Explore New Orleans with Musicians
Our goal with the New Orleans Music Tour is to give you an authentic and comprehensive experience of the city’s dynamic music scene. New Orleans, a city celebrated for its constant stream of musical and cultural events, offers an exciting challenge, which we’re eager to navigate with you. Our expert musician tour guides are always tuned in to the latest weekly shows and special, one-of-a-kind performances, ensuring you get a chance to witness the city’s musical treasures.
Your tour will feature a diverse lineup of musical experiences that reflect the heart of New Orleans. From the toe-tapping beats of Cajun/Zydeco to the vibrant sounds of jazz/funk and the iconic New Orleans Brass, our itinerary is thoughtfully crafted to give you a comprehensive view of the city’s cultural landscape.
But there’s more to New Orleans than just music. We’re passionate about sharing the city’s rich history and culture with you, which naturally includes its famous culinary scene. You’ll dine at some of the city’s most renowned restaurants, and when possible, we’ll introduce you to local favorites like crawfish boils or backyard BBQs.
During the day, we’ll take you on engaging museum visits and walking tours filled with fascinating stories and insights. As night falls, get ready for dinners paired with lively music shows that keep the city awake well into the wee hours.
New Orleans is known for embracing life with zest, and our tour embodies this spirit. You can expect most establishments to serve alcohol, adding to the lively atmosphere of the tour.
We’re excited to show you the real New Orleans, a place where music and culture intertwine in the most extraordinary ways. Join us for an unforgettable journey through the heart of this unique city. Let’s celebrate the essence of New Orleans together – where every moment is a chance to experience something wonderful.
Sample Itinerary
Your journey begins with arrival in New Orleans, where you’ll settle into elegant accommodations in the heart of the French Quarter. After check-in, take time to explore your surroundings before gathering for a welcome Hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s, a New Orleans classic. The evening continues with a Creole welcome dinner at one of the city’s historic restaurants, followed by an intimate traditional jazz performance at Preservation Hall. End the night immersed in the energy of the Quarter, where music and history fill the streets.
Begin the day with a walking tour of the French Quarter, diving deep into the history, architecture, and musical legacy of the city. Learn about legendary jazz musicians, the places they lived and performed, and how New Orleans shaped the sound that changed the world. The afternoon carries you into Tremé, the cradle of jazz, ending at Congo Square, where African rhythms, community, and culture laid the foundation for American music. The evening unfolds along Frenchmen Street, with time to experience live music in some of the city’s most iconic venues.
The day begins with a driving tour through Uptown and the Garden District, exploring grand historic homes, oak-lined streets, and stories tied to Mardi Gras traditions, social clubs, and the city’s broader musical legacy beyond the French Quarter. Along the way, you’ll see how different neighborhoods shaped New Orleans culture and sound. Toward the end of the tour, stop for beignets and coffee at the famous Café du Monde, a perfect pause before enjoying a free afternoon to relax, shop, or explore at your own pace. In the evening, head out for live music at one of New Orleans’ legendary venues, such as The Maple Leaf Bar, where funk, jazz, and brass come alive.
Sunday offers a deeper look into the communal heart of New Orleans music. Enjoy a relaxed morning before returning to Congo Square to experience the Sunday drum circle, where locals and visitors gather for rhythm, dance, and shared expression. The remainder of the day allows time for reflection, casual exploration, or additional live music, offering a slower, more organic experience of the city.
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel or a nearby café before departing New Orleans. Leave with a deeper understanding of the city’s music, history, and cultural spirit, shaped by shared experiences, unforgettable performances, and the rhythms that define the Crescent City.
This tour is for travelers who care about where American music comes from and want to understand New Orleans as a living cultural ecosystem, not just a party city. You’re interested in jazz as a social history, in second lines as community practice, and in how food, religion, and neighborhood life shape the sound of the city.
It’s well-suited for couples, friends, or solo travelers who prefer small groups, direct access to musicians and cultural practitioners, and time to listen, ask questions, and connect. You want to move through New Orleans at a human pace—spending time in Tremé, the Seventh Ward, and local venues—while staying comfortable and avoiding tourist-heavy shortcuts.
