Ghosts, Gods, & Gangsters of New Orleans
“★★★★★ I’ve taken quite a few walking tours in New Orleans and the several I’ve taken led by Edward Simon were hands down the most interesting, surprising, thoughtful, hilarious, deeply creepy, and absolute BEST. - Michael Cerveris, Star of 'Mindhunter'
Wanna get weird? Walk with us, fam.
Curated by parapsychologist Dr. Edward Simon, this adults-only walking tour time machine transports you back through the ill-fated settlement that famed occultist Aleister Crowley referred to as the “Quartier Macabre,” a city lost between life and God.
One night, we’ll uncover Gallatin Street's scandalous past as a bustling red-light district, or we may find ourselves at the doorstep of the city’s first witch coven, whispering legends of magick rituals before getting stirred by vampire lore at the Old Ursuline Convent.
Wherever the road travels, you’ll be led and engaged by a master storyteller tasked to make your stay in our city one you won’t soon forget.
Book fast, or forever rue, boo.
Private Luxury New Orleans City Tour by La Vie NOLA – Highlights
Support a local, family‑owned business and explore New Orleans with a native, multi‑generational guide. This private luxury SUV tour covers the city’s most iconic neighborhoods — French Quarter, Garden District, Marigny, Treme, Bywater, City Park, Metairie Cemetery, and the historic university districts — all in one seamless experience.
Enjoy an expertly curated route, insider history, and hidden gems you won’t find on standard tours. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, you’ll discover new stories, new places, and a deeper connection to the real New Orleans.
Historic Garden District Walking Tour
Listed as a National Historic Landmark District the city of Lafayette became known as the American Sector but approaching the 1830's, it was known as the Garden District. Comprised of a close network of several plantations which were parceled, sold and broken into smaller lots in which various ethnic neighborhoods consisting of the American sector, the Irish Channel, and an elite Jewish community to name a few would call home. There was also very large African American & Creole neighborhoods adjacent to the others and together were all a part of the city of Lafayette.
Private French Quarter & Garden District Tour: Walk and Drive Combo
This is a private tour, feel safe touring safe only with the people you are traveling with. We begin in the French Quarter, the most emblematic New Orleans neighborhood. We'll discuss geography, architecture and the folks that made our fabled city in the swamp. Next we’ll head upriver in a mini van to the Garden District. As we proceed through the oak-lined streets we will take in the grandeur of historic mansions and gardens and discuss the political landscape that gave birth to the Garden District. Lafayette Cemetery #1, one of the iconic New Orleans’ above ground “cities of the dead”. From outside the cemetery walls,(all cemeteries are currently closed) we will discuss the unique burial traditions of the Crescent City. We'll have transportation, but some walking, in areas like the Jackson Square & the cemetery, is ideal. This excursion features the highlights of the French Quarter and uptown neighborhoods.
Airport, Group and Private Transportation
You may travel with confidence knowing that your transportation needs are being handled by professionals. Your entire travel experience will be painstakingly planned and flawlessly carried out thanks to our dedication to quality.
You'll experience a wave of calmness as soon as you board, establishing the mood for a stress-free ride.
New Orleans Creole History and Culture Ride
We want to share with you the New Orleans that made us who we are, as we bike through the historic and colorful neighborhoods of the Marigny, By water and St Roch.
It's not just the beauty of the streets, it's the stories they tell us, and we share with you. The street parades, the music, the food, the culture of inclusiveness, the creativity we can all be part of and the art we are surrounded by is no fluke, it is the product of the 300 years of history and culture that came before us. and these are what we will talk about at the many stops along the way.
Our tours are for any age, we cater our stories to each groups interests. The rifing is easy on flat and quiet streets, We bike slow, we bike happy, we wave to traffic and we stop to talk. That is what we would be doing if our company did not exist, so that is what we do since it does.
Feel Free to ask us anything, we are always here for you with advice for your trip, both before and after your tour.
Thanks,
Jeff and Danny
New Orleans Culinary Bike Tour
Biking, talking and eating. It's what we love and what we do. If our company ceased to exist, you would find us still biking, talking, and eating, without missing a beat.
We are lucky to be in a place where that is a full life, in fact, even just the eating part is a full life, and a filling one.
Our food, is not just a defining part of out city’s identity and culture but of all of ours as people. How we all make our gumbo, which meat we choose to put in our red beans, what spices are in our seafood boil, or which sno-ball stand is best. This is how we get to know one another in New Orleans.
Come hungry, we will take care of the rest. We know the scenic streets, we know the tastiest food and you will finish full and inspired take in more of the city’s food, drink, and music, all of which we have a ton of advice for because you can always count on the kindness of strangers with bikes.
