What are the best areas to stay in New Orleans at the start of the tour?

The French Quarter and Central Business District stand out as prime locations for starting a New Orleans tour offering quick access to major attractions and tour meeting points. The French Quarter puts visitors steps away from Bourbon Street Jackson Square and Café du Monde while maintaining its historic character. Hotels like the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel and Hotel Le Marais are common choices among tour participants. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Staying at the Hotel Le Marais in the French Quarter was perfect - we could walk everywhere and really soak in the atmosphere before the tour officially began."

What are the most popular first-day activities when starting a tour in New Orleans?

First-day activities center on exploring the French Quarter with visits to St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square. Many tours begin with check-in at central hotels like the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel on Canal Street followed by a welcome dinner at local institutions such as Pat O'Brien's. Evening activities often include walks through historic districts or ghost tours with local guides. A TourRadar traveler shares: "The French Quarter orientation tour was a perfect way to start our journey through the South."

What unique cultural experiences are included in tours starting from New Orleans?

New Orleans tours feature live jazz performances at venues like Maison Bourbon visits to distinctive above-ground burial sites such as St. Louis Cemetery #3 and Creole dining at restaurants like Court of Two Sisters. Programs typically include guided walks through the Garden District boat rides on the Mississippi and tours of historic plantations. A TourRadar traveler notes: "The combination of music food and history tours in New Orleans perfectly captured the essence of the city's rich cultural heritage."

What transportation options are available from New Orleans airport to tour starting points?

From Louis Armstrong International Airport travelers can choose between private tour transfers to downtown hotels airport shuttles costing around USD 25 per person or taxis with a fixed rate of approximately USD 36 to the French Quarter. Most tours include transportation to hotels in the French Quarter and Central Business District. A TourRadar traveler states: "The included transfer from the airport to our French Quarter hotel made the start of our tour stress-free and convenient."

What is the best time of year to start a tour from New Orleans?

The spring months of March through May offer mild temperatures and major events like Mardi Gras and Jazz Fest making it a preferred season for visitors. Fall (September-November) provides comfortable weather with smaller crowds. Summer brings high humidity but lower hotel rates. Booking data shows March and October as peak months. A TourRadar traveler notes: "Visiting in April was perfect - the weather was pleasant and the city was alive with festival energy."

How much free time is typically allocated in New Orleans before heading to other destinations?

Tours generally schedule 2-3 days in New Orleans combining guided activities with independent exploration time. A typical itinerary includes one day of guided sightseeing covering the French Quarter and St. Louis Cathedral plus free time for optional activities like swamp tours cooking classes or river cruises. The Simply New Orleans to Nashville tour exemplifies this with three full days in the city. A TourRadar traveler shares: "Having three days in New Orleans was perfect - enough time to see the main sights and still explore on our own."

USA Tours from New Orleans

New Orleans awaits! Bourbon Street jazz hits different when you're there live, catching performances that just happen spontaneously. Elvis's Graceland in Memphis is pure music history, and those steamboat dinner cruises down the Mississippi have serious Southern charm. Vicksburg brings Civil War history to life, Nashville's Grand Ole Opry shows are legendary, and Sun Studio is a must-see. Historic mansions line the river. It’s the real soul of the South.

