  stunning views  from the terrace really help you get a lay of the land.  It is no wonder that this position was used by the French, Spanish, Confederates, and Americans to defend New Orleans over the centuries.  A memorial in the middle of the terrace pays homage to its history as a military battery with a  Civil War-era cannon  always on guard.  The cannon is a model 1861 Parrot Rifle used in the Civil War and is dedicated to the local 141st Field Artillery of the Louisiana National Guard.

Looking toward the Mississippi River from the terrace, you’ll see a delightful waterfront walking path known locally as the Moonwalk.  If you hunt you for it, will also find a marker for the New Orleans Steamer which landed here in 1812 as the 1st steamboat to navigate both the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to the Gulf of Mexico.

Before leaving the terrace, make sure to take in the perspective of the Saint Louis Cathedral and the  horse-drawn carriages  that line the front of the Jackson Square below you.  A ton of carriage companies are available on standby to take you anywhere you want in the French Quarter and Garden District, but our favorite is  Royal Carriages  ( website ).  As you descend toward the carriages, make note of the stepped amphitheater where you can often watch some great street performers in action.

2. Jackson Square ( 700 Decatur Street ):

About Jackson Square :  For as much fanfare Bourbon Street gets, the real heart of New Orleans has always been Jackson Square.  Soon after the French founded the city in 1718, they began carefully planning New Orleans around this large central square which was originally called  Place d’ Armes  ( meaning Weapons’ Square ).  The square, which opened in 1921, was modeled after the famous Place de Voeges in Paris and the location was selected because of its close proximity to a longstanding Native American trading post.

Today’s French Quarter neighborhood, first known as  Vieux Carré  ( meaning the Old Square ), was quickly built out around the Place d’ Armes in a clean grid system.  From the start, the main square quickly turned into an important gathering point in early New Orleans life.  France’s influence on the city was further highlighted by the construction of the Catholic Saint Louis Church on the North side of the square along with the adoption of the French language.

After a series of crippling wars in Canada and Europe, the French had to transfer all of the Louisiana Territory  under Spanish control  in 1762, which was cemented by the Treaty of Paris.  The name of the central square stayed intact ( Plaza de Armas ) and local French influence on culture remained strong as Spain chose to rule Louisiana at an arm’s length away from Cuba.  France eventually got Louisiana back from Spain, but in less than a year, Napoleon sold the entire territory to the United States in 1803 through the  Louisiana Purchase .

Even though America “owned” the entire Louisiana Territory and started forming new states out of it, they didn’t fully control it until they withstood British attacks in New Orleans as part of the  War of 1812 .  This war came to a climatic end when the United States won the  Battle of New Orleans  in 1815 under the leadership victorious  General Andrew Jackson .

During the War of 1812, Andrew Jackson had consulted with local pirates in New Orleans for the planning of the battle and then paraded over 6,000 troops in celebration around Place d’ Armes after they won.  It was this victory that made Jackson a national war hero and propelled his political career all the way to the United States Presidency ( U.S. President from 1829-37 ).  In 1856 a large statue of Andrew Jackson triumphantly riding on a horse was unveiled in the center of the square which  was renamed Jackson Square  in his honor.  In early day New Orleans, public executions commonly took place in the area of the square where the beautiful statue now sits.

Hours : Gates are open Daily 8am-7pm ( until 6pm in the Winter ).   Cost : Free.

3. Saint Louis Cathedral ( 615 Pere Antoine Alley ):

About Saint Louis Cathedral :  Built in 1727 on the site of a hurricane-damaged parish, the Saint Louis Church was dedicated to the sainted King of France, Louis IX from the 1200s.  The church helped to better establish Catholicism in the  Louisiana Territory to contrast the largely Protestant United States.  Tragedy struck when a massive blaze known as the  Great Fire of 1788  badly burned the church and 855 other buildings in the French Quarter.  Luckily the church was quickly rebuilt thanks to funding nobleman Andrés Almonaster who also funded stops 4 & 5 of this walking tour.  The new Spanish-style church was  declared a Cathedral  soon after it opened on Christmas Eve, 1794.  The timing was perfect as the public badly needed the Church for moral support as earlier in the month the Great Fire of 1794 struck the heart of New Orleans and burned 212 buildings.  This led the Spanish to get away from wood and start building with brick and rod iron which can still be seen all over this free French Quarter walking tour.

As support beams were removed during a facade update in 1849 the roof collapsed, the walls developed cracks, and much of the Cathedral had to be demolished.  The following year a redesign began with heavy French architectural influences and the only main element they were able to salvage from the Spanish church was the central tower’s bell.  The final result of the relentless rebuilding is today’s breath-taking Saint Louis Cathedral, now designated as a basilica, which has become the  most iconic landmark  in all of New Orleans.  Make sure to check out the interior with its checkerboard tile floor and stained glass window depicting the life of King Louis IX including the 7th Crusade.  The flags hanging from the interior balconies on the right show the countries New Orleans has been under since 1718, while the left side has various Papel crests.

During  Hurricane Katrina  in 2004, two large oak trees in  St. Anthony’s Garden  on the backside of the Cathedral was ripped up along with portions of the Cathedral’s roof.  The hole in the roof allowed water to damage the pipe organ which required a lot of restoration.  You can still see some of the damage while in the garden behind the church where a marble statue of Jesus lost a finger and a thumb.  Even with the missing fingers, the statue has awesome lighting that at night casts a larger than life shadow onto the backside of the Cathedral.  The easiest way to reach the Garden is by walking down  Pirates’ Alley  which we will visit later on this tour.  The most celebrated moment in the history of the St. Louis Cathedral was the visit of  Pope John Paul II  in September 1987, although Pope Paul VI also stopped by in 1964.

Cathedral Website :  ( HERE ).

4. The Cabildo ( 701 Chartres Street ):

About The Cabildo :  The grand Cabildo was built in 1795 as the new New Orleans City Hall after the old building burned in the Great Fire of 1788.  The name come from the  Illustrious Cabildo ( City Council )  who would meet here during the years Span controlled Lousiana.  It was kind of a weird time for the local government as they spoke Spanish while the residents continued to speak French.  Famously, The Cabildo as the location of the  signing of the Louisiana Purchase  when the French sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States in 1803 less than one month after getting it back from Spain.

The building also served as the home of the Louisiana Supreme Court where the nationally significant decisions in both the  Slaughterhouse  and  Plessy vs. Ferguson  cases were handed down in the late 1800s.  We love the details from this period of history on the facade including the huge relief of an American eagle with cannonballs which replaced an image of the Spanish coat of arms in 1821.

Since 1911, The Cabildo has been the flagship building for the Louisiana State Museum.  Exactly two hundred years after it first burned down, The Cabildo was once again severely damaged by fire in 1988. Thankfully the building was beautifully restored using 600-year-old French timber framing methods and in 1994 reopened to the public with exhibits focusing on Louisiana’s early history.  There are excellent topics to explore ranging from local Native American history, to colonial events, the and the Civil War.  Our favorite item on display is  Napoleon’ Death Mask  from 1927 which was given to the city by France because Napoleon died on his way to New Orleans while seeking shelter during his exile.

Cabildo Museum Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4:30pm.   Admission Cost :  Adults $6, Children Free ( Purchase tickets for 2 or more city museums and get 20% off ).   Museum Website :  ( HERE ).

