Private New Orleans Garden District Highlights Tour

Our tour begins in the heart of the New Orleans Garden District – considered by many to be one of the best-preserved collections of historic mansions in the United States. Originally a family plantation, this area was divided into smaller (but still very large!) lots for private homes with beautiful gardens in the mid-1800’s, giving the district its name. The amazing Antebellum architecture in the Garden District continues to draw the eye, making the area a favorite of locals and visitors alike. Throughout the tour, we’ll stroll past numerous gorgeous homes, some with famous Hollywood connections. New Orleans is always a popular filming location for the movie industry and the homes in the Garden District have had starring roles in several films.

We quickly arrive at the home of one of New Orleans’ oldest cemeteries – Lafayette Cemetery. Continually popular with travelers, New Orleans cemeteries have a unique approach to burials: namely, the above-ground, multiple-burial techniques used. Explore the grounds with your local guide, hear why these types of burials are iconic to New Orleans, and learn about some of the families buried in this particular square.

We then continue on for a view of one of the most striking buildings in all of New Orleans: Commander’s Palace. Host to myriad wedding receptions and dinners throughout the year, this eye-catching, turreted Victorian building is one of the most well-respected upscale restaurants in the entire country. Admire this gorgeous, turreted restaurant and hear of the many events that have taken place there.

To reflect the full story of The Garden District, your guide will highlight the real history and the true backbone of this historic neighborhood. Across Magazine Street, we’ll find the working-class area known as the Irish Channel. Predominantly settled by Irish immigrants, this neighborhood developed in the early 1800’s when the city’s shipping, alcohol, and brewing industries drew workers from all over the world, especially from Ireland. In contrast to the palatial homes we saw earlier, your guide will take you past some of the iconic shotgun-style homes of New Orleans.