New Orleans · GUIDED

The 15 Guided Tours in New Orleans That Earn Their Price

34 tours  ·  from $5

The 15 best guided tours you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason, so start there.

Guided Boat Tour of New Orleans Bayou - Finding alligators, turtles, snakes, and birds
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, New Orleans Swamp Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Guided Boat Tour of New Orleans Bayou

1.Guided Boat Tour of New Orleans Bayou

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 1,452 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $35Our pick

Explore a 20,000-acre cypress swamp near Jean Lafitte National Historical Park on a 90-minute pontoon ride. Your local captain points out alligators, turtles, birds, and more, with hotel pickup available from selected New Orleans stops. Expect a calm ride, live commentary, and possible wildlife feeding.

“I did not enjoy the guided tour. The tour guide was racist. He gave the white people marshmallows to throw but when I asked for one he straight up told me no. I will never book this again. I wish I could get my money back.”

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Laura Creole Plantation Guided Tour - The main house: architecture with people attached
Guided, Laura Plantation Tours, New Orleans Plantation Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Laura Creole Plantation Guided Tour

2.Laura Creole Plantation Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,279 reviews · 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $32Top rated

Walk through Laura Plantation with a local guide and explore its furnished main house, 1840s slave cabins, gardens, and sugar fields. Hear the stories of free and enslaved people tied to four generations of a Creole family. The 70-minute tour runs in English and French.

“Pam was amazing and informative, it was nice to do the tour in an intimate setting . Definitely will visit again.”

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Houmas House Estate and Gardens Guided Tour - Entering the mansion with a costumed guide
Guided, New Orleans Architecture Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Houmas House Estate and Gardens Guided Tour

3.Houmas House Estate and Gardens Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 632 reviews · 1 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $38

Tour Houmas House with a costumed guide such as Ruby, John, Cheryl, or Sami, then explore 38 acres of gardens at your own pace. See historic furnishings, Bette Davis’s room from *Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte*, a museum, restaurants, and the former sugar plantation’s complicated past.

“We loved this experience at Houmas House Plantation. Our two grands (teenagers) had a blast too! Well worth the price and time invested in the tour and spending time roaming the grounds afterward.”

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New Orleans: Guided Swamp Cruise by Tour Boat - A covered boat built for a slow ride
Cruises & Boat Tours, Guided, New Orleans Swamp Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

New Orleans: Guided Swamp Cruise by Tour Boat

4.Guided Swamp Cruise by Tour Boat

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 570 reviews · 100 minutes - 4 hours · from $35

Leave New Orleans for a 100-minute covered boat ride through Jean Lafitte National Historical Park. Captain Ernie, Dewey, Jason, and other local guides explain Cajun life, swamp ecology, and wildlife. Expect calm water, mossy trees, birds, and a good chance of seeing alligators, especially in warm weather.

“Our guide was very knowledgeable and interactive. Relaxing, informative and fun activity for all ages.”

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New Orleans: Garden District Guided Walking Tour - Reading the antebellum homes and leafy streets
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New Orleans: Garden District Guided Walking Tour

5.Garden District Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 514 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Walk New Orleans’ Garden District for two hours with guides such as James, Renee, Libby, or Yvonne. Expect antebellum mansions, leafy streets, cemetery customs, local stories, and a finish near Magazine Street. The pace is easy, but sturdy shoes help on uneven sidewalks.

“James was an excellent tour guide. We learned a lot about the history of the area and their people. I highly recommend it. Also, very thankful to the tour host for splitting the tour into two groups accommodating our small group into a single one and not let it feel too overcrowded.”

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Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour with Local Guide - The first paddle through the bayou
Canoes & Kayaks, Guided, New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours, New Orleans Swamp Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour with Local Guide

6.Small-Group Manchac Swamp Kayak Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 480 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $93

Leave New Orleans for a 2 to 3 hour guided paddle through Manchac Swamp. Guides such as AJ, Terry, Al, and Gerald share local stories, wildlife facts, and kayaking tips as you look for alligators, owls, herons, turtles, and more. Round-trip transport from St. Roch Market is included.

“The tour guide, Josh, was knowledgable and entertaining. Not only was he a great tour guide, but included information about the area and the Louisiana wetlands. The tour was great. We had great weather and were able to see the area and some wildlife.”