5. The Presbytère ( 751 Chartres Street ):

About The Presbytère :  Flanking the Eastside of the Saint Louis Cathedral as a mirror bookend to The Cabildo is the timeless Presbytére.  This stunning building was completed in 1791 on the former site of the residence ( presbytére ) of the local Capuchin monks which had been damaged in the Fire of 1788 like much of the French Quarter.  The new Presbytére building served as a home for local clergy and was known as the  Casa Curial ( Ecclesiastical House ) .  Construction delays really hampered the completion of the Presbytére as the 2nd floor wasn’t finished until 1813 and the 3rd floor in 1847, more than 50 years after the project started.  The church finally sold the Casa Curial in 1853 and it became part of the Louisiana State Museum in 1911.

Our favorite exhibit at the Presbytére Museum is one highlighting the history of  Mardi Gras  with many stories, masks, party favors, souvenirs, invitations, and more all displayed in huge open storage cabinets.  The most dazzling exhibit is probably the  Crown Jewels Vault  with an astonishing array of tiaras, scepters, necklaces and other baubles worn by generations of royalty.  Artifacts in the main exhibit focus on the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, provide an unforgettable experience of loss and devastation.

Presbytere Museum Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4:30pm; Closed Mondays.   Admission  Cost :  Adults $6, Children Free ( Purchase tickets for 2 or more city museums and get 20% off ).   Museum Website :  ( HERE ).

6. The Pontalbas & 1850 House ( 523 Saint Ann Street ):

About The Pontalbas :  Running along each side of Jackson Square are massive one block long, 4 story tall red brick complexes built in the 1840s by  Baroness Micaela Pontalba .  The Baroness spent in upwards of $300,000 on the buildings which were constructed in honor of her father Andrés Almonaster.  Her father was a Spanish colonial landowner who helped finance the current versions of The Cabildo, Saint Louis Cathedral, and The Presbytère we just visited on this free French Quarter walking tour.

Known today as The Pontalbas, the buildings were originally used as townhomes, but were later divided into upper-level apartments with lower level shops after the Great Depression.  To help give you a glimpse into what upper-class life was like in  antebellum era New Orleans ( 1840-50s ), the city set up a living museum called 1850 House.  Furnished with everyday items, decorative art, and clothing from the period, the 1850 House does a great job of depicting upper-middle-class family life during the most prosperous period in New Orleans’ history.  If you are trying to prioritize your time, keep in mind that later on this walking tour there are three other excellent period homes you can also tour including the Hermann-Grima House, Merieult House, and Gallier House.

1850 House Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4:30pm.   Admission Cost :  Adults $3, Children Free ( Purchase tickets for 2 or more city museums and get 20% off ).   1850 House Website : ( HERE ).

7. Cafe Du Monde ( 800 Decatur Street ):

About Cafe Du Monde :  Any time you go to New Orleans one of the first questions your friends will ask is, “Did you get a beignet at Cafe De Monde?”   Beignets  are square French-style doughnuts, lavishly covered with powdered sugar and they are delicious.

Cafe Du Monde, established in 1862, is also known for its strong coffee served both Black and  Au Lait .  Au Lait coffee means that it is mixed half and half with hot milk.  We highly suggest trying their  Chicory Root Coffee  which is a unique blend of coffee grounds mixed with the bitter chicory root of the endive plant.  The coffee was made very popular after the Civil War because coffee was scarce and the root added flavor to the brewing process.  Normally served Au Lait, the root added an almost chocolate flavor to your coffee.

Keep in mind that Cafe du Monde is so popular that the walk up line to buy beignets can often be a full city block long in the mid to late afternoon, especially on the weekends.  If you want a manageable line or a sit down spot inside the cafe you will want to visit early.

Cafe Hours :  Daily, 24 Hours.   Cafe Website :  ( HERE ).

8. Decatur Street ( 900-1100 Decatur Street ):

About Decatur Street :  As you leave Cafe Du Monde and stroll down Decatur Street you’ll find the best deals in town on your tourist souvenirs.  Although there are fancier shops and art galleries on Royal Street later on this free French Quarter walking tour, Decatur Street has a dense collection of great tourist shopping even though some of it is tacky.  The road was originally called Levee Street, but after the Mississippi River altered course in 1870 the levee located here was no longer needed and the street was renamed in honor of the naval hero Stephen Decatur.

At the start of the tourist shops, you’ll run into the  Central Market Deli  ( 923 Decatur, website ) which is famous for inventing the  Muffaletta , a delicious Italian deli sandwich that makes a get a snack or lunch to go.  We have the Muffaletta sandwich as one of our Top Ten Must Eats In New Orleans .  Another favorite place of ours to grab food in the area is  BB King’s Blues Club  ( 1104 Decatur, website ) which also has excellent live music.  The nearby  Crane & Table Restaurant ( 1113 Decatur, website ) is very well known for their great brunch and bottomless drinks.

Make sure to check out the golden Joan of Arc statue  in the middle of the small Latrobe Park while walking along Decatur Street.  Gold is the official color when she is honored with a parade here every January 6th as an unofficial patron saint of the city.  Joan’s time in France in the 1400s mirrors New Orleans own battles against the British as she had famously liberated the citizens of Orleans, France from British siege.

After Dark:  The stretch of Decatur Street between Dumaine Street to Esplanade Avenue can feel a bit seedy after dark, but is perfectly fine during the day and early evening.

9. French Market ( 1008 N. Peters Street ):

About The French Market :  What began as a Native American trading post and portage point on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River, was turned into a full market by French settlers in 1791 making the French Market  America’s oldest public market .  Over its long history, the French, Italians, Spanish, Portuguese, Moors, Irish, English, and Dutch have jockeyed for market share in the French Market making it a cultural melting pot.  The melting pot nature of the covered French Market lets you can find pretty much anything here as the Market serves as a Bazaar, Butcher’s Market, Seafood Market, Flea Market, Vegetable Market, and Farmers’ Market with a peppering of restaurants and shops.

Market Hours :  Flea Market Daily 7am-7pm, Farmer’s Market Daily 9am-7pm.   After Dark :  The stretch between stops 9-13 can get a little shady after dark with you aren’t with an official tour group and you may feel safer sticking to just the stops around Jackson Square, Royal Street, and Bourbon Street if it’s getting late.  Since the French Market is closed at 7pm it shouldn’t really be an issue anyway.   Market Website :  ( HERE ).

10. Old United States Mint & Jazz Museum ( 400 Esplanade Avenue ):

About The Mint Museum :  The Old United States Mint is the only building in America to have served as a mint for both the  United States and the Confederate States .  The Mint was built in 1835 under President Andrew Jackson, who had advocated for its establishment in order to help finance development of the nation’s Western frontier.  Jackson was always a huge supporter of coins and gold over paper money.

Now serving as a Museum, the 1st floor of the Mint houses an amazing collection of both Confederate and Union money while the 2nd floor is home to the New Orleans Jaxx Museum complete with a ton of instruments.  We have always felt that the Mint was built backward as the cool columned facade side of the building faces away from the French Quarter.  One block away is the lively Frenchmen Street which has amazing jazz clubs with live music in the evenings.

Hours :  Tuesday-Sunday 10am-4:30pm.   Cost :  Adults $6, Children Free ( Purchase tickets for 2 or more city museums and get 20% off ).   Jazz Museum Website :  ( HERE ).

