French Quarter

No trip to New Orleans is complete without a visit to the historic French Quarter. Cobblestone streets lined with cast-iron balconies evoke the Quarter’s early 18th-century origins as a French colonial town. Today, the neighborhood still embraces its French and Spanish roots through architecture, street names, cuisine, and more. Bring your group to Jackson Square to admire the iconic St. Louis Cathedral, people watch from an outdoor cafe on Bourbon Street, and listen to live jazz that spills onto the streets. After exploring the Quarter’s countless art galleries, voodoo shops, restaurants, and bars, reboard your minibus for a comfortable ride to the next captivating neighborhood.

Garden District

For a glimpse of New Orleans’ 19th-century wealth, tour the Garden District just outside downtown. Grand mansions built by American newcomers after the Louisiana Purchase offer a striking contrast to the French Quarter’s architecture. Magnolia trees and fragrant flowers line streets named after the city’s founding fathers. Group tours can admire period homes like the Musson House and the Rinkel House or visit celebrity hangouts like Commander’s Palace. Don’t miss Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 where elaborate above-ground tombs create a peaceful, sculptural landscape.

Faubourg Marigny

Adjacent to the French Quarter, Faubourg Marigny exudes Creole charm and bohemian flair. The triangle-shaped neighborhood embraces its community of artists, musicians, and free spirits. Your group can browse art galleries, colorful cottage-style homes, and funky shops selling handmade creations. Attend a jazz performance at the intimate Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro or catch an avant-garde show at the Marigny Opera House. Extend your arts adventure with a guided group tour of the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts campus. Then unwind over coffee and beignets at the famous Cafe Du Monde.

Tremé

Known as the oldest African American neighborhood in the U.S., historic Tremé lies just north of the French Quarter. The sounds of jazz, blues, and bounce music fill the streets where luminaries like Louis Armstrong once lived and played. Visit Congo Square, officially Louis Armstrong Park, where slaves and free people of color gathered on Sundays to trade, sing, and dance. Pay respects at the Tomb of the Unknown Slave memorial before feasting on local favorites like gumbo ya-ya and shrimp creole. Don’t leave Tremé without catching some live music at spots like Candlelight Lounge.

Bywater & St. Roch

For a youthful, creative vibe, venture into the Bywater and nearby St. Roch neighborhoods. Artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs drawn by cheap rents have transformed former warehouses into quirky galleries, studios, cafes, and shops. Wander along St. Claude Avenue to discover street art murals, thrift stores, and lively bars and music venues. Eat like a local by sampling po boys dressed at Parkway Bakery & Tavern or Parish Taceaux. Then work off your feast with a group bike tour through colorful neighborhoods bounded by the Mississippi River.

Bayou St. John

See where New Orleans’ founding father Sieur de Bienville first set foot in the 1700s. Back then, Bayou St. John connected Lake Pontchartrain to the French Quarter, serving as a vital trading route. Today, this historic waterway attracts joggers, picnickers, and paddlers seeking natural respite from busy city streets. Bring your group to take in views of the downtown skyline across the bayou from shaded walking paths. Visit the historic Pitot House museum or peruse local art at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Reward your excursion with creamy gelato from Angelo Brocato Ice Cream Parlour, a neighborhood fixture since 1905.

Mid-City

Experience the easygoing local lifestyle of the Mid-City neighborhood, located between grand Esplanade Avenue and bustling Canal Street. Tree-lined boulevards house stately mansions, Creole cottages, and funkycorner stores illuminated by neon signs. Fuel up on regional specialties like fried catfish at Liuzza’s by the Track before browsing the eclectic shops of Freret Street. Catch a show at the Howlin’ Wolf nightclub, then ride the nostalgic City Park Streetcar down live oak-shaded tracks first laid in the 1890s.

City Park & Lakeview

Explore one of the country’s most impressive urban parks just north of the French Quarter. Spanning 1,300 acres, City Park appeals to all ages with botanical gardens, paddleboating, art museums, and the century-old Carousel Gardens Amusement Park. For animal encounters, visit the park’s zoo, aquarium, butterfly garden, and mini farm. After visiting City Park, head across scenic Lake Pontchartrain to the Lakeview neighborhood. Relax while cruising West End Boulevard along the lakefront. Then sample seafood appetizers and cocktails as your group unwinds at panoramic restaurants like LakeHouse and Red Fish Grill.

Warehouse District

Experience New Orleans’ burgeoning arts scene in the Warehouse District just upstream from the French Quarter. Once home to bustling wharves and workshops, abandoned warehouses now house chic art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and music venues. Check out outdoor sculptures along Julia Street or ponder provocative contemporary exhibits at the Contemporary Arts Center. After browsing the galleries, unwind with live jazz and Louisiana-inspired small plates at Three Muses. As the sun sets, join locals sipping expertly mixed cocktails on the rooftop terrace at Ace Hotel.

Irish Channel

Discover New Orleans’ Irish heritage in the charming Irish Channel neighborhood sandwiched between the Garden District and the river. Amid shotgun houses draped with Mardi Gras beads, you’ll find corner pubs serving up bangers and mash along with local beers and whiskeys. Pick up some unique vintage baubles at Oddities antique shop or browse art and jewelry crafted by local makers at the Irish Channel Market. Then gather your group for a pint on the patio at Parasol’s Bar & Restaurant, renowned for its roast beef po’ boys.

Algiers Point

Ride the ferry across the Mississippi River to historic Algiers Point, established in 1719. With its steeples, corner cafes, and views across the river, this secluded neighborhood provides a glimpse of vintage New Orleans. Meander past gingerbread-style houses and funky converted shotgun-style cottages. After working up an appetite walking the rustic levee, your group can fuel up on chargrilled oysters and fried seafood platters at Dry Dock Cafe before catching the ferry back to Canal Street. Enjoy route narration and bypass parking headaches when you tour via minibus.

Book a Minibus for Your New Orleans Tour

At New Orleans Party Buses, we provide a variety of minibus options from 12-passenger vans up to 32-passenger minicoaches to meet your group’s size and budget. Our experienced team knows how to navigate New Orleans’ web of one-way streets, avoiding traffic snarls so your group’s time is maximized. Treat your group to a private, personalized tour of New Orleans’ distinct neighborhoods in air-conditioned comfort. Contact New Orleans Party Buses today at 504-264-9422 for a free quote. We can’t wait to help you explore the Big Easy!