New Orleans: French Quarter Walking Tour
ID: GYG194504-301766
Category:
Country: United States
Duration:
02:00 hours
Description
There are plenty of reasons to marvel at the unique French Quarter. Stories of West Africans, European colonists and immigrants from around the world bring the history of this city to life in an entertaining and engaging way.
This 2 hour long walk through the historic French Quarter starts at the Louisiana Welcome Center in the lower Pontalba Rowhouse in Jackson Square. Historically used as a parade ground, it is now full of musicians, tarot card readers, and street performers. You will then see the mighty Mississippi where steamboats dock and gigantic container and cruise ships pass.
You will then walk downriver along the old French Market to the Ursuline Convent. This is the oldest building in the Mississippi Delta from Colonial times and housed some very adventurous and courageous nuns who came here in the early 1700s. You will pass the house of famous jazz player, Danny Barker who is legendary among the city's jazz musicians. You will then come to one of the many former macaroni factories of the lower French Quarter, proof of the major role that Sicilian immigrants played in the city's history.
You will come across the house of Vincente Nunez, a Spaniard, whose carelessness caused a fire that destroyed 80% of the city in 1788. You will then see several of the city's former slave markets and learn about Jean Francois Merieult, an influential and powerful Creole businessman and slave trader. After a stop at Preservation Hall, the city's holy grail of traditional jazz, the tour ends in Jackson Square with a story about the famous Madame de Pontalba, a French baroness and businesswoman with an eye for beautiful architecture.
Highlights
- Watch how the famous Beignet pastries get made at Cafe du Monde
- Learn how New Orleans has protected itself from the threat of hurricanes and learn about the deadly storm Katrina
- Take a look at the house on Chartres Street where a careless Spaniard started the Great Fire of 1788
- Visit the former St. Louis Hotel and Exchange, where thousands of Africans were sold into slavery
- Get a feel for the big role that banjo player Danny Barker played in preserving traditional jazz
Guiding languages
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please wear solid shoes and appropriate clothing. The tour takes place rain or shine on uneven sidewalks.
You are required to bring and wear a mask
Louisiana Welcome Center, 529 St. Ann Street, Jackson Square, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116
When should I book?
To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.
Cancellations
This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 48 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 48 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.