11. Old Ursuline Convent ( 1100 Chartres Street ):

About The Old Ursuline Convent :  With a storied past, the Ursuline Nuns were the  first religious order  to arrive in Louisiana when they landed in 1727.   The nuns’ first convent building was half-timbered which didn’t fare well in the humid climate of New Orleans and was a bit of a fire hazard.  The deteriorating structure was replaced by today’s impressive brick and stucco Colonial-style convent in 1751.  With tales of  vampires and casket girls , this eerie three-story convent is known for its intense stories of hauntings.

With a largely male population in the mid-1700s the King of France started to send poor and orphaned ladies from French convents to New Orleans.  Each girl was sent over with a casket shaped chest said to hold their belongings which were to be held in storage on the 3rd floor of the Ursuline Convent until the girls found an acceptable suitor.  Often looking sickly after 5 months at sea, and donning caskets, rumors that the girls were vampires or brought vampires with them started quickly.  Some of the girls did find husbands, but many fell in prostitution or were never heard from again.  With the local death rate starting to rise, the girls’ casket chests were found to be empty and the shutters of the 3rd story  windows were sealed up  out of fear.  It’s said that the Pope himself blessed the nails to keep in the evil and they remain closed to this day.

The sitting just across the street from the convent, the  Beauregard-Keyes Mansion  was built in 1826 a year after the Ursuline Nuns moved to a new convent starting to sell off their extra property.  During the Civil War the Greek revival mansion was home to Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard, who was the first prominent general of the Confederate States Army.  Was later home to author Frances Parkinson Keyes.

Convent Hours & Tours :  Free self-guided tours available Monday through Friday, 10am-4pm; Saturday 9am-3pm; last admission 45 minutes before close; Closed Sundays.   Convent Website :  ( HERE ).  Keyes Mansion Hours & Tours :  For $10 the home and garden (added in 1833) there are tours each hour from 10am-3pm on Monday-Saturday.  Keyes Mansion Website :  ( HERE ).

12. Madame LaLaurie’s Mansion ( 1140 Royal Street ):

About Madame LaLaurie’s Mansion :  This creepy 3 story mansion was built in 1831 by the infamous Delphine LaLaurie and is considered to be the  most haunted house in New Orleans .  The twice-widowed Delphine, known as Madame LaLaurie, was fresh on a new marriage to a local doctor when something evil started brewing.  The LaLaurie’s neighbors were the first ones to suspect that something was wrong and that Delphine was potentially a  sinister woman .  They noticed that the LaLaurie family’s house slaves seemed to disappear often and that parlor maids would be replaced at will.  Some servants who disappeared were said to have committed “suicide” and one of their prominent stable boys suddenly vanished, never to be seen again.

he suspicions started coming to light one Summer’s day when a neighbor heard a scream and saw Delphine chasing a young servant girl with a whip.  The girl fled to the roof for safety, but when Delphine continued to come after her, the  girl jumped to her death .  The same neighbor later claimed to see the small slave girl being buried in a shallow grave beneath a tree in the yard.  It is said that even today the girl’s screams can still be heard from time to time.

The  most gruesome discovery  happened on April 10th, 1834 when a fire broke out in the home and neighbors burst in to help.  What they found on the top floor were a dozen starving slaves chained to tables, the walls, and even in cages.  Some of the slaves had their guts hanging out, others their lips stitched shut, and many others missing limbs.  As the neighbors ran after Delphine, calling for her head, she quickly jumped in her carriage to never be seen again.  The creepy history is part of the draw that got actor  Nicolas Cage  to own the home from 2007-09.  The story of Madame LaLaurie goes further attention when she becomes the main character of an entire season of the hit TV show  American Horror Story .

13. Gallier House ( 1132 Royal Street ):

About The Gallier House :  In the mid-1800s, James Gallier was one of New Orleans’ most prominent architects.  His design work found an enthusiastic audience of civic leaders, businessmen, and affluent families.  You will enjoy a stroll through Gallier’s elegant Victorian home, restored to reflect the lifestyle of a successful urban designer in pre-Civil War New Orleans.  Local author Anne Rice was inspired by the Gallier House and used it as the home of Lestat and Louis in her famous novel  Interview with the Vampire .  It’s said that Rice was inspired by the stories of  Count Saint Germain , son of the Prince of Transylvania, and one of New Orleans’ most famous vampires.  The Count was said to be an immortal man possible 500 years old who lived nearby at the intersection of Ursulines and Royal.  In 1902, a girl tried to escape him by jumping off the balcony but he got away.  When authorities arrived they found no dishes in the home but did find 17 bottles of human blood said to have over 100 strands of DNA.

In addition to its vampire fame, the exterior of the Gallier was also used as the facade of the Madame LaLaurie Mansion in the hit TV show  American Horror Story .  The same owners of the Gallier House also own the Hermann-Girma House which we will visit later in this free French Quarter walking tour.  Their other home was also featured in American Horror Story as the interior of the Madame LaLaurie Mansion.  We love touring both of these fabulous homes in the same day.

Hours & Tours :  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday hourly tours run from 10am-3pm; Wednesday tours by appointment only; Saturday hourly tours 12pm-4pm; Closed Sundays.    Admission Cost :  Adults $12, Children $10 ( you can add admission to the other home they manage at Stop 27 for $8 ).   Museum Website :  ( HERE ).

14. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar ( 941 Bourbon Street ):

About Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar :  With fireplace heating and no electric lights, a visit to Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop Bar will make you feel like you are stepping back in time.  Built between 1722 and 1732 as a cottage-like home for Nicolas Touze, the historic tavern is considered the  Oldest Bar  in the American South.  From 1772-1791 the Blacksmith Shop served as a hideaway for  Jean Lafitte  ( pronounced Zhah La-feet ) and his band of pirates who posed as blacksmiths while they smuggled goods in from the Caribbean.  The smuggling operation was widely held under wraps by locals as New Orleans was under Spanish rule at the time and a trade embargo made it hard to get some goods in.

Jean Lafitte later became a national hero when he used his pirate expertise to help General Andrew Jackson defeat the British in the  Battle of New Orleans in 1815 .  With American troops outmatched and undersupplied, Lafitte secretly smuggled supplies to the Americans giving them the edge to win the Battle.  After his good deed was done Lafitte then sailed off to new adventures and the Blacksmith shop became a full-time tavern.  The tavern is our favorite stop on this free New Orleans walking tour.

You may notice that the  architectural style  of the Blacksmith Shop looks quite a bit different than most of the other houses in the neighborhood.  This is because a slate roof and brick helped to protect the Blacksmith Shop from the great fires in 1788 and 1794 which destroyed hundreds of the neighboring wooden homes.  With Spanish rule at the time of the fires, many of the rebuilt homes nearby had more of a Spanish influence compared to the old French cottage.  To this day the Blacksmith Shop still rolls old school with no electric lighting, allowing its fireplace, romantic candlelight, and live music make it a truly magical place to have a drink after dark.  While they have a wide selection of drinks, our favorite it the purple frozen  Voodoo Blend  that comes right out of an old school slushy machine.

Keep an eye out for other buildings in this style as you make your way further down Bourbon Street our free French Quarter Walking Tour.  While many of the other bars on Bourbon Street were also historic homes, most weren’t converted into bars until the late-1800s and have been heavily modernized inside.  The name Bourbon Street predates these bars as it was named after the  royal Bourbon Family  of France and not the alcohol.  It is also said that the bathroom of the Blacksmith Shop is haunted.

Blacksmith Bar Hours :  Open daily until late.   Blacksmith Bar Website :  ( HERE ).

