Garden District Secrets and Scandals Tour
Description
Small Groups ✦ History ✦ Architecture ✦ Scandal See the gorgeous architecture and lush gardens of the Garden District, as we peer behind the curtain at the secrets and scandals that make it legendary. We bring a private tour experience to every tour, by limiting it to small groups, and personalizing the tour for you. Hear stories of gamblers, corrupt politicians, con artists, and a rock star who caused a scene. See filming locations, & celebrity homes, on the way. Although the cemetery has been closed indefinitely to all tours by the city, we'll see tombs from the gate and discuss the place's history and burial methods. We'll discuss architecture styles popular in the neighborhood's growth, and some unusual homes as well! We'll end at the largest home in the neighborhood -- also a main location from American Horror Story, Coven season. Our focus is that you get more than a great two-hour experience, but connection points to our city, and its stories, that you'll never forget.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Cemetery is presently closed by the city, so we'll talk about its history and see the tombs from the gate. First, take a walk through New Orleans' historic Lafayette Cemetery and learn about the founding of our city, our unique burial practices, famous locals interred here, and our strong French and Catholic influence. You'll even discover the film locations of Hollywood blockbusters such as Interview with the Vampire and Double Jeopardy, both of which had iconic scenes filmed here!
After your refreshing break our group will venture out into the gorgeous Garden District where you might even catch a glimpse of a celebrity! The beautiful antebellum homes will take your breath away, and the stories that accompany them are always entertaining and sometimes even shocking. This tour is a wonderful change of pace from the French Quarter crowds, and will give you a fun and interactive historical experience you will never forget.
We will see the Women's Guild of the New Orleans Opera, used as a production office for Jaime Foxx movie Django Unchained, directed by Quinten Tarantino.
End near Magazine Street, New Orleans' best uptown street for shopping, food, art galleries, and more!
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(62)
Tracy was AMAZING! So fun, knowledgeable, witty and engaging. Two hours felt like 30 mins. The Garden district tour is a must for either the seasoned New Orleaneans or the out of towner tourist. I found the graveyard information fascinating, the old homes intruging and the history was scandalous!
This is a fabulous tour, and Tracy is so knowledgeable and so funny. Even when we went off on little bunny trails in our conversation of the history of the Garden District, she pulled us back into reality. There is so much to know, and she knew it all! Five stars, hands down.
Walked with Tracy on a Monday night, ended up being a private tour. Had a wonderful time, she knows her stuff and is quick witted about it! Both a good history tour as well as haunts! Would do it again with my sister who is obsessed with ghost stories
I enjoyed this tour very much! Guide Tracy presented tons of historical information on the beautiful homes and famous and infamous occupants in a funny and interesting way. She really knows her stuff. Also learned a lot about the cemetery and history of New Orleans. (Tours inside the cemetery are no longer allowed due to stupid people who apparently disrespected or vandalized it), but we were right outside and able to see some of it. Took a short break at a cute coffee shop owned by Commander’s Palace which was convenient for a bathroom break or to purchase a refreshment or other items. Wear good walking shoes and watch your step on the sidewalks. Altogether an enjoyable tour with a great guide. Thanks Tracy!
Tracy was knowledgeable and entertaining. Giving the tour a 3 only because the walking was difficult due to the sidewalk being broken and tree roots needed to be avoided. Two members of our group had to leave early due to this, one guest fell and skinned her arm.
Very sorry to hear about your friend. But the condition of the footpaths is really outside our control, as a tour business. All we can do is caution folks about the footpaths. We are not responsible for maintaining them. I believe your is about your experience of the neighborhood, and not the job we did, vis a vis other tour companies.
Tracy was an excellent tour guide. She had a lot of knowledge about the history of the garden district and some gossip about it too! She was friendly and approachable and made the tour fun! An excellent way to spend the afternoon in New Orleans! Thanks Tracy!
Josh was an amazing guide, he was super knowledgeable and we learned a lot about the history of the garden district we highly recommend taking a toor with them!
Thank you so much! You're awesome!
We had an incredible time on the *Garden District Secrets and Scandals Tour*! Our guide, **Dane**, was absolutely fantastic — knowledgeable, funny, and full of great stories that brought the neighborhood’s history (and gossip!) to life. From the stunning architecture and celebrity homes to the juicy tales of old New Orleans society, every stop was entertaining and insightful. Dane had the perfect balance of history, humor, and charm — you can tell he really loves what he does. We walked away with a deeper appreciation for the city’s character and some great insider tips for where to eat and explore next. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting New Orleans — it’s a perfect mix of beauty, mystery, and fun!
Thank you so much for your wonderful and kind review!
It’s an easy paced tour of some of the top homes of interest. Our guide was local and a pleasure! We liked it!
Thanks so much for joining us, Isabella!
This was advertised as a secrets and scandals tour and was more of a historical/architectural tour. I know this city has some scandals we didn’t hear about
Sorry if you didn't have a good experience. Y'all were great guests. I enjoyed leading your tour. The type of scandals included: neighborhood starting as a result of a divorce gone wrong, brothel at Commander's Palace, "Freret's Folly", Edgar Degas and the affair that split his family, Gen. Benjamin "the Beast" Butler -- and then the modern day things like Nicolas Cage, Marilyn Manson, Anne Rice, present day home dramas... in a sense almost every story has a scandal that's central to it, that you wouldn't get most of on any other tour. But the scandals are history. It is a history tour, with a lot of architecture included. I don't disagree with this review though. I think I was splitting the baby, with the language barrier of one of the guests, to balance not losing him on too many of the stories.
