In 1803 Thomas Jefferson signed the Louisiana Purchase which opened up New Orleans to a flood Americas set on making a fortune. Culture clashes between Creoles and the Newly arrived Americans split the city in two, with Canal Street as it’s neutral ground between the differing populations. Flush with cash from their business successes the second generation of Americans, in the decades before the Civil War, built their own city, Lafayette, away from the hustle and bustle of downtown complete with its own cemetery, Lafayette Cemetery.

What was once Lafayette, a planned community for the wealthy,is now the Garden District. It is a delightful neighborhood to tour. Not just for the beautiful antebellum homes and lush gardens, but for what you’ll learn about the population, including a few eccentrics and scandalous souls, both now and in the past.

A great way to learn about how New Orleanians lived (and died) is by visiting our cemeteries. unfortunately Lafayette Cemetery is closed for renovations

Check back for cemetery tours offered soon

Nola Tour Guy presents our Historic Walking Tour of the Garden District four days a week. These are premium small group walking tours, limited to 15 guests so you will be guaranteed an intimate experience. Book Now!.

-one of the largest collections of surviving 19^th century mansions in the USA, an architectural treasure!

– In the cemetery you will learn about our unique burial traditions and history

-Buckner Mansion, the largest home built before the Civil War and featured in American Horror Story

– Two of three homes Anne Rice owned in New Orleans, included her main residence and where she wrote the Witching Hour Trilogy.

-Homes of celebrities such as Sandra Bullock and John Goodman.

-After the tour you will have a deeper understanding of why the Garden District is so important to the history of New Orleans.