15. New Orleans Voodoo Museum ( 724 Dumaine Street ):

About The New Orleans Voodoo Museum :  Really, no one grows up in New Orleans without being exposed to the culture of Voodoo.  In the case of Charles Massicot Gandolfo, the Voodoo Museum’s founder, it was a little stronger with tales that his great-grandfather had been raised in New Orleans by a real  Voodoo Queen .  An artist, with a passion for all the history and romance of New Orleans, Charles opened this museum in 1972 to share his fascination with the world.  Taking all the mysteries, the secrets, the history and folklore of rituals, zombies, and gris-gris of the Voodoo Queens, Charles put it all in one place in the heart of the New Orleans French Quarter.  This is a worthwhile stop if you want a better introduction to Voodoo than the souvenir shops give.  Cameras, photographs, and questions are always welcome and encouraged.

Hours :  Daily 10am-6pm.   Cost :  $7 for Adults; Children $3.50; Admission is FREE if you do their $19 Voodoo walking tour.   Museum Website :  ( HERE ).

16. Cornstalk Hotel ( 915 Royal Street ):

About The Cornstalk Hotel :  This elegant yellow hotel is one of our favorite homes in the French Quarter.  Judge Francois Xavier Martin, author and  first Attorney General of State of Louisiana , built the Cornstalk in 1816 and lived here until 1826.  Doctor Joseph Secondo Biamenti purchased the mansion in 1834, turned it into a hotel, and added its famous cast iron  Cornstalk Fence  in 1856.  The fence is truly a landmark that in itself has helped make the old French Quarter famous.  Your gaze will be drawn to the fence’s beautifully ornate and delicate iron handicraft.  Ripe ears of corn on their stalks are seemingly ready for the harvest, each kernel a work of art.  Pumpkins form the base of the iron columns around which are entwined by pumpkin vines and the leaves and morning glories.  Look for the yellow butterfly on the front gate.

Famous guests at the hotel include Bill & Hillary Clinton, and even the “King” himself…Elvis Presley.  Among many famous hotel guests,  Harriet Beecher Stowe  allegedly stopped here and was inspired to write  Uncle Tom’s Cabin  from the sights at nearby slave markets.  The novel was later a major influence on the starting the Civil War.  Speaking of famous guest, the neighboring Nine-O-Five Royal Inn ( 905 Royal St ) claims to have been a place where  Rip Van Winkle  slept.  It’s hard to believe this claim though since the fictional story of Rip was actually written in and based in England.  Also, make note of the  Romeo spikes  on the gallery posts across the street ( 910 Royal ) which are decorative, but also to stop intruders.  Famously in 1904, a man who was sleeping with the red-headed lady that lived her tried to slide down the pole to escape her fencing champion father and was split wide open.

Hotel Website :  ( HERE ).

17. Madame John’s Legacy ( 632 Dumaine Street ):

About Madame John’s Legacy :  After the Great Fire of 1788, this timeless home was built on the ashes of the previous home that dated back to 1725.  Shortly after the new construction was finished, it ended up being one of the only houses in the area that  escaped the Great Fire of 1794 .  The name Madame John’s Legacy came much later from a story called Tite Poulete, written in 1879 by author Geo Cable Madame about the previous home that once stood here.  John’s Legacy is an excellent example of Louisiana  Creole design  from the end of the 18th century which mainly only survives today deep in the bayou.  Before the second great fire in New Orleans, it was commonplace to see many homes in this style all over the French Quarter.

Museum Website :  ( HERE ).   Hours :  Currently closed for 2019 for renovations but you can see it from the outside.

18. Royal Street Art Galleries ( 731-841 Royal Street ):

About The Royal Street Art Galleries :  In contrast to the sometimes grimy Bourbon Street bar scene, Royal Street offers a much higher quality shopping and tons of funky artist galleries.  While the art is fairly expensive, the classy galleries are a pure joy to wander through.  With a wide selection of sculptures and paintings, our favorite pieces are mixed media works depicting street scenes and jazz life in New Orleans.  Every day parts of Royal street are closed off to cars, creating a lively pedestrian-only zone.

19. Marie Laveau’s House Of Voodoo ( 739 Bourbon Street ):

About Marie Laveau’s House Of Voodoo :  Marie Laveau’s House Of Voodoo is a really cool Voodoo themed tourist shop.  The House of Voodoo offers a wide variety of items to help in both learning about and practicing both the spiritual and religious ceremonies of Voodoo.  Tribal masks and statues from around the world symbolize man’s connection with the spirit and earth.  Talismans and charms directed towards all different things you many want from the spirits from health, to wealth, and much more.  They also have Mojo Bags, Voodoo Dolls, Spell Kits, and a fortune teller and palm reader on-site.  They typically do not allow photos inside.

Hours :  Sunday-Thursday 10am-11:30pm; Friday-Saturday 10am-1:30pm.   Cost :  Free to enter.   Museum Website : ( HERE ).

20. Tropical Isle Bar ( 721 Bourbon Street ):

About Tropical Isle :  Although the Original Tropical Isle is down the street ( 600 Bourbon Street ), this Tropical Isle location is one of the most fun bars on this free French Quarter walking tour.  They have live music, a really funky interior, great balcony, and are known for their over-the-top signature drinks the  Shark Attack and Hand Grenade .  The fun Shark Attack is truly that as each one comes with a rubber shark the attacks your drink as warning lights flash the bar leaving a pool of blood ( grenadine ).

Make sure to see how high you can blow on the  bar’s breathalyzer machine contest .  If competition is truly your thing, the urinals in the bath also have the  wizinator game  where you can race your neighbor.  Right next to the Tropic Isle is the  Funky Pirate Bar , which has the same owners and has a great assortment of late night live Blues music.

Bar Hours :  Daily Noon-2am ( 3:30am on Friday & Saturdays ).  Live Music Schedule :   Tropical Isle typically has live music Monday-Thursday 5pm-1:30am and Friday-Sunday 1pm-close; next door at the Funky Pirate their Jazz & Blues music runs Monday-Wednesday 8pm-close and Thursday-Sunday 4pm-Close with Saturdays sometimes starting at 1pm; the original Tropic Isle at 600 Bourbon has music daily 1pm-Close.   Bar Website :  ( HERE ).

21. Le Pretre Mansion ( 716 Dauphine Street ):

About Le Pretre Mansion :  The creepy Le Pretre Mansion is rumored to be haunted after the  gruesome events  that took place in the 1800s.  Built in 1836, the mansion was later bought by plantation owner Jean Baptist Le Pretre as an urban getaway during the Winter months.  In 1879 Le Pretre decided to rent his mansion out to the brother of the  Sultan of Turkey .  Along with the Sultan’s brother came eunuch guards and 17 harem girls.  The home quickly became the frequent scene of large parties and orgies.

After 3 years of frequent parties the house went silent one night in 1882 and an old lady passing by saw a  river of blood  pouring down into the street.  When the authorities burst in they found 37 mutilated bodies, but it took 3 days to find the body of the Sultan’s brother who was buried alive in the courtyard.  There had been no screams and the murders are still somewhat of an unsolved mystery.  To this day, however, many locals claim to have heard screams by the home and have seen haunting shadows in the windows.

