We had a great tour. Four of us had never been to New Orleans before and two of our group had been to the city several times. We all found it fascinating and the tour was well paced.
Private tour in New Orleans Arthur S
5.0
(5) reviews
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Arthur S.
4.9
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Hello, here's a short welcome to my world… About four years ago, I retired from a long and varied career in advertising and publishing, my last stop as communications director for the Louisiana State Museum. It was a dream job for an amateur historian like me. There I was in daily contact with literally thousands of objects that embody the incredibly rich heritage and unique culture of New Orleans. So when I shut my office door at the Cabildo for the last time, I knew I would have to keep on sharing stories about this wonderful city… out on the streets this time, walking and talking with curious folks like you and having a grand time together. That's how I became your ToursByLocals guide. A few personal details. I'm a native New Yorker and Tulane University graduate who fell in love with New Orleans and never left. I live in the French Quarter these days, on a quiet street in an 1832 townhouse I share with two teenage sons. When not on tour, you might find me out in the marshes fishing for speckled trout or rowing up cypress-shaded bayou in my beloved hand-built dory, "Peapod. " On holidays and Saints game days, I'll be in the kitchen "perfecting" my recipe for homemade gumbo for family and friends. Over many years of trial and error, this surefire formula has evolved: "The sea + the barnyard + the pasture = Arthur's As-Good-As-It-Gets Gumbo. " You'll want to try gumbo-making back home, so don't forget to ask what it all means. Here's something else you're likely to hear on tour or before we meet. "My guests are my guides, " I always say. The streets we explore together are two-way streets. And you may not notice, but I do as much listening as talking. So tell me about about your work, your personal passions and enthusiasms, and we'll head off from there for a fabulous day in New Orleans! City of New Orleans Professional Tour Guide License #14LTG-06256 No restrictions.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Arthur S.
Beneath ancient live oaks and framed by lush gardens, the stately mansions of 19th century cotton kings and present-day movie stars have fascinating stories to tell.
We had a great tour. Four of us had never been to New Orleans before and two of our group had been to the city several times. We all found it fascinating and the tour was well paced.
On what was set to be the hottest day ever recorded in New Orleans, Arthur braved the heat to lead us on a truly excellent tour of the Garden District. Arthur demonstrated a wealth of knowledge about all aspects of the Garden District and the wider city, going beyond history to touch on popular culture and politics too. He was smart, funny and engaging and I only wish we'd had the time to book some of his other tours.
We spent a beautiful morning learning the history of the garden district with Arthur. Our family of 10 enjoyed every minute of Arthur's tour. He provided tons of historical information and was eager to answer any of our questions. His explanation of the burial process in the cemeteries in NOLA was fascinating. We would definitely schedule another tour with Arthur when we return to New Orleans!
Arthur was a fantastic guide. My wife and I thought we knew the garden district well but Arthur taught us so much history and architecture that it was as if we were seeing the district for the first time. Our guests, who were seeing it for the first time, were totally mesmerized. We recommend this tour highly.
Arthur was great. He did an excellent job of bringing things to life. Was very knowledgeable and objective in his comments. Contributed greatly to our understanding of New Orleans and its history.
New Orleans' fabled Garden District was once a vast sugar plantation that was sold and subdivided in 1832 to become one of the most beautiful and historic urban environments in America today. At first, though, it was a suburb. On huge building lots, along wide oak-shaded streets the newly-minted millionaires of the antebellum South could display their wealth with palatial homes, extravagant architecture and lush gardens. Most of these houses survive, lovingly preserved by present-day owners. And each has a story. Starting from the heart of the district at Washington Avenue and Prytania Street and ending at the grandest home of all -- the 21, 000-square-foot Buckner Mansion on Jackson Avenue -- the fascinating history of wealth and misery in 19th Century New Orleans unfolds over a short walk of seven or eight blocks.
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This is a walking tour departing from our meet-up spot in the heart of the Garden District, about a mile from downtown New Orleans and is easily accessed via the historic St. Charles Avenue streetcar, by taxi or ride/share service.. Hotel pickup can be arranged for up to six passengers in my private car -- 2019 Dodge Grand Caravan.Please let me know if you'd like this option.
New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Meet at Chicory House coffee shop, 2727 Prytania Street (at Washington Avenue), in the heart of the Garden District.
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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