Small Group Tours Up to 12 People
APRIL 18TH-22ND, 2026
OCTOBER 30TH- NOVEMBER 3RD, 2026
5 Days / 4 nights
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Boutique, small-group city immersion and musical heritage tour.
What’s included
Special access to New Orleans’ live music scenes, including curated visits to Frenchmen Street venues like The Spotted Cat and Snug Harbor, and an optional night of dancing at The Maple Leaf Bar.
Daily breakfast, plus 3 curated dining experiences featuring authentic New Orleans flavors:
-Iconic muffuletta or Po’boy lunch at a historic eatery
-Fine Creole dinner at Galatoire’s
-Traditional Jazz Brunch at The Court of Two Sisters
All ground transportation, including airport transfers and private transport for scheduled tours and evening outings.
Admission to cultural and music landmarks like guided walking tour of the French Quarter, entry to Preservation Hall for a traditional jazz performance and more.
Three nights of lodging at a luxury hotel in New Orleans’ French Quarter.
Musician and music Expert Tour Leaders, Music Specialists, and Local guides. Personalized assistance with recommendations for optional activities, dining, and music events during leisure time.
What’s not Included
- Roundtrip flights between your hometown and New Orleans.
- Comprehensive travel insurance is highly recommended.
- Any recommended or required vaccinations or travel-related medications are the responsibility of the traveler.
- Lunches and dinners not specifically listed.
- Activities not included in the official itinerary as well as personal expenses.
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff, and musicians.
- Alcohol is only included where mentioned.
- Extra stays before or after the tour are not included but can be arranged at an additional cost.
Dates And Pricing
Booking in advance ensures a wider selection of options and benefits from lower prices. Plus, flexibility is at your fingertips; feel free to switch to another trip without any fees before your final payment. For personalized assistance, don’t hesitate to get in touch with our travel specialists at info@musicalgetaways.com.
APRIL 18TH- 22ND, 2026
PRE-GAME NOLA JAZZ FEST
Price Per Person
OCTOBER 30TH- NOVEMBER 3rd, 2026
HALLOWEEN TOUR
Price Per Person
Make Your Music Tour Private
Important Itinerary Notes & Travel Pace
Find answers to the most common questions about our tours. If you can’t find what you’re looking for here, please contact us.
Itinerary Structure & Flexibility
The itinerary shown above is a sample outline intended to demonstrate the overall flow, experiences, and inclusions of the tour. Specific days and the order of activities may vary depending on departure dates, performance schedules, venue availability, and local events. New Orleans is a living music city, and live performance times can shift, change venues, or occasionally be canceled.
We plan carefully and remain flexible, always prepared with Plan A, Plan B, and Plan C to ensure a meaningful musical and cultural experience. While minor adjustments may occur, the experiences outlined in the sample itinerary reflect what we fully intend to deliver on each tour. Final, date-specific itineraries are shared closer to departure.
Live Music Disclaimer
Because live music is central to New Orleans culture, performance schedules are sometimes fluid. Changes in set times, lineups, or venues are part of the reality of a city where music is happening every night. When changes occur, we work closely with local partners to provide equally compelling alternatives.
Travel Pace & Activity Level
This tour is moderately paced and designed for travelers who enjoy being active while exploring a city deeply. Expect regular walking, including guided walking tours that may cover several miles over the course of a day, as well as standing during live music performances. Guests should also expect getting in and out of vehicles, navigating stairs in historic buildings and music venues, and spending time in lively urban environments
While this is not a high-intensity or athletic tour, it does require a comfortable level of mobility and endurance typical of immersive city travel.
Accessibility & Private Tours
If you have mobility considerations, accessibility needs, or prefer a slower or more customized pace, we strongly recommend inquiring about a private tour. Private tours allow us to tailor the itinerary, transportation, and activity level to best suit your needs while preserving the spirit of the experience.
Tour Gallery
Halloween Night in Bourbon Street
New Orleans, USA
Musicians playing in the French Quarter
New Orleans, USA
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