Top New Orleans Music Tours

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.

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.

Go beyond jazz on this guided walking tour that uncovers the rich and complex musical history of New Orleans. From the West African traditions of enslaved people to the birth of the legendary “New Orleans Sound,” you’ll explore the roots of American music with a passionate local guide. Visit iconic sites like the New Orleans Musicians Tomb, Preservation Hall, and Storyville, while tracing the footsteps of legends such as Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, and Little Richard. Along the way, experience the city’s vibrant street performers who keep the tradition alive today.

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.

Take a walk through 300 years of New Orleans’ musical history on this tour led by a local Louisiana record man. Discover how the city became the heart and soul of the American blues scene, and visit legendary music-making haunts including Preservation Jazz Hall, Place de Armes, and several recording studios. Stroll down iconic Bourbon and Frenchmen streets while hearing tales of local jazz and blues legends like Allen Toussaint, James Booker, Louis Armstrong, and more.

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

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.

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.

Create memories that will last a lifetime on the mighty Mississippi River and experience the royal treatment about the Steamboat Natchez. Your experience begins with a complimentary Champagne cocktail and front-row access to the night’s entertainment, the Dukes of Dixieland. For dinner, indulge in a buffet dinner as you listen to live jazz performance. Take the chance to tour the historic vessel after dinner.

Combine cycling with partying with this nighttime bike ride through the electric city of New Orleans. You'll be provided with a light-up bicycle with a basket and cupholders before heading out on the town with your DJ guide to explore the French Quarter. Make plenty of stops along the way to eat, take pictures, drink, and be merry.

New Orleans is perhaps the world's richest, most vibrant, and influential musical city. Explore it on this walking tour that winds through Louis Armstrong Park, Congo Square, the Tango Belt, and ends at Preservation Hall. Learn about the West African music that started it all, the real birthplace of rock n' roll, and Storyville, a fabled red light district. Includes stops at J&M Studios, the French Opera House, and more.

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.

Experience the rich history and vibrant culture of New Orleans from two perspectives on a city tour and steamboat cruise that lets you escape the land-based crowds. Enjoy a narrated coach tour of historic landmarks, including the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the Garden District. Then, step aboard Steamboat NATCHEZ (or its sister vessel) for a journey along the mighty Mississippi River, complete with live jazz and optional Creole dining.

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

If you're looking for no-holds-barred frights in New Orleans, explore the city’s dark history on this adults-only tour. Set off after nightfall to discover a new perspective on the city, and steel yourself for gruesome tales and fearsome encounters: Your guide saves the most grisly true-crime stories, voodoo legends, and paranormal frights for this tour, and takes you past the French Quarter's most supposedly haunted locations.

Get an insider's view of the New Orleans music scene with a sixth-generation New Orleanian as your guide! You'll visit some of the liveliest neighborhoods in town, including the French Quarter. Marigny, and Treme, visiting top music venues and talking about the city's musical history and traditions along the way.

Experience a classic NOLA dining experience like a VIP with this special access pass to a shrimp boil cabaret at Mister Gregory’s. Indulge in a private dinner party celebrating local flavors and vibrant music. The shrimp is sourced from local shrimping families at their docks to select the freshest Gulf shrimp before letting the "Shrimp Boil King of New Orleans" cook you up a scrumptious dinner. Then dig into this authentic New Orleans dish, all the while local performers keep you entertained.

See the famous sights of New Orleans, without putting in the hours of research time, thanks to this expertly-crafted private guided walking tour. As you listen to commentary about the city’s history, stroll past the highlights of the French Quarter—including Bourbon Street and Cafe Du Monde. As well as teaching you about the city’s history, the tour is also a lesson about Dixie Jazz, and the famous Mardi Gras festival.

Experience the unforgettable sounds of New Orleans on a 2-hour musical tour with an experienced guide. Learn about the efforts to protect New Orleans jazz at the Preservation Hall, then explore the historically vibrant Tango Belt. Visit unnamed and famous musicians at the New Orleans Musicians Tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #1 and hear the stories of Congo Square’s rhythms and rituals as you tour Louis Armstrong Park. See the former home of J & M Studios then learn about today’s New Orleans Bounce Music and thriving street music scene.

Discover New Orleans’ legendary jazz scene on a private VIP walking tour through Tremé and the French Quarter. Begin at Louis Armstrong Park, where local musician perform live jazz as your guide shares the music’s cultural origins. Explore historic Congo Square, stroll atmospheric streets, and end the night inside a local jazz club with live music and a complimentary drink included. - Enjoy a private VIP jazz experience with a local guide and live musician - Experience live jazz performances in Louis Armstrong Park - Discover the history and cultural significance of Congo Square and Tremé - Follow a curated route through the French Quarter’s top music spots - Visit an authentic local jazz club and enjoy a complimentary drink

Go beyond Bourbon Street on this 3-hour private VIP tour of New Orleans nightlife and enjoy the heart of the Big Easy’s music scene on famous Frenchmen Street. Hear top live bands at iconic clubs, watch a cocktail-making demonstration, and enjoy one included cocktail. Visit hot spots such as The Spotted Cat, Cafe Negril, and Club 30/90, all in one night with personal attention throughout.

New Orleans is world-renowned for its rich musical heritage, and the best way to expand your knowledge of this musical mecca is by exploring the French Quarter with a local musician. Tick off musical hotspots—including New Orleans Jazz Museum, and Frenchmen Street—and get invaluable advice on which venues to visit, and the best local bands to look out for.

Step back in time with our guided tour & jazz show at a legendary New Orleans landmark of musical and cultural heritage. Discover the venue where Little Richard first performed Tutti Frutti and where Ray Charles laid his head many nights. Learn about the venue's historic fight against segregation and how the location became a welcoming space for both straight and queer communities, and blacks and whites alike, hosting famous musicians such as Etta James, James Brown, Sam Cooke, and Tina Turner. After the guided tour, transport through time with a live performance celebrating the iconic artists who graced the Dew Drop stage, from Ray Charles to Little Richard. This vibrant show connects the roots of jazz, blues, and rock & roll, delivering a one-of-a-kind experience that captures the soul of New Orleans' music history. Plus, a buffet lunch of classic New Orleans cuisine is included with your ticket. Book your experience today and step into the rich history of this iconic location.