City Sightseeing New Orleans HOHO Bus Tour & Bookable Extras

New Orleans is easiest to understand from a moving bus, where the French Quarter gives way to Tremé, the Garden District, the Warehouse District, and the Mississippi River. This open-top route combines panoramic city views with a live guide, so you hear stories as you get your bearings.

I like the 30-minute bus frequency and the choice to ride a full 1.5-hour loop before deciding where to stop. I also like the longer passes, which add a Garden District walking tour to the 2 and 3-day options, plus a French Quarter walking tour to the 3-day pass.

The main catch is the early finish. The last departure is at 4pm and the full service ends at 5:30pm, so this is a daytime sightseeing tool, not evening transport. Some passengers have also found the live commentary hard to hear from certain seats.

Key points to know before you ride

• The live guides make the difference: Guides such as Linda, Chris, Ron, Bill, and Deidre have been praised for mixing local stories with practical suggestions.
• The route covers more than the French Quarter: You reach Tremé, the Garden District, the National WWII Museum, Mardi Gras World, Magazine Street, and the riverfront.
• A full loop takes about 1.5 hours: Ride once without getting off, then plan your second circuit around the places you want to explore.
• The 2 and 3-day tickets offer better planning value: They include a Garden District walking tour, while the 3-day option also includes a French Quarter walking tour.
• The schedule favors early risers: Buses begin around 9:30am to 9:40am, run about every 30 minutes, and finish by late afternoon.
• You can use a phone or paper voucher: Redemption is possible at any stop along the route, not only at the first stop.

Why this bus is useful on a first day in New Orleans

New Orleans can feel like several cities stitched together. The French Quarter has narrow streets and famous buildings, the Garden District spreads along St. Charles Avenue, and the museums and riverfront sit farther west. Walking between all of them would take too much time, while local transport may not give you any explanation of what you are seeing.

This tour gives you a practical first look. I would ride the entire loop early in your stay, listen to the guide, and note the stops that deserve a closer visit. Then you can use the pass as a sightseeing shuttle instead of treating it as a one-time bus ride.

The live narration is one of the strongest parts of the experience. Guides have included Linda, Oreal, Ron, Colin, Chris, Mary, Sydney, and Bill, among others. Their styles will vary, but the repeated praise is for friendly storytelling, local facts, humor, and restaurant or neighborhood tips.

That personal touch matters in New Orleans. A prerecorded headset can point out a building, but a live guide can explain why a street matters, add a local anecdote, or help you decide where to get off next. Sit near the guide if you want the clearest sound, since commentary can be difficult to hear from some seats.

Jackson Square and the French Market

Stop 1, at 700 Decatur Street, is the most convenient starting point for a classic French Quarter introduction. Jackson Square gives you the postcard view of St. Louis Cathedral, with the historic buildings around the square framing the cathedral’s pale facade.

St. Louis Cathedral is described as the oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States. You can get off here to visit the square, look inside the cathedral, and explore the surrounding Quarter streets on foot.

The stop also sits near beignets and cafe au lait, the City Sightseeing ticket office, and the operator’s shop. This is a good place to redeem your voucher if you want staff help before setting out.

Stop 2 serves the French Market colonnade, French Market, and flea market. It is useful for browsing local produce, souvenirs, and market stalls, but allow extra time if you intend to shop or eat. The bus is convenient, yet the stop can become a poor place to wait if you have not checked the next departure.

Royal Street is nearby and deserves a walk of its own. Its galleries, antiques, crafts, art objects, and museums provide a quieter contrast to Bourbon Street. If you want the famous Quarter atmosphere without spending your whole visit on the loudest strip, use the bus to reach this area and explore on foot.

Esplanade Avenue, Marigny, and Bywater

Stop 3 takes you toward Marigny and Bywater, with access to Frenchmen Street music clubs, Crescent Park, JAMNola, and a Bywater brew pub. This part of the route helps show that New Orleans is not only Bourbon Street and Jackson Square.

Frenchmen Street is associated with live music, while Crescent Park offers a different kind of break from the dense Quarter streets. JAMNola and the nearby brew pub give you additional choices if you want an attraction or refreshment stop.

