New Orleans Pestilence, Pandemic and Plague Tour

Recommended by 96% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

New Orleans, USA

2 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Overview

Discover New Orleans' unique history with this unusual guided tour, diving into the city's connection with disease, including outbreaks of yellow fever and cholera. Learn about voodoo, religion, and intriguing stories often overlooked by typical tours. Along the way, explore key areas including the French Quarter, Jackson Square, and the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum for a deeper insight into the city's fascinating past.

Uncover the dark history of New Orleans' plagues and pandemics
No getting lost: A guide takes care of directions
Find out lesser-known stories you’d miss otherwise
Explore city highlights, including the French Quarter

What's Included

Professional Guide

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

815 Toulouse St, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
Meet at the Unique NOLA Tours shop

End point

Bourbon Street & Dumaine Street
Bourbon St & Dumaine St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA

Operating hours
.1:00 pm

Itinerary

New Orleans Pharmacy Museum

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included

Jackson Square

20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

French Quarter

1 hour 20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation

Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 56 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.9

based on 28 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Excellent history tour--for more than disease

Lisa_C, Mar 2026

Excellent information from knowledgeable guide. We were fortunate to be only couple on the tour (on a Tuesday), so we could ask any questions. Dalvin was entertaining, as well as informative. Only downside was rain, but tour went on...

A hidden gem that’s actually a must do!

Claire_G, Apr 2025

I was lucky enough to end up with a 1:1 tour experience. It was perfectly paced and informative. I work in outbreak response and love medical history - and I learned a lot of new things! This is a must do tour for my fellow nerds. Mikko showed me a trash can!

Garbage Not To Be Missed!

Jeff_K, Mar 2025

Mikko is extremely knowledgeable about the topic and New Orleans in general. Be prepared for a rapier wit and wonderful humor to be a tasty side dish to the info imparted. We saw a good smattering of the French Quarter along the way. While the Pharmaceutical Museum was closed on the day of our tour, don’t pass up this gem. Of all the Viator tours I’ve been on (all over the world), Mikko was by far the best tour guide. And, of course, the view of the in-ground garbage is not to be missed!

My favorite tour of New Orleans history!

Robert_K, Mar 2025

Mikko was a fabulous tour guide. He spoke of the city, current and past, the tour topic - Pestilence, Pandemic, and Plague throughout the history of New Orleans and the US, and as we were visiting during Mardi Gras season, a bit about what to enjoy around town. Mikko is a world traveler and it shows. Highly recommend this tour. It is not at all grim and gross but educational.

Interesting Tour with an Engaging Tour Guide

Alisa_P, Jun 2024

Our tour guide, Dalvin, provided an entertaining and insightful tour. His knowledge and love for New Orleans came through during the tour as he was able to point out interesting and obscure details all along the way, in addition to the main points of our tour. He also made sure that we had opportunities to hydrate and rest, essential in the hot and humid weather. It was a nice touch that the tour provided us with waters at the start of our tour.

Fabulous

Crouse, May 2024

Intimate tour with so many details. Will never look at railings or toppings in same way. Sad that we still make the same mistakes today. Can’t give enough kudos to my guide.

Great experience 10/10

Bronwyn_H, Mar 2024

The host tailored the tour to different people in the group which was nice! It was an enjoyable walk and he was cognizant of things like standing in the shade vs the sun. It wasn’t hot since it’s spring, but if you go in warmer months wear layers and bring water.

Fun Tour

Gretchen_H, Feb 2024

Dane did a great job! We had a fun tour learning about the history of New Orleans through its history of death and disease.

Great guide and very interesting and unique topic for a tour

Tracy_C, Nov 2023

Dalvin was very charismatic and full of information. Dalvin knew his topic very well and you could have an intelligent exchange of ideas regarding the topics. I’d love to sign up for all of the tours Dalvin runs.

A definite must!

ajking75, Oct 2023

Awesome tour for the money. Anderson was very knowledgeable with the history of New Orleans. The tour wasn’t too long but recommend you wear comfortable shoes.

Informative and fascinating

William_S, Aug 2023

Dane was very knowledgeable. He made the tour fascinating and informative. He conveyed his genuine love of history and the impact disease made on shaping the culture of the city from ancient times, through scourges of the colonial period, to the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, to the modern day.