City Sightseeing New Orleans HOHO Bus Tour & Bookable Extras

New Orleans reveals itself in layers. This open-top bus tour gives you a useful first look at those layers, from the French Quarter and French Market to the Garden District, Tremé, the National WWII Museum, and the Superdome. You can ride the full loop, then hop off when a neighborhood catches your eye.

I like the live English-speaking guides, who add local stories, jokes, and practical suggestions instead of sending you through the city with a recorded headset. I also like the route itself: it reaches well beyond Bourbon Street and shows you parts of New Orleans you might otherwise miss. The main drawback is the schedule. The last departure is at 4pm and the final tour ends at 5:30pm, so this is a daytime sightseeing tool, not an evening ride.

The listed price is $51 per person, with one, two, and three-day choices. A one-day ticket can be enough for an overview, but the longer passes become more useful if you plan to visit the Garden District, ride the route for transport, and join the included walking tours.

Key Points Before You Board

• Live narration replaces the usual audio recording: Guides such as Linda, Ron, Chris, Bill, Mary, and Deidre have been praised for mixing New Orleans history with humor and useful food tips.
• Eighteen stops cover more than the French Quarter: The route reaches Tremé, Bywater, St. Charles Avenue, the Garden District, the Arts District, Mardi Gras World, and the riverfront.
• A full loop takes about 1.5 hours: Ride once without getting off to understand the city, then plan your stops on a second circuit.
• Buses arrive about every 30 minutes: That makes short visits practical, though you should not leave your final stop too late in the afternoon.
• Longer tickets include walking tours: The Garden District tour comes with two and three-day tickets, while the three-day option also includes a French Quarter walking tour.
• You can use a phone or paper voucher: Redeem either at any stop along the route on the date selected when booking.

What the New Orleans Bus Route Actually Covers

The route is useful because it connects districts that do not feel alike. The French Quarter has old balconies, courtyards, music, and busy streets. St. Charles Avenue brings grand houses and streetcar views. Tremé, Bywater, the Arts District, and the riverfront each give you a different sense of the city.

The bus tour itself lasts about 1.5 hours. If you stay aboard, you get a narrated city overview. If you hop off, you trade sightseeing time for exploration, so I would use the first complete loop as an orientation ride whenever your schedule allows.

Buses run about every 30 minutes. That is frequent enough for a planned stop, but you still need to keep an eye on the clock. The first buses leave Stops 1, 5, 6, and 17 between 9:30am and 9:40am, while the final departure from any stop is at 4pm.

Stops 1 to 4: Jackson Square, the French Market, and Tremé

Stop 1 at Jackson Square is the natural starting point. The square sits beside St. Louis Cathedral, the oldest continuously active cathedral in the United States, and puts you close to beignets, café au lait, and the main sights of the French Quarter.

This is also near the City Sightseeing shop and ticket office. Start here if you want to combine the bus with a walk around Jackson Square and the cathedral. The area can be crowded, so allow time to find the stop and board without rushing.

Stop 2 serves the French Market colonnade, the French Market, and the flea market. You can browse local produce, keepsakes, and souvenirs, then walk along the riverfront nearby. I would use this stop for a relaxed wander rather than a quick photo stop.

Stop 3 reaches Marigny and Bywater, including Frenchmen Street music clubs, Crescent Park, JAMNOLA, and the Bywater Brew Pub. This is one of the route’s most useful additions because it takes you outside the most familiar French Quarter streets. If music is part of your New Orleans plans, Frenchmen Street gives you a clear idea of where to return later.

Stop 4 serves Tremé and Lafitte, near St. Augustine Church and the Tomb of the Unknown Slave. This stop adds important cultural and historical context to the trip. You may want to check the exact opening times of individual sights separately, since the bus ticket does not include attraction admission.

Stops 5 to 9: Basin Street, Bourbon Street, and Downtown

Stop 5 is Basin St. Station. It is a handy connection point between the French Quarter and downtown and gives you another place to board if Jackson Square is crowded.

