New Orleans Jazz History and Music Walking Tour
Intrepid Urban Adventures - USA
4.7
andr_ab422
1 day ago
Kristi Vickers was outstanding! She was so friendly, knowledgeable, and gave us a wonderful taste of New Orleans. We were so happy, that we were truly disappointed that she didn’t do other tours in New Orleans. We highly recommend this tour.
Few cities rival New Orleans’ nightlife thanks to its thrilling music scene. From authentic dixieland to big brass and every other jazz style in between, live music options are endless in the city that gave birth to the coolest genre in music. Hear about the origins and culture of jazz before making your way to the 19th century neighborhood that boasts the best music and bars in town. We’ll visit a few of our favorite local clubs, enjoy a beer and discover the talents of some of the city’s best local musicians. There’s nothing quite like a night out in ‘The Big Easy.’
Departure Point
- Louis Armstrong Park (Entrance to the park, under archway), 701 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116
- A central location around the French Quarter area
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Louis Armstrong Park901 N Rampart St, , New Orleans, LouisianaOur music tour of New Orleans begins just outside the French Quarter at the historic and beautiful Louis Armstrong Park in the Tremé neighborhood. Within the park, we will talk about the historical origins of jazz and discuss one of the jazz greats, Armstrong himself. Duration: 35 minutesStop At: The Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts801 N Rampart St, , New Orleans, LouisianaWe will walk by the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts located in Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was named after gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who was born in New Orleans. Duration: Not AvailableStop At: French QuarterNew Orleans, LA From here, we will head into the Vieux Carre, or the French Quarter, and you’ll hear about the origins and culture of jazz while making your way through the oldest neighborhood in NOLA, all while seeing some notable historic sites. Your guide will have chosen a special route for you that evening- to ensure the best music is heard.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Bourbon Street, , New Orleans, LouisianaAlong one possible route, we’ll share the history of Bourbon Street and the residential and commercial places where blues and jazz collaborators came to make incredible music. We may even catch a busker performing at the historic French Market!Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Frenchmen StreetFrenchmen Street, New Orleans, LouisianaOr your guide may chose to head to the famous Frenchmen Street, the largest concentration of live music venues in the city. Whatever path is taken, you’ll find yourself at a great Jazz/Music Spot, and your guide will take you inside to listen and enjoy the local scene. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: French QuarterNew Orleans, LouisianaEither way, by being with a local, you’ll learn all about the neighborhood, how to make the most of your time here, and the music culture and how it operates in the Clubs and venues. And to top it off, you will receive a drink on us at one of the stops and you’re very welcome to purchase additional beverages as and when you want them. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Preservation Hall726 St. Peter Street, , New Orleans, LouisianaPassing by the historic music venue Preservation Hall in the French Quarter working to protect, preserve and perpetuate the spirit of traditional New Orleans jazz.Duration: Not AvailableStop At: Congo Square701 N Rampart St, Entrance at the Corner of N. Rampart and Saint Peter Streets, New Orleans, LouisianaWe’ll explore the area originally known as Congo Square – one of the first locations in the city where enslaved people and free people of color were allowed to gather and socialize. You’ll hear about jazz’s origins, resulting from a rich mix of cultures in a single city, which combined West African and Caribbean sounds with European musical influences – giving us this uniquely American artform.Duration: 15 minutesAdditional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers under 21 years of age are not permitted to join this tour.
- By joining this tour, you will be helping to contribute to the livelihoods of local musicians in the jazz clubs we visit, allowing them to earn a decent wage and continue doing what they love to do.
- This is a walking tour that will cover approximately 14 blocks (or about 1.5 miles) on foot.
- Visit a live jazz or music venue selected by your guide
- Walk through the French Quarter and Tremé neighborhoods
- Discover the cultural roots and evolution of jazz in New Orleans
- Enjoy one complimentary drink at a music stop
- Support local musicians and venues through your participation
- Explore Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square with a local guide
- Receive personalized recommendations for continuing your night
- Additional drinks, food
- Tips/gratuities for your guide and the musicians
Few cities rival New Orleans’ nightlife thanks to its thrilling music scene. From authentic dixieland to big brass and every other jazz style in between, live music options are endless in the city that gave birth to the coolest genre in music. Hear about the origins and culture of jazz before making your way to the 19th century neighborhood that boasts the best music and bars in town. We’ll visit a few of our favorite local clubs, enjoy a beer and discover the talents of some of the city’s best local musicians. There’s nothing quite like a night out in ‘The Big Easy.’
