New Orleans Music Walking Tour

Historic New Orleans Tours • 740 Rampart St • New Orleans, LA 70116

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A brass band marches down a city street lined with buildings and crowds of people watching on both sides, during what appears to be a parade or celebration.

A vintage J&M Recording Studios label with checkboxes for record speed and type, address details, and blank spaces for additional information.

A red historical marker in Congo Square, New Orleans, describes its significance as a site for African and African American gatherings, music, and culture from the 1740s onward.

A large paved plaza with a circular stone pattern is bordered by trees, with a multi-story building featuring arched windows in the background under a clear blue sky.

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$29.00

Total Price: $29.58 (USD)

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New Orleans Music Tour Admission Info

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About New Orleans Music Walking Tour

Overview

This guided New Orleans music tour explores the city's deep musical roots, from Congo Square to Storyville. Visit historic landmarks like Preservation Hall, the New Orleans Musicians Tomb, and J&M Studios while uncovering the stories of jazz, blues, bounce, and the legends behind them.

up to 2 hrs 1 to 90 people

Good To Know

Visit iconic spots like Treme, Storyville, and Preservation Hall.
Explore Congo Square at Louis Armstrong Park, music’s birthplace.
See J&M Studios, birthplace of the legendary "New Orleans Sound."
Stop at the Musicians Tomb in St. Louis Cemetery No. 1.
Learn about jazz, R&B, and bounce music from a local expert.
Stroll past Basin Street Station and Quinn Early's Saloon.
Tour lasts approximately 2 hours, rain or shine.
Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring an umbrella or sun protection.

Promotional Images (6)

Bronze statue of three jazz musicians playing instruments, with colorful mosaic details, installed on a sidewalk near a bridge and landscaped greenery.

Description

Walk the streets where jazz was born on this 2-hour New Orleans Music Walking Tour. Starting in the French Quarter, your guide takes you through a journey of rhythm, resistance, and creativity that shaped music worldwide. Visit legendary spots like Preservation Hall, the site of the Old French Opera House, and the colorful history of the Tango Belt.

You'll stop at St. Louis Cemetery #1 to see the New Orleans Musicians Tomb, a unique resting place donated by the Barbarin family for the city's musical legends. From there, explore the remnants of Storyville, the city's famed red-light district and birthplace of jazz, where pioneers like King Oliver, Jelly Roll Morton, and Sidney Bechet once played.

Continue to Basin Street Station and into Louis Armstrong Park, home of Congo Square—the only place in North America where enslaved Africans gathered to perform their music and rituals openly. The tour wraps up at the historic J&M Studios, where artists like Fats Domino, Little Richard, and Ray Charles recorded the New Orleans Sound. Along the way, you'll uncover the origins of bounce music and the lasting influence of the city's vibrant street performers.

New Orleans Music Walking Tour is located at Historic New Orleans Tours • 740 Rampart St • New Orleans, LA 70116

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Frequently Asked Questions about New Orleans Music Walking Tour

Where does the tour meet?

You will meet your tour guide at the Rampart Treehouse at 740 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, next to Louis Armstrong Park. The tour ends at Preservation Hall (726 St. Peter Street).

How long is this walking tour?

The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, covering key musical landmarks.

Is the tour suitable for children?

Yes, children are welcome; content is family-friendly with engaging storytelling.

What should I bring on the tour?

Comfortable shoes are essential. Bring water, sunscreen, a hat, a camera, and a raincoat or umbrella depending on the weather. The tour runs rain or shine.