22. Cat’s Meow Karaoke Bar ( 701 Bourbon Street ):

About The Cat’s Meow :  The highly rated Cat’s Meow has way more of a lively party atmosphere then your normal Karaoke Bar and is very fun even if you don’t like to sing.  Many famous musicians have enjoyed some of the nightlife at the Cat’s Meow ranging from soul singer Seal to country musicians Brooks and Dunn, comedian/songwriter “Weird Al” Yankovic, the Smashing Pumpkins, Depeche Mode, and N’Sync have all sang here.  Other  celebrities  from software mogul Bill Gates of Microsoft, actors Tori Spelling, Mario Lopez, Julie and Doria of Playboy’s Night Calls, and adult film star Stormy Daniels have stopped into the Cat’s Meow to sing.

Aside from the more famous people that have visited Cats Meow, several national television shows shot on-site broadcasts from the club. The festive atmosphere of the Cats Meow has provided wonderful backdrop and ambiance for such popular TV programs like The Regis and Kelly Show, MTV’s Road Rules and The Grind.   We love the Bar’s 3-for-1 happy hour and of course the fact that all your friends back home can watch you sing your lungs out on the live webcam posted on their website.  If your more in the mood for some great live music, consider  Krazy Korner  ( website ) which lies kiddy corner from Cat’s Meow. This compact corner bar can be a really fun place to get your Jazz and Blues fix.

Cat’s Meow Hours :  Daily until late.   Bar Website :  ( HERE ).

23. Preservation Hall ( 726 Saint Peter Street ):

About Preservation Hall :  Today’s Preservation Hall was opened in 1961 to help protect the traditions of live Jazz music as Rock-n-Roll took over America.  The Hall is a popular place to hear traditional New Orleans Jazz at night.  It’s a widely popular place with older crowds to hear  traditional New Orleans Jazz  at night so check their nightly schedule as you pass by.  Please note that during the day they are closed, shows starting usually around 8pm, and even when they are open they do not sell alcohol.

Across the Street from the Hall are  Yo Mama’s , known for its great burgers, and an old French cottage building housing Reverend Zombies House of Voodoo.  The Voodoo shop is not as good as the others from earlier on this French Quarter walking tour, but just outside is where you can join a walking tour by  Haunted History Tours  ( website ).  We highly recommend fitting one of their tours into your stay if you are in New Orleans for a few days which range from ghosts, to cemeteries, and even vampires.  Others haunted tours that we like are Lord Chaz ( website ) and the very highly rated Jonathan Weiss Tours ( website ).

Preservation Hall Website :  ( HERE ).

24. Pat O’Brien’s Piano Bar ( 718 Saint Peter Street ):

About Pat O’Brien’s Piano Bar :  Pat O’Brien’s may be known for its red Hurricane Drinks,  Dueling Pianos , and large outdoor patio with flame fountains we also love the bar’s history.  In 1791, Maison de Flechier built a private home ( 600 Saint Peter Street ) which later became home to the French Theater Company, then was home to the 1st Grand Opera in America, and later then morphed into a speakeasy .  With the lifting of prohibition, Pat O’Brien bought the speakeasy in 1933 and turned it into a full-service bar.

Pat O’Brien’s Bar was so popular for its piano music and drinks that it needed to expand and quickly moved into the current location ( 718 Saint Peter Street ) which was built in 1834.  The bar’s popularity hit epic status when Pat O’Brien created the  Hurricane Drink  in the 1940s which cemented the establishments home forever in the New Orleans drinking scene.

As you enjoy some live dueling pianos, makes sure to notice the crossed muskets from 7 counties and over 500 beer steins that decorate the ceiling of the bar.  They also have a large outdoor courtyard with stunning fire fountains to keep you warm after dark.  If you happen to be in town with a group and are looking to book an amazing space for your private party, the Briar’s Lounge ( website ) at Pat O’Brien’s is amazing.  Modeled after Napolean’s private suite, the entire second floor really lets the 1834 roots of the building shine through.

Pat O’Brien’s Hours :  Monday-Thursday Noon-Close; Friday-Sunday 10am-Close.   Dueling Piano Music :  Often daily during the day but the main times are Monday-Thursday 6pm-Close; Friday-Sunday 2pm-Close.   Cup Deposits :  Included in the price of your Hurricane drinks is a deposit on your stylish glass which you can keep to bring home ( they can package it ) or turn it in for a refund.   Bar Website :  ( HERE ).

25. LaBranche House ( 700 Royal Street ):

About The LaBranche House :  Built in 1835, the large LaBranche House is one of 11 homes the rich sugar planter Jean Baptiste LaBranche built in the French Quarter.  With its many levels of detailed cast-iron gilding, the LaBranche House is one of the  most photographed buildings  in the New Orleans.  We especially like taking photos of this large corner lot mansion in December when it’s decorated in holiday lights.

It is important to note, especially among locals, that decorative balconies on the LaBranche House are  actually called galleries .  Galleries go all the way to the ground with supportive posts while balconies only jut out of the side of a home.  Sitting directly across Saint Peter Street from the LaBranche House, you’ll find the  Le Monnier Mansion  ( 640 Royal Street ).  When Le Monnier was built in 1811 it was considered to be a “sky scrapper” of its day even though it was just 3 stories tall at the time.

26. Pirates’ Alley ( 622-698 Pirates’ Alley ):

About Pirates’ Alley :  Originally called Orleans Alley, the 16 foot wide Pirates’ Alley is  steeped in folklore .  The tales range from mad scientists to swashbuckling pirates, and although they are mainly fiction, the stories are fun to dream about.  In early day New Orleans, the alleyway was more of a shortcut path to get behind the cathedral and wasn’t even paved with cobblestones until 1831, long after pirates left New Orleans.  Because the alley was right next to the main public square, Cabildo town hall, and was home to the jail, the local pirates would have likely avoided the path.

In real life, the often foggy alley did house a few  famous residents  at times including briefly Andrew Jackson ( 616 Pirates Alley ) and author William Faulkner ( 624 Pirates Alley ).  Faulkner, the Nobel Prize prize winner author, wrote his first published novel Soldiers’ Pay in 1924 while living in this house.  Faulkner House Books ( website ) opened in the home on September  25th, 1990 in honor of the writer’s birthday.  Our favorite house is the Creole House which now holds the Pirate Alley Cafe ( 622 Pirates Alley,  website ).  This corner home started as a French guardhouse and jail in 1728 which was nicknamed the Calabozo during Spanish rule and rebuilt after a series of fires.  The Calabozo Jail once held Pierre Laffite, brother of pirate Jean Laffite, who famously escaped from prison here in 1814.  The current Creole House replaced the jail in 1837 and with the legends taking hold, the lane’s name was officially changed to Pirate’s Alley in 1964.

Before leaving the Pirate’s Alley, make sure to check out the fenced-in Saint Anthony Garden behind the Saint Louis Cathedral.  The beautiful statue of Jesus with his arms raised in the air is illuminated at night to cast a breath-taking shadow silhouette on the back wall of the church.  The statue, which was damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2004, is often called  Touchdown Jesus  by local football fans.

27. Streetcar Named Desire House ( 632 Saint Peter Street ):

About The Streetcar Named Desire House :  If you pop down St. Peter a couple houses to 632 you’ll find the red brick home where  Tennessee Williams  wrote the book Streetcar Named Desire.  The book became not only and instant hit and symbol of New Orleans, but was also turned into a very successful play.  The film adaptation of the book from 1951 is a  must watch movie  before your visit to New Orleans.  From time to time you can still she tourists yell “Stella” at the house in the spirit of the play.

Next door to the Streetcar Named Desire House you’ll run into one of our favorite restaurants,  The Gumbo Shop  ( 630 Saint Peter Street,  website ).  This great restaurant will help you get your fill of Creole cooking with its mouth-watering Gumbo.  Our personal favorite is the chicken and sausage gumbo which is truly amazing and is on our list of the  Top Ten Must Eats In New Orleans .