Departure Point
- Louis Armstrong Park (Entrance to the park, under archway), 701 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70116
- A central location around the French Quarter area
- Human tour guide - English
Points of Interest
Stop At: Louis Armstrong Park901 N Rampart St, , New Orleans, LouisianaOur music tour of New Orleans begins just outside the French Quarter at the historic and beautiful Louis Armstrong Park in the Tremé neighborhood. Within the park, we will talk about the historical origins of jazz and discuss one of the jazz greats, Armstrong himself. Duration: 35 minutesStop At: The Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts801 N Rampart St, , New Orleans, LouisianaWe will walk by the Mahalia Jackson Theater of the Performing Arts located in Louis Armstrong Park in New Orleans, Louisiana. It was named after gospel singer Mahalia Jackson, who was born in New Orleans. Duration: Not AvailableStop At: French QuarterNew Orleans, LA From here, we will head into the Vieux Carre, or the French Quarter, and you’ll hear about the origins and culture of jazz while making your way through the oldest neighborhood in NOLA, all while seeing some notable historic sites. Your guide will have chosen a special route for you that evening- to ensure the best music is heard.Duration: 10 minutesStop At: Bourbon Street, , New Orleans, LouisianaAlong one possible route, we’ll share the history of Bourbon Street and the residential and commercial places where blues and jazz collaborators came to make incredible music. We may even catch a busker performing at the historic French Market!Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Frenchmen StreetFrenchmen Street, New Orleans, LouisianaOr your guide may chose to head to the famous Frenchmen Street, the largest concentration of live music venues in the city. Whatever path is taken, you’ll find yourself at a great Jazz/Music Spot, and your guide will take you inside to listen and enjoy the local scene. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: French QuarterNew Orleans, LouisianaEither way, by being with a local, you’ll learn all about the neighborhood, how to make the most of your time here, and the music culture and how it operates in the Clubs and venues. And to top it off, you will receive a drink on us at one of the stops and you’re very welcome to purchase additional beverages as and when you want them. Duration: 30 minutesStop At: Preservation Hall726 St. Peter Street, , New Orleans, LouisianaPassing by the historic music venue Preservation Hall in the French Quarter working to protect, preserve and perpetuate the spirit of traditional New Orleans jazz.Duration: Not AvailableStop At: Congo Square701 N Rampart St, Entrance at the Corner of N. Rampart and Saint Peter Streets, New Orleans, LouisianaWe’ll explore the area originally known as Congo Square – one of the first locations in the city where enslaved people and free people of color were allowed to gather and socialize. You’ll hear about jazz’s origins, resulting from a rich mix of cultures in a single city, which combined West African and Caribbean sounds with European musical influences – giving us this uniquely American artform.Duration: 15 minutesAdditional Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Travelers under 21 years of age are not permitted to join this tour.
- By joining this tour, you will be helping to contribute to the livelihoods of local musicians in the jazz clubs we visit, allowing them to earn a decent wage and continue doing what they love to do.
- This is a walking tour that will cover approximately 14 blocks (or about 1.5 miles) on foot.
- Visit a live jazz or music venue selected by your guide
- Walk through the French Quarter and Tremé neighborhoods
- Discover the cultural roots and evolution of jazz in New Orleans
- Enjoy one complimentary drink at a music stop
- Support local musicians and venues through your participation
- Explore Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square with a local guide
- Receive personalized recommendations for continuing your night
- Additional drinks, food
- Tips/gratuities for your guide and the musicians
Need To Know Info
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services. Offer is not eligible for our promo codes or other discounts. Learn about Strike-Through Pricing and SavingsCustomer Reviews
4.7
based on Groupon 441 reviews
100% Verified Reviews
All Groupon reviews are from people who have redeemed deals with this merchant. Review requests are sent by email to customers who purchased the deal.
Reviewed on
andr_ab422
Kristi Vickers was outstanding! She was so friendly, knowledgeable, and gave us a wonderful taste of New Orleans. We were so happy, that we were truly disappointed that she didn’t do other tours in New Orleans. We highly recommend this tour.
helenhH9117NX
What an amazing tour! Christi was amazing, so knowledgeable about New Orleans and Jazz. She made it interesting and provided so much more detail and information than we would have picked up just wandering the French Qtr on our own
cindywJ7911FJ
We had a very informative guide in Christie, who brought to life the history and culture of the origin of jazz in New Orleans. We spent an enjoyable time walking to our destination, which was two different nightclubs where we were able to experience some great jazz.
The ticket fee was affordable and included a drink in one of the nightclubs.
I would highly recommend this tour.
Mary_K
Did our tour in Nov 2025, and had a good experience. Starting in Louis Armstrong Park was helpful in understanding some of the early influences and the origins of Congo Square. The Park itself is beautiful and a welcome spot to rest and recharge. Our guide took us to two clubs where we were able to hear two different bands and enjoy an adult beverage. Music was terrific and the venues were fun. One item that would have been helpful - at the beginning of the tour, our guide was having us listen to snippets of early jazz pieces. He did this using his phone, and given the size of our group, and the fact that a reggae event was also going on in the park, it was a bit hard for everyone to hear.
garygleck
Kristi is a Hall of Fame tour guide. She was extremely knowledgeable as well as entertaining. She was flexible and built the tour around the group of six requests. We visited two clubs, one in the French Quarter and one on Frenchman Street.
Before and after the visits she was a wealth of information. She gave much context to the jazz music of New Orleans.
I cannot imagine a better tour guide.