New Orleans Tour Guide
Nola Tour Guy was started by David G. Hedges an adventurous, fun-loving Chicago native who considers New Orleans his true home. At the age of 19, David traveled to New Orleans via hitchhiking and freight trains despite not knowing anyone in the city. He quickly became enamored with New Orleans and after finishing up college in Chicago, decided to move there permanently. In 2011, David pursued his tour guide license so he could share his passion for the city with others, but found that many existing tour companies were based out of state and offered only a cookie cutter, watered down version of New Orleans’ unique history.
No one can truly feel the city’s energy or understand its dynamic layers on a large, crowded tour or in a blur on a streetcar. David knew he could do better and started his own company, Nola Tour Guy. On his tours, David imparts captivating history with grace and good humor and gives real depth to a complex, diverse city. Most of all, he aims to make these tours fun and engaging. Join David on a FREE tour and fall in love with New Orleans just like he has!.
Eric Spinrad graduated with honors, receiving a Bachelor in Science, just in time for the market crash of 2008. With a life deferred and job opportunities dismal, Eric hit the open road and eventually washed up on the rich alluvial deposit that cradles New Orleans. Awe inspired by the city’s mostly intact old quarter, which many cities lost to urban redevelopment, he took to books and began sifting through the many layers of New Orleans history. Contrary to history existing within a vacuum, Eric believes that from nature’s test of the levee system to the recent removal of Confederate symbols, New Orleans is in constant motion that continually shapes the city and its inhabitants. Eric is thoroughly excited to join David Hedges at Nola Tour Guy to captivate both visitors and locals alike with the ever changing history of America’s greatest city, New Orleans.
Salvatore Geloso AKA Sally Baby has been residing and working as a queer jazz musician of color in New Orleans for the past 15 years. Drawn to the crescent city by its unmistakable folk magic and lore, Sally baby delved deep into the rich history and stories told by the cities colorful characters of a disappearing past. Specializing in Creole, Indigenous histories , and ethnomusicology, Sally baby guarantees a unique unforgettable experience that is down to earth and exceptionally informative. Discover for yourself how the crescent cities true secrets are really hidden in plain sight for all to see. Sally baby believes there is no need to sensationalize a story that is already stranger than fiction!
Sandy H. has lived in New Orleans since 1995 and have been a tour guide in the city for approximately 20 years. She holds a Master’s degree in history and enjoys helping bring the past alive for visitors.