12 City Tours in New Orleans to Build a Day Around

1.New Orleans City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4,943 reviews · 1 day (approx.) · from $51Our pick

See New Orleans from a double-decker bus on a one-day pass with an English-speaking live guide. Ride the full 90-minute loop, then hop off near Jackson Square, Frenchmen Street, Tremé, the Garden District, WWII Museum, Mardi Gras World, and more. Guides such as Logan and Elroy add local stories and humor.

“A wonderful way to see the city and figure out where you want to spend your time. Our driver Elroy was the best. He was very friendly and made us smile and laugh.”

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2.New Orleans Sightseeing City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3,038 reviews · 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $40Best value

Ride with a local guide through Jackson Square, Treme, the Ninth Ward, City Park, and the Garden District. Stop at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, hear Katrina stories, and get practical food tips from guides such as Scott, Sean, and Cynthia. Tours run at several times and return to the French Quarter.

“Really interesting tour guide - full of New Orleans spirit and non stop information - thoroughly enjoyed it and got a really good feel for the city”

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3.City Tour of New Orleans with Pickup

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,407 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $45

Ride with a local guide such as Joseph, Bob, Gary K, or Crisco through the French Quarter, Garden District, Treme, Warehouse District, and City Park. Expect hotel pickup, live commentary, photo stops, beignets, cemeteries, architecture, and a clear look at how Katrina shaped New Orleans.

“The tour guide is very knowledgeable about city of New Orleans. It was very interesting and Bob really captures your attention. There were a few hop off/on periods to get out and stretch your legs. If you are going to take pictures, have your cameras ready. It will be a tour you will never forget.”

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4.New Orleans City Tour: French Quarter, Garden District & Cemetery

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,209 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $40

This three-hour New Orleans coach tour covers the French Quarter, Garden District, St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, City Park, Frenchmen Street, the French Market, and the Superdome. You get hotel pickup, a licensed guide, and live stories about music, food, architecture, and local history.

“Interesting tour. Great tour guide. Got a good understanding of the city and it's history and the different neighborhoods. Lots of restaurant and music recommendations. Wish we had done it the first day of our vacation rather than the last. We would have definitely gone to Frenchman st!”

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5.New Orleans City and Cemetery 2-Hour Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,967 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $54

Ride through New Orleans with a licensed guide such as Chris, Justin, Henry, or Christopher, stopping at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 and City Park. Expect lively stories about jazz, Katrina, cemeteries, architecture, and local life, plus time for beignets at Café du Monde.

“Tour guide Jared was knowledgeable and funny. We learned allot and shared a few laughs along the way.”

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6.City Sightseeing New Orleans HOHO Bus Tour & Bookable Extras

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,077 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $51

Use a 1, 2, or 3-day pass to tour New Orleans by open-top bus with a live English guide. Visit the French Quarter, Garden District, French Market, Tremé, WWII Museum, Mardi Gras World, and more. Two-day passes add a Garden District walk, while three-day passes also include a French Quarter walk.

“Very informative and friendly staff. Would definitely recommend this activity, it gets you round the city and sights very well.”

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7.New Orleans Small-Group City Tour by Van

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,077 reviews · 3 hours (approx.)

Spend about three hours touring New Orleans by van with a local guide such as Teddy or Oz. Walk through the French Quarter, view Garden District homes, visit Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery, see City Park, and learn how Katrina shaped the city. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included.

“It was a good tour, with a friendly host who kept our interest. Comfortable. We recommended this tour to others.”

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8.New Orleans City and Cemetery Tour with Garden District Stroll

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 766 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $55

Spend three hours seeing New Orleans beyond the French Quarter. An English-speaking guide leads you past Jackson Square, Bayou St. John, Lake Pontchartrain, City Park, and the Garden District, with a cemetery visit, beignet stop, and optional Vue Orleans upgrade.

“Our tour guide Leslie was so knowledgeable about New Orleans history that she really needs to be teaching the subject at a local university. Amazing depth of knowledge and extremely engaging delivery. What a treat!”

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9.New Orleans City and Cemetery Sightseeing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 634 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $62

Travel through New Orleans’ French Quarter, Tremé, and Garden District by air-conditioned mini-coach, then walk among the above-ground tombs of St. Louis Cemetery No. 3. Guides including Derek, Butch, Karen, and René add local stories, voodoo context, restaurant tips, and practical ideas for exploring on your own.

“Great tour! Butch was excellent! He was super knowledgeable, and answered any questions. The cemetery was so fascinating! I could have spent hours there. However, my one complaint is the "potty" pit-stop at the distillery. This seemed to be nothing more than a glorified infomercial for this distillery. I would have much rather spent more time at the cemetery.”

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10.New Orleans City Tour and Steamboat Natchez Harbor Jazz Cruise

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 446 reviews · 6 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $88

Spend about six and a half hours seeing New Orleans by coach and riverboat. Guides such as Harris, Robert, and Katherine bring the city tour to life, while live jazz, the paddlewheel, and views toward Chalmette add a relaxed finish. Lunch and beignets cost extra.

“Katherine was an amazing tour guide and gave us great recommendations for food and sights. I highly reccommend her. Melanie our bus driver was so sweet looking after my 87 yr old mom and all the other moms on the bus she made sure they got on and off the bus safely, offering water etc. I felt very safe with her driving skills. Both woman have wonderful personalities that made this trip delightful. 10 stars for this duo”

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11.New Orleans City and Cemetery Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 439 reviews · 2 hours 15 minutes (approx.) · from $54

You’ll tour New Orleans in about 2 hours and 15 minutes with a licensed local guide such as Tyra, Jared, Chris, Justin, or Lee. Expect hotel pickup, an air-conditioned bus, a guided cemetery visit, and time for beignets and sculpture viewing in City Park.

“Our tour guide was very knowledgable about the city and very personable. He made the tour great! We enjoyed the entire trip.”

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12.Soul of New Orleans City Tour: Enslavement to Modern Day Culture

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 393 reviews · 2 hours 45 minutes (approx.) · from $55

Travel by air-conditioned vehicle with guides Jay or Dennis through Treme, Congo Square, Studio Be, and other key sites tied to Black New Orleans, jazz, desegregation, Hurricane Katrina, and present-day culture. Expect thoughtful commentary, videos, local insight, and a maximum group of 24.

“The guide is very friendly and made the experience of every stop full of the love of the people of Nola and culture 💜💚💛 I will definitely visit again”

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