New Orleans Garden District Architecture Tour
Description
Discover the history of New Orleans through its architecture! On this 2-hour Garden District tour, you'll learn about 19th century New Orleans while admiring the exquisite mansions. Enjoy a leisurely stroll with a passionate, professional guide to explore the many building styles prevalent in this neighborhood, ranging from Greek Revival, Italianate, and Victorian. Hear the stories of the 19th century architects and families who made their mark on this historic area, and see the homes of former and current celebrities. Also included in this tour is a short stop into Lafayette Cemetery where visitors learn about the fascinating local above-ground burial customs. Starting with a brief introduction to the history of New Orleans Cemeteries, visitors will be treated to a discussion of the various styles and types of tombs seen in this cemetery. Your group will be no more than 14 people allowing for a more intimate, personal experience.
Tour Options
Itinerary
A small segment of the tour focuses on the unique burial customs in New Orleans. (Please note that entrance to the cemetery is permitted by the City of New Orleans, and it may be closed when services are being performed.)
A discussion about Commander's Palace includes the architecture of the building, the history of the owners, and highlights of the culinary experience awaiting guests.
This house was designed by Samuel Jameson in 1869 and it is an excellent example of New Orleans' iconic Italianate architecture. Learn about this incredible architecture style and how it relates to other styles in the neighborhood.
This house was built in two different eras and in two different styles! Learn how to tell the difference between these styles at the Women's Opera Guild House!
Learn the history of this late 19th century building from its start as a single family residence to its transformation to the library of the McGehee School!
Another incredible house designed by Irish born Samuel Jameson, this is an excellent example of Italianate style in the Garden District.
Learn about residents' favorite recreational activities at the turn of the century. This simple building housed the largest skating rink in the country at the time it was built - 1884.
Spend two hours admiring the beautiful antebellum mansions and learn the history of the area at the time that the homes were being built. Hear the stories of the people who designed the houses, and the people who lived in them.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Subject to favorable weather conditions. If canceled due to poor weather, you will be given the option of an alternative date or full refund.
- Comfortable walking shoes are recommended
Reviews(404)
Eva was our tour guide and she was fantastic! She has an expertise in the architecture of the homes & encourages questions. We learned so much from her & highly recommend this tour!
It was great! She was very funny and full of information on whatever topic we brought up. Really enjoyed the experience. She was also very accommodating to my pregnant wife. Keeping her in the shade and mapping out a path that worked.
Fantastic tour. Eva was a delight. Very knowledgeable . Terrific pace. My husband and I were fortunate that we were the only guests on the tour. Highly recommend.
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're delighted you and your husband enjoyed your time with Eva. Having a private tour is always a special treat, and we're so glad her knowledge, pacing, and enthusiasm helped make the experience memorable. We appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you back to New Orleans again soon!
Great, informative tour in a beautiful part of the city! We learned so much and enjoyed seeing all the gorgeous historic buildings.
Thank you for joining us! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring this beautiful neighborhood and learning about its rich history and architecture. We appreciate your kind words and hope you'll join us again on a future visit to New Orleans.
Great walking tour. Tour guide was very knowledgeable! Bring water as there is a lot of walking, but it was a great way to see a different side of New Orleans.
Thank you for the great review! We're thrilled you enjoyed the tour and found it informative. The Garden District is best experienced on foot, and we're glad you enjoyed seeing a different side of New Orleans. Thanks for the helpful tip about bringing water, especially during our warmer months!
Very knowledgeable guide. Pleasant meeting spot. Good information about architecture styles and history.
Thank you for joining us! We're glad you enjoyed the architecture, history, and overall experience. It's wonderful to hear that the meeting location was convenient and that the tour provided the information you were looking for. We appreciate your review!
Our guide Eva was very knowledgeable about the neighborhood and the homes. She kept it small group interested and answered any questions we had. We loved the sights and learned a lot about the homes in the garden district. She was mindful to keep us in the shade as much as possible. We really enjoyed this tour!
Thank you for the wonderful review! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring the Garden District with Eva. Her knowledge, attentiveness, and ability to keep guests comfortable—especially in the New Orleans heat—are greatly appreciated. We're thrilled you enjoyed the beautiful homes and learned more about the neighborhood's fascinating history.
Eva our guide was just amazing! She was knowledgeable and friendly and we had a great time! It was so fun to see so much history and architectural beauty in one place! Thoroughly recommend!
Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted you had such a great experience with Eva. The Garden District offers an incredible combination of history, architecture, and beauty, and we're so glad she helped bring it all to life for you. We truly appreciate the recommendation and hope to see you again on a future tour!
Boring tour. Very slow. Four homes in a hour. Very unimpressed with information. Wanted to see lots of homes and architecture, didn’t need to know who lived in homes now.
Thank you for your feedback. We’re sorry to hear the tour wasn’t the experience you were hoping for. Our tours are intentionally designed to be slower-paced and discussion-based, focusing not only on architecture, but also the history and stories connected to the neighborhood and its homes. We do cover significantly more of the neighborhood than may have come across in your experience, though we also spend time exploring certain locations in greater depth, which may feel slower-paced for guests looking for a quicker overview. We appreciate you sharing your perspective, and we’d love the opportunity to provide a different experience in the future. Please feel free to reach out to us directly, and we’d be happy to invite you back for a complimentary tour with another guide.
Ava was a wonderful guide. Very knowledgable and willing to answer all our questions. What a great way to get a taste of the garden district to set you up for more exploration. Highly recommended.
Thank you for your kind review! We're so glad you enjoyed exploring the Garden District with Eva. We love hearing that guests leave with both a deeper understanding of the neighborhood and inspiration to continue exploring on their own. We'll be sure to pass along your compliments to Eva. Thank you for the recommendation!
