New Orleans Music Tour

Overview

Explore the world’s richest musical city, starting with the legendary Preservation Hall. Visit the site of the Old French Opera House and stroll through the Tango Belt and May Bailey’s before arriving at the Treme section. Stroll through the Tango Belt to the New Orleans Musicians Tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #1, the use of which was donated by the musical dynasty Barbarin Family for free burial to musicians. From the cemetery you will check out the remains of Storyville (including Frank Early’s Saloon where “Pretty Baby” was written), turn-of-the-century red light district whose parlors presented King Oliver, Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet and more during the time when jazz was born. From Storyville, venture into Louis Armstrong Park, Congo Square, the only place in North American where pure West African religious ritual and musical traditions were performed.

City: New Orleans

Mon 23 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

Mon 23 Dec

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Local guide

Additional Info

Suitable for all physical fitness levels

What To Expect

St. Louis Cemetery No. 1

Stroll through the Tango Belt to the New Orleans Musicians Tomb in St. Louis Cemetery #1, the use of which was donated by the musical dynasty Barbarin Family for free burial to musicians. The first burial to take place was of Lloyd Washington of the Ink Spots on October 23, 2004.

Storyville District

From the cemetery you will check out the remains of Storyville (including Frank Early’s “My Place” Saloon where “Pretty Baby” was written), fabled turn-of-the-century red light district whose parlors presented the likes of King Oliver, Buddy Bolden, Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet and many more during the time when jazz was born.

Louis Armstrong Park

From Storyville, check out the Basin Street Station and then venture into Louis Armstrong Park, the location of Congo Square, historic site of African slave gatherings, the only place in North American where pure West African religious ritual and musical traditions were performed.

Congo Square

Congo Square is considered the wellspring of all New Orleans music and consequently so much of the world’s most popular song. It is also the site of the first New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (1970) and the Municipal Auditorium. After leaving Armstrong Park, enter the building which housed the legendary J&M Studios which created the “New Orleans Sound” with such New Orleanians as Professor Longhair, Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino, Guitar Slim, Shirley & Lee, Lloyd Price, Ernie K-Doe, Allen Toussaint, Clarence “Frogman” Henry and visitors including Little Richard, Ray Charles, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Learn the origins of New Orleans Bounce Music and check out the world’s greatest street musicians who are carrying the flame to this very day.

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Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews (24)

604helenah

Nov 2019

Our guide was charming and informative but I had expected this tour to be more of a city walking tour and learn about the music and culture in New Orleans. Instead, we walked around Armstrong Park for 1 hour and 20 minutes viewing statues of various Artists in the park. While it was educational, my teens were totally bored. The last 20 minutes was more enjoyable as we walked around city and our lovely guide pointed out some areas to explore further. My expectation was perhaps based unfairly on the excellent walking tour in Havana where we actually explored the arts, culture and music as we walked around the city.

David W

Oct 2019

Our guide Margie was entertaining and informative. A musician herself, her love of music and New Orleans showed in her presentation. She had many interesting anecdotes about New Orleans music history.

Adventurer446214

Jun 2019

This tour should not be schedule at 2 pm in the summer time . Our tour guide Cindy, was tired and sweaty before the tour even started . Instead of 2 hours tour ,she finished our tour in an hour . I was seriously embarrassed ,because I booked this tour for our whole group of 6 people and we came all the way from Poland .