Stop 6 covers Canal Street, Bourbon Street, Royal Street, Chartres Street, and several Canal Street hotels. This is the most convenient stop for the classic French Quarter experience. Bourbon Street brings the famous nightlife strip, while Royal Street is better for antiques, crafts, art objects, and historic buildings.

I would not treat Bourbon Street and Royal Street as interchangeable. Bourbon is loud and energetic, while Royal Street gives you more space to browse. Chartres Street adds another attractive route through the quarter, with access toward Jackson Square and the French Market.

Stop 7 serves Caesars New Orleans, formerly Harrah’s Casino, along with the American Italian Cultural Museum and Italian Piazza. This gives you access to a less obvious part of the downtown and riverfront area.

Stops 8 and 9 serve Poydras and Loyola, Lafayette Square, Gallier Hall, and St. Charles at Lafayette. These locations are useful for downtown architecture and civic landmarks. Stop 9 at 545 St. Charles Avenue is also a good position for seeing the avenue before the route continues toward the Garden District.

Stops 10 to 15: Museums, Magazine Street, and St. Charles Avenue

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

You will not have time to see all of these properly during a short hop-off. If the National WWII Museum is a priority, consider making it the main activity for part of your day and using the bus for transport before or afterward. Attraction tickets are not included in the bus fare.

Stop 11 reaches Magazine Street and Jackson Avenue. Stops 12 and 13 continue along Magazine Street, including the Garden District and addresses at 2727 and 3137 Magazine Street. This part of the route works well for people who want shops, restaurants, and neighborhood streets rather than only major landmarks.

The Garden District is especially well suited to a walking tour. The two-day and three-day passes include a guided Garden District walk, which gives the longer tickets extra value. You should confirm the meeting details for that walk when collecting or redeeming your ticket, since the meeting point can vary by booking option.

Stops 14 and 15 follow St. Charles Avenue at Louisiana Avenue and St. Andrew Street. This section is valuable for seeing the long avenue and its large homes from the top deck. The bus gives you a broad view, but you will get more from this area if you hop off and walk at least part of it.

The main limitation here is timing. A museum visit, a Garden District walk, and several Magazine Street stops could easily fill most of a day. Do not plan to cover every stop in depth on a one-day ticket.

Stops 16 to 18: Mardi Gras World, the Arts District, and the River

Stop 16 serves the Convention Center and Mardi Gras World. The Mardi Gras attraction is not included in the bus fare, but the stop makes it easy to add if you choose to buy admission separately.

Stop 17 reaches the Arts and Warehouse District, including Julia Street, the Outlet Collection at Riverwalk, and Julia Street galleries and shops. This is a useful contrast to the French Quarter, with a strong focus on museums, galleries, and modern city life.

Stop 18 at 2 Canal Street serves the riverfront, the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen, VUE Orleans Observation Deck, and Audubon Aquarium and Insectarium. Again, admission to these attractions is separate. The bus is most useful here as a connector, letting you combine the riverfront with downtown or the French Quarter without arranging another ride.

The route returns to 700 Decatur Street near Jackson Square. Since the first and final drop-off locations are listed at the same Decatur Street address, this is a simple place to finish if you began in the French Quarter.

Why the Live Guides Make a Difference

The best part of this experience is not simply getting from one stop to another. It is the running commentary. Guides named in customer feedback include Linda, Ron, Chris, Bill, Oreal, Mary, Deidre, Sydney, Tamara, Logan, and Colin, with several praised for being funny as well as well-informed.

That personal delivery matters in New Orleans. The city has plenty of stories, but a good guide helps you connect the places as you pass them. Guides have also suggested restaurants and places to visit, which can help you shape the rest of your stay.

The quality can vary by bus and guide. One passenger had trouble hearing the commentary, and another found the bus older than expected. Sit near the guide when possible, especially if you have difficulty hearing, and ask staff which boarding position gives you the clearest view.

