New Orleans Music Heritage Tour

New Orleans, USA

From $30.00

Select Date and Travelers

up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)

2 hours
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

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.

Visit the former homes and haunts of local legends including Danny Parker, Louis Armstrong and James Booker
Stroll past recording studios, hotels and venues in the French Quarter and Treme neighborhoods
Listen to clips of New Orleans blues, jazz and gospel along the way through Bluetooth speakers
Led by a local record producer with 20 years of industry experience

What's Included

2-hour musical walking tour with an experienced guide

Gratuities

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Louisiana Music Factory
421 Frenchmen St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Departure Point: Louisiana Music Factory Address: 421 Frenchmen Street, New Orleans, LA 70116 Dates: Daily

End point

712 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA
Most days musicians are playing (busking in the street) where we end the tour, behind St. Louis Cathedral.

What To Expect

Louisiana Music Factory

10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

French Quarter

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Preservation Hall

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bourbon Street (Pass By)

Louis Armstrong Park

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Congo Square

5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed

Near public transportation
Transportation is wheelchair accessible
Surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Most travelers can participate
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 28 travelers

Cancellation Policy

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

For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Reviews

5.0

216 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

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Showing 1-10 of 216 reviews

Can't be missed!

David_P, Apr 2024

Our tour guide was FANTASTIC, engaging and entertaining! He answered any and all questions that we had. We learned so much on this tour. If you are a music lover you cannot miss this tour it is so worth it.

Fantastic tour!

Susanne_M, Apr 2024

Keith was knowledgeable about not just music, not just history, but all the political and social trends that affected things throughout the last 100 years. He clearly enjoys sharing what he knows about New Orleans. It was just my husband and I on the tour so it was very personal—he took photos of us along the way and sent them to us, and we stopped for a beer at Jean LaFitte.

Great Music History Tour

Jeff_W, Apr 2024

Great tour. Keith was very knowledgeable and an excellent story teller. Learned lots about the musical history of NOLA.

Music exploration

Jennifer_J, Mar 2024

We enjoyed all the stories about the various musicians, the tour stops, the walk and the history. Hearing the music that went along with the artists was a great addition while we toured. We appreciated the coffee/restroom stop halfway through, too. Overall a unique experience and Keith made it a lot of fun. Both of our older teens thought it was well worth it!

A Stroll with Jazz history and music - worth doing

DaveChipak, Mar 2024

Keith is a great guide, he has had so many wonderful personal experiences and it shows in his knowledge and enthusiasm. The tour started a little slow, but quickly got into rhythm and our whole family enjoyed it. Keith endeared himself to our kids 16 and 20 yrs old as he was genuine and easy to be around. It was like going to a stroll with an old friend who is excited to show you the things they love about their city, and the history that makes it special. He also took pics and sent us the play list for the tour.

Makes New Orleans and the history of Jazz come alive through stories!

Marcus_K, Feb 2024

Keith Abel is a masterful storyteller and had us spellbound. The way he weaves together music, anthropology, history, politics and the "insanity" of art left us in awe. His love for the city and for music is obvious. We learned so much and had the best time doing it!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Thank you! When history meets culture, it's easy to feel the excitement. All my best, Always!

Fun Tour

Gail_J, Feb 2024

We loved Keith’s enthusiasm. His depth of knowledge was impressive. He engaged with us and made the tour personal. Highly recommended!

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Oh my goodness Gail, you ladies are one of my favorite all-time tours! The smiles, the joy made for a great day. Thanks.

Jazzy

Janeen_J, Jan 2024

The history & music 🎶 Keith shared!!! Loved CC’s coffee ☕️ shop & the Lost Sock 🧦 shop. The Mardi Gras decor was very interesting. 🥳😊

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Great fun. Thank you!

Great tour

Paul_K, Jan 2024

Tour guide was very friendly and knowledgeable. We liked how he included playing music into the tour. I’ve done the tour once with friends and now with my family

Informative and an example of laissez le bon ton roulet

Timothy_M, Jan 2024

Just the overall knowledge imparted and the walk through the Quarter accompanied by great music! I new bnits and pieces of music and New Orleans history but this rolls it all together!

Super knowledgeable guide!

DongMei_Z, Dec 2023

Keith was a great guide as he has so much knowledge about and experience in the local music scene. He also played snippets of great tones along the way so that we could appreciate the wonderful on the tour.

Seeing Preservation Hall....

Frank_S, Oct 2023

Seeing Preservation Hall. Going to Congo park, listening to all the jazz music. Our guide, Keith, was very knowledgeable.

Money well spent. A must do

Jonathan_B, Oct 2023

Great tour. Very informative and he had a great knowledge of music history and places to go in New Orleans

AMAZING

Judith_k, Oct 2023

Keith was so knowledgable! This tour left nothing out! The trip to New Orleans wouldn't have been the same without all of the musical info.

Dance and Learn

Shonte_M, Jul 2023

This was a great tour! Both our host and junior host were great. The host was very knowledgeable about the history of jazz music in New Orleans. We really enjoyed touring the city with him and his cute little boy taking in all the legendary spots that played a part in jazz music. My favorite part was sauntering down the street listening to music on his speaker as we strolled the streets in New Orleans. I also loved the way he took pictures to capture memories for us. I would definitely recommend this tour to any music lovers, and if you’re lucky maybe you’ll get to have some fun with his cute little jr host too.😁

Response from Host, Jul 2023

Thank you, the four of you were so much fun. May you remain blessed! Keith

All that jazz...and more!

Steve_F, Jun 2023

Keith was very knowledgeable and entertaining. As a jazz fan I was interested in the genre but learned so much more about the early days of the blues and rock and roll. On Keith's suggestion we went to other areas for even more experiences. Thank you!

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Oh my, I'm blushing over here. Y'all were great! So much fun, love my job. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Fun, informative, rich in history.

Susan_B, May 2023

Keith was so knowledgeable. Information showed me how much I didn't know and inspired me to learn more. Keith used perfect combination of music, stories and facts.

Response from Host, May 2023

Thanks, it was a beautiful time sharing the evening with you! All my best, Keith

The story of New Orleans music crammed into a two hour walking tour.

James_A, Apr 2023

Walking into the building where J &M recording studio used to be, where Little Richard recorded "Tutti Fruitti," was a true thrill. Our guide Keith was informative and entertaining.

Response from Host, Apr 2023

Truly one of the hilights, it is the Home if Rock n' Roll! Thank you, Keith

GREAT tour

Rodger_W, Mar 2023

Knowledgeable and entertaining. This says it all!!!!!!!!! March 14, 2023 If this isn’t enough that I’ve written, then I will void the entire review and erase it all. You may take this last sentence off if you are so inclined, I do not expect you to print it, but that’s all I have to say.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thanks great time indeed! All the best. KEITH

Incredible Tour!

Molly_S, Mar 2023

Keith is a vibrant storyteller who brings history to life. We’ve done lots of tours, and this is one of the very best. He even gave us a great recommendation for an all ages club where we could see live music with our kids!

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Thank you! It was a blast, have a great trip.✌🏽❤️🎶 Keith

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