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Nola Voodoo Walking Tour with High Priestess Guide in New Orleans - Louis Armstrong Park and the Egun tree
Guided, New Orleans Voodoo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Nola Voodoo Walking Tour with High Priestess Guide in New Orleans

7.Nola Voodoo Walking Tour with High Priestess Guide in New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 172 reviews · 1 hour 45 minutes (approx.) · from $40

Join an initiated Louisiana Plantation Vodou High Priestess, often Malika, Matilda, or Eshé, for a 1-hour-45-minute walk through Congo Square, Louis Armstrong Park, and the French Quarter. Learn about ancestors, Marie Laveau, African spiritual traditions, and the truth behind Voodoo myths.

“The tour was very informative the guide was engaging and knowledgeable and open to questions- she was able to give me a good understanding of her practice”

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French Quarter Tour with Local Guide and Creole Stories - A two-hour walk with a compact group
Guided, New Orleans French Quarter Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

French Quarter Tour with Local Guide and Creole Stories

8.French Quarter Tour with Local Guide and Creole Stories

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 159 reviews · 2 hours · from $35

Walk the French Quarter with a certified local guide such as Erika, hearing Creole stories about families, women, artists, and communities. The two-hour, small-group tour visits landmarks near St. Louis Cathedral and secret corners, with English, French, Spanish, or Italian departures.

“Super visite avec plein d’anecdotes et l’histoire de la Nouvelle Orleans. On a appris plein de choses !”

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New Orleans: Ghost, Crime, Voodoo, and Vampires Guided Tour - Starting beneath Armstrong Park
Guided, New Orleans Ghost Tours, New Orleans True Crime Tours, New Orleans Vampire Tours, New Orleans Voodoo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

New Orleans: Ghost, Crime, Voodoo, and Vampires Guided Tour

9.Ghost, Crime, Voodoo, and Vampires Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 139 reviews · 90 minutes - 2 hours · from $37

Walk from Armstrong Park through the French Quarter, hearing about Voodoo, the Axeman, organized crime, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and Madame LaLaurie. Guides such as Doug, Elaine, Ricardo, and the Professor bring strong storytelling, historical context, and optional HELLVISION projections to this adults-only tour.

“Great tour! The Professor was a very knowledgeable guide and a great story teller. This was different than other tours we have taken, less stops but very detailed historical stories and was worth the experience.”

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Private New Orleans City Tour with Local Expert Guide - Bywater and the city beyond the postcard
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Private New Orleans City Tour with Local Expert Guide

10.Private New Orleans City Tour with Local Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 138 reviews · 3 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $170

Let local guide Marc show you New Orleans by private, air-conditioned vehicle. In three to four hours, you can connect the French Quarter, Bywater, Bayou St. John, Uptown, the Garden District, City Park, Audubon Park, and Magazine Street, with time for requested stops.

“The driving tour is a must for anyone visiting NOLA! Marc was so knowledgeable, personable, and gracious. The van was clean and comfortable; the tour was thoroughly enjoyed by our family of 8, aged 24-85, visiting from 4 different states. Marc tailored the tour to our requests, planned stops strategically around our needs for coffee, hurricanes, beignets, restroom breaks and stretching. Seeing the city in this way truly should not be missed. It was a broad overview with detailed insights and a highlight of our week so far! Highly recommend!”

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True Voodoo History of NOLA's Congo Square with Local Guide - The story of New Orleans Voodoo, without the costume drama
Guided, Historical Tours, New Orleans Black Heritage Tours, New Orleans Voodoo Tours, Tour Reviews

True Voodoo History of NOLA’s Congo Square with Local Guide

11.True Voodoo History of NOLA’s Congo Square with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 133 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $39

Walk from Congo Square through the French Quarter with guides such as Evian, Anna, Sandy, or Matthew, learning the history and customs of New Orleans Voodoo. The 90-minute tour ends at Voodoo Authentica, a working temple, shop, and cultural center, with music and a small gift.

“⸻ The Voodoo Tour in New Orleans was an amazing experience! It was both educational and entertaining, filled with fascinating information about the history and culture of voodoo. Our tour host was perfect—knowledgeable, engaging, and explained everything in a way that was easy to understand and really brought the stories to life. This was my family’s first time in New Orleans, and we were also celebrating my birthday, so it made the experience even more special. We all had a great time, and I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting the city. It’s truly a must-do!”

