From
$33
per person
Garden District Walking Tour by French Quarter Phantoms
Where Old Money Meets Southern MysteryThe only daily walking tour that takes you inside a Garden District mansion. Tour the 1859 New Orleans Opera Guild Home, then leisurely stroll past celebrity homes, historic estates, and live-oak canopies through one of America's finest 19th-century neighborhoods.
Tour Highlights
- ✓See opulent antebellum mansions, each with a story to tell
- ✓Spot celebrity homes and find out who lives behind the garden walls
- ✓Stroll beneath centuries-old live oaks and through lush gardens
- ✓Easy walk on flat, shaded sidewalks
- ✓Explore NOLA's most beautiful neighborhood
What Guests Are Saying
“Customer service was astounding. We had to make so many changes to our reservation that I was embarrassed. G & G was timely and professional throughout. 100% recommended!”
★★★★★— Visitor from New Hampshirevia Direct
“Lenny was very knowledgeable and helpful when booking the tour! Would definitely book again.”
★★★★★— Robbyn A.via TripAdvisor
“I worked with Lenny to book tours for my company while we were in town for a conference. Lenny was amazing and accommodating. He helped me pick the right tours and even arranged transportation to the swamp!”
★★★★★— Tarah K.via Google
About This Tour
The Garden District is one of the finest collections of 19th-century mansions in America. This is the only daily walking tour that takes you inside one of them. You'll walk through the New Orleans Opera Guild Home, an 1859 mansion designed by architect William Freret Jr., and your ticket directly supports the Women's Guild of the New Orleans Opera.
From there, it's a leisurely mile through streets shaded by southern live oaks, magnolias, and crepe myrtles, past the mansions built by wealthy Americans who arrived after the Louisiana Purchase. Many of them were determined to outshine the elegance of the old French Quarter, and you can still feel that rivalry in the architecture. You'll see the stomping grounds of Anne Rice, John Goodman, and Archie Manning, pass the Benjamin Button House, and hear the stories behind facades that have anchored this neighborhood for more than 150 years.
Whether you're drawn by the architecture, the history, or the rare chance to step inside a mansion that's been at the heart of New Orleans society for more than 160 years, this tour shows you a side of the city most visitors only see from the sidewalk.
What's Included
- ★Licensed local guide
- ★Approximately 1-mile guided walking tour
- ★Covers the Garden District's most notable landmarks
Not included in this tour▼
- —Food and drinks
- —Transportation to meeting point
- —Guide gratuities
What to Bring
- ●Comfortable walking shoes (about 1 mile of walking)
- ●Sunscreen and hat
- ●Water bottle
- ●Camera
Departure Times
10:00 AM
Meeting Point
Garden District location
Details provided in confirmation email
Details provided in confirmation email
Frequently Asked Questions
Should we tip our tour guides?▼
Absolutely! Tipping 15-20% of your tour cost is standard and greatly appreciated — similar to what you'd tip at a restaurant. Our guides are passionate locals who rely on tips as a significant part of their income. A great guide can make your experience unforgettable. If they do, let them know!
What happens if it rains?▼
Tours run rain or shine. If you show up in the rain, your guide will be there. We only cancel if conditions become dangerous, and in that case you'll receive a full refund or the option to reschedule.
What is your cancellation policy?▼
Tours are non-refundable unless cancelled by the company or tour operators (typically due to dangerous weather like lightning or hurricanes). If you need to reschedule, contact us and we'll work with you to apply your payment to a different date or tour, subject to availability. We understand plans change — just give us as much notice as possible.
Can I reschedule my tour to a different date?▼
We ask for at least 24 hours notice for any changes. If you need to reschedule, get in touch with us as soon as you know and we'll do our best to work something out. The earlier you reach out, the more flexibility we have.
Is this tour wheelchair or scooter accessible?▼
It depends on the tour. Our walking tours around the French Quarter generally work fine for wheelchairs and scooters since they're on city streets and sidewalks. Our covered pontoon swamp boat is also wheelchair accessible. For bus and shuttle tours, the buses don't have lifts or room to store a scooter, but a collapsible wheelchair can usually be accommodated if you can manage the steps to board. Airboats are not wheelchair accessible. If you have mobility concerns, contact us and we'll help find the best fit.
Can I change my pickup location after booking?▼
Yes. Just let us know at least a day before your tour and we can update it. The easiest way is through our live chat on the website, or you can text or call us at 504-226-5433.
I'm trying to book for today, but there's no availability showing?▼
We close online booking several hours before each tour's departure time, and for some of our most popular tours, the cutoff can be even earlier. So if you're not seeing availability, it might mean the tour is full — but it might also just mean online booking has closed for the day.
Either way, chat with us. We can check directly with the tour operator and see if there's room. We've squeezed people in plenty of times, and it never hurts to ask.
Have more questions? Visit our FAQ page
Important Information
The inside of the Opera Guild Home is not wheelchair accessible due to its historic structure. The remainder of the tour takes place on flat sidewalks and is fully accessible. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Activity Level
Easy
About 1 mile of walking through the Garden District on flat sidewalks, with frequent stops.
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