Top New Orleans Arts & Design

Step into the captivating realm of illusions, where reality is never exactly as it appears. Museum of Illusions is a one-of-a-kind, visual, sensory, and educational experience designed to engage your sense of wonder and challenge perceptions through the science behind optical illusions. We offer over 50 immersive, hands-on exhibits to explore. Our illusion rooms, installations and holograms let you defy gravity, grow and shrink your body, walk into a life-size kaleidoscope, and play tricks on your senses at every turn. It’s a mind-bending journey that deceives the senses and reveals how the brain interprets reality.

Witness a different side of New Orleans history on a visit to the dynamic National WWII Museum, the official World War II museum of the US. While away the hours exploring wartime artifacts and discovering fascinating facts and histories at this world-class museum. Ideal for history buffs, students, or as a rainy-day activity in New Orleans.

New Orleans’ Garden District fascinates with historic mansions, impressive architecture, and colorful history, all framed by ancient live oak trees. On this tour, you’ll walk through the neighborhood learning the history and culture of the area from a local guide. The experience is complete with a stop at Lafayette Cemetery to learn about the city’s famous above-ground “Cities of the Dead.”

Discover a different side of New Orleans—and admire a new perspective from the water's edge—on this steamboat tour down the Mississippi River. Board the historic riverboat—either the Steamboat Natchez or her sister vessel—for a morning or afternoon tour. Stroll the deck, admire the iconic paddlewheel, enjoy live music, and snap photos of the picturesque shoreline. This family‐friendly excursion offers an optional lunch (additional expense).

Stroll around Frenchmen Street, New Orlean's top nightlife spot for live music, on this VIP evening tour. Listen to guided commentary on the street's colorful history and visit some of the hottest nightclubs, one of which will serve you an included New Orleans-style cocktail. You can also peruse the Frenchmen Street Art Market to pick up some locally-made souvenirs.

Focus on the sights rather than a map as you stroll the streets of New Orleans' famous French Quarter on this small-group walking tour. Listen to your guide's commentary on the area's French- and Spanish-influenced architecture, with many buildings dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Landmarks include the Louisiana Supreme Court, the Ursuline Convent, and many Creole Colonial Buildings.

Go beyond the guidebooks to immerse yourself in the heart of New Orleans’ music scene on this lively walking tour. Start at Louis Armstrong Park, explore jazz roots in the French Quarter, and stroll through historic spots like Bourbon Street and Frenchmen Street. Enjoy live jazz music at a local venue with a complimentary drink, while your guide shares insights into the city’s vibrant musical heritage and neighborhood culture.

Step into the past at the Gallier House in New Orleans—one of the finest surviving examples of 19th-century townhome living in the French Quarter. On a guided tour, see authentic Victorian furnishings and architectural details, including innovative 1860’s features like indoor plumbing. Plus, learn about the history and former inhabitants of this urban plantation home and the enslaved people whose labor supported the wealthy Gallier family.

Cruise the Mississippi River aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS on a relaxing 75-minute sightseeing experience suitable for all ages. As you travel along the river, the captain provides engaging commentary highlighting the French Quarter, historic waterfront locations, and the role the river has played in shaping New Orleans over the centuries. Guests can enjoy multiple onboard bars, including an open-air bar on the upper deck with sweeping views of the city skyline and riverbanks. Light snacks and beverages are also available for purchase, making it easy to sit back and enjoy the ride. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends, or as a couple, this river cruise offers a scenic and informative way to take in New Orleans from the water.

Go for a sunset cruise aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen on this boat trip. Listen to an on-board jazz band and choose to add on a Creole-style dinner buffet as the boat sails along the Mississippi River. Take in the views from the promenade deck and sip New Orleans-inspired cocktails.

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

Guarantee your entry to New Orleans' Storyville Museum by securing your tickets ahead of time. Conveniently located in the French Quarter, the museum dives into the history behind Storyville, the city's Red-Light District known for music, entertainment, gambling and prostitution in the early 1900s. Explore immersive exhibits, artifacts, and more at your own pace.

This restored French Quarter home built in 1831, includes a Federalist architectural façade, original operating open-hearth kitchen, urban slave quarters, and expansive courtyard. The Urban Enslavement Tour at Hermann-Grima House, looks at the experiences of those who were enslaved in an urban setting, how that differed from those enslaved in rural settings, and how the contributions of people of African descent have shaped New Orleans. Condé Nast Traveler voted it one of the best tours in New Orleans and the only tour listed from a museum. We believe that nothing tells a story like a home. In addition, the property’s 19th-century carriage house is home to the The Exchange Shop, originally founded in the 1881 by The Woman’s Exchange and one of the oldest women-led non-profits in the South.

