If you're looking for a beautiful and relaxing way to explore New Orleans, this is the perfect tour. Andre was my tour guide and in just under two hours, he masterfully took us through the Garden District - from the history of the neighborhood, the unique types of architecture, and some of the famous residents of then and now. He was also kind enough to take pictures that I will treasure forever, as part of my first trip to this beautiful city. P.S. - Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and bring some water.
About Activity
What's Included
Includes
- See the house where F. Scott Fitzgerald lived in New Orleans
- Step into the Garden District, New Orleans’ historic neighborhood
- Discover hidden gems in the Garden District like Fire Station #23
- Pass by Lafayette Cemetery and learn about New Orleans tombs
- Explore the Irish Channel, a historic New Orleans neighborhood
- Enjoy a small-group tour with a maximum of 12 participants
Excludes
- Food and drinks
- Tips/gratuities for your guide
Departure & Return
Departure Point
- The historical marker at the corner of Washington and Prytania Streets, 2729 Prytania Street, New Orleans, LA 70130
Return
- A central location in the Garden District near the St. Charles streetcar line.
Itinerary
Begin your guided walk along oak-shaded streets lined with grand Garden District mansions.
Pass by Lafayette Cemetery, one of New Orleans’ oldest burial grounds. Learn about the city’s unique above-ground tombs and multi-burial traditions, shaped by New Orleans’ low-lying geography. Hear stories of notable individuals laid to rest here.
Travel off the beaten path in the Garden District to uncover lesser-known landmarks. Pass by the 1843 Barthelemy Rey House, the 1875 Soria-Creel House, and Fire Station #23. If time allows, see the building where author F. Scott Fitzgerald once lived.
Stop outside Commander’s Palace, one of New Orleans’ most iconic restaurants. Admire its Victorian architecture and learn why it’s a beloved venue for weddings and celebrations.
Cross Magazine Street into the Irish Channel, a historic New Orleans neighborhood. See classic shotgun-style houses and learn about the Irish immigrants who shaped the area and its vibrant culture.
Take a short break at a local New Orleans spot. Buy a refreshing drink before continuing your Garden District tour.
End near the St. Charles Streetcar Line after strolling past more Garden District homes. Before you go, your guide will share personal recommendations for New Orleans restaurants, bars, and local sights to explore during your stay.
Language Offered
Additional Info
Cancellation Policy
Reviews
A fun and lively tour that explores the spooky history of New Orleans. Ricardo covered a lot of ground as he took us across French Quarter, taking time to break down the relevance of each site and also offering suggestions on what to do after the tour ended. This would be great to do as part of a group or if you're traveling solo.
Adam did a wonderful job. Very informative! Highly recommend.
Andre was a great guide. Very informative and friendly I enjoyed the event. Thanks Andre.
Katherine made it fun and interesting. Great information and tour.
Very informative and we got some exercise as well. Was good to get out of the French Quarter & see more of New Orleans.
great trip good for your money and infromal
Excellent experience. Adam is very knowledgeable on architectural and local history. Being a local and Sharing his personal experiences puts this tour as my favorite
As a native of New Orleans, Adam had so much personal and historical information that he gladly shared with us in our two hour tour. It was less of a celebrity home tour and more of a discussion of important architectural history mixed in with some humor and fun facts. We give our highest recommendation!
Andre was great! We got to learn a lot about the history and architecture of New Orleans on this tour
Kristi was a great guide! We learned more about the history and architecture of New Orleans
Andre did a wonderful job. My friend and I completely enjoyed our tour. Andre is very knowledgeable, and I learned a lot. The Garden District is beautiful!
Adam was great! Strong local knowledge and architectural history!
Andre was a fantastic guide! He has such a passion for the architecture and so much knowledge. We learned so much and had a great time. Highly recommend!
Andrade was excellent!! Very knowledgeable about the area from architecture to agriculture! Had answers for every question we threw at him and was, on top of it, personable. Would recommend him and the tour to anyone!
Andre was amazing!!! So knowledgeable, personable, and kind!
Andre is the best and did an excellent job.