28. Court of Two Sisters ( 613 Royal Street ):

About The Court of Two Sisters :  The Court of Two Sisters is a great restaurant to visit if you want some more high end dining in New Orleans.  Their award-winning food is served in three different indoor dining areas, plus they have a timeless bar and a breath-taking inner courtyard under a gorgeous canopy of interlaced wisteria tree branches .  Make sure to rub wrought irons gates at the main entrance which were blessed by Queen Isabella of Spain for good luck.  While the food is gourmet, the atmosphere is still has a very laid back New Orleans feel.

The restaurant’s location also has a storied past to go along with the excellent food.  In 1726 Sieur Etienne de Perier, the second French royal governor of colonial Louisiana, was the first to live here.  Originally the entire 600 block of Royal Street was originally nicknamed  Governors’ Row  for all of its powerful residents.  At the time this stretch of road was home to 5 governors, 2 State Supreme Court Justices, a future U.S. Supreme Court Justice, and Zachary Taylor who later became the 12th President of the United States lived for a time at 621 Royal Street.  Needless to say, if you lived on this block of Royal Street in the mid-1700s you were among some excellent company.

The current building was completed in 1832 and after changing it became a store known as the  “The Shop of the Two Sisters” in 1886.  The shop was run by two daughters of a local aristocratic Creole family who became famous throughout the Gay 90s for there custom Mardi Gras dresses and perfumes imported from Paris.  After becoming a restaurant in 1968, The Court of Two Sisters became famous for their daily Jazz Brunch which takes place in the inner courtyard.  It’s said that the legendary pirate Jean Lafitte once killed three men in three separate duels one night under a willow tree that once stood in the courtyard.

Jazz Brunch :  The 3 course Jazz Brunch is excellent and starts around $50 per person.   Website :  ( HERE ).

29. Merieult House Collection ( 533 Royal Street ):

About The Merieult House :  This block of Royal Street was originally owned by the French government who built a workmen’s barracks and the king’s forge here in 1720.  Those buildings, along with most of the neighborhood was lost in the Great Fire of 1788 which destroyed 856 of the 1,100 structures in New Orleans.  This epic blaze on Good Friday ( March 21, 1788 ) wiped out a lot of the original French architecture in the city as the recovery development was done under Spanish governance.

The destruction from the fire made way for the Merieult House which was built in 1792 by the prosperous merchant Jean Merieult.  It is said that Merieult’s wife was so beautiful that Napoleon wanted to buy some of her hair as a wig for the Sultan of Turkey.  Six years after the first huge fire the Great Fire of 1794 hit taking out 212 structures over 18 nearby blocks, but luckily the Merieult House barely survived it.

Today the Merieult House is the centerpiece of a collection of connected homes you can tour together to get a glimpse of life in the early-1800s.  The adjacent buildings you get to visit on the block as part of the tour include neighboring homes, former warehouses of Jean Merieult, the Counting House, and the Williams House.  The fine details and furnishing may not be as impressive as some of the other homes on this free French Quarter walking tour, but the guides are great and you get to cover a lot of buildings in a relatively quick visit.

Hours :  Tuesday-Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm; Sunday 10:30am-4:30pm; Closed Mondays.   Cost :  The 1st-floor gallery is Free, Guided Tours are $5.   Guided Tours :  45-minute tours of the 11 galleries on the second floor provide a comprehensive look at the settlement and development of Louisiana from the early 18th century to the present.  Tour Times : Tuesday–Saturday 10am, 11am, 2pm, 3pm and Sunday 11am, 2pm, 3pm.   Museum  Website :  ( HERE ).

30. One Eyed Jacks ( 615 Toulouse Street ):

About One Eyed Jacks :  Expect a lot of live music ranging from jazz, funk, hip hop, to rock as well as touring comedy acts and alternative shows at One Eyed Jacks.  The most famous show is the sexy Burlesque show called  Fleur de Tease  ( website ) which takes place daily at 8pm & 10pm.  Fleur de Tease is a premiere Variety Burlesque Revue.  This modern twist on a classic vaudeville show has something to please and tease every audience member.  Magicians, fire eaters, comedians, aerialists and of course beautiful burlesque dancers all make up the core members of the troupe.  Special guest artists such as sword swallowers, singers, and other circus acts make each show a unique and different experience so no two programs are ever the same.

Not far from One Eyed Jacks is the former home of Army Treasurer Don Vincente Jose Nuñez ( 619 Chartres Street ) where the Great Fire of 1788 started.

Burlesque Show Cost :  For the Fleur de Tease general admission is $15 and reserved seating is $20.  Other Shows vary.   Show Times :  Fleur de Tease is daily at 8 & 10pm.  Other traveling shows vary.   Bar Website :  ( HERE ).

31. Napoleon House ( 500 Chartres Street ):

About The Napoleon House :  House built for New Orleans mayor Nicholas Girod in 1812 who offered it to Napoleon in 1921 as a refugee during his exile from France.  Unfortunately, Napoleon died of poisoning the same year and never made it New Orleans.  Luckily the home was turned into a restaurant in 1914 and still bursts at the seams with charm.  Seriously go here and eat or at least stop by for a drink, the old vibe is awesome.

Hours :  Sunday-Thursday 11am-10pm; Friday & Saturday 11am-11pm.   Website :  ( HERE ).

32. Louisiana State Supreme Court ( 400 Royal Street ):

About The Louisiana State Supreme Court :  Built in 1908, the huge Louisiana State Supreme Court building looks almost like a marble palace and takes up an entire city block.  While the court was established in 1813, the new building was required when it moved from the Cabildo building in Jackson Square.  Nearby is a delightful yellow mansion which used to be the Louisiana State Bank.  The is not really a whole lot more to say about either building’s history, but every time we visit we end up being impressed and taking a lot of photos.

Website :  ( HERE ).

33. Antonie’s Annex ( 513 Royal Street ):

About Antonie’s Annex :  After the restaurant opened in 1840, Antonie’s Annex quickly became the place for New Orleans locals to get their Bourbon Whiskey and Black Coffee drink called  Café Brûlot .  Variations of the drink were vast and in the 1890s the owner Jules Alciatore created a flaming concoction of coffee, brandy, and spices he called  Café Brûlot Diabolique .  This new concoction became a huge hit and even more popular during Prohibition as a great way to disguise alcohol.

If it is your first time to New Orleans, visiting the famous Antonie’s can be a little confusing as there 14 dining areas all with unique history and charm inside the  massive complex .  While many people all the entire place Antonie’s Annex, the Annex is actually the more casual cafe and deli area around the corner of the block ( 513 Royal Street ) with excellent coffee, sandwiches, pastries, and take away items.  We love the Annex, but it can also be nice to visit the unique dining rooms of the more fancy sit down Antonie’s Restaurant ( 713 Saint Louis Street ) which also has its own bar called Hermes.  The sit-down restaurant does have more limits hours of operation and you definitely want to make a reservation if you want to go for dinner.

Annex Cafe Hours : Daily 8am-7pm.   Restaurant Hours : Lunch Monday-Saturday 11:30am-2pm; Dinner Monday-Saturday 5:30-9pm; Jazz Brunch Sundays 11am-2pm.   Website :  ( HERE ).

