Top 15 Evening Experiences in New Orleans

1.Evening Steamboat Jazz Cruise + Optional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 4,548 reviews · 2 hours · from $58Our pick

Board at 6pm for a 7pm to 9pm Mississippi River cruise aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS. Hear live jazz from the Grammy-nominated Dukes of Dixieland, listen to the captain’s narration, explore four decks, and add a Creole buffet dinner if you wish.

“This was such a fun, relaxing, and educational experience. The staff was super friendly and engaging, the jazz band was great and had fun with the crowd, and I loved getting to hear a little bit of history and facts about the buildings and sites we saw down the river. I think reminders or announcements that there are bars on all the levels would help. The third floor’s bar had continuously long lines, but the bottom floor’s bar was empty. That’s an easy fix with reminders and signage. Loved the experience overall!!”

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2.New Orleans Dead of Night Ghosts and Cemetery Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,068 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $55

Ride an air-conditioned bus beyond the French Quarter with guides such as Christian, Drew, and Shannon. Visit Bayou St. John, St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, Katrina memorial sites, and City Park while hearing New Orleans ghost, voodoo, and burial stories. Expect a lively history tour with limited cemetery time.

“Ask for Christian to your tour he’s awesome best tour guy I’ve seen ever he’s very knowledgeable and knows a lot about New Orleans”

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3.Evening Jazz Boat Cruise with Optional Dinner

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,024 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Spend two hours aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen with live jazz from Sullivan Dabney Jr. and the Muzik Jazz Band. Add a buffet-style Creole dinner, dance after the meal, then head to the promenade deck for cocktails and views of Jackson Square, the French Quarter, and the city lights.

“Amazing team, food, music. Well put together and the views amazing. Bring a jacket or sweater does get cold at night.”

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4.Night Cemetery and Ghost BYOB Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 496 reviews · 2 hours · from $45

Ride from Voodoo Tavern & Poboy’s into New Orleans after dark, then explore a cemetery with a live English-speaking guide, EMF readers, and dowsing rods. Guides such as Henry, Roy, Kendall, Trish, and Bob the Undertaker mix burial customs, local stories, humor, and ghost hunting. Bring your own drinks for the bus.

“I really liked the idea of communicating with the spirits.”

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5.5 in 1 Ghost & Mystery Evening Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 264 reviews · from $25Best value

Spend two hours walking the French Quarter with a licensed storyteller from Haunted History Tours. Guides such as Drew, Charlie, Trent, and Rose Sinister bring together ghost tales, voodoo, vampires, unsolved crimes, and occult lore, with a short Haunted Tavern stop.

“The host/guide was truly the best part of the tour. It was a pretty cold night and the wind was horrendous, but our guide ended up altering our tour a bit so we could see inside of a couple haunts instead of a completely outdoor walk. The entire experience was amazing and personalized. Our guide was so much fun and had a great way of lightening the mood whenever the stories got too dark. 10/10 would recommend and do again!”

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6.Dead of Night Ghosts and Cemetery Bus Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 258 reviews · 2 hours · from $45

Ride through New Orleans at night with guides such as Christian, Drew, or Sedona, stopping at cemeteries, haunted grounds, and the Katrina memorial. Hear stories of murder, betrayal, and local legends while a comfortable air-conditioned bus handles the city’s streets.

“Excellent guide for cemetery tour! Very interesting history and stories. Thanks!”

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7.After-Dark Historical Night Tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 132 reviews · 45 minutes (approx.) · from $41Top rated

Meet at Basin St. Station for a 45-minute evening walk through St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. Guides such as Taylor, Mary, Alex, and Collin connect tombs, Creole families, and Marie Laveau to New Orleans history. Expect a small group of up to 20, English commentary, and a respectful rather than frightening tour.

“Taylor was an excellent tour guide for our night tour! Knowledgeable with a great sense of humor. Highly recommend this tour during the day and night since we have done both.”

