Top New Orleans Literary Tours

If you're looking for a no-holds-barred fright in New Orleans, explore the city’s dark history on this adults-only tour from Hottest Hell, one of the top-rated haunted tour operators in town. Storytelling guides save the most grizzly true-crime tales, voodoo legends, and paranormal frights for this one, taking you on the choice of two different routes through the most haunted locations in the French Quarter and beyond.

Step back in time on this historic walking tour of New Orleans’ Garden District with an experienced guide. Learn about life and death in the city and its unique above-ground crypts and gravesites from outside the gates of Lafayette Cemetery. Walk shady avenues lined with antebellum homes, and hear how a small riverside settlement grew into a lavish, wealthy city. See a wide range of architectural styles in the elegant Garden District neighborhood then get local tips on the city’s best places to enjoy New Orleans' finest music, food, and drink.

Although not your typical tour of New Orleans, this expedition through the Big Easy takes in some of the major points of interest, including the French Quarter, Treme, the Esplanade, the Garden District and the Metairie Cemetery. Relax in air-conditioned minibus comfort, and listen as a guide leads you through one of America's most historic cities.

On this Garden District walking tour, meander down tree-lined alleys and past grand antebellum homes while learning about the historic neighborhood from your guide. Your guide shares local perspective on the posh 19th-century district and historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, the filming location for famous movies. A small-group tour offers a more personalized experience.

Go for the gastronomic gusto on a food‐filled walking tour of New Orleans! Journey with a savvy local guide to popular Creole eateries, markets, and artisanal shops to sample diverse foods that define Louisiana’s culinary landscape. Stopping at several locations, savor such classic bites as gumbo, muffulettas, po'boys, bananas foster, and pralines. Along the way, meet local chefs and learn about New Orleans’ rich culinary history.

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, the Royal Orleans Hotel 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, Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong and more.

Witness a different side of New Orleans’s history on a visit to the dynamic National WWII Museum. While away the hours exploring wartime artifacts and discovering fascinating facts and histories at this world-class museum — considered one of the top museums in the nation!

Get a taste of New Orleans' food, history, architecture and culture on this culinary walking tour. Follow your local guide to historic buildings, local hotels and five tasting locations in the historic French Quarter.  Along the way, hear anecdotes and legends about the Crescent City's gastronomic culture. Bring walking shoes and your appetite; all tastings are included and provide more than enough food to make up a hearty lunch.

Escape the crowds on Bourbon Street and discover the Garden District and Magazine Street with this underground donut and beignet tour. Perfect for travelers who want to avoid the time-consuming process of reading through food reviews, save yourself the effort and let a local expert show you the area’s best artisanal donut and beignet haunts. As well as lots of food-themed commentary, delicious tastings are included too.

Experience New Orleans’ vibrant jazz scene on a night out with a knowledgeable local guide. Learn about jazz’s origins and culture and visit landmarks like Louis Armstrong Park, Marigny, or Frenchman Street. Your guide will have chosen a special route for you that evening- to ensure the best music is heard. Enjoy live jazz music and a drink and leave the tour armed with recommendations and insights from your guide.

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.

Add a bit of context to your French Quarter explorations with a private, customizable tour led by a long-term resident of the neighborhood who. Your tour will be tailored to suit your interests, with the option to cover topics such as LGBTQ history in the French Quarter, literary history in the neighborhood, or even Voodoo.

Discover the historic restaurants and bars of the French Quarter on a tour that combines culinary delights with historical details. Starting on a rooftop bar, your guide provides a lay of the land, making the tour an ideal way for newcomers to get to know the city. From there, taste and drink your way through New Orleans’ classics establishments with a guide to recommend the authentic, must-try items.