10 best USA tour packages from New Orleans

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In-depth Cultural
Sounds of the South New Orleans to Atlanta - 8 days
Duration
8 days
Destinations
New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Memphis, Nashville,Chattanooga,Atlanta+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Eastern USASouthern USASun Belt+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
From
US$1,865per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Classic Cajun Country & New Orleans
Duration
7 days
Destinations
New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Natchez, Lafayette, Avery Island
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Southern USACentral USASun Belt+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Tours of Distinction
From
US$2,549per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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$Music Cities - \$
$Music Cities - \"Southern Style\" - 7 destinations$
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In-depth Cultural
Music Cities - "Southern Style"
Duration
14 days
Destinations
New Orleans, Vicksburg, Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Tupelo,Nashville+1 more
Age Range
Ages 21+
Country Region
Eastern USASouthern USASoutheast USASun Belt+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Travelling Time
From
US$4,319per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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$America\'s Music Cities Holiday featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville (New Orleans, LA to Nashville, TN) (2026) Tour$
$America\'s Music Cities Holiday featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville (New Orleans, LA to Nashville, TN) (2026) - 4 destinations$
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In-depth Cultural
America's Music Cities Holiday featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville (New Orleans, LA to Nashville, TN) (2026)
4.6 (78 traveler reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
New Orleans, Oxford, Memphis, Nashville
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Eastern USASouthern USASoutheast USASun Belt+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
6% Off
From $3,999
US$3,749per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Explorer
Mississippi River Odyssey
Duration
22 days
Destinations
New Orleans, Darrow, Natchez, Vicksburg, Memphis, Paducah,Hannibal,Burlington,Dubuque,La Crosse,Red Wing+5 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Viking Mississippi
Operated in
English
Operator
Viking Cruises
6% Off
From
US$19,579per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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$America\'s Music Cities featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville (New Orleans, LA to Nashville, TN) (2026) Tour$
$America\'s Music Cities featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville (New Orleans, LA to Nashville, TN) (2026) - 4 destinations$
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Explorer
America's Music Cities featuring New Orleans, Memphis & Nashville (New Orleans, LA to Nashville, TN) (2026)
4.6 (78 traveler reviews)
"Everyone and everything was great."
Virginia, traveled in November
Duration
8 days
Destinations
New Orleans, Oxford, Memphis, Nashville
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Eastern USASouthern USASoutheast USASun Belt+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
6% Off
From $3,899
US$3,649per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
Highlights of New Orleans
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
5 days
Destinations
New Orleans
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Southern USAGulf Of MexicoCentral USASun BeltNew Orleans+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Bucket List Group Travel LLC
6% Off
From
US$2,590per person
Price based on Private Single Room
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In-depth Cultural
Southern Sounds & Elvis
5.0 (51 traveler reviews)
"Very organised. Great tour."
Duration
8 days
Destinations
New Orleans, Indianola, Memphis, Nashville
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Eastern USASouthern USASoutheast USASun Belt+3 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Cosmos
6% Off
From $2,359
US$2,209per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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Festival & Events
USA – New Orleans Mardi Gras Carnival
5.0 (1 traveler review)
Duration
5 days
Destinations
New Orleans
Age Range
Ages 8+
Country Region
Southern USAGulf Of MexicoCentral USASun BeltNew Orleans+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Bucket List Group Travel LLC
6% Off
From
US$2,990per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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In-depth Cultural
New Orleans Pre-Mardi Gras Singles Weekend
Duration
5 days
Destinations
New Orleans
Age Range
Ages 35+
Country Region
Southern USAGulf Of MexicoCentral USASun BeltNew Orleans+4 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Best Single Travel
6% Off
From
US$1,945per person
Price based on Private Double Room
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River Cruise
New Orleans & Southern Charms
Duration
8 days
Destinations
New Orleans, Darrow, Saint Francisville, Vicksburg,Baton Rouge+1 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Viking Mississippi
Country Region
Southern USACentral USASun Belt+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Viking Cruises
6% Off
From
US$5,735per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
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River Cruise
Bayous, Blues & Bluegrass New Orleans, Louisiana to Louisville, Kentucky
Duration
15 days
Destinations
New Orleans, Darrow, Saint Francisville, Natchez,Vicksburg,Memphis,Paducah,Henderson,Owensboro,Louisville+6 more
Age Range
Ages 18+
Ship
Viking Mississippi
Regions
Eastern USASouthern USAMississippi+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Viking Cruises
6% Off
From
US$17,639per person
Price based on Private Double Room
- Booking needs min. 2 travelers
View tour