Metairie Cemetery

Enjoy an in-depth look at the city's most popular landmarks on our private 4-hour driving tour of New Orleans where you will walk through the historic French Quarter, explore Jackson Square, admire the stunning Saint Louis Cathedral, wander through the bustling French Market, and more!

On your private half-day tour, you will:

• Start with a pick-up service from your central location in New Orleans;
• Stroll through the historic French Quarter, the oldest and most iconic neighborhood in NOLA;
• Explore Jackson Square, a central gathering spot in the city and admire the stunning Saint Louis Cathedral;
• Visit the lively French Market, a historic marketplace where you can experience the local culture, sample delicious food, and find unique items;
• Pass by Marigny, the music heart of the city, and stop at Frenchmen Street, a fantastic place to listen to authentic New Orleans sounds;
• Drive through the scenic City Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, full of lush landscapes, ancient oak trees and beautiful lagoons;
• Head to the Garden District, a picturesque neighborhood renowned for its grand mansions, historic architecture and notable residents;
• Stop for a brief visit at the Metairie Cemetery and hear about the history behind these distinctive burial sites;
• Gain a deeper understanding of New Orleans enduring spirit at the Lower 9th Ward, an area deeply affected by Hurricane Katrina;
• Enjoy a relaxing ride back to your hotel or chosen drop-off location in the city center.

Uncover the essence of New Orleans on a private 4-hour tour through the city's most iconic neighborhoods and landmarks. Explore the historic French Quarter, the charming Garden District, and the scenic City Park. This tour offers an in-depth exploration with the comfort of private transportation and the insights of a knowledgeable driver-guide. 

Your tour starts from your chosen location in central New Orleans and your first stop will be the historic French Quarter, famous for its charming, historic buildings featuring a mix of Spanish, French, and Creole influences in its architecture, with intricate ironwork balconies, colorful facades, and lush courtyards. 

Next, you will visit Jackson Square where you will be marvelled by the magnificent Saint Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the United States from 1727. 

You will explore the French Market, one of the oldest public markets in the United States, dating back to the late 18th century where locals and tourists alike come to shop, eat, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. It’s a great place to find unique gifts and locally crafted items!

Your journey continues to the Marigny neighbourhood on Frenchmen Street, famous for its live music, this area is a hub of the city’s artistic and musical scene. We will then travel to the expansive City Park, an urban oasis that spans over 1,300 acres, making it one of the largest and oldest urban parks in the United States. Enjoy the serene beauty of ancient oak trees, scenic lagoons, and stunning landscapes. 

Later, head to the Garden District for a leisurely walk among its stunning mansions, manicured gardens, and historic architecture. Your guide will tell you about the district’s notable residents and the history of some of the most picturesque homes in the neighbourhood. Continue with a short visit to Metairie Cemetery, one of the city's most famous burial sites, known for its unique above-ground tombs. Your guide will explain the traditions and history behind these distinctive burial practices, offering a deeper insight into New Orleans' culture.

Your last stop will be Lower 9th Ward, one of the hardest-hit areas during Hurricane Katrina. In the years following the hurricane, the neighborhood became a symbol of resilience after the devastation caused by the storm. Various organizations and volunteers have worked tirelessly to rebuild and restore the community, including the "Make It Right Foundation" founded by actor Brad Pitt. 

As you return to your accommodation, you'll carry with you the magic and spirit of this extraordinary city, ready to inspire and delight you long after your tour ends. 

Embark on a 4-hour private tour through New Orleans’ most renowned neighbourhoods and discover the rich connection between the city’s past and how it has had a great impact on NOLA's present, as you journey through the cobblestone streets and beneath the grand, ancient oaks draped with Spanish moss. 