The bus route is especially useful here because these areas are farther from the central French Quarter stops. Still, check the clock before getting off. The service ends early enough that an extended stop could leave you waiting for the final buses.

Tremé and Basin Street Station

Stop 4 serves Tremé and Lafitte, with access to St. Augustine Church and the Tomb of the Unknown Slave. This is a stop for travelers interested in the city’s Black history and religious landmarks, not just architecture and shopping.

The next stop, Basin St. Station, is well placed for exploring the edge of the French Quarter and nearby attractions. Basin Street Station itself is a useful orientation point, and it gives you a second central place to join or leave the route.

For a first ride, I would pay close attention to the guide’s explanation of Tremé. The stop adds context to the city’s cultural story, though the tour itself does not include admission to attractions. You are paying for the bus and narration, while entrance fees, food, and drinks remain separate.

Canal Street, Bourbon Street, and the casino stop

Stop 6 is the workhorse of the route. It connects Canal Street, Bourbon Street, Royal Street, Chartres Street, and several Canal Street hotels.

Canal Street is a sensible place to split your day. From here, you can walk into the French Quarter, return to the bus after a meal, or use the route to reach the museums and Garden District. It is also a practical stop if your hotel is near Canal Street.

Stop 7 serves Caesars New Orleans, formerly associated with Harrah’s Casino, along with the American Italian Cultural Museum and Italian Piazza. This gives you access to another side of central New Orleans and makes the bus more useful than a route confined to the Quarter.

Do not expect every stop to be a major attraction by itself. Several work mainly as connectors. That is still valuable in New Orleans, where the pass can save you from arranging separate rides between districts.

Poydras, Lafayette Square, and St. Charles Avenue

Stops 8 and 9 move you toward Poydras Street, Lafayette Square, Gallier Hall, and St. Charles Avenue. These stops are useful for seeing the city’s civic buildings and for beginning a Garden District outing.

The stop at 1100 Poydras places you near Lafayette Square and Gallier Hall. The next stop, at 545 St. Charles Avenue, puts you on one of the city’s best-known avenues, where the route begins to feel less like a French Quarter tour and more like a citywide overview.

The included walking tour becomes important here. A 2-day or 3-day ticket includes a Garden District Guided Walking Tour, giving you more than a passing view from the bus. The 1-day ticket does not include that walk, so compare the price difference against your interests before booking.

The National WWII Museum and the Arts District

Stop 10 is one of the strongest stops for museum lovers. It serves the National WWII Museum, the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the Contemporary Arts Center, and the Confederate Civil War Museum.

The National WWII Museum is a major destination in its own right, so plan carefully if you want a serious visit. A museum stop can take much longer than the 30-minute bus interval, and the tour does not include admission.

This is also a good area for art. The Ogden and Contemporary Arts Center offer different collections and focuses, while the surrounding Arts and Warehouse Districts give you a break from the Quarter’s older streets.

Stops 17 and 18 continue that arts and riverfront connection. Stop 17 serves Julia Street, galleries, and the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk. Stop 18 at 2 Canal Street is near the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, VUE Orleans Observation Deck, Audubon Aquarium, and Insectarium.

You can use the route as an easy way to pair a museum visit with the riverfront. Just leave enough time to return before the last departures.

Magazine Street and the Garden District

Stops 11 through 15 cover Magazine Street, the Garden District, and several points along St. Charles Avenue. The listed addresses include 2727 Magazine Street, 3137 Magazine Street, 3338 St. Charles Avenue, 2020 St. Charles Avenue, and the intersection of St. Charles Avenue with Louisiana Avenue and St. Andrew Street.

This is one of the most useful stretches for people who want to see neighborhoods beyond the French Quarter. Magazine Street offers shops and local businesses, while the Garden District and St. Charles Avenue provide a slower, more residential side of New Orleans.

The route gives you a broad look, but the walking tour is the better choice if you want detail. With the 2 or 3-day ticket, you can use one day for the overview and another for the guided Garden District walk. That avoids rushing past an area that deserves time on foot.