The open-top deck offers the best sightlines, but New Orleans weather can be hot, humid, or wet. Bring water, cash, and identification, as requested in the tour information. Smoking and pets are not allowed.

Choosing Between One, Two, and Three Days

A one-day pass works best if you want a quick city orientation and a few carefully chosen stops. Ride the full loop first, then pick one or two areas for a second circuit. The National WWII Museum, French Market, Garden District, and French Quarter each deserve more time than a brief hop-off.

A two-day pass is a better choice if you want to see the city at an easier pace. You can use one day for the main route and another for the Garden District, Magazine Street, museums, or the riverfront. The included Garden District Guided Walking Tour adds value here.

A three-day pass is the most flexible. It includes both the Garden District and French Quarter guided walks, so it suits you if you want structured introductions but still prefer to explore independently afterward.

The pass can also reduce the need for separate short rides. One person used a three-day ticket to reach several planned activities and tracked bus arrivals through the app. That convenience matters in a city where your energy is often better spent walking, eating, and listening to music than sorting out transport.

Is $51 a Fair Price?

At $51, this is not the cheapest way to move around New Orleans. The value depends on how much you use it.

If you take one short loop and remain aboard, the price is harder to justify. If you ride the full circuit, hop off at several districts, use the bus on multiple days, and join the included walking tours, the calculation improves.

The live guide also gives the ticket more value than a silent transfer service. You are paying for orientation and stories as well as transport. For a first visit, that can prevent wasted time and help you decide where to return on foot.

The tour does not include food, drinks, hotel pickup, or admission to museums and other attractions. Keep those costs separate when planning your day.

Practical Advice for a Smooth Ride

Use the tour early in your stay. Several people found it useful for learning the shape of the city and deciding where to spend more time later.

I would follow this simple plan:

• Begin at Jackson Square or another listed starting stop.
• Ride the complete loop before making major plans.
• Sit where you can hear the live guide clearly.
• Choose no more than two major hop-off activities on a one-day pass.
• Leave your final stop well before 4pm.
• Keep cash with you, since it is specifically listed among the recommended items.
• Use the app to track buses if that feature is available with your booking.
• Check special operating dates carefully, especially around Mardi Gras, holidays, and major events.

The buses are wheelchair accessible. Mobile and printed paper vouchers are accepted and can be redeemed at any stop, but the voucher is valid only on the date selected at booking.

Who Should Book This New Orleans Bus Tour?

I would recommend it most strongly for first-time visitors, short stays, families, older visitors, and anyone who wants a broad look at New Orleans without arranging several separate rides. It is also useful if you want a guide’s explanation while moving between districts.

You may prefer another plan if your main interests begin after sunset, since the service finishes by late afternoon. It is also not the best choice if you want to spend a full day inside one museum or walk every block of the French Quarter.

Should You Book It?

Book this tour if you want a clear introduction to New Orleans, live commentary, and easy access to districts beyond the French Quarter. Choose one day for a quick overview, two days for a more relaxed visit with the Garden District walk, and three days if you want both included guided walks.

My practical pick is the two-day ticket for most visitors. It gives you time to ride the full route, explore the French Quarter and Garden District, and use the bus as local transport without forcing every decision into one crowded day. If your stay is brief, the one-day pass still does its job well, as long as you start early and watch the final departure.

FAQ

How long does the full bus tour take?

The bus tour lasts about 1.5 hours if you remain aboard for the route.

How often do the buses run?

Buses run approximately every 30 minutes.

What time does the first bus leave?

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

What time is the last departure?

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

Are guided walking tours included?

The Garden District Guided Walking Tour is included with two-day and three-day tickets. The French Quarter Guided Walking Tour is included with the three-day ticket only.

Are attraction tickets included?

No. Admission to attractions, museums, Mardi Gras World, the aquarium, and other paid sights is 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.

Are the buses wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the buses are wheelchair accessible.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, depending on the booking option.