Exploring New Orleans’ French Quarter + Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1
One of my favorite ways to explore a city is by walking, and one of the things I love most about New Orleans is how walkable the city is! While I do enjoy simply wandering around a city and seeing where I end up, I only had a few days to spend in NOLA and didn’t want to waste any time. After all, there are so many things to do and see in New Orleans!
Instead of getting completely lost while hunting for historic sites and landmarks, I decided to head on a walking tour of the historic French Quarter and the famous Saint Louis Cemetery No.1 with New Orleans Legendary Walking Tours. If you are heading to New Orleans, I highly recommend taking a walking tour on your first day. Not only will it help you get your bearings in a new city, but you’ll learn about the history and culture that make New Orleans so unique. Keep reading to discover some of my favorite sites in the French Quarter and why I loved visiting the Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1.
New Orleans Legendary Walking Tours
On my first day in NOLA, I set off on a tour with New Orleans Legendary Walking Tours, I could not have been happier with my experience. Our guide Steven was incredibly knowledgeable and filled with interesting facts about the various sites we passed on the tour. He even brought along bananas for everyone to enjoy as well as extra umbrellas so we could escape from the New Orleans rain. I was especially happy about the bananas because I was on an early morning tour and somehow forgot to eat breakfast before! Note to everyone: be sure to eat before a 2-hour walking tour!
Exploring the French Quarter
After everyone on the tour was checked in and ready to go, we started off by the Mississippi riverfront, where Steven told us all about the discovery of New Orleans and its subsequent settlement. After this background information, we proceeded to head into the French Quarter, passing by the French Market along the way.
As we walked deeper into the French Quarter, Steven made sure to point out the area’s most historic homes, explained more New Orleans history, discussed the city’s unique architecture, and gave us plenty of time to take photos! He even pointed out a few of the city’s best dining establishments, so you’ll want to bring a notebook or a phone to take notes in.
After stopping by Jackson Square and learning about the buildings within this famous central plaza, we made a few more stops before heading to the cemetery.
Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1
New Orleans is known for its above ground tombs that serve as cemeteries. As our guide explained, this is actually done because of the major storms Louisiana is exposed to. These above ground tombs are critical in keeping the deceased safely at rest, even if the area experiences heavy floods or rainfall.
While there are several historic cemeteries visitors to NOLA frequent, the Saint Louis Cemetery No. 1 is the most renowned. The cemetery houses some pretty famous New Orleans residents such as Homer Plessy (Plessy v. Ferguson) and other prominent political and social figures. The cemetery is the rumored resting place of Voodoo priestess Marie Laveau (look for the XXXs on her supposed tomb).
While on the tour, you’ll learn more about how these cemeteries came about, the famous people and families laid to rest within, as well as the ongoing preservation of these historic burial sites. You’ll even pass by the future tomb of Nicolas Cage-the large pyramid is hard to miss!
After the cemetery portion of the tour, Stephen took us back into town so we could all find our way back to lunch or our next destinations.
I then stopped by Huck Finn’s and enjoyed a really delicious Shrimp Pasta and Pimm’s cocktail while waiting out the rain! Fortunately for our tour group, the rain held off until the end of the tour.
Overall Thoughts
I am so happy that I went on an official walking tour. While the French Quarter is beautiful and pleasant to explore on your own, I really felt like walking around with a guide helped me to get a better a sense of the city’s history.
With a city as vibrant as New Orleans, the history is truly part of what gives the city its charm and appeal, and the New Orleans Legendary Walking Tour really helped to make this city’s story come to life.
Stephen’s knowledge and storytelling skills kept me captivated throughout the 2-hour tour, and I can honestly say he’s one of the best tour guides I’ve ever had! (And that’s coming from someone who lived and worked as a tour guide in Italy for 1 year!)
For more information on New Orleans Legendary Walking Tours, check out their website!
Disclaimer: This post was written in partnership with New Orleans Legendary Walking Tours. As always, my opinions are my own.
What is your favorite way to explore a new city? Have you been on any awesome walking tours? Let me know in the comments!
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