*Garden District and Cemetery Walking Tour – The Garden District is typified by shady avenues and southern-style homes while Lafayette Cemetery is famous for its above-ground crypts.
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*5-in-1 Ghost and Mystery Evening Tour – you’ll get everything from ghosts to vampires to voodoo, unsolved mysteries, the occult and all things paranormal in this walking ghost tour. It’s run by one of the oldest ghost tour companies in New Orleans.
When in Rome or, in this case, New Orleans – the most haunted city in America – why not take a haunted pub crawl? Combining drinking stops at some of the city’s most haunted pubs, you’re guaranteed a fun and perhaps freaky night out.
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Here are three of the best walking tours in New Orleans. They’re usually just a few hours and don’t cost very much. Don’t worry, I’ve covered ghost tours separately below (if you dare).
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*Louisiana Bayous 2-Hour Swamp Tour – this is one of the most popular tour and will only take two hours out of your day. Includes transport from New Orleans.
How to do it: Go along and stand in line.The length of the queue varies. The queue was long when I joined it but had (frustratingly) disappeared by the time I emerged with a dusting of sugar my face. Located opposite St Louis and Jackson Square, I’d recommend doing a quick bit of sightseeing if the queue is too long and come back when it is shorter.
1. Take the hop-on hop-off City Sightseeing bus
How to do it: you can stand outside and admire the cathedral. Otherwise, head inside for a guided tour of the impressive interior. You can find out more about guided tours on the official St Louis website here.
Now that we’ve left Bourbon Street, I need to confess: it’s not my vibe. Frenchman Street, on the other hand. Yes, sireee. A calmer clientele, live jazz and refined cocktails, time passes smoothly in this part of the city.
If you do want to go it alone, here’s a quick intro to the most commonly visited cemeteries:
- It’s cheaper to book your tickets online even if you just stand in the queue for the bus and do it before you board.
- Keep hold of your booklet when you get on the bus – there are usually discounts and freebies to be had.
- I got some of the best food tips for New Orleans from the guide on the bus.
How to do it:
2. Buy the New Orleans City Pass
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How to do it:
- Free entry to 25 of the city’s most popular attractions including a swamp tour, a riverboat cruise, a haunted histories tour, cooking demonstration and cemetery tour, to name a few.
- Discounts in many restaurants and bars.
- Discounts in retailers (I made good use of this visiting close to Christmas).
- No hassle entry – just show your card and in you go.
It’s hard to go to New Orleans and NOT have a good time. But did you know that there are lots more New Orleans attractions than just the nightlife? In this New Orleans travel blog, I’ll give you my guide to the best things to do in New Orleans.
3. Take a walking tour
*Combo Cocktail and Food History Tour – , this 4 hour tour packs in 8 venues, 4 cocktails and 10 food samples. I’m stuffed (and a bit tipsy) just thinking about it.
*New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl – This pub crawl takes you to some of the most haunted bars in New Orleans.
*New Orleans Haunted Pub Crawl – This pub crawl takes you to some of the most haunted bars in New Orleans.
If you didn’t go to Bourbon Street, were you even in New Orleans? Whether it’s your groove or not, you have to at least take a stroll down the most infamous party street in the Big Easy. Better yet, stop in for a hurricane (cocktail).
If you didn’t go to Bourbon Street, were you even in New Orleans? Whether it’s your groove or not, you have to at least take a stroll down the most infamous party street in the Big Easy. Better yet, stop in for a hurricane (cocktail).
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*New Orleans Lunch & Lesson: Cajun & Creole Cooking Class – this class includes 3 to 4 local dishes (which you get to eat), a local brew and the recipes to take home.
It may surprise you to learn that above all else it is the National WWII Museum that ranks top (on TripAdvisor) of all the attractions in New Orleans. And I agree that the museum is definitely worth a visit.
Did you know St Louis Cathedral (main image) in New Orleans is the oldest Catholic cathedral in continual use in the USA? The cathedral first welcomed worshipers in 1727 and has been a magnificent landmark in the city for centuries.
Some cities are fine for wandering around on your own but in my experience, if a city has a lot of history, it’s better to take a guided tour – and New Orleans is thick with history.
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And you can find the *Cajun Encounters Tour here.
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French Quarter Drunken Ghost and Vampire Tour – This pub crawl is occult themed and you can also expect paranormal reading equipment.
Not knowing the history of Jackson Square, I was surprised to stand in this southern city of the USA and feel like I was in France. A quick bit of research later cleared that up – it was no accident; Jackson Square, a National Historic Landmark and park in New Orleans, was designed with one eye on Place des Voges in Paris. It’s a stunning spot that is great for photos.
If you prefer someone else to do the cooking (you’re on vacay, after all), then hop onto a food walking tour. I try to do one on every trip because me (and my stomach) can’t think of a better way to get acquainted with a new city. Tip: do one early in your trip because you usually get restaurant recommendations from your guide.
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*Oak Alley Plantation and Swamp Boat Full-Day Tour – if you want to make the most of your tour, this full-day experience includes a stop at one of the city’s most historical plantation homes. (Please note, I’ve not taken a plantation home tour. I hope (and gather from the reviews) that this one educates and informs about slavery rather than glamorises what is a shitty part of history. Let me know if you take this tour and don’t think it’s an appropriate inclusion in this post. Thanks, lovelies).
How to do it:
House of Blues New Orleans – if you want to take part in one of the famous Gospel Brunches. Make sure you book ahead.
But we’ll try not to judge you while we’re in your town.”
How to do it:
If you are there, why not check out a behind the scenes tour.
How to do it: You can check out the details and buy your *New Orleans City Pass here.
Self-Guided Walking Tours – whether you’re trying to see the city on a budget or prefer to do your own walking tour, add one of these free walking tours to your New Orleans itinerary.
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Admittedly, it was dark by the time I boarded, so the best view I had of the river was from the air when I flew into New Orleans. However, it didn’t detract from the magic of being onboard.
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