On your private half-day tour, you will: 

• Start your experience from a central location in New Orleans;
• Take a stroll down the French Quarter, a district where the blend of French, Spanish, Creole, and African influences comes to life;
• Stop at Jackson Square, one of the city's most cherished sites because of its historic significance;
• See St. Louis Cathedral, the most recognizable landmark of New Orleans and the oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral in the US;
• Walk through the Garden District, a sanctuary of Southern charm featuring stately mansions, wrought-iron balconies and lush gardens;
• Visit briefly Metairie Cemetery, originally a horse racing track which has become a place where the stories of the past are carved in stone and marble;
• Glide through St. Charles Avenue, a picturesque boulevard where the charming streetcar has rattled down its tracks for over a century;
• Head north along the picturesque River Road to a beautifully preserved Antebellum Plantation;
• Explore the plantation on a one-hour guided tour which will cover the complex legacy of the American South during the 19th century;
• Enjoy free time to wander the Plantation Grounds at your leisure, a stunning example of Greek Revival or Federal-style architecture;
• Relax on the return journey to New Orleans, where you’ll be dropped off at your original location or a central point of your choice.

Embark on an immersive journey that takes you deep into the heart of New Orleans’ most iconic neighbourhoods, followed by a profound visit to a historic antebellum plantation. This private tour is designed to reveal the striking contrasts between the city’s lively, colourful streets and the tranquil, yet hauntingly beautiful, landscapes of Louisiana’s storied past where history, culture, and elegance converge in a unique blend that is quintessentially New Orleans.

Your tour begins with a seamless pickup from your chosen location in central New Orleans. Settle into your comfortable vehicle as you’re whisked away to explore the city’s diverse and fascinating neighbourhoods, each with its unique charm and history.

Your first stop is the legendary French Quarter, the beating heart of New Orleans and its oldest neighbourhood where the vibrant Creole architecture tells tales of the city’s rich and tumultuous past, featuring colourful facades and wrought-iron balconies that give this district its unmistakable character. 

Next, you will immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere at Jackson Square, where the majestic St. Louis Cathedral —America’s oldest continuously active Roman Catholic cathedral— stands as a testament to New Orleans's deep-rooted spiritual heritage. The square itself comes to life with street performers, and local artisans, all under the watchful eye of Andrew Jackson’s iconic statue.

You will continue to the Garden District, a neighbourhood that embodies the opulent charm of 19th-century New Orleans, with grand homes that once housed the city’s wealthiest residents—cotton kings, sugar barons, and industrial magnates, and manicured gardens which are true works of art. Driving through the elegant backdrop of St. Charles Avenue, you will discover a scenic boulevard lined with ancient oak trees and stately mansions over the world’s oldest continuously operating streetcar line, in service since 1835.

Leaving the city behind up River Road, you will arrive at a magnificent antebellum plantation where you will step back to the era of the French and Spanish colonial influence, through the rise of the sugar barons, and into the tumultuous years of the Civil War and Reconstruction. On a one-hour plantation guided tour, you will hear compelling stories of both the free and enslaved people who lived and worked there, gaining a deeper understanding of Louisiana’s complex and often painful history. 

After the guided tour, you will have an additional hour to explore the plantation grounds at your leisure before heading back to central New Orleans. You could take a stroll through the verdant gardens, or delve deeper into the exhibits that further illuminate the lives of those who shaped—and were shaped by—this place.

This tour is perfect for those seeking a deeper connection with the region’s past as this experience will leave you with a profound appreciation for the depth and diversity of Louisiana’s cultural heritage. Don’t miss the chance to uncover the many layers of history and culture that make this region so unique.

Disclaimer: Our plantation tours are designed to provide a historical perspective on the lives of those who lived and worked on these plantations, with a focus on education, remembrance, and respect for the experiences of the enslaved people. We aim to foster a deeper understanding of this challenging chapter in history, ensuring that the stories of those who suffered are heard and acknowledged. By running these tours, Travel Curious does not support, nor does it want to purport to support any form of social and/or economic racial disparity, but rather we view it as a vital educational resource with which to combat modern-day racism of any kind.