NOLA Big 4 Private City Tour: French Quarter, Garden District, Metairie Cemetery & City Park
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires brief on-foot stops and navigating some uneven pavement.
Overview
Spend two hours with a native New Orleanian driving the French Quarter, Garden District, Metairie Cemetery and City Park. This private, fact-based tour gives historical context, photo stops, and local tips—no ghost stories, just the real Big Easy.
NOLA Big 4 Private City Tour: French Quarter, Garden District, Metairie Cemetery & City Park
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You slide into a cool Toyota RAV4 as the city exhales—streetcars click in the distance, the air smells faintly of chicory coffee and cut grass. Paul, a born-and-raised New Orleanian, checks the route on his tablet and steers you toward the French Quarter: a two-hour, fact-forward sweep through four of the city's most characterful neighborhoods. This is a city tour that moves: through shuttered courtyards, past oak-canopied avenues, beside regimented rows of marble tombs, and into a 1,300-acre park where live oaks reach like weathered arms toward the sky.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Book morning or late afternoon
Early and late slots offer cooler temperatures, softer light for photos, and thinner crowds in popular stops like the French Quarter.
Wear comfortable shoes
Most stops include short walks on uneven sidewalks and cemetery paths—closed-toe shoes will make touring easier.
Bring a reusable water bottle
Humidity rises quickly; having water on hand keeps you comfortable between short stop-and-go stretches.
Plan for photos and quick walks
This is a driving tour with photo stops—if you want to explore a neighborhood in depth, schedule extra time afterward.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Great blue heron
- American alligator (in swampy pockets of City Park)
History
New Orleans was founded in 1718 and grew as a colonial port influenced by French, Spanish and Caribbean cultures; its above-ground cemeteries reflect adaptation to deltaic, flood-prone land.
Conservation
City Park and local preservation groups work to protect ancient live oaks and restore historic cemeteries; visitors are asked to respect monuments and stay on paths to limit erosion.
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Adventure Hotspots in New Orleans
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
Sunscreen and hat
Protects you from strong sun during open-air photo stops and walks.
summer specific
Comfortable closed-toe shoes
Good traction for uneven sidewalks, cemeteries, and park paths.
Light rain jacket or travel umbrella
Spring and summer showers are common—quick protection keeps the tour on schedule.
spring specific
Reusable water bottle
Hydration is important in New Orleans's humid climate; refills are widely available.
summer specific