Discover nooks of New Orleans that never made it into a guidebook on this street art tour of the Crescent City. Head to murals by popular artists—including Banksy—and get the chance to take a photo in front of your favorites for a super Instagram-able tour. Plus, get a local perspective on New Orleans sights and travel tips from your guide along the way.

Admire the sights of New Orleans from a comfortable coach on a half-day introductory tour. Check out highlights such as the French Quarter and the Garden District while listening to live commentary. Delve into the city’s rich history as you tour one of the oldest cemeteries in New Orleans. Enjoy the convenience of round-trip transportation from your hotel in Downtown New Orleans, too.

Visit the Old Ursuline Convent Museum, the oldest building in the Mississippi River Valley, where New Orleans’ rich past comes to life. Nestled in the heart of the French Quarter, this iconic landmark reveals the enduring influence of the Catholic Church through captivating permanent and temporary exhibits. Delve into our newest exhibit featuring Pope Leo XIV. The fascinating legacy of Pope Leo XIV, whose ancestral ties to New Orleans run deep—traced through his maternal lineage, connecting him to the city’s vibrant history. Discover the remarkable contributions of the Ursuline nuns, pioneers in education and community service who helped shape the region. From its days as a meeting place for the Louisiana Legislature to its role as the residence of the Archbishops of New Orleans, this historic site has witnessed centuries of change. Explore the stories that unfolded within these walls—from 1752 to the present day—and immerse yourself in the culture that defines the Crescent City.

Experience the charm of New Orleans on a two-hour Sunday jazz cruise along the Mississippi River. Enjoy live jazz music, stunning views from the top deck, and the option to savor a Louisiana-style buffet brunch featuring local favorites. This authentic paddle-wheel riverboat offers a perfect blend of history, ambiance, and relaxation for all ages. The legendary Steamboat NATCHEZ and her sister vessel Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS will sail interchangeably, depending on bookings and private events.

Discover the architectural features of the Garden District on this New Orleans walking tour. The tree-lined streets here feel a world away from the French Quarter, with historic mansions, impressive gardens, and even one of the city’s famed cemeteries all covered on this fast-paced journey through the neighborhood’s highlights. Your guide will give a brief overview of the area’s history as you pass by filming locations and celebrity homes, too.

Join us for an eclectic adventure through the Arts District of New Orleans, where fun, food, and art collide—with that unmistakable NOLA flair! Spend 2 unforgettable hours exploring with a professional local guide. Wander through vibrant galleries, discover unique local artwork, and enjoy complimentary bubbles as you go. Art galleries provide the bubbles— you bring your curiosity! Optional food tastings and signature cocktails available for purchase from celebrated neighborhood restaurants. Please note guide gratuities are not included. Food, cocktails, and art purchases are optional and not included in the tour price.

Set on a sprawling 6-acre (2.5-hectare) campus in downtown New Orleans, the National World War II Museum is the official United States museum of World War II and a must for any visiting history buffs. This ticket package includes timed entry to the groundbreaking 4D *Beyond All Boundaries* film narrated by Tom Hanks, with vibrating seats, atmospheric effects, and more: pick your desired screening time and arrive beforehand.

Explore the rich culinary heritage of New Orleans' French Quarter on this half-day food tour. Sample traditional NOLA dishes such as gumbo, po-boys, jambalaya, and pralines while learning about the area's history. Your expert guide will lead you through local hotspots, offering cultural insights and tips on where to eat next. Upgrade to a small-group tour for a more intimate setting. Food offerings are subject to availability.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of New Orleans with a delightful Jazz Brunch aboard the Creole Queen Riverboat. Enjoy live music as you cruise down the Mighty Mississippi River, savoring a mouthwatering brunch featuring classic dishes like Chicken & Andouille Gumbo and New Orleans Barbecued Shrimp. Choose to indulge in bottomless mimosas or Cajun Bloody Marys while soaking in stunning views of the New Orleans skyline. - Enjoy a 1.5-hour cruise with live jazz music on weekends - Brunch options available, featuring delicious Southern cuisine - Optional bottomless cocktails for an additional charge - Board from 10:00 AM, cruise departs at 11:00 AM and returns at 12:30 PM

Experience New Orleans’ wild bayou country first-hand on an exciting, family‐friendly airboat ride. This boat tour winds through the mossy cypress swamp near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, named for the 19th-century pirate and smuggler. While onboard, enjoy lively commentary from a local guide as you admire lush, forested shoreline and spot local wildlife. Gators appear most commonly in the summer months, so keep your eyes peeled.

Enjoy an only-in-New-Orleans experience when you embark on a paddle-wheel boat tour of the mighty Mississippi River. In the evening, hop aboard the Steamboat Natchez or her sister vessel, the Riverboat City of New Orleans, and admire views of the city from the water's edge. This cost-saving package additionally includes a Creole‐inspired dinner (if option selected), plus live jazz music to set the mood.