Private Soul of NOLA 3-Hour Citywide Tour
Our most popular 3 hour driving tour is an overview of New Orleans, traveling in the comfort of our luxurious Honda Odyssey minivan. We'll start in the French Quarter, where the city’s colorful history began. We’ll continue to the Marigny and the Bywater, two charming downriver neighborhoods, and get a sense of their changing history through the centuries and in the 14 years since Hurricane Katrina. We’ll proceed up mansion-lined Esplanade Avenue towards Bayou St. John and to City Park, one of our nation’s oldest urban parks and home to the world’s largest stand of mature live oak trees. We will continue upriver along iconic St. Charles Avenue through the University area into the fabled Garden District. Approaching Canal Street, we’ll pass through the Warehouse Arts District, by the World War II Museum and the Central Business District. A condensed presentation, this tour is great for hot summer months, (we’re in air conditioning the whole time!) or for visitors short on time.
Manchac Swamp Extended 4-Hour Kayak Tour with Pickup
If you are a more experienced kayaker, trying to get away from the regular crowds and varying levels of experience and skill that come with them, the 4 hour excursion trip is for you. This is a tour for the adventurer, an opportunity to go a little bit further and see a whole lot more. Spend 4 hours total on the water, guided by an experienced local naturalist, exploring the vast cypress forests and bayous that make up our nation’s 2nd largest bald cypress swamp
Spooky Kid-Friendly Ghost Hunt in New Orleans
Bring your family on the only kid friendly ghost hunt in town! Your kids will learn ghost hunting techniques as well as use ghost hunting tools in this 90 minute, unforgettable adventure. You'll visit the places where legendary, 19th century residents lived, stayed, and worked, including the Old Ursulines Convent, Jean Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, St. Louis Cathedral, and the old state building, the Cabildo. You'll learn about the people who lived here: French Creoles, enslaved workers, free people of color and, of course, pirates!
Adults-Only Garden District, Cemetery & Anne Rice True Crime Tour
Join us for a spine-tingling walking tour through New Orleans' iconic Garden District, where the beauty of grand architecture intertwines with chilling tales of true crime, supernatural lore, and the city's infamous past. This unique tour delves into the eerie connections to "American Horror Story," the enchanting works of Anne Rice, and the shadowy figures of organized crime, offering an unforgettable experience in one of the city's most captivating neighborhoods.
45-Minute French Quarter Highlights Tour in New Orleans
If you only have a short amount of time but you want to see as much of the French Quarter as possible, this is your tour! We will move at a fast pace, but you'll be able to get all those pictures! We will see all the famous sites of the French Quarter in 45 minutes. There is not as much storytelling or history as you get on a typical two-hour tour, but your guide will follow-up with a recap of the tour and a list of recommended ways to enjoy New Orleans even more.
Private French Quarter and Treme Walking Tour
Soul of NOLA will take you on a private walking tour of the French Quarter/ Vieux Carré, and just inside the adjacent Treme neighborhood. These neighborhoods were originally settled by Creoles and Free People of Color, they are some of our oldest and are steeped in vibrant cultural history. We will bring this fascinating past to life by sharing the stories of the people that walked these streets & made its colorful history. We'll discuss the varied architecture, and the significance of the French Quarter’s location. In the Treme we’ll talk about music and how New Orleans became the birthplace of jazz. Wear your walking shoes! Walking is the best way to explore the French Quarter. Tailored to your tastes, as are all our excursions.
We’ll be walking up to 2 miles, breaks as needed. Let us know if we need to adjust, we’re flexible!
Craft Cider and Mead Tasting in New Orleans
Join us as we explore how our location in New Orleans has shaped our techniques used and products offered, and learn how our approach compares to most cider production. This is an approximately forty-five minute long, guided tasting that offers four different samplings of cider, all of which are produced on site by Jon & Diana.
Pub Crawl: New Orleans Happy Hour Ghost Walking Tour
It’s always Happy Hour in the French Quarter but Nightly Spirits has found drink specials so cheap it’s scary! Join us on a 2-hour tour of some of the most haunted bars in the Big Easy with our New Orleans ghost tours. We’ll show you the best off-the-beaten-path dives as well as where to drink on Bourbon Street and not break the bank. While you sip on your utterly affordable alcoholic spirits, we will share stories of the most outrageously eerie otherworldly spirits. You’ll hear tales about the dead that haven’t quite moved on, visit some of the most haunted places in the city, and get to know the spirits that haunt the locals…and the places that the locals haunt. So, raise your glasses high and toast to the lowest prices and the best Booze and Boos New Orleans has to offer.
*Tour route and drink stops are subject to availability.
*All guests must be 21+ with Valid ID. Alcohol is not included.
