New Orleans Garden District Walking Tour

History, architecture, culture, and food all combine on this fun and fascinating tour of the famous New Orleans Garden District. Join a local guide and discover everything this historic area has to offer, from picturesque Antebellum homes to one of New Orleans’ oldest cemeteries.

Meeting Point

2729 Prytania St

2729 Prytania St, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

The historical marker at the corner of Washington and Prytania Streets, 2729 Prytania Street, New Orleans, LA 70130

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Garden District

New Orleans, Louisiana

Our tour begins in the heart of the New Orleans Garden District - considered by many to be one of the best-preserved collections of historic mansions in the United States. Originally a family plantation, this area was divided into smaller (but still very large!) lots for private homes with beautiful gardens in the mid-1800’s, giving the district its name. The amazing Antebellum architecture in the Garden District continues to draw the eye, making the area a favorite of locals and visitors alike.

1 hour, 15 minutes

Lafayette cemetery

Lafayette Cemetery No, 1 Prytania Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

We will walk pass one of New Orleans’ oldest cemeteries - Lafayette Cemetery. Continually popular with travelers, the cemetery has a unique approach to burials: namely, the above-ground, multiple-burial techniques used.

Pass by without stopping

Commander's Palace

1403 Washington Ave, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA

We then continue on for a view of one of the most striking buildings in all of New Orleans: Commander’s Palace. Host to a myriad of wedding receptions and dinners throughout the year, this eye-catching, turreted Victorian building is one of the most well-respected upscale restaurants in the entire country. We’ll admire from the outside unless you want to treat your guide to a meal of a lifetime.
Next, we’ll take a stroll, past more gorgeous homes, some with famous Hollywood connections. New Orleans is always a popular filming location for the movie industry and the homes in the Garden District have had starring roles in several films.

15 minutes

Magazine Street

Magazine St, New Orleans, LA, USA

To reflect the full story of The Garden District, your guide will highlight the real history and the true backbone of this historic neighborhood. Across Magazine Street, we’ll find the working-class area known as the Irish Channel. Predominantly settled by Irish immigrants, this neighborhood developed in the early 1800’s when the city’s shipping, alcohol, and brewing industries drew workers from all over the world, especially from Ireland. In contrast to the palatial homes we saw earlier, your guide will take you past some of the iconic shotgun-style homes of New Orleans.
Finally, we’ll take one final stroll past several more picturesque antebellum homes, making our way back close to the streetcar line. When the tour ends, you’re sure to have a newfound appreciation for the deep and complex history and dynamic neighborhood behind the postcard-perfect properties of the Garden District.

15 minutes

What's included:

• Learn about the history of Irish immigration into Magazine Street
• Enjoy a tour that covers the history, architecture, and culture of New Orleans
• Walk past Lafayette Cemetery while you guide tells you about these unique burials
• Learn about the history of the Garden District from a friendly local English-speaking guide
• Marvel at the most beautiful collection of historic mansions in New Orleans

Not included:

• Food and drinks
• Tips/gratuities for your guide