Even though I've walked through the French Quarter several times when I've visited New Orleans in the past, I'm so glad I did this guided walking tour. Because it was raining, I ended up on a private tour with Jonah, who was very knowledgeable. I learned a lot about the history and architecture of the area. And it was fun--Jonah was really nice and told great stories of the people who lived in the French Quarter, from Baroness de Pontalba to Tennessee Williams. And the rain wasn't a problem--we had umbrellas. Usually, entrance to the '1850 House' is included in the price, but the house was being renovated. Instead, I was given a ticket to the Cabildo, another Louisiana State Museum located next to the St. Louis Cathedral. Later in the day I visited the Cabildo and felt well prepared to better appreciate a museum of the History of New Orleans. While there are lots of organizations offering tours, I personally like supporting the non-profits who work directly with the museums.