34. Hermann-Grima House ( 820 Saint Louis Street ):

About The Hermann-Grima House :  While the Gallier House from earlier on this free French Quarter walking tour focused on middle-class living, it is the wealthy on showcase at the Hermann-Grima House.  A walk through the meticulously restored Hermann-Grima House and gardens allow you to peak back into this the Golden Age of New Orleans history.  It was built in 1831, by a German Jewish immigrant, Samuel Hermann, who amassed his fortune in the cotton market.  This handsome Federal mansion with its courtyard boasts the only horse stable and  functional 1830s outdoor kitchen  in the French Quarter.  The outdoor hearth kitchen, with its view of the antique roses, citrus and parterre gardens, provides a dynamic experience for our visitors.

As a museum, the home celebrates artistic contributions and building trades of the Free People of Color and enslaved persons in New Orleans, without who, the Hermann-Grima House would not stand today.  Visitors are also fascinated to learn that Hermann originally purchased the property from a  Free Woman of Color .  The interior of the home was also used as Madame LaLaurie Mansion in the TV show  American Horror Story .  The same owners of the Hermann-Girma House also own the Gallier House which we was earlier in this free French Quarter walking tour.

Hours & Tours :  Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday hourly tours 10am-3pm; Wednesday tours by appointment; Saturday hourly tours 12pm-4pm.   Cost :  Adults $12; Children $10. Add the Gallier House ( Stop 13 ) for $8.   Museum Website :  ( HERE ).

35. Larry Flynt’s Barely Legal Strip Club ( 423 Bourbon Street ):

About Larry Flynt’s Barely Legal Strip Club :  Larry Flynt’s is one of the many strip, lap dance, and cabaret clubs that pepper the 200-400 blocks of Bourbon Street.  The presence of these clubs may feel trashy or grimy to some, but they are isolated and add to the personality of the care-free French Quarter.  While strip clubs aren’t really our thing, walking by them is still a unique tourist experience somewhat similar to the Red Light District in Amsterdam.  Do remember that you are in the Big Easy so try not to be uptight about the clubs being there.

Club Website :  ( HERE ).

36. Old Absinthe House ( 240 Bourbon Street ):

About The Old Absinthe House :  Shortly after the building opened as a coffee house in 1807, the owners came up with a new drink using the wormwood herb-based alcohol Absinthe they called the  Absinthe House Frappe .  This narcotic-like drink became so popular that the owners eventually decided to change the coffee house’s name to the Old Absinthe House.  The name was later expanded to Jean Lafitte’s Old Absinthe House, as this is the place where pirate Jean Lafitte and General Andrew Jackson ended up  planning the Battle of New Orleans .

Lafitte and Jackson haven’t been the only celebrities to grace the bar as their bartenders tell us that Mark Twain, Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau, Oscar Wilde, P.T. Barnum, General Lee, and Edgar Allen Poe also came to get their Absinthe on.  As you can see by the business cards, postcards, sports jerseys, football helmets, and celebrity photos that plaster the walls of the bar, people are still coming here from all corners of the world.

When wormwood-based Absinthe became illegal in 1912 for being “hallucinogenic”, the owner switched to a Herbsaint-based Absinthe to keep the business running strong.  Thanks to a change in the law they were once again able to go back to using Wormwood in 2007.  One of the coolest things inside is the  original copper-colored bar  which had been removed for its own protection during Prohibition and was finally returned in 2004.  The photo we used of the Old Absinthe House is from a postcard dated 1910.

Attached to the Old Absinthe House the bar’s owner Tony’s Moran also runs called  Tony Moran’s Restaurant  ( website ) which is renown for its Crawfish.  Overall we’ve found Moran’s to be a little pricey for what you actually get and you are better off going down a block to Iberville Street where you’ll find  Felix’s Restaurant  ( website ) &  Acme Oyster Bar  ( website ).  Both of their menus are great, cover a wide range of food including Oysters and Crawfish, and are much more affordable than Tony Moran’s.  Our favorite New Orleans dishes are Po-boy Sandwiches and the Fried Seafood Platter so make sure to read more about our  Top Ten Must Eats In New Orleans .

Bar Website :  ( HERE ).

37. The Carousel Bar ( 214 Royal Street ):

About The Carousel Bar :  With great views overlooking Royal Street, The Carousel Bar in the  Hotel Monteleone  ( website ) is the only bar in New Orleans that revolves around the room.  The focal point of the bar is the  rotating the 25-seat carousel bar , which was originally installed in 1949.  The large embellished carousel turns on 2,000 large steel rollers, pulled by a chain powered with a one-quarter horsepower motor creating a very smooth ride. While the bar always rotates at the same speed, visitors who have drink at the bar for a while often claim that the bartender has turned up the motor’s speed.  The bar was renovated in 1992 when the current carousel top was added. Fiber optics were also installed in the ceiling to create unique stars in the night sky and even one special shooting star was created to cross the room at regular intervals.

In the early days of the Carousel Bar, the hotel was the home to the famous  Swan Room , a nightclub where celebrities such as  Liberace performed .  It wasn’t unusual for the performers to join their friends for a nightcap after their shows.  William Faulkner, Tennessee Williams, Truman Capote, and Winston Grooms ( Forrest Gump ) are among the famous authors who have enjoyed drinks at the Carousel Bar. Today, the Carousel still attracts celebrities, including some recent sightings – Michael Jordan, Dennis Quaid, Greg Allman, and Sally Struthers.

In addition to the rotating bar, the adjoining room features quiet booths and tables where live entertainment is offered nightly at the piano. If you arrive at just the right time during the cocktail hour you can enjoy complimentary hors-d’oeuvres from the famous Monteleone kitchen.  Our favorite original drinks at the Carousel are French flared  Vieux Carre Cocktail  and the Caribbean inspired  Goody .

Bar Hours :  Daily 11am-2am, get there early to avoid a long wait for your turn on the 25-seat carousel.   Bar Website :  ( HERE ).

Other Sights Near The French Quarter Walking Tour:

38. house of the blues ( 225 decatur street ):.

About The House Of The Blues :  WEven with the heavy Jazz influence on New Orleans, you can’t come to the Big Easy without getting your fix of blues music and the House of the Blues gets some of the biggest names.  Even if you can’t make one of their daily performances, they have a unique vibe to grab a drink and the colorful entrance makes for great photo opportunities.  By far our favorite thing at the House of the Blues has an amazing  Gospel Choir Brunch  every Sunday morning which cost $40.

Bar Hours :  Daily 11:30am-Close.   Show Cost :  Daily performances/events costs vary, but they are always open for dining and drinks.   Bar Website :  ( HERE ).

39. Saint Louis Cemetery #1( ( 425 Basin Street ):

About Saint Louis Cemetery #1 :  New Orleans’ oldest cemetery from 1789 is a spooky one indeed with tales of  Bloody Mary  and the tomb of  Voodoo Queen Marie Laveau .  The blocks around the St Louis Cemetery #1 can be very shady as the neighbor is part of the often dangerous Storyville Projects.  Only go during the day with a tour group.  We like the tour from  Save Our Cemeteries  ( website ) the most which leaves Daily at 10am plus Fridays & Saturdays having a second tour at 1pm.  The tour is run amazing, costs $20 a person and lasts 1 hour.  Other tour companies charge from $30 to $50 per person for pretty much the same tour, however, the money that Save Our Cemeteries makes goes toward the restoration of the tombs.

Featured Article

Sign Up For Our Newsletter For Free Travel Tips

Email Address *

Disclaimer: Information on this page and in our walking tours were deemed accurate when published, however, details such as opening hours, rates, transportation, visa requirements, and safety can change without notice. Please check with any destinations directly before traveling.

