New Orleans Music Walking Tour

Overview

Explore the world’s richest musical city. Starting with Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, historic site of African slave gatherings, it is the only place in North America where pure West African religious ritual and musical traditions were performed. Congo Square is the wellspring of all New Orleans music and so many of world-famous songs.

Visit the building which housed Cosimo Matassa’s groundbreaking J&M Studios - the true birthplace of rock’n'roll. See the New Orleans Musicians Tomb. The first burial to take place was for Lloyd Washington of the Ink Spots on October 23, 2004. The Musicians Tomb was restored and is administered by Robert Florence of NOLA Historic Tours.

Learn about the Second Line & stroll down Basin Street to the remains of Storyville, fabled red light district whose parlors presented Buddy Bolden and Jelly Roll Morton.

Then move through the Tango Belt to May Bailey’s and the French Opera House, ending with the legendary Preservation Hall.

City: New Orleans

Sun 23 Feb

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

Sun 23 Feb

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Local guide

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Face masks required for travellers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travellers
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitised high-traffic areas
Gear/equipment sanitised between use
Guides required to regularly wash hands
Regular temperature checks for staff
Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms

What To Expect

Congo Square

Learn of the West African influence on New Orleans music through the Bamboula.

Louis Armstrong Park

Learn of many New Orleans music styles from opera to the second line to opera!

Basin St. Station

Learn of many New Orleans music elements and the origins of the song "Basin Street Blues".

Storyville District

Learn about and hear recorded music from the early days of Jazz in the red light district Storyville!

May Baily's Place

Enter a replica of a Storyville parlour.

Bourbon Street

Learn of the French Opera and R&B traditions on New Orleans' most famous street!

Preservation Hall

End the tour where the past, present and future of New Orleans music converges - the legendary Preservation Hall!

Show 4 more stops

Cancellation Policy

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

Traveler Photos

Reviews (8)

Vanessa_G

Jan 2021

Tour guide never showed. I am in process of disputing charge with PayPal. Very disappointed because I was looking forward to exploring.

grahambaker

Dec 2020

Dave Higgins has the pedigree, education, and stories to make this tour the best. We enjoyed meeting Dave and learning about New Orleans music history. He talked about the city’s history predating America, its cultural makeup, progressive economy and legal structures, and how music bound and inspired people of all classes, races, and status (free or slave). From there, Dave takes you through the big names you expect - Louis Armstrong, Bolden, Bisset, Mahalia Jackson, Fats, Professor Longhair... smartest couple of hours you will spend in NOLA. Do it.