There is nothing like visiting your favorite city! In my case, it’s a short 42 miles away and adult only weekend away from the kids! New York Best Selling author and local writer, Chris Rose has joined the ranks of local NOLA tour guides with his “New Orleans Magical Musical Mystery History Tour”. The 2 hour (or so) tour takes you along through French Quarter and ends at Armstrong Park / Congo Square area. Since we were enjoying a weekend without the kids, my husband and I decided to experience the “much talked about French Quarter tour” for ourselves.
I have lived in Southeast Louisiana for over 25 years and found that everyone interprets New Orleans and surrounding areas in their own way. So I can’t help but love local tour guides and area tour companies.
Need some tips? Tours allows guests to explore the city through their guides perspective and hopefully learn something along the way. Would I take advantage of a tour I found on randomly online? Sure, why not but you may only find tours that fixate on tales of voodoo, vampires and ghosts. If you’re into that sort of thing then you’re all set. Be sure to check out the reviews and search social media for a variety of options. You don’t want to end your tour only to discover that 1/2 of what was said was nonsense! Believe me, it happens. Oh, and wear good shoes!
The New Orleans Magical Musical Mystery History Tour, began in Jackson Square (located directly in front of Muriel’s Jackson Square Restaurant) weaving in and out of the French Quarter into Congo Square & Armstrong Park then back into the French Quarter.
Chris Rose, our tour guide, was spot on! He’s extremely passionate with his stories of brothels, music of every genre and personal experiences he had in French Quarter before and after Hurricane Katrina. He is so captivating that you can’t help but get lost in his stories. On several occasions the 18 of us would clap during certain parts of his tour, he’s that good! In addition, there are tons of funny moments. I cracked up during one of our stops. As Chris began to recount an event after Hurricane Katrina, someone passed by and screamed “Why does everyone in New Orleans sound like a damn Pirate?”. Chris responded with “Man, this is just cigarettes and booze”. I DIED! You can contact Chris via email at chrisrose504@gmail.com.
Organized city tours are not for everyone. Some people prefer to wander, tend to drift from the conversation and prefer to pop in and out. Don’t forget, you can fact check what you heard later but in the meantime, utilize the walking tour as a Photo tour just in case your tour guide is “full of it”. Either way, Explore the city and enjoy your day!
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