New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour

Get ready to move and groove in the birthplace of jazz as you explore the storied streets of New Orleans with this self-guided walking tour. Discover rich history and culture as you stroll through the French Quarter. Stop for beignets at Cafe du Monde, hear a spine-chilling (and accurate) tale of horror at the LaLaurie Mansion, and visit the city’s lively Bourbon Street, where there’s never a dull moment! Along the way, you’ll learn about the origins of Cajun and Creole, get to know jazz legends like Louis Armstrong, and so much more.

After booking, check your email to download the separate Audio Tour Guide App by Action, enter your unique password, and access your tour. These steps require good internet/Wi-Fi access. From there, follow the audio instructions and the route.

New, extra validity — now yours for an entire year! Use multiple times over multiple trips!

This isn’t an entrance ticket. Check opening hours before your visit.

Do you see a steamboat straight ahead? That’s the Natchez, the last authentic steamboat on the mighty Mississippi. You’re looking back in time at the early 1800s, when boats like this one revolutionized trade and travel up and down this river. They’re also the inspiration for riverboats, which Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn famously rode on. Plus, if you want to experience some jazz on the river, this boat is the place to be!

Note: This tour is 1.9 miles long and covers all its essentials in 1-2 hours.

The plaza at the top of this platform is Washington Artillery Park. Established in 1976, this small park honors the many militaries which have used this land as a defensive fortification, from the French to the Spanish, the Confederates, and the United States. Strange bedfellows, for sure!

There’s a fantastic view straight ahead of St. Louis Cathedral. It’s the oldest continuously used cathedral in America. Originally built in 1720, it burned down in 1788 and was rebuilt immediately within a year. We’ll walk right by the Cathedral later in the tour and get a chance to visit.

To our left is the popular Decatur Street! With it’s horse-drawn carriage rides, restaurants, and clubs, I’m sure you’ll find yourself spending lots of time walking up and down Decatur for the rest of your visit here in New Orleans. There’s always something to do!

This building straight ahead is the ever-popular Cafe Du Monde French Market. First established in 1862, Cafe Du Monde became famous for its chicory coffee. Chicory is the root of a blue-flowered perennial plant first used in ancient Egypt. Before it was ground and mixed with coffee in France, Egyptians used chicory in tea to heal various ailments. But the chicory coffee here wasn’t just made for its flavor – it was born out of necessity.

This monument honors Joan of Arc, the patron saint of France. Joan is known for her military might. In 1428, acting under what she believed to be divine guidance, she disguised herself as a man and fought alongside the French army. One of her most famous feats was defending the city of Orleans from the English during a brutal siege. So it seems only fitting she receive a statue in New Orleans!

Look up and to the left. See that balcony with all the plants up ahead? That’s the birthplace of game-changing jazz musician Danny Barker! Pause in front. Barker’s own family, the Barbarins, were musical legends in their own right. His grandfather played with Louis Armstrong!

This is it: The LaLaurie Mansion. So what exactly happened here? Delphine LaLaurie had a disturbing appetite for violence, which she inflicted upon her enslaved servants. She beat them, underfed them, and seemed to take pleasure in their suffering. It became an open secret in town, but authorities didn’t really care. That is, until Delphine chased an enslaved girl off the edge of the roof with a whip and the girl fell to her death. Authorities then forced the LaLaurie’s to surrender their nine remaining servants.

We’re walking toward Bourbon Street, New Orleans’s party central. But this street wasn’t named after liquor. It got its name from the French royal family at the time, the House of Bourbon! In the early 1800s, Bourbon Street was mostly residential. In 1859, the sleepy neighborhood did get a bit of excitement. That’s when the French Opera House arrived. Clever entrepreneurs saw this as an opportunity. Soon, restaurants, bars, and other diversions popped up around the opera house. The sleepy street started to wake up!

On our right, directly on the corner, stands Jean Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop. On chilly nights in the 1770s, legend has it that the infamous pirate Jean Lafitte held meetings at this bar! He and his fellow privateers housed illegal contraband as they discussed which ship to hit next. Back then, a blacksmith shop stood next to the bar, hence the name.

Mardi Gras has become synonymous with New Orleans’s culture. Loosely translated into “Fat Tuesday,” Mardi Gras season begins on Three Kings Day, or January 6th. The full-blown celebration you’re probably familiar with takes place before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.

Look ahead a few houses on the left. Do you see a yellow house with a triangular roof and a balcony? That’s the former home of famous American playwright Tennessee Williams! Head over there and pause in front.

Directly ahead of us is Louis Armstrong Park. I’m sure you can guess who it’s named for! Cross the street toward the park when it’s safe, then continue straight into the park. Born in the early 1900s, Louis Armstrong grew up in a rough neighborhood here in New Orleans. But he wouldn’t have traded it for anything. He once said:

“We were poor and everything like that, but music was all around. Music kept you rolling.”

This 12-foot statue depicts none other than Louis Armstrong himself. It honors the jazz musician’s life and legacy. And what a legacy that is! Armstrong lives on throughout New Orleans. The airport carries his name, as do countless other landmarks. But not everything bearing Armstrong’s name is in New Orleans. Some of it isn’t even on this planet! In 1991, NASA named an asteroid after Armstrong! They called it 9179 Satchmo.

