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New Orleans: African American Heritage Walking Tour

New Orleans: African American Heritage Walking Tour

4.4(7 reviews)
2 hour(s)
english
Washington, United States

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Learn about the arrival of Africans in the city beginning in 1719

Explore how enslaved Africans shaped the early infrastructure of New Orleans

Discover lasting African influences on food, music, religion, and architecture

Hear stories of how Africans gathered to dance, drum, trade, and preserve culture

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$ 32.4

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Uncovering The Deep African American Heritage And Cultural Roots Of Historic New Orleans


This two-hour walking tour provides a profound exploration of the early African presence in New Orleans, tracing history back to the city's founding in 1719. Participants will learn about the thousands of individuals brought from the Senegambia, Benin, and Congo regions who survived the Middle Passage. Their labor and resilience were foundational to the development of French Louisiana, as they cleared dense forests, cultivated vital crops, and constructed the city's early infrastructure.


The narrative highlights how African cultural traditions remained deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, influencing its music, cuisine, religion, and architecture. Your guide will explain how these diverse influences merged to create the unique identity of New Orleans. By examining the daily lives and contributions of enslaved laborers and free people of color, the tour offers a comprehensive understanding of the social dynamics that defined the colonial era and beyond.


A central stop on the tour is the historic Congo Square, now located within Armstrong Park at the edge of the French Quarter in the Faubourg Tremé. This site served as a vital gathering place where enslaved Africans and free people of color congregated to dance, drum, trade goods, and maintain their cultural heritage. Standing in this powerful location allows visitors to connect with the past and honor the enduring spirit of the community.


The tour concludes by reflecting on how these historical contributions continue to shape the vibrant culture of modern New Orleans. By visiting significant sites and discussing the legacy of those who built the city, guests gain a deeper appreciation for the resilience and creativity of the African American experience. This educational journey is essential for anyone looking to understand the complex history and rich cultural tapestry that makes New Orleans a truly unique American city.

What's Included
  • Local tour guide
  • Walking tour in the Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square
  • Walking tour in the French Quarter
What's Not Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Transportation
  • Gratuities
  • Food and drinks

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Activity Provider: Universal Tour Guide US

Customer Reviews

Explore More New Orleans: African American Heritage Walking Tour
Day In a City

Explore More New Orleans: African American Heritage Walking Tour

Discover the wonders of Paris, France with this unforgettable experience. During this two-hour walking tour, you will explore the early African presence in New Orleans, beginning with the arrival of people of African ancestry in 1719—just one year after the city’s founding. Forced from the Senegambia region of West Africa, roughly five thousand Africans survived the Middle Passage to French Louisiana during the 1720s, followed by a similar number brought by the Spanish from the Benin and Congo regions in the 1780s. As enslaved laborers, they cleared forests, cultivated crops, and built much of the city’s foundational infrastructure. Your guide will help you understand how their resilience, skills, and cultural traditions played a critical role in shaping early New Orleans. Highlights of your tour include: Learn about the arrival of Africans in the city beginning in 1719Explore how enslaved Africans shaped the early infrastructure of New OrleansDiscover lasting African influences on food, music, religion, and architectureHear stories of how Africans gathered to dance, drum, trade, and preserve culture. This tour includes: Local tour guideWalking tour in the Louis Armstrong Park and Congo SquareWalking tour in the French Quarter. During this two-hour walking tour, you will explore the early African presence in New Orleans, beginning with the arrival of people of African ancestry in 1719—just one year after the city’s founding. Forced from the Senegambia region of West Africa, roughly five thousand Africans survived the Middle Passage to French Louisiana during the 1720s, followed by a similar number brought by the Spanish . Duration: 2 hours...