This website uses cookies to improve your browsing experience and analyze the use of the website. Learn More

WHAT TOUR SHOULD I TAKE IN NEW ORLEANS?

Not sure what tour to take?

• Check out the quick summary of our tours . If you don’t see a tour on our schedule that fits yours, let us know.
• We offer private tours as well.
• Check our our Self-Guided Walking Tours .

Figuring out what tour to take can be a hard choice! We offer a number of a tours, so we thought we'd put all the public tours we offer in one place to help you decide.

Kid Friendly Tours

Adults only tours, nighttime tours.

• True Crime, Scandals, Ghosts

Local Neighborhood Tours

Best tours for first time visitors.

• Best Tours for Locals & Repeat Visitors

What tours are being offered as public tours right now?

Keep in mind that any tour we offer can also be booked as private tour, but we also offer a lot more types of tours as private tours! You can read about those here.

• French Quarter
• Garden District
• Music & Arts
• Ghosts of New Orleans
• Civil War in New Orleans
• French Quarter Food
• Cocktail Tour
• Frenchmen Street & Marigny

St. Louis Cemetery #1  - this tour is NOT running because the Archdiocese is only allowing tours run by their partner company

Can't make any of the tours on our Public Tour Schedule and don't want to book a private tour ? We also have a number of Audio Tours available and you can take any of our Virtual Tours via our YouTube Channel

We don't put age limits on any of our tours but these tours are best for younger visitors:

• St. Louis #1 Cemetery
• Music and Arts
• New Orleans Ghost Tours

• Cocktail Tours - this one is obviously 21+ if you want to try to cocktails. Younger guests can join the tour but may have to wait outside some of establishments.

There is a lot to do in New Orleans at night, but are some tours you can take after hours.

• Ghost Tours

True Crime, Scandals & Ghost Tours

We think all of our tours are great for first time visitors. And what tour you would like really depends on... YOU! 

But these are the most popular tours for first time visitors. 

• St. Louis Cemetery #1

Best Tours for Locals / Repeat Visitors

Same as above - we think all our tours are great for everyone! What you find interesting is will influence what tours you'll like best. But we have a number of tours that are more popular with locals:

Back to Top

Tour Summaries

French Quarter Walking Tour: 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, discovering hidden courtyards, all while entertaining you with stories of authors, artists, priests and pirates.  Join us as we uncover the real French Quarter. 2 hours

Garden District/Lafayette Cemetery Tour: The Garden District, or ‘Lafayette City’, as it was once known, is just a short streetcar ride from the French Quarter, but it feels like a world apart. Excluded from early 19th Century Creole society, newly arrived Yankees got to work creating their own city. The result is one of New Orleans’s most desired neighborhoods and one of the nation’s most beautifully preserved city districts and it’s home to the rich, the famous, the strange and the dead!

St. Louis Cemetery #1 Tour: St. Louis #1, ‘The City of the Dead’, is just blocks away form the French Quarter, whose raucous streets are filled with life all hours of the day. Made famous worldwide in the 1969 movie Easy Rider, it is the oldest active cemetery in New Orleans – founded in the late 18th century. The cemetery contains a labyrinth of tombs, unique to most in the U.S., which hold the remains of some of the city’s important historical figures, including, as legend would have it, Voodoo Priestess Marie Laveau. There is a $2/person fee at booking time.  Fees collected by tour companies on behalf of the Archdioceses will go to the preservation of this historic cemetery.

New Orleans Ghost Tour: Join Free Tours by Foot as darkness envelops the city and we explore the haunted history of the French Quarter – New Orleans’ spookiest, most haunted district – and hear accounts of love-lured specters, tormented souls of war, vile traitors, and the sorrowful woes of the repentant dead. This is no ordinary New Orleans ghost tour! Though our tours work on a pay-what-you-like basis, we must charge a $2.50 ticket for parties of 5 or less for our ghost tours.  Unfortunately, high demand coupled with high no-show rates has made staffing these tours problematic and has led to increased administrative costs.  Refunds will be processed for cancellations of 24 hours or more.

Voodoo Tour: Join Free Tours by Foot on our New Orleans Voodoo Tour as we seek to illuminate one of New Orleans’ most unique subcultures. From its roots in West Africa to the modern day temples inside the French Quarter, we will explore the history, culture, and beliefs of both historic and current practitioners.   Along the way, our guides will explain the truth behind the more popular superstitions and the meaning within some of the stranger rituals.  The tour ends with a stop inside one of the modern day Voodoo temples and a chance to pick up some New Orleans “gris-gris” to take home!

French Quarter Culinary Food Tour: Our French Quarter Food & History Tour will make you understand New Orleans’ love of food.  Every visitor coming to New Orleans should try the many local dishes, but be warned: many fall in love with it and will crave it for as long as they can think.  During our French Quarter culinary history tour, we will combine history and story-telling so that you have the education under your belt to be the most discerning foodie in one of the best culinary cities in the world.  As we travel from stop to stop during the French Quarter our guides will weave the lore of what dishes make New Orleans food identity.  Our expert guides will share personal anecdotes about some of New Orleans most famous restaurants and chefs.  Walk with us past famous landmarks such as the St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. Your personable guide will describe the beautiful architecture and intriguing history.  Most importantly you will learn the differences between Creole and Cajun cuisine!

Marigny Tour: We will stroll through the Marigny. We will visit the suburb’s historic locations and beautiful Creole homes. The tour will point out some of the popular local music venues and restaurants. We will also discuss Bernard de Marigny, a noted gambler, duelist, politician, and founder of this unique neighborhood. Throughout everything we will discuss the Creoles and their way of life.

Music, Arts and More Tour: Through sites in the French Quarter, Treme and Marigny neighborhoods, we'll get to know the roots of New Orleans music, plus some insight into its artistic, literary, and masking traditions. In addition to the street music, street art, and galleries we'll pass by in person, this tour is enhanced with audiovisual elements to bring every story to life. We also provide tips on what music events are happening during your stay.

Civil War: Through key sites in the French Quarter, your guide - a published Civil War historian - will illustrate New Orleans' role in the war that divided the United States.

Cocktail Tour: The French Quarter is full of iconic bars, and this tour will take you through a variety of the highlights, including samples of a few essential beverages and the option to buy others. Cocktails are a great lens into New Orleans' past, and these drinks will illustrate every era of our three-century history.

Treme Tour: Located just outside the French Quarter, the Treme is considered the first black neighborhood in the United States and has retained many of its West African cultural roots into the present day. This tour explores the history of this neighborhood through its artistic traditions, its role in the American Civil Rights Movement, and the changing status of African-descended New Orleanians from early colonial days through the Louisiana Purchase, the abolition of slavery, and today.

New Orleans Bike Tours: Our pay-what-you-like bike tour schedule is currently running on a limited schedule.  Therefore, Free Tours by Foot is proud to work with Crescent City Bike Tours. The folks at Crescent City Bike Tours offer our guests a concession when they book through their website . Be sure to enter code FTBFbike to get your concession.

Choose a Destination... I want them all PLUS general travel tips. Amsterdam Berlin Boston Charleston Chicago Dubai Lisbon London Los Angeles Miami Nashville New York City New Orleans Paris Philadelphia Prague Rome San Francisco Washington DC

About The Author

Sarah Hester

North america, united kingdom & ireland, middle east & india, asia & oceania.