New Orleans Tour Center

We used New Orleans tour center for a ghost and vampire tour in the French Quarter and for an Airboat swamp tour. The tours were so-​so. The walking vampire and ghost tour started in a pub and walked around a few blocks of the French Quarter. There was a little bit of interesting info. But not spooky. Creepy… or eerie. Our tour guide said he didn’t believe in vampires at all. They show you a few old buildings where there is quite a bit of history. But the tour is basic at best.
As for the airboat swamp tour. Is was cool. It was a cold day so we didn’t see any gators. They go into a hibernation of sorts. Our guide was cool he is the state champion gators wrestler many years in a row and showed us some cool pics! But mostly they drive you around on the boats so you can grab some cool photos and they answer any questions you might have. And give a little info about the swamp and gators. It’s a must if your in New Orleans.

I finally took a tour of New Orleans on this last visit, and I don’t know why I didn’t do it on all my trips to the big easy. Actually I do know why. I wasn’t ready to see post Katrina but it was humbling. I bought several, including the swamp tour. Nothing special there unfortunately, the crocs were small and docile, and I wasn’t really impressed by the guides knowledge of the bayou.
However, this review is on the Katrina tour itself. After being driving all around the different local parishes (counties) and in and out of the local spots, we finally ended up in the 9^th ward of New Orleans. The devastation is evident right when you enter the lower portion of the 9^th ward. Yes, our unit took volunteers to go down to Nawleans when Katrina hit to help out and now looking back, it’s even more heartbreaking. The aftermath still brings tears to my eyes, seeing all the carnage left by mother nature is a humbling experience. As I stood there in the middle of a neighborhood which used to house generations of families, I watched in awe how much life can literally be taken in an instant. It was like standing in the middle of frozen time taking in a moment to pause as you stand on grounds of a living memorial.
The guide for this portion was from the neighborhood and provided rich insight into what went down. He was choking up a little too as he told stories of the devastation and who could blame him? Why does it always take something bad to bring out the best in people? Overall, I learned so much about the history, culture, and way of the local people affected in the lower 9^th ward. I would definitely recommend this tour and go back in a heartbeat. It’s a cheap investment into learning about the people, the true people of New Orleans who’s lives will never be the same.
The end of this tour was into the rebuilding area where new homes and neighborhoods are being constructed. Many of them are beautiful as well as functional. For instance, the bottoms of the homes are similar to the hull shape of any ship you recognize and they are lifted off the ground so that if another flood comes in, the raise home will float to safety somewhere. And most of the homes were thanks to Mr. Brad Pitt so kudos to him for being a local ambassador.
Go on this tour, please. It’s a roller coaster of emotions, it’s a learning experience, and you’ll be a local expert of the city of New Orleans, not just the 9^th ward, but you’ll experience a life lesson in jazz, blues, rock & roll, famous people’s homes, and just plain feel good about yourself.

On my recent trip to New Orleans, I had the pleasure of taking 2 tours booked through New Orleans Tour Center. They recommended the City Tour and the swamp tour, and I was not disappointed!
I got to see all of New Orleans, not just the French Quarter. I had been to New Orleans before but had never seen as much of the city nor learned as much as I did on this tour.
The swamp tour was great! Seeing the beauty of the bayou, the plants and animals (including several alligators!) was something I will never forget.
Booking was super easy and very reasonable. Thank you New Orleans Tour Center for such great recommendations!