Andre was an outstanding tour guide for the Garden District in New Orleans and truly made the experience unforgettable. From the moment the tour began, it was clear he had a deep knowledge of the neighborhood’s history, architecture, and culture. He didn’t just point out beautiful homes and famous landmarks. He brought them to life with stories, context, and fascinating details that you would never get from simply walking through the area on your own. Andre struck the perfect balance between education and entertainment. His storytelling style was engaging, lively, and often funny, which kept everyone in the group interested the entire time. He clearly loves New Orleans and the Garden District, and that enthusiasm made the tour even more enjoyable. What really stood out was how knowledgeable he was about everything from the historic mansions and their past residents to local traditions, architecture styles, and even small details about the trees and gardens that make the district so special. He also welcomed questions and answered them thoughtfully, making the tour feel interactive and personal. The pace of the walk was comfortable, with plenty of time to take in the stunning scenery and snap photos. Andre also shared great recommendations for places to eat, explore, and experience more of New Orleans after the tour ended. If you are visiting New Orleans and want to truly understand the beauty and history of the Garden District, a tour with Andre is absolutely worth it. Highly recommended!
A really cool experience through the garden district about it's history and modernization and a lot of walking!! Andre was a fantastic guide throughout!!
My tour with Andre was awesome! I signed up solo and no one else signed up either so I ended up with a private tour. This can be a bit intimidating as a solo woman in a new city, but Andre was great! I got to ask way more questions and once he realized I was into all the beautiful foliage/spring flowers he would point out even more. 10/10 would recommend.
Our guide, Adam was so knowledgeable and fun… My husband and I learned so much and had a fantastic time! Ask for Adam…
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Andre Dardeau is an absolute gem of a tour guide! We had the privilege of taking the Garden District tour in New Orleans with Andre Dardeau, and it was truly one of the highlights of our trip. Andre is incredibly knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about both the history and heart of this city. His storytelling brought the Garden District to life — weaving together architecture, culture, famous residents, and lesser-known gems in a way that was fascinating, thoughtful, and fun. What really set Andre apart was his warmth and energy. He didn’t just “give a tour,” he created an experience. He welcomed questions, shared personal insights, and made every stop feel meaningful rather than scripted. We walked away not only having seen beautiful homes and streets, but with a much deeper appreciation for New Orleans and its rich, layered history. If you’re considering a Garden District tour, do yourself a favor and go with Andre Dardeau. You won’t regret it — he is outstanding.
Andre was an incredible tour guide. We loved that he knew so much about the area and architecture. His humor was a bonus. It was like being with a friend. He gave us wonderful food recommendations for the remainder of our trip which I as a foodie will always greatly appreciate.
Our tour guide was Andre who did an excellent job explaining the history and architecture of the beautiful Garden District. My wife and I ended up being the only ones at our time slot which added to the charm of the experience. Andre also gave us in depth recommendations for food and things to do around the city. I would highly recommend this tour.
I enjoyed learning about this area. The houses are all so pretty. Andre was very knowledgeable and friendly. Thank you!
Amazing tour! Great pace and didn't feel rushed. All questions were answered. Went all over garden district and Lafayette cementary.
This was my first time booking a walking tour, and I was slightly skeptical—but it turned out to be the best decision ever! Walter is the absolute best. I was traveling solo to New Orleans for the first time, and this was the first thing I did. Walter made me feel so welcome and safe. He’s kind, the sweetest person, and genuinely passionate about what he does. He went out of his way to make the experience memorable, full of great stories and hidden gems in the Garden District. I couldn’t recommend this tour more. Thank you, Walter!❤️
Chip was an excellent guide. His knowledge of the area made for an interesting and informative experience. He was engaging and quick to answer all questions. It made the 1.5 hrs of walking fly by. I would definitely recommend it to anyone traveling to New Orleans
It’s a great look at the garden district but navigating the poor quality sidewalks could be challenging for some people. That being said it was very interesting to learn about the Garden District and how it came to be. The homes are gorgeous!!
The properties we saw were incredible. Our guide Chad was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the area and the architecture. Would recommend!
Our guide really knew his stuff and made sure we understood the details. The walk was just the right length and he gave us great referrals for lunch too! Who would’ve thought… an architecture junkie who was also a foodie!
Our tour was phenomenal! Very informative, not too strenuous, and delightful views. Chip could answer any question the group had. Would highly recommend to anyone looking to learn more about the city and its architecture or even if you’re just looking for a fun way to pass the time away from the bustle of the quarter.
