There are so many tour companies to choose from. We want to take a FQ walking tour, Garden District tour, cemetery tour, and, of course, a ghost tour. Friends all recommend the Gray Line Tour Co. Any other suggestions? Thanks

We really enjoyed the Gray Line city tour (it included a stop at a cemetery). The information we picked up about the city was fantastic.

I also took a 1/2 day Gray Line tour with stop at cemetary - I was in NO with husband who was at conference and the tour gave me enough ideas of places I wanted to see on my own that I was able to entertain myself for several days after.

When we were in NO recently we took a guided FQ walking tour, and then did a self-guided (tour book) tour of the Garden District. If I had it to do over again, I'd do it the other way around. The Quarter is so noisy and hectic that the guide had trouble making herself heard, and everyone missed parts of what she was trying to say. The Garden District better lends itself to that kind of tour in my opinion.

Have a great trip. We absolutely loved NO and can't wait to get back.

We used Hidden Treasures Tour Company. It's a small company, they use little van (once did the bus tour, not nearly as nice or personal) and the woman who does the tours is great, a native of New Orleans. We did the Garden District and cemetery tour, much better than a self-guided walking tour.

Thanks for the Hidden Tours tip. I too will be traveling to New Orleans for the July 4th Essence Music Festival, and I wanted to to a tour and needed some sound advice! I just pray the van has air conditioning! Do you happen to know of a tour for a Plantation that's nice and not to crowded? Thanks.

Chris, I cannot find a website for the Hidden Treasures Tour Co. How can I contact them?

Hidden Treasures doesn't have a website. Her phone number is 504 529-4507.Her van is air-conditioned,I think air conditioning is standard in NO. A good website to check out is www.neworleanscvb.com. Hope you have a great trip.

No website in 2002? Wow.

We used tours by Isabelle for a plantation and swamp tour in March and was very pleased.

Do not use Machu Pichu tours! Nice guy but not a very good tour guide.

There are so many great tours and companies in New Orleans. Look into these. Most have websites. We've taken tours with each of these:

1) New Orleans Ghost Tours
2) Magic Walking Tours, no web site, but flyers in the hotels or check the welcome center. Coupon in the Where Magazine.
3) Historic New Orleans Walking Tours
4) Haunted History Tours

We haven't been on tours with these, but they are some other options:

Restless Spirit Tours
Ab Fab Tours
Bloody Mary Tours

And a great way to take a load off your feet is to take a 1/2 hour carriage ride tour. There are several different companies. They leave from Jackson Square.

Have fun.

I would have to agree with the above comments about the carriage ride. It was fabulous! Went just after dusk, and it was one of the highlights of my past trip. Can't wait to do it again this summer!