Where does the tour depart from?

The tour departs from the Lighthouse Ticket Office at 400 Toulouse Street, New Orleans, LA 70130, behind the JAX Brewery.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

The Besthoff Sculpture Garden has paved, wheelchair-accessible paths, and there is a wheelchair-accessible restroom at Cafe du Monde. However, some sidewalks in the Garden District are uneven and may require caution.

Are food and drinks included?

Food and drinks are not included, but you’ll have free time at City Park where you can purchase beignets and café au lait from Cafe du Monde.

Can I upgrade the tour?

Yes, you can add a one-hour Vue Orleans tour online for panoramic city views and interactive exhibits.

Should I bring anything specific?

Comfortable shoes, sun protection, and water are recommended. Dress comfortably as the tour involves walking and outdoor stops.

Is the tour suitable for children?

There is no specified age limit, but children should be able to walk and stay with the group during the strolls.

Explore New Orleans: Iconic City Tour, Historic Cemeteries, and Garden District Walk

New Orleans, Louisiana, is a city where every street corner hums with history, culture, and a spirit all its own. This three-hour City & Cemetery Sightseeing Tour offers an immersive journey through 25 square miles of this vibrant city, weaving past some of its most iconic neighborhoods, rich with stories that stretch over three centuries. Whether you’re drawn by the haunting beauty of its above-ground cemeteries, the lush greenery of City Park, or the stately charm of the Garden District, this guided adventure unveils the heart of New Orleans with depth and character.

Your tour begins in the French Quarter at Jackson Square, where the city’s French and Spanish colonial history comes alive through stunning architecture and lively street scenes. From there, the route follows Esplanade Avenue, a historic corridor lined with grand Victorian homes, linking the old city to the expansive City Park. A key highlight is the stop at St. Louis Cemetery #3, where you’ll learn about New Orleans’ unique burial traditions and the cultural significance of jazz funerals—an unforgettable peek into local customs tied to life and death.

Arriving at City Park, visitors have a chance to relax among ancient live oaks—some over 800 years old—wander through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, or savor famous beignets and café au lait at the City Park location of Café du Monde. This green oasis, with its lagoons and native flora, offers a tranquil contrast to the urban pulse of the city.

The journey continues along Lake Pontchartrain’s southern shore, passing landmarks like a post-Katrina pumping station, charming seafood restaurants, and a historic lighthouse, all against the backdrop of one of North America’s largest brackish estuaries. Finally, the tour reaches the Garden District—one of the best-preserved historic neighborhoods in the country—where a guided stroll reveals grand mansions, stately churches, and streets where the rhythm of streetcars and Mardi Gras parades live on.

This tour not only showcases the natural and architectural beauty of New Orleans but also offers insights into its complex cultural fabric, from early colonial days to modern celebrations. Visitors with mobility concerns will appreciate the mostly paved pathways and accessible facilities, though some caution is advised on uneven sidewalks.

Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or visiting for the first time, this tour reveals why New Orleans is such a beloved destination, blending history, art, nature, and food into one memorable experience. Plus, an optional upgrade to Vue Orleans offers a 360-degree panoramic view plus interactive exhibits that deepen your appreciation of the city’s unique narrative.

About New Orleans Steamboat Company

New Orleans Steamboat Company operates historic riverboat cruises and guided excursions based in New Orleans, Louisiana. The company offers a range of Mississippi River sightseeing and jazz cruises aboard the Riverboat CITY of NEW ORLEANS and seasonal sailings on the Steamboat NATCHEZ, plus swamp, plantation, walking, and specialty small-group tours.

Cruise experiences include daytime and evening sightseeing jazz cruises with live music performed by the Dukes of Dixieland, multiple dinner seating options with Creole buffets or plated lunches, brunch sailings, seasonal party packages, and holiday-themed departures such as Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve events. Land-based offerings include swamp and airboat adventures, guided tours to Oak Alley and Whitney plantations, craft cocktail and cooking walking tours, cemetery and Garden District strolls, and interactive ghost and spirits walks in the French Quarter.

Each trip description lists duration, meal options when applicable, live music or narration, and onboard amenities such as full-service bars and multiple observation decks. Local guides provide historical context about New Orleans, the Mississippi River, Jean Lafitte, and regional wetlands and wildlife on swamp and plantation tours. Many cruises feature live jazz and family-friendly programming; several airboat and swamp tours emphasize wildlife viewing opportunities.

Bookings are arranged per listed trip schedules and seating times. As a long-established New Orleans operator featured by tour aggregators and known for narrated riverboat cruises, the company combines maritime tradition with local culture to deliver interpretive sightseeing and entertainment on and off the water. Public and private group bookings are available for many departures.