We did the 2 hour architecture tour with Chip. Chip was a very knowledgeable about the history and architecture of the Garden District. We appreciated the details and insights on the people and cultures that influenced the architectural styles and building methods that were used in this unique setting. I would highly recommend his tour to anyone.
Chip was an excellent tour guide. He was knowledgeable and conscientious of everyone’s comfort. I would highly recommend this tour!
The tour was great! Chip was incredibly knowledgeable about the Garden District, from the house architecture to the cemeteries and history. It was a good way to check out another part of the city and a highlight of our trip.
This was an excellent walking tour led by Chip. Our engaging guide led a perfectly paced tour exploring Cemetary #1, the Garden District, and the Irish Canal areas. He shared a great mix or architectural and artistic details, local color stories, and amusing asides that brought the neighborhoods to life. He was also took time to answer our “off script” questions which personalized the tour to our interests. Highly recommended!
Neil was amazing! Entertaining and showed us great food :) Learned a lot about the history and culture of New Orleans. 10/10 great experience!!
Cool tour. Chip was great and helpful and had lots of info about the history and architecture of the homes and neighborhood. Beautiful area and fun!
Did a walking tour of the Garden District with Chip and it was fantastic! Chip's deep knowledge of the area's history and architecture made the tour super engaging. He shared lots of interesting facts and stories that you won't find anywhere else. Highly recommend this tour if you want to dive deep into the heart of New Orleans with a great guide!
I have been on a few tours in New Orleans and this one is hands down the best. So many tours are so scripted and over the top where the guide does not know much beyond what they have memorized for their delivery. Chip is truly knowledgeable about New Orleans and really educated me and my friends while bringing a super chill vibe that kept everyones spirits high. The walk was just the right length and Chip was always attentive about keeping us safe while crossing streets and making sure to stop in places where there was plenty of shade for us to rest in. The Garden District is beautiful and so unique, nothing else like it in the US and I consider this tour the best way to see it. Thanks, Chip! 🤠
This was a fun tour. Learned a lot about the history of New Orleans, it's architecture and traditions. Very cool, thanks!
Bonnie was amazing! She knew so much about the garden district. She was super welcoming and kind. Loved to hear about the different styles of houses!
Chip was knowledgeable, friendly and provided a very enjoyable tour, balancing history and architectural knowledge.
Beautiful homes and great information. Such a great tour guide. Walking tour. We enjoyed and liked our tour guide Chad. Lots of beautiful homes
Bonnie, our tour guide was an amazing wealth of interesting information. The thing I liked most about her is that she talked with us like a real person and not a tour guide rambling off memorized facts. Our small group was so fun! We learned so much about the area and had a great time doing it. Thanks Bonnie!! 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bonnie guided us through an amazing tour through the Garden District and Irish Channel! If you want to learn about the history of the area, NOLA, architecture, and culture, then I highly recommend this tour. I loved that the knowledge shared was a few levels deeper. It wasn't just an answer to why this or how that, but Bonnie often went a few layers deeper to really stoke our curiosity. My partner and I appreciated the personal touch, humor, and positive vibes that Bonnie provided. We highly recommend this tour.
Our guide was knowledgable and the pace of the tour was perfect. We learned a lot about the history of the area.
Bonnie was really kind. I was solo on this trip so it was nice having a group to explore with! The houses were great and Bonnie pointed out some famous peoples houses too!
Despite the rain our tour guide Bonnie was very accommodating and kind , very knowledgeable about the history and architecture of the city. She shared a lot of information with us during the tour. We will definitely recommend taking this tour when you visit the city
When you book a small group tour with a reputable company, you expect to have a knowledgeable, experienced and engaging tour guide. Our tour guide has lived outside of New Orleans for less than a year. He was filling in a gap fr the absense of the regularly scheduled experienced tour guide. His intentions were good. His knowledge was weak. The four of us on this Garden District tour had more information than he did. He had to be informed about the difference between wrought iron and cast-iron, and how they were made. He really did not understand architecture and the different styles. I was informing others in the tour about common vegetation like resurrection fern. He did not enhance our understanding of the garden district. He flounded to think of what was coming next. We have traveled extensively internationally and nationally and I would say this is the worst tour we have ever had. Viator should have know better than to pitch hit in this way. Accordingly they should refund the money to the four of us who participated in this tour. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for us however, it became a once in a lifetime missed opportunity for us. Sorry to say this, but it is true.
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