New Orleans Music History Walking Tour

Explore the world’s richest musical city. Starting with Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, historic site of African slave gatherings, it is the only place in North America where pure West African religious ritual and musical traditions were performed. Congo Square is the wellspring of all New Orleans music and so many of world-famous songs.
Visit the building which housed Cosimo Matassa’s groundbreaking J&M Studios - the true birthplace of rock’n'roll. See the New Orleans Musicians Tomb. The first burial to take place was for Lloyd Washington of the Ink Spots on October 23, 2004. The Musicians Tomb was restored and is administered by Robert Florence of NOLA Historic Tours.

Learn about the Second Line & stroll down Basin Street to the remains of Storyville, fabled red light district whose parlors presented Buddy Bolden and Jelly Roll Morton.

Then move through the Tango Belt to May Bailey’s and the French Opera House, ending with the legendary Preservation Hall.

Meeting Point

Rampart Treehouse

740 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, USA

Our guide will meet the traveler at the entrance to Rampart Treehouse, North Rampart Street at the corner of St. Ann Street.

What's included:

• Local guide

What to expect:

Duration: 2 hours

Congo Square

701 N Rampart St, Entrance at the Corner of N. Rampart and Saint Peter Streets, New Orleans, 70116-3085, Louisiana

Learn of the West African influence on New Orleans music through the Bamboula.

20 minutes

Louis Armstrong Park

901 N Rampart St, , New Orleans, 70116-3086, Louisiana

Learn of many New Orleans music styles from opera to the second line to opera!

25 minutes

Basin St. Station

501 Basin St, , New Orleans, 70112-3552, Louisiana

Learn of many New Orleans music elements and the origins of the song "Basin Street Blues".

15 minutes

Storyville District

125 Bourbon St, , New Orleans, 70130-2301, Louisiana

Learn about and hear recorded music from the early days of Jazz in the red light district Storyville!

15 minutes

May Baily's Place

415 Dauphine St, New Orleans, 70112-3405, Louisiana

Enter a replica of a Storyville parlour.

15 minutes

Bourbon Street

, , New Orleans, 70130, Louisiana

Learn of the French Opera and R&B traditions on New Orleans' most famous street!

15 minutes

Preservation Hall

726 St. Peter Street, , New Orleans, 70116-3182, Louisiana

End the tour where the past, present and future of New Orleans music converges - the legendary Preservation Hall!

15 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included