New Orleans: Small-Group City & Cemetery Tour with Pickup

Summary

French Quarter streets, Garden District mansions & stories from St. Louis Cemetery

You’ll wander New Orleans’ French Quarter and Garden District by van and on foot, guided by locals who know every quirky detail. Feel the hush inside St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, snack on beignets if you want (bring cash!), and let yourself get swept up in stories as you ride beneath live oaks and past grand old homes—with hotel pickup making it all easy.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what it’s like to see New Orleans through someone else’s eyes? I did too, until our small group piled into that van outside our French Quarter hotel. The air was thick—sort of sweet, sort of old—and our guide, Marcus, had this way of pointing out things I’d never have noticed: a wrought-iron balcony with Mardi Gras beads still tangled in it, or the way folks wave at streetcars like they’re old friends. We drifted past Jackson Square and that white spire of St. Louis Cathedral—I remember thinking how it almost glowed against the gray sky.

The real surprise for me was St. Louis Cemetery No. 3. I expected something spooky (maybe too many movies), but it was oddly peaceful—just rows of weathered tombs and mossy stone, each with its own story. Marcus told us about the Hellenic Orthodox section and some Masons’ lodge; he even paused so we could trace the carvings with our fingers if we wanted. There was this faint smell—like wet stone and old flowers—and for a minute everyone just got quiet. I didn’t expect to feel anything, but there it was.

Afterward we stopped for beignets (not included but honestly worth every crumb). Powdered sugar everywhere—on my shirt, on my hands—and I tried to order café au lait in my worst French accent. The woman behind the counter just grinned at me like she’d seen it all before. We rolled through City Park under those giant oaks, then past the Superdome and back down St Charles Avenue where those Garden District mansions look almost too grand to be real. I kept thinking about how much history is packed into these streets—you can feel it even when you’re just passing by.

I guess what stuck with me most wasn’t any single landmark, but all these little moments—the way strangers swap stories on a van ride or how quiet settles over a cemetery in the middle of a busy city. It’s not perfect or polished here, but maybe that’s why I liked it so much.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore New Orleans city and cemetery

• Pickup from downtown or French Quarter hotel
• Tour French Quarter and learn history
• See Pontalba Buildings and St. Louis Cathedral
• View Mississippi River from St. Louis Cathedral
• Pass French Market, old US Mint, and mansions
• Walk tour of St. Louis Cemetery #3
• Drive through City Park and stop for rest
• Visit sculpture garden near New Orleans Museum of Art
• Stop for beignets and cafe au lait
• Drive through Arts District, Warehouse Section, and past WWII Museum
• Travel along Bayou St John and see historic houses
• Pass Uptown and Garden District mansions
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this New Orleans city tour?

Yes, hotel pickup and drop-off are included from downtown or French Quarter hotels.

How many people are in each group?

The small-group tour has a maximum of 14 people per van.

Does the tour include entry to St. Louis Cemetery No. 3?

Yes, entry and a guided walking tour of St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 are included.

Are refreshments or food included?

No meals are included; there is an optional stop for beignets and coffee at your own expense.

Is this tour suitable for children?

Yes, child rates apply to all children and infants; families are welcome.

Can I bring my service animal?

Yes, service animals are allowed; please advise at booking if accommodations are needed.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

No, unfortunately wheelchairs cannot be accommodated on this tour.

What neighborhoods will we visit during the tour?

You’ll see the French Quarter, Bayou St John area, Garden District, Arts District, Warehouse Section, Uptown, and more.

How long do we spend at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3?

You’ll have time for a guided walking tour inside the cemetery as part of the itinerary.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your downtown or French Quarter hotel in an air-conditioned van, guided narration throughout New Orleans’ historic districts by a local expert, entry to St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 with a walking tour inside its gates, plus stops for refreshments along the way before returning you right back to your door.