New Orleans Treme: Street Art Walk with Local Guide

Summary

Street murals, jazz memories & real NOLA moments in Treme

Meet locals in New Orleans’ Treme as you explore street art, jazz bars, and historic spots with a neighborhood guide. Snap photos, learn editing tricks on your phone, hear real stories behind murals—and taste a bit of everyday life you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

Li was already waving at us from the corner by Circle Food Market — she’s got this way of making you feel like you’re meeting up with an old friend instead of a tour guide. First thing she did was hand me a cold bottle of water (it’s humid even in the morning here), then pointed at the faded green sign above the market and started telling us about how it used to be packed with locals buying okra and catfish. I could still smell fried something drifting from somewhere nearby, even though most stalls were closed. There was a guy on a bike who nodded at Li — apparently everyone knows her around here.

We wandered down streets where murals just sort of appear between shotgun houses and corner stores. One wall had this wild splash of color — Li said it was painted after Katrina, “to remember what we lost but also what we kept.” She let us take our time snapping photos (she’s got an iPhone full of tricks for getting the angle right), and I tried to edit one shot like she showed me but honestly, hers looked way better. At Kermit Ruffin’s Mother-in-Law Lounge, there was jazz leaking out the door even though it wasn’t showtime yet. The bartender waved us in anyway so we could see all the old gig posters tacked up inside. I didn’t expect to feel so much just standing in that little bar — maybe it was the brass horns hanging over the stage or just how proud everyone seemed to be part of this place.

St. Augustine Church was quieter than I thought it’d be — cool stone under my hands and sunlight filtering through colored glass. Li told us about second lines and funerals that turn into parades, which sounded strange until she described how joy and grief mix together here. She laughed when I tried to say “Tremé” right (I definitely didn’t), but nobody minded. Sometimes people passing by would stop to add their own stories or point out a mural we’d missed — it felt more like being shown around by neighbors than following a tour group.

I keep thinking about that mural with the blue trumpet player, how bright it looked against all the peeling paint. You don’t really get these moments from postcards or Bourbon Street crowds — there’s something quieter but deeper in Treme’s street art walk, especially when you’re seeing it through someone who lives here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Explore New Orleans Culture and History

• Visit Circle Food Market
• Tour historic funeral home
• Experience jazz at Mother-in-Law Lounge
• Visit St. Augustine church

Top questions

How long is the New Orleans Treme street art walk?

The exact duration isn’t listed, but expect enough time to visit several sites including Circle Food Market, Mother-in-Law Lounge, and St. Augustine Church.

Is bottled water included on this tour?

Yes, bottled water is provided during your walk.

Does this tour include photo tips?

Yes, your local guide will help you take photos and teach editing tricks on your phone.

Are infants allowed on this tour?

Infants are welcome but must sit on an adult’s lap during the experience.

Is public transportation nearby?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to where the tour starts.

What neighborhoods does this street art walk cover?

The walk focuses on New Orleans’ Treme neighborhood and nearby areas rich in culture and history.

What’s included

Your day includes bottled water handed out by your local guide as you wander through Treme’s murals and music spots; plus plenty of time for photos (with editing tips) before heading home with new memories—and probably some new friends too.