Louisiana, United States

New Orleans

New Orleans is unlike any other American city. Its French Quarter and Garden District are compact, flat and made for walking, with music, food and stories on every block.

New Orleans: French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour
Featured walk: French Quarter Historical Sights and Stories Walking Tour · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Founded by the French in 1718 and governed for a time by Spain, New Orleans has a culture all its own: Creole and Cajun cooking, jazz born in its streets, Mardi Gras and a famous fondness for ghost stories. The French Quarter, its oldest neighbourhood, is a grid of narrow streets lined with iron-lace balconies.

The city is flat and compact at its heart, and the historic St Charles streetcar links the French Quarter with the grand mansions of the Garden District. Summers are hot and humid, so walks are best early or in the evening.

What makes New Orleans distinctive

  • The French Quarter's balconies and courtyards
  • Live jazz in clubs and on the street
  • Creole and Cajun food: gumbo, po'boys, beignets
  • Above-ground cemeteries and ghost stories

Walking tours in New Orleans

Hand-picked guided walks in New Orleans, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

Advertising disclosure: tour links go to Viator. If you book through one, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not affect the price you pay or which tours we choose.

Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Food tours in New Orleans · History walks in New Orleans · Night and ghost tours in New Orleans

Compare with other cities: Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

More walking tours on GetYourGuide

GetYourGuide sells many of the same walks and some that Viator doesn't. Their list for New Orleans is chosen and ranked by GetYourGuide, not by us.

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • French Quarter

    The historic core, also known as the Vieux Carré.

  • Faubourg Marigny

    Colourful cottages and the music of Frenchmen Street.

  • Garden District

    Grand houses and oak-lined streets.

  • Tremé

    One of America's oldest Black neighbourhoods, central to the city's music history.

Free self-guided walk

The French Quarter to Frenchmen Street

A free self-guided walk through the French Quarter from Royal Street to Jackson Square, the French Market and the Old Ursuline Convent, ending on Frenchmen Street.

1.7 km · 6 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. The French Quarter

    From Jackson Square along Royal and Chartres streets, and the riverside Moonwalk.

  2. Garden District

    A loop around Prytania Street and Lafayette Cemetery No. 1.

  3. Magazine Street

    Several miles of shops and cafés running parallel to St Charles.

Practical walking notes

  • Heat

    Summer is hot and humid; carry water and walk early.

  • Pavements

    Sidewalks are often cracked and uneven, lifted by tree roots.

  • Safety

    Stick to busy, well-lit streets at night, and take a taxi when walking between neighbourhoods late.

When to visit

  • February–May

    Mild and festive: Mardi Gras, French Quarter Festival and Jazz Fest.

  • June–September

    Hot and humid, and hurricane season.

  • October–January

    Pleasant and calmer, with Halloween and holiday events.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport is about 25 minutes from the French Quarter.

  • By rail

    Amtrak trains link New Orleans with Chicago, New York and Los Angeles.

Local transport

  • Streetcars

    The St Charles line runs through the Garden District; others serve Canal Street and the riverfront.

  • On foot

    The French Quarter and Marigny are compact and walkable.

Questions travellers ask about New Orleans

Can I visit Lafayette Cemetery No. 1?

It has been closed to the public for restoration; walking tours view it through the gates. Check the current status.

Is the French Quarter safe to walk?

The main streets are busy and generally safe, especially by day. At night, stay where there are crowds.

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Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-26. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.