Soul of New Orleans: Black History Tour

Experience the authentic history, traditions, and culture of New Orleans on the NOLA Urban Culture Tour. Explore iconic places, learn about historical events, and enjoy the best tour ride in the city. Suitable for all ages.

Duration: 2 hours, 45 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Treme - Discover Treme’s crucial contribution to the civil rights movement and its importance as the oldest African American community in the United States and the Birthplace of Jazz. Enjoy the vibrant sounds of Treme as you walk by live music venues and listen to tales of jazz icons.
  • Congo Square - Explore the rich cultural influences that…
What's Included
  • All Fees and Taxes
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
Additional Information

Experience the Essence of New Orleans: Unforgettable Black History. Embark on a journey through the hidden narratives of New Orleans — from the Indigenous Bulbancha to the Haitian Revolution, from the slave markets along the Mississippi River to the vibrant beats of Congo Square. Discover the impact of Black resilience on the city’s music, cuisine,…

Location
Adventures in New Orleans
Canal Street
The meeting point is 414 Canal St., New Orleans, LA 70130 in between the intersection of Tchoupitoulas Street and Canal st meeting 30 minutes prior to the tour to Check in
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(443 Ratings)
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Tgreatmd
Apr 20, 2026
Soul of New Orleans- A MUST do! - Our experience on the Soul of New Orleans tour was nothing short of amazing, thanks ENTIRELY to our guide, Jay. What really stood out was how effortlessly Jay balanced storytelling with insight, not just sharing facts, but the deeper context behind New Orleans’ culture, resilience, and identity. His discussion of Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it left behind was powerful and personal, told with such care and authenticity. The afternoon flew by, and we couldn’t believe how quickly the time passed. This tour is a no-brainer for anyone interested in the history of New Orleans.
Review provided by Viator
Christopher_c
Apr 20, 2026
Best Tour in NO - Best tour in New Orleans. History, culture, Katrina, very informative. My favorite by far. Historic landmark
Review provided by Viator
Breendoreen
Apr 20, 2026
Truly informative and... - Truly informative and moving tour and stories of the history of New Orleans from a cultural perspective.
Review provided by Viator
Latoya_c
Apr 19, 2026
Highly Recommend - Jay was an outstanding tour guide—knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about sharing the city’s history. The tour itself was incredibly informative and offered a refreshing perspective beyond the French Quarter, highlighting parts of New Orleans many visitors don’t usually see. Hearing a firsthand account of Hurricane Katrina from a lifelong resident was especially powerful and added real depth to the experience. A visit to a local art studio was another highlight, and the artwork on display was absolutely beautiful. I highly recommend this tour to anyone looking to better understand the city.
Review provided by Viator
Barbara_f
Apr 18, 2026
Great Learning Experience! - Great, informative leader, Dennis, was great! Learned so much about New Orleans past up to present. I would say to be open to learning as you are entertained. Maybe not for younger children as you need to read a screen and you need to pay attention to get the experience.
Review provided by Viator
Donna_b
Apr 17, 2026
A Must for any trip to NOLA - I cannot recommend this you're strongly enough. Extremely important, informative and entertaining. The entire history talk, the places we went - all tied together to open our eyes to how the past is informing the present.
Review provided by Viator
Katrina_d
Apr 14, 2026
Best tour in New Orleans! This tour should be the first thing you do in New Orleans - Our tour guide Dennis shares the histories - told and untold - of New Orleans. All other tours - walking, swamp, bus, plantation, etc - in New Orleans essentially tell you the same history over and over again. This is the only tour that will tell you the full truth of Hurricane Katrina aftermath esp of vulnerable communities, teach you about local civil rights and school desegregation, sing the praises of local artists and historical figures, and tell you the full truth of the impact of slavery of the area. We had the opportunity to meet Leona Tate and learn her story of integrating into schools and tour her museum. As a an educator, this was a full circle moment and highly recommend this tour as a visitor's first activity to familiarize yourself with the area and its rich history. We toured on a rainy day and didn't get out of the bus much. It was nice break from the rain AND it was still hands down the best tour in the city! Truly carries the voice of the people! Thank you 2nd Line Tours for doing amazing work representing NOLA!
Review provided by Viator
Lorinnsa_k
Apr 14, 2026
An Unforgettable Tour - From the moment we boarded, it was clear that Dennis is not just doing a job — he is living his purpose. His passion for New Orleans radiates in every single word he speaks. Whether he was recounting the rich history of the French Quarter, pointing out hidden architectural gems, or sharing colorful stories of the city’s vibrant culture, Dennis delivered it all with the enthusiasm of someone who genuinely loves this city with his whole heart. What truly set this tour apart was Dennis’s extraordinary attention to detail. Not a corner was turned, not a landmark passed, without a fascinating story or insight to accompany it. He covered everything — the history, the culture, the music, the food, the legends, and the soul of this incredible city — leaving absolutely nothing out. You could tell he had spent years perfecting this craft, and it shows. The tour itself is beautifully curated, but it’s Dennis who elevates it from a sightseeing trip to a deeply personal experience. His warmth, humor, and genuine connection with every passenger made us feel less like tourists and more like locals being welcomed home. If you visit New Orleans and skip this tour, you are truly missing out. And if Dennis is behind the wheel — buckle up, because you’re in for the ride of your life. Highly, highly recommend! 🎷🌹​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
Review provided by Viator
Bobbya84
Apr 13, 2026
Worth it all - We had a great experience with the soul of New Orleans . I would like to give a shout out to Jay who was our driver . He gave us a lot of history of New Orleans in which he was very knowledgeable on history with the city. I highly recommend Jay you heard me
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Joseph_r
Apr 11, 2026
A must book tour - This was a great tour, very informative and well presented. It was a great history lesson about the French Quarter and Hurricane Katrina.
Review provided by Viator
From $55
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).