World Travel Guide

City Guide  - New Orleans  - Tours of the City
Tours of the City

Walking Tours
There are numerous walking tours available, covering different themes on life in the Big Easy. One of the best options is Historic New Orleans Walking Tours (tel: (504) 947 2120), often led by knowledgeable local author Robert Florence. Themes include a Cemetery/Voodoo Tour and a Garden District Tour. Cost is about US$12-15. Free history tours of the French Quarter leave daily at 1030 from the Folklife and Visitor Center of the Jean Lafitte National Park, 419 Decatur Street (tel: (504) 589 2636); tickets first-come first-served from 0900. Save Our Cemeteries (tel: (504) 588 9357) concentrates on New Orleans' fascinating burial grounds with tours costing US$6-12. Guides are volunteer and profits go towards preservation of the cemeteries visited. Friends of the Cabildo (tel: (504) 523 3939) operates a similar volunteer guide scheme for their two-hour historic tours of the French Quarter, costing US$10. Le Monde Creole French Quarter Tours (tel: (504) 568 1801) concentrates on the Creole history of the city in their US$16 two-hour tours.

Bus Tours
The French Quarter is not really suited to bus tours but several companies offer tours of the rest of the city and beyond. Gray Line (tel: (504) 569 1401; website: www.graylineno.com) has a range of options costing US$15-60. New Orleans Tours (tel: (504) 592 0560; website: www.visitnola.com) also has several choices, costing US$10-40. African-American Heritage Tours (tel: (504) 288 3478) has specialist city tours for US$30, while Gay Heritage Tour (tel: (504) 945 6789) looks at another notable part of the history of New Orleans, with tours costing US$15.

Bicycle Tours
French Louisiana Bike Tours (tel: (800) 346 7989) takes visitors out into Cajun Country, while city tours are offered by the Bienville Foundation (tel: (504) 945 6789) and Olympic Bike Rentals and Tours (tel: (504) 522 6797). Tours typically cost US$30-60, depending on subject and duration.

Carriage Tours
Horse-drawn carriages tour the French Quarter and some guides make great entertainers. It is possible to hail a carriage anywhere, but many park up and await custom at Jackson Square. Cost is about US$40 for a 30-minute tour for up to four people.

River Tours
New Orleans Paddlewheel (tel: (504) 524 0814) operates several boats. The Cajun Queen Riverboat runs 90-minute harbour cruises for US$10, while the Creole Queen Paddlewheeler runs a 'Battlefield Cruise' to the spot where Andrew Jackson defeated the British (US$15-20). In the evening, the Creole Queen offers a two-hour dinner and jazz cruise (US$42). The New Orleans Steamboat Company (tel: (504) 586 8777) is the other main operator, with daytime harbour cruises (US$10.50-26.50) and an evening dinner and jazz cruise (US$14.75-42.50).



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Tours of the City
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