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Adults-Only Voodoo History Guided Walking Tour in New Orleans - St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 and the Gates of Guinee
Guided, Historical Tours, New Orleans Voodoo Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours, Walking Tours

Adults-Only Voodoo History Guided Walking Tour in New Orleans

12.Adults-Only Voodoo History Guided Walking Tour in New Orleans

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 105 reviews · 1 hour 30 minutes (approx.) · from $37

Walk through New Orleans Voodoo history with guides such as Doug and Claire, visiting Congo Square, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, Dauphine Street, and Jackson Square. Expect respectful storytelling, spooky legends, and myth-busting context, but no cemetery entry or staged scares.

“Meeting location unclear and claimed they called and left a message to assist but they did not, and then did not issue a refund. There are tours in the city that also let you tour the beautiful above ground cemeteries- I would suggest those over this cheap knock off. Interesting information but not worth the hassle of a small company- definitely recommend a cemetery tour though! Beautiful!”

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Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting - The five-rum flight is the main event
Food & Drink, Guided, New Orleans Distillery and Brewery Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting

13.Guided Distillery Tour & Rum Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 87 reviews · 1 hour (approx.) · from $15

At Roulaison Distilling Co, owner and rum maker Andrew guides you through an approximately one-hour look at New Orleans rum production. You’ll learn how the distillery works, compare styles, and taste five pours, including limited releases. Groups are capped at eight, making this a personal, question-friendly stop.

“Fun, personal, informative experience. Andrew, one of the owners, was very personable, knowledgeable, and enthusiastic about rum making and educating anyone interested in learning more about the process and products. We tasted 5 samples and learned a lot along the way. The tour is short and sweet and a perfect side step from the hustle and bustle of the French Quarter. Highly recommend this tour.”

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New Orleans: Guided Nighttime Ghost Hunt - Inside the first haunted building
Guided, New Orleans Ghost Tours, New Orleans Paranormal Investigations, Tour Reviews

New Orleans: Guided Nighttime Ghost Hunt

14.Guided Nighttime Ghost Hunt

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 55 reviews · 3 hours · from $64

Meet your English-speaking guide at Hotel Provincial for a three-hour paranormal investigation. You will enter two French Quarter buildings, learn to use SLS cameras, REM pods, K2 meters, MEL meters, and spirit boxes, then try to record audio, photos, and video evidence with a group of no more than 13.

“We had a wonderful time with Jen! Would highly recommend! We got to engage with some ghosts!”

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New Orleans: Guided Delicious Beignet Tour with Tastings - Walking from the Garden District to Magazine Street
Guided, New Orleans Food Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

New Orleans: Guided Delicious Beignet Tour with Tastings

15.Guided Delicious Beignet Tour with Tastings

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 50 reviews · from $70

Follow an English-speaking guide through New Orleans’ Garden District and Magazine Street, stopping at four donut and beignet shops. Taste PJ’s Coffee beignets, District Donuts creations such as bacon and banana, coffee, and a surprise final treat while hearing local history.

“Amazing! The history we learned was above and beyond. The sample of pastries provided a huge variety in doughnuts and beignets. The tour guide was peppy and ever so knowledgeable. Her doughnut outfit was amazing! Definitely recommend!”

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New in Guided

★ 4.1Self Guided Audio Ghost Tour in New Orleans in 6 LanguagesFrom $512 reviews
★ 5.0Whitney Plantation Half-Day Tour (Guided Tour)From $8619 reviews
★ 4.8Voodoo History Guided Walking TourFrom $373 reviews
★ 4.7St. Louis Cathedral Official Guided VIP TourFrom $494 reviews
★ 5.0Private custom tour with a local guideFrom $1294 reviews
★ 5.0Pestilence and Plagues Guided TourFrom $375 reviews
★ 4.2Guided Museum and Voodoo Walking TourFrom $413 reviews
★ 4.2Guided Bourbon Street Bar Crawl with ShotsFrom $3512 reviews
★ 5.0Dew Drop Inn Guided Tour with Live Blues ShowFrom $785 reviews
★ 5.0Felicity Plantation Guided TourFrom $245 reviews
★ 4.0Self-Guided Walking Tour French Quarter In New OrleansFrom $913 reviews
★ 4.5Self Guided Walking Tour of New Orleans’ Historic Garden DistrictFrom $713 reviews
★ 4.0Metairie Cemetery Stories: A Self-Guided Audio TourFrom $812 reviews

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