Adults-Only True Crime, Mafia, Dark History Tour
Some people prefer the road less traveled—and we designed this tour for those people. An alternative to our popular main route, “The Dim Corner” starts at the Old U.S. Mint, snaking its way into the French Quarter and through a half dozen oft-forgotten true crime gems. Dark history, scandals, and true crimes abound in this comfortably designed walking tour.
Learn about Bloody O'Reilly, Aleister Crowley and his connection to the French Quarter, former Gallatin Street-home to notorious criminals and underworld characters-and many other true crime and the darker side of New Orleans history!
New Orleans Hands-on Brunch Class
Join us for a True New Orleans style brunch! The South is known for Brunch, so let us show you how it’s done in New Orleans. Bottomless champagne, mimosas, wine, beer, sodas, and water are included. In this hands-on class, we will be making some of our favorite recipes. You will work alongside of the Chef learning the best ways to cut and prep the Holy Trinity. We are the only Cooking School that does small, intimate hands-on classes in the French Quarter. Our class size ranges from 2 people to 10. Classes are more like a dinner party with friends!
Small-Group French Quarter Haunted Ghost Tour
Break free from the herd! And immerse yourself in the darkness...
Join our exclusive, small group walking tour (9 guests max) for a spine-tingling exploration of spooky New Orleans. Our focus is on real historical events...the kind that have left tortured souls in their wake. No gimmicks or jump scares. With these true stories, we don't need them.
Hear the chilling history of the murderous Madame Lalaurie, encounter mischievous prankster children, and witness the lingering presence of a ghostly resident at a renowned restaurant. But that's just the beginning -- our curated stories encompass the echoes of a singing priest and other unforgettable encounters with the supernatural.
Get ready for your goosebumps to rise as you listen to true tales of yore, with a professional local guide who's both a passionate haunted historian and expert storyteller.
Private Louisiana Plantations Tour with Gourmet Lunch from New Orleans
Experience a pilgrimage back in time to the Antebellum South on this private van tour. Visit two Louisiana plantations, including an elegant, unlimited buffet lunch at Houmas House on the famous Mississippi River Road! Enjoy a narrated scenic drive out of New Orleans and along the shores of Lake Ponchartrain.
Airport and City Transfers in New Orleans
Easy to book.
Reliable service.
Early morning or late night pick up.
Customizable experience.
All fees included in the price.
Personalized service.
Comfortable vehicles.
Professional and experienced drivers.
Privacy and confidentiality.
Stress-free and relaxed journey.
Well-maintained vehicles.
New Orleans Soul Food Tour with Hotel Pickup and Drinks
Experience the vibrant flavors of New Orleans like never before on our culinary city tour! As you ride through the historic streets of the Big Easy in our 14-passenger luxury motor coach, you'll have the chance to savor the city's rich culinary traditions at our hand-picked Black-owned restaurant stops.
Our guided city tour not only takes you on a journey through the diverse and delicious flavors of New Orleans, but also offers insights into the city's culture, history, and architecture. Join us for a delightful exploration of this unique and vibrant culinary destination!
Friends of the Cabildo Garden District Walking Tour
Participants will delve into the neighborhood's unique story, learning about the wealthy Americans who developed the area, the stunning Greek Revival and Italianate architecture, and the cultural forces that shaped this iconic part of the city.
This tour provides much more than a scenic stroll past grand mansions; it offers a deeper understanding of New Orleans's complex past. Led by knowledgeable, city-licensed volunteer guides, the tour illuminates the influence of key historical figures, political events, and local geography on the district’s development. It's an essential activity for history enthusiasts and anyone looking to move beyond the French Quarter to appreciate the enduring statements of mid-nineteenth-century American life in the Crescent City.
Private New Orleans Historical Sightseeing Tour with Hotel Pickup
Discover New Orleans' heritage and the beauty of its period homes during this private historical tour for up to 10 travelers. Ride along the city’s stately streets, passing jewels of architectural styles in the French Quarter, Bayou St John and Garden District, and enjoy guided walking tours of St Louis Cemetery #3 and the Besthoff Sculpture Garden in City Park. You'll even make a stop for beignets and cafe au lait at the famous Cafe du Monde.
Highlights of New Orleans Private Driving Tour
1. Authentic Local Experience: Experience New Orleans through the eyes of a true local. Michaela, a 7th generation Orleanian, provides an authentic insight into the city's rich history, architecture, and culture.
2. Tailored Luxury Tours: Enjoy a unique and personal experience with each tour customized to your specific interests. Explore New Orleans' historic neighborhoods and vibrant city life at your own pace.
3. Expertise and Passion: With over 25 years of experience in the tourism industry, Michaela's deep knowledge and passion for New Orleans ensure an unforgettable tour experience that truly captures the magic of the city.