New Orleans has more than a few special adventures waiting for you.
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If you enjoy specialty cocktails and learning about mixology, there’s something for you. If you’re into ghosts and true crime, there’s even more for you to experience. Are you a foodie, too, by chance? Hope you’re hungry.
And that’s not even touching on architecture, history, Mardi Gras, or one of New Orleans’ most famous exports: great music.
Whether you’re a fan of Trombone Shorty, the second line, legendary spots like the Spotted Cat, or a more sensual experience like The Howlin’ Wolf, there’s a show and a tune waiting to soothe your soul.
But if you want to dig a little deeper into the city’s musical identity, history, and legacy, you might want to book more than a table at a jazz club. Here’s how to dive deep with the top music tours in New Orleans. I’ve divided my picks into two categories: music tours for musicians who want to dive deep and casual tours for first-timers who don’t know jazz from blues.
Music tours in New Orleans: top 3 picks
- Get the full story: The Soul & Sound of NOLA: Music and Culture Tour
- The Second Line adventure: New Orleans Culture – Second Line Tour
- The hands-off jazz session: Live Jazz Brunch at Court of Two Sisters
8 music tours in New Orleans for hardcore music fans
- NOLA Music Heritage Tour: This affordable two-hour tour breaks down 300 years of musical history. From blues to jazz to gospel, you’ll get to dig into what defines New Orleans’ music scene. Along the way, you’ll visit places where famous music was made, including local recording studios. Best of all, this tour is led by a record producer who has spent two decades in the industry. It doesn’t get much better than that.
- New Orleans Music Walking Tour: Here’s another two-hour tour that breaks down centuries of music history. You’ll start off learning about West African music that created the foundation for jazz, blues, and, later on, rock ’n roll. At the end of the tour, you’ll stop at J&M Studios, which is known as the real birthplace of rock ’n roll.
- New Orleans Jazz Walking Tour: If you want to explore jazz, specifically, this two-hour tour takes you deep into the city’s soulful rhythm. Leading the way are a talented troupe of local performers and musicians, including choreographers and cultural experts. The tour also includes a visit to the New Orleans Jazz Museum.
- New Orleans Music Tour: This two-hour tour lets you get up-close and personal with some of the city’s best street performers as you explore famous musical sites like Preservation Hall and Storyville. Not only will you learn about Louis Armstrong, but other influential musicians like Little Richard and Fats Domino. If you want to catch live music on your tour, go with this option.
- The Soul & Sound of NOLA: Music and Culture Tour: This is a lengthier three-hour tour that leaves no stone unturned. It covers the social, cultural, and musical identity of New Orleans, which draws on Creole, African, and indigenous traditions. Because it’s a longer tour, a minivan transports you from stop to stop. There’s also a bar visit where you can order a drink and rest up.
- Jazz History & Music Walking Tour: This 2.5-hour walking tour lets you dive deep into NOLA’s jazz history. Your guide will take you around popular jazz areas, from Louis Armstrong Park to Frenchman Street. Your tour concludes with a live jazz performance at a local spot, which comes with a free drink.
- NOLA Jazz History & People of Color Tour: Skip the normal music tour route and head into Treme, a neighborhood that has played an important role for local people of color and the evolution of jazz. As you explore Treme, you’ll also learn about local shops, jazz venues, and boutiques.
- New Orleans Culture – Second Line Tour: If you’re intrigued by Second Line performances, this 2.5-hour tour breaks down the history and modern practices of the famed Second Line. Not only do you get the chance to experience a Second Line firsthand, but you also get to get down with locals.
4 music tours in New Orleans for casual fans
- Live Jazz Brunch at Court of Two Sisters: Step into a gorgeous, historic restaurant to munch on Creole dishes while being soothed by a live jazz performance. There’s also house wine, champagne, or mimosas available. Just know that this is a buffet-style brunch—no menus.
- Creole Queen Paddlewheeler Jazz Dinner Cruise: If you enjoy a little journey by water, head aboard the Creole Queen, a famous paddlewheeler serving locals and visitors. (Natchez is the other one.) This tour comes with a live jazz performance and a set dinner menu. You can enjoy city views from the deck, too, on this 2.5-hour cruise.
- Frenchmen Street VIP Live Music Pub Crawl: Skip the history lessons on this three-hour pub crawl on Frenchman Street. As you venture from one watering hole to the next, you can enjoy live music, specialty cocktails, and the chance to make friends with other travelers.
- Small Group Guide to French Quarter: This is a general French Quarter tour that runs for two hours. You’re pretty much guaranteed to see a live performance or ten while you explore the neighborhood. It’s a great way to get a feel for the neighborhood and music without diving too deep.
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