New Orleans City and Cemetery Tour: French Quarter Highlights

Walk St Louis Cemetery #3, then ride the streets where New Orleans' architecture tells its story.

A small-group guided tour of New Orleans covering the French Quarter, St Louis Cemetery #3, Bayou St John and the Garden District, with hotel pickup and return in an air-conditioned van. The tour includes a walking tour through the cemetery to see its societal tombs and learn the history behind them, plus stops at Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral. Groups stay under 14 people, and you choose between an 8:30am or 1pm departure.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore New Orleans city and cemetery

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

The Experience

The van picks you up from your downtown or French Quarter hotel and heads straight into the French Quarter, where the guide walks you through the history and architectural styles of the old Creole city. You'll see the Pontalba Buildings and St. Louis Cathedral overlooking Jackson Square and the Mississippi River, then drive along Esplanade Avenue past the French Market, the old US Mint and a run of elegant mansions. The route covers ground quickly by van so the stops matter — each one is chosen to show you a different layer of the city's past.

The cemetery walk is the centerpiece. You get out at St Louis Cemetery #3 for a guided tour on foot, moving through the tombs to see the Hellenic Orthodox community section, the Dante Lodge of Masons and other societal burial grounds that map the varied backgrounds of New Orleans' former residents. After that, the van takes you through City Park, where you'll see the Carousel Gardens and centuries-old live oaks, and there's a stop for refreshments and restrooms. A quick detour to a beignet spot (your own cost) is on the route before you head back.

The return route loops through Bayou St John, where houses from the late 1700s line the water, then climbs into Uptown and the Garden District along St Charles Avenue. You pass the grand colonial mansions the district is known for, drive by the Superdome and through the Arts District and Warehouse Section, and roll back to your hotel. The whole day runs four hours, and the small-group cap of 14 people means the guide can actually answer questions without herding a crowd.

What’s included

• Guided walking tour of St Louis Cemetery #3 with stops at the Hellenic Orthodox and Masonic sections.
• transport by air-conditioned 14-passenger van.
• hotel pickup and drop-off with your exact time provided at booking.
• live English-speaking guide throughout the tour.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Tours by Isabelle

Is this one for you?Choose the 8:30am departure to explore the French Quarter and cemetery before midday heat and crowds; pick 1pm if you're still adjusting to New Orleans time or prefer starting after breakfast.

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Top questions

What exactly is St Louis Cemetery #3 and why is it worth a walking tour?

St Louis Cemetery #3 is a historic burial ground where tombs are organized by community — Hellenic Orthodox, Masonic lodges and others — giving you a physical map of who lived in New Orleans and how they organized themselves. The guide explains the significance of the different sections and the people buried there, which turns the cemetery into a history lesson you can actually walk through.

Does the tour include hotel pickup, and which hotels does it serve?

Hotel pickup is included for downtown and French Quarter hotels, and the driver will provide your exact pickup time when you book. You're dropped back at the same hotel at the end of the tour.

What's the difference between the 8:30am and 1pm departures?

Both tours cover the same route and stops; the choice is yours depending on when you want to start your day. The 8:30am departure gets you moving earlier, while the 1pm option works if you prefer a later start.

How much walking is involved, and is the tour accessible for people with mobility concerns?

The tour includes a walking section through St Louis Cemetery #3, but most of the day is spent in the air-conditioned van. The tour cannot accommodate wheelchairs, so if you have mobility questions, contact the operator before booking to discuss what the cemetery walk and van access involve for your situation.

What's included in the price, and what costs extra?

The tour includes the guided cemetery walk, all transport by van, hotel pickup and drop-off, and the guide. Refreshments and the optional beignet stop are your own expense.

How many people typically go on this tour?

The van holds a maximum of 14 people, which keeps the group small enough that the guide can engage with everyone and you're not lost in a crowd.