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8.New Orleans Evening Small-Group Haunted Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 101 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $37

Spend two hours walking New Orleans with guides such as Dalvin, Elaine, Mikko, and Monique, mixing French Quarter history, true crime, and ghost stories. Groups cap at 15, and the route includes Jackson Square, the Old Ursuline Convent area, Pirates Alley, and LaLaurie Mansion.

“Our tour guide Dalvin was super nice and very funny. He kept everyone engaged and was very personable. I would 100% go again with him.”

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9.Destrehan Plantation Haunted Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 100 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $69

Leave New Orleans at 7 p.m. for Destrehan Plantation, where a historian-storyteller leads you through the house and grounds after dark. Expect 30-minute transport each way, about two hours on site, stories of the 1811 revolt and voodoo, plus time with dowsing rods and other paranormal tools. Trish is a standout guide when available.

“I had an incredible time on the haunted tour of Destrehan Plantation. The atmosphere alone is enough to give you chills — towering oaks, candlelit paths, and centuries of history lingering in the air. Our guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and knew how to balance eerie storytelling with real historical facts. The paranormal tales were spine-tingling, especially when we visited the old slave quarters and family crypts. Whether you’re a history buff, a ghost enthusiast, or just looking for something unforgettable to do near New Orleans, this tour is absolutely worth it. It’s the perfect blend of Southern charm and supernatural mystery.”

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10.New Orleans Brothels, Bordellos, and Ladies of the Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 96 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $37

Join a small group at Café du Monde at 6 pm for a two-hour walk through the French Quarter. Guides such as Karen, Christine, Loretta, and Dannell connect women’s lives, port culture, slavery, French rule, and Storyville, with optional bar stops along the way.

“Great tour and tour guide. Had a very good evening. New Orleans has a LOT of History to offer. Very much worth the money.”

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11.New Orleans City Lights Night Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 56 reviews · 10 to 20 minutes (approx.) · from $213

Fly above New Orleans after dark on a private helicopter tour from Lakefront Airport. You get a window seat, noise-canceling headset, parking, and views of the Superdome, French Quarter, Jackson Square, and St. Louis Cathedral. Flights last about 10 to 20 minutes.

“Very smooth and pilots very nice and comforting. Saw everything we wanted to and more. Ground staff very accomodating.”

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12.Early Evening Cocktail History Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · from $95

Spend three early-evening hours with a lively English-speaking guide such as Beth, Mike, Cat, Lindsay, or Ben, visiting French Quarter bars and tasting four historic cocktails. You’ll hear the larger story behind New Orleans drinks, including absinthe, Sazerac, Pimm’s Cup, Ojen Frappé, and Roffignac.

“Everything about this tour was great. The guide was awesome and the drinks were delicious!!”

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13.Destrehan Plantation Haunted Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 45 reviews · 3 hours · from $69

Ride from New Orleans to Destrehan Plantation for a three-hour nighttime tour focused on hauntings, the 1811 Slave Revolt, and Louisiana Voodoo. An English-speaking guide leads you through the historic home after sundown, with roundtrip transport from the French Quarter included.

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14.1.5-Hour Voodoo History Evening Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 34 reviews · 1h 30m · from $25

Meet at 7:30 p.m. near Rev. Zombie’s Voodoo Shop for a 90-minute French Quarter walk about Voodoo’s African, Haitian, and New Orleans roots. Guides such as Juliet, Vi, V, and Kristi explain its practice today, challenge movie myths, and add tales of vampires, pirates, and true crime.

“Vi was an amazing tour guide. She was very passionate and knowledgeable about the subject matter. Open to questions with enthusiasm. She was always very mindful of everyone’s safety and ensuring we were able to enjoy ourselves without worry! I would absolutely go on more tours hosted by her.”

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15.City Lights Helicopter Night Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 19 reviews · 10 - 20 minutes · from $213

Fly from Lakefront Airport with a pilot who narrates the city below. Choose a 10-minute French Quarter route or a 20-minute flight reaching Uptown and the Garden District. Every passenger gets a window seat, noise-canceling headset, and aerial views of Canal Street, the Superdome, and St. Charles Avenue.

“No improvement needed. Greeting was good, informative and courteous. Pilot was great and was very personable.”

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