In 1817, the mayor of New Orleans decreed that enslaved Africans could only gather in one place: Congo Square. Here, enslaved people came together on Sundays to worship, buy and sell goods, and catch up. Women weaved through the crowds selling baskets of calas, which are deep-fried rice cakes covered in sugar. Congo Square buzzed with singing, dancing, and live music. Since several states had suppressed African music, visitors flocked here to marvel at the African-style dancing. The beat of the bamboulas and banzas fused with the sound of drums, gourds, marimbas, violins, and tambourines.

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• How to access: Once you book a tour, you’ll get a confirmation email with instructions. Follow the instructions right away: • Download the separate app • Enter the password • Download the tour • MUST DO while in strong wifi/cellular.
• How to start the tour: Open Action’s separate audio tour guide app once onsite. • If there is just one tour, launch it. • If multiple tour versions exist, launch the one with your planned starting point and direction. • Go to the starting point. (Note: no one will meet you at the start. This tour is self-guided). • The audio will begin automatically at the starting point. If you face audio issues, visit the FAQ. • Stick to the tour route & speed limit for the best experience.
• Walking Tours: couples can share one using headphones.
• Flexibility and Convenience: • Use the tour app anytime, on any day, and over multiple days. It’s perfect for tailoring your exploration and revisiting your favorite spots on future trips. • Start and pause the tour whenever you like, taking breaks and exploring side excursions at your own pace, free from the constraints of a group.
• Comprehensive Tour Experience: •The app provides a full itinerary, travel tips, narrated audio stories, scripts, images, videos, and recommendations for additional activities. • Enjoy a private experience without the crowds, ideal for personalized stops and photo opportunities.
• Ease of Use and Accessibility: • The app is hands-free and activates stories via GPS, offering support through call, chat, or email. • There is no need for a continuous cell or Wi-Fi connection as the GPS map works offline.
• Memorable Keepsakes: • Utilize the app’s images to create a photo book or share on social media, ensuring you have high-quality, crowd-free memories from your trip.
• Preparation: • After booking, download the app and the tour using a strong Wi-Fi connection. • Review the tour at home before your trip for a better experience.
• Starting the Tour: • Open the app upon arrival at your destination. • Select the appropriate tour based on your starting point. • Head to the starting location; the audio will begin automatically. • Follow the suggested route and adhere to the speed limit for an optimal experience. • By following these instructions and taking advantage of the app’s features, users can enjoy a personalized, flexible, and in-depth exploration of their destination at their own pace and convenience.
• Minimum Mobile OS Requirement: iOS 14 or later / Android 9 (Pie) or later. It is compatible with iPad models that have a GPS chip.

• New Orleans Self-Guided Walking Audio Tour
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• Easy-to-use app: download Action’s Tour Guide App onto your phone
• Engaging storytelling: Uncover unique tales and thrilling history for a memorable journey!
• Perfect narrator: nothing can beat listening to a great voice. Proven with tons of rave reviews!
• Offline maps: no signal, no problem! Works perfectly without cellular or wifi.
• Comprehensive route and stops: See it all, miss nothing, leave no stone unturned!
• Go at your own pace: Start anytime, pause anywhere, enjoy breaks for snacks and photos freely!
• Learn more: dive deeper into any story you enjoyed with extra stories.
• Hands-free: audio stories play on their own based on your location. Easy to use!

• Attraction passes, entry tickets, or reservations

Trending New Orleans Nearby Tours Likely To Sell Out

You’re not done yet! It’s time to set up the tour you purchased.

Follow these steps now, while in wifi/signal. Do NOT wait until your travel date or while onsite.

1. Find the tour setup instructions:

>> Email: search for the phrase “Your tour operator sent you a message” OR “Set up your Action Tour Guide self-guided tour now.” If it’s not in Inbox, check All Mail.

>> Viator App Messages: open the app, check Bookings, select View Voucher, and click on Contact Tour Operator

>> TripAdvisor App Messages:
open the app, check Account, select Messages

>> Text: check for a text from 415-980-4997

>> Can’t find it? Ask us to resend: https://actiontourguide.com/redeem/

2. Follow the set up instructions NOW, not later:

>> MUST do this before traveling to site. Requires WiFi/signal.

>> Do NOT wait until your travel date to access the tour for the first time. The tour is not tied to your travel date.

>> If you’ve reserved the tour for multiple participants (e.g., four people), the same password can be redeemed multiple times (e.g., four times).

3. Not familiar with our self-guided audio tours? Watch this quick tutorial: https://actiontourguide.com/tutorial

⚠️ Important Note:
Your purchase is for the audio tour ONLY. It does not include entrance tickets to parks or attractions.

Have a question – We’re here to help! For quick answers, visit the app’s FAQ section or our website at actiontourguide.com/faq. If you need further assistance, please call us at +1 435-288-0560, chat with us online, or email us at support@actiontourguide.com. We’re committed to providing you with the support you need every step of the way!

Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Travel with Action.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at America/Chicago.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• This Tour is Rated 4 Stars based on 1 valid reviews on TRIPADVISOR.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 15 Travelers is accepted for booking.