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Historic New Orleans: Private Tour including Destrehan Plantation

New Orleans, United States of America
4 hours
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What You Will Do

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.  


What's Included?

  • A friendly, professional English Speaking tour guide for your own private group
  • Plenty of time to take photos of your favourite places
  • Private vehicle throughout the tour
  • Hotel pick-up/drop off from central hotels
  • Entrance to Destrehan Plantation

What's Not Included?

  • Food and drink
  • Gratuities
  • Additional tickets
  • Airport & Cruise Terminal pickup & drop off

Cancellation Policy

Free cancellation up to 4 days before tour start. Non refundable if cancelled within 4 days of tour start.

Itinerary

Meeting Point

Pickup service is included in central New Orleans locations. If we don't receive your hotel information or is outside the pickup range, your guide will meet you at the entrance to Popbar located at 207 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130, United States.

1

The French Quarter

Famous for its nightlife, jazz music, and food, the historic French Quarter is the first stop on most travelers' to-do list!

Show 5 more stops

Additional Information

This activity is operated by Travel Curious
  • Weather notes: Force Majeure Disclaimer: In the event of unforeseen circumstances such as extreme weather, natural disasters, riots, strikes, etc. and the tour cannot operate as published, we will endeavour to reschedule your tour date/time or we will provide a full refund.
  • Know before you go: - Hotel pick-up is available upon request. Please note that if you do not provide us with your hotel information your guide will meet you at the recommended meeting point (address in the tour confirmation email). - Please wear comfortable walking shoes - Please bring the medication you may require during the tour. - In summer, please remember to bring a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water.
  • Accesibility: If you have mobility impairments or require any assistance, please let us know in advance so we can plan your tour accordingly to ensure a great experience.