Top New Orleans Arts & Design

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).

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.”

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.

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.

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.

Step back in time on this historic walking tour of New Orleans’ Garden District, led by an experienced guide. Learn about life and death in the city, including its unique above-ground crypts and gravesites. Walk shady avenues lined with antebellum homes, and hear how a small riverside settlement grew into a lavish, wealthy city. See a wide range of architectural styles in the elegant Garden District neighborhood, then get local tips on the city’s best places to enjoy New Orleans' finest music, food, and drink.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The American South has a fascinating Jewish history that most New Orleans visitors (and locals) know little about. Gain a better understanding of the struggles and successes of the Jewish community from the Revolutionary War era through the Civil Rights Movement years at the unique Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience. Book your ticket in advance to optimize your time and explore the permanent galleries and rotating special exhibitions at this award-winning museum.

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 one of Louisiana’s last preserved wetlands on a Honey Island Swamp boat tour. Make your own way to Slidell, then travel deep into the secluded swamp across Lake Pontchartrain to view native wildlife and discover a remote Cajun village only accessible by boat. Enjoy your expert guide's insights into Cajun culture and the lush swamps as you look out for alligators, wild boar, snakes, and native birds.

Explore New Orleans’ most beautiful neighborhood on a Garden District walking tour that reveals the rich and complex history behind stately antebellum mansions where many celebrities live. Avoid aimless wandering, and follow a guide down wide avenues lined with live oak while learning about different architectural styles and Creole culture. Plus, stop at the legendary Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, featured in many books and Hollywood films.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

Embark on a journey through the sounds that shaped New Orleans and influenced music around the world. This experience blends the city’s rich cultural roots with the evolution of jazz, rhythm & blues, brass bands, bounce music, and modern New Orleans rap culture. Cruise through legendary neighborhoods like Back-O-Town, Central City, Hollygrove, and Rampart Street while exploring the stories, artists, and cultural movements that helped define the city’s unique sound. Discover iconic music landmarks like the historic Dew Drop Inn, learn how early New Orleans music evolved into global influence, and experience the energy of second lines, bounce culture, celebrity hotspots, and music video locations along the way. From the birthplace of jazz to the modern beats of New Orleans culture, this tour connects the past and present through music, storytelling, and the real rhythm of the city. Join 2nd Line Tours and experience the Sound of New Orleans — From Congo Square to That Beat