You should also remember that the listed stops are not all interchangeable. The route includes several Magazine Street points, and the best stop for you depends on which business or section you want to reach. Ask staff or the guide before you get off if your destination is specific.

Mardi Gras World and the Mississippi Riverfront

Stop 16 serves the Convention Center and Mardi Gras World. This is a good choice if you want to see the city’s festival tradition outside the French Quarter.

Mardi Gras World is an attraction with its own admission, so the bus pass does not cover entry. The benefit here is transport to an area that may otherwise require a separate ride from the central sights.

The final riverfront stop serves the Creole Queen paddlewheeler, VUE Orleans Observation Deck, Audubon Aquarium, and Insectarium. You can choose between a river experience, a high viewpoint, and indoor attractions.

These paid activities require separate tickets, and you should not assume you can fit several into one short stop. Pick one main attraction, then use the bus to continue your route.

Choosing between one, two, and three days

The 1-day ticket works best if you want an overview and a few carefully chosen stops. At $51 per person, it has reasonable value when it replaces several separate rides and gives you live commentary across a wide part of the city.

The 2-day ticket is a better fit if you want the Garden District walking tour, time at a museum, and relaxed exploration of the French Quarter. You can ride the loop on the first day, then use the second day for stops you identified earlier.

The 3-day ticket adds the French Quarter Guided Walking Tour. It makes the most sense for a longer stay or for anyone who wants both major neighborhood walks without trying to squeeze them into one day.

A useful strategy is to ride the full loop first. Then use the next circuit for Jackson Square, the French Market, the National WWII Museum, Magazine Street, or the riverfront. The 30-minute service is frequent enough to make this plan practical, but you still need to keep an eye on the final bus.

Timing, comfort, and practical details

The first departures from Stops 1, 5, 6, and 17 run between 9:30am and 9:40am. Buses generally run every 30 minutes, the full bus tour takes about 1.5 hours, and the last departure from any stop is at 4pm. The last tour finishes at 5:30pm.

The open-top deck gives you broad views and a better sense of the city’s scale. It also leaves you exposed to New Orleans weather, so bring suitable clothing and consider how long you want to sit in direct sun.

The buses are wheelchair accessible. Pets and smoking are not allowed, and you should bring cash and a passport or ID card.

Mobile and printed paper vouchers are accepted, and you can redeem them at any stop along the route. The voucher is valid only on the date selected when booking, so check that date carefully.

Service changes during major calendar dates. The tour does not operate on February 7, 8, 14, 15, and 17, April 18 and 19, November 26, and December 5 and 25. It also has shorter hours on several February dates, November 25, December 24, and December 31, with some early April closures affecting Stops 1 through 4.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the activity, and the reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your plans are still moving.

Who should book this New Orleans bus tour

I would recommend it most for first-time visitors, short stays, families who want simple transport, and anyone who enjoys learning while looking around. It is also useful for people who want to compare neighborhoods before choosing where to spend more time.

The route suits a traveler who likes flexibility but does not want to plan every transfer. It is less suitable if you want a late-night activity, a quiet private tour, or guaranteed detailed commentary at every seat.

The strongest reason to book is the combination of coverage and live narration. The main weakness is the early finish and the fact that attraction tickets cost extra. If you start early and use the first loop as reconnaissance, the pass can help you see far more of New Orleans than you would on foot alone.

FAQ

How long does the full bus loop take?

The bus tour takes about 1.5 hours if you remain onboard for the complete circuit.

How often do the buses run?

Buses run about every 30 minutes.

What time does the first bus leave?

The first departures from Stops 1, 5, 6, and 17 are between 9:30am and 9:40am.

What time does the last bus leave?

The last departure from any stop is at 4pm, and the final tour ends at 5:30pm.

Are walking tours included?

A Garden District Guided Walking Tour is included with the 2 and 3-day tickets. A French Quarter Guided Walking Tour is included with the 3-day ticket only.

Are attraction admission fees included?

No. Tickets for attractions, along with food and drinks, are not included.

Can I use a mobile voucher?

Yes. Mobile and printed paper vouchers are accepted and can be redeemed at any stop along the route.

Is the bus wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the buses are wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel for a refund?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.