Best New York to New Orleans Tours & Holidays 2023/2024

Bookend your stay in New York with a trip to New Orleans and discover a whole lot of great things to do along the way.

New York is arguably one of the most famous cities in the United States and so is New Orleans, with its fascinating mix of Creole, Cajun, and European culture, delicious cuisine, and thriving Tennessee music scene. Travelling from New York to New Orleans means you can tap your toes at a Broadway show in New York, go camping and eat s’mores in a National Park, see the spookiest cemeteries in New Orleans, visit the home of Elvis at the Graceland mansion, and party along Bourbon Street, all in the one incredible trip. Your expert leader knows all the best activities and sights along this popular route so pack your bags and get ready for adventure.

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Our New York to New Orleans Highlights

Binge on Smithsonian museums

Washington DC is home to more than a dozen Smithsonian museums including the National Air and Space Museum, National Museum of Natural History, National Postal Museum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Anacostia Community Museum, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Gardens, National Museum of American History, National Portrait Gallery, National Museum of the American Indian, Freer Gallery of Art, Hirschhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, and the Arts and Industries Building. Grab a few friends from your tour group and set off for a day of museum hopping.

Go camping in the Appalachian Mountains

Take a trip along Skyline Drive which travels through Shenandoah National Park, one of the highest and most scenic portions of the Appalachians, and set up camp in the heart of the jaw-dropping Appalachian Mountains. Soak up the silence and natural beauty of one of the United States’ most incredible national parks as you share stories around the campfire and toast tasty marshmallows with your fellow travelers. If you’ve never tried a s’more, a night-time campfire 'sandwich’ treat made with two graham crackers and a marshmallow and chocolate filling now is your chance.

Tap your toes in Memphis

Memphis offers music lovers a lot more than the chance to visit the Graceland mansion, where you’ll find more shiny jumpsuits than you can point a camera at. If you want to learn more about the birth of rock and soul music, the Memphis Rock ‘n’ Soul Museum should be your first stop. Drop into the historic Sun Studios where artists such as Roy Orbison, Charlie Rich, Howlin’ Wolf, and Johnny Cash recorded some of their biggest hits. In the evening, get into the groove of Memphis and head to Beale Street's traditional blues clubs, made famous by legends such as WC Handy, Howlin' Wolf, and BB King.

Cultural adventures in the French Quarter

Many visitors come to New Orleans’ French Quarter to party the night away but there are plenty of cultural pursuits to enjoy here as well. Stroll the streets and admire the iron lacework and gracious balconies of the historic buildings which draw their inspiration from French and Spanish architectural styles. New Orleans also has a thriving artistic community, with many local craftspeople exhibiting and selling their works near Jackson Square. You’ll also find talented musicians and performers busking throughout the French Quarter.

See a show in New York City

While dramas and more serious works are sometimes on offer on Broadway, this world-famous theatre district with more than 40 professional theatres is best known for its musicals. Don’t make the mistake of thinking you should only see the well-known productions. Those who head ‘off-Broadway’ to smaller theaters are rewarded with niche or new productions from smaller companies that are equally as good, and also much more affordable, than the big-name shows. Visit the TKTS Ticket Booth where you can buy discounted or even half-price same-day tickets for a huge range of shows.

Raise your glass along Bourbon Street

Bourbon Street, one of the world’s most famous party streets, comes alive after dark when the streets are filled with music and the sound of people having fun. With its raucous atmosphere and drink-as-you-stroll “go cups”, get set for a night to remember (or perhaps forget) along this famous nightlife strip. Want a drink that doubles as a souvenir? Head to one of the bars which offer “go cups” in novelty shapes like a glowing skull or a neon sippy cup branded with the name of a famous Bourbon Street drinking spot.

New York to New Orleans Tour Reviews

New York to New Orleans FAQs

Do I need a COVID-19 vaccine to join a trip from New York to New Orleans?

Everyone traveling on an Intrepid trip must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of carriage. 

All travelers are required to produce:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
All children aged 5 to 17 years old must provide proof of vaccination (if eligible), proof of recovery or a negative COVID-19 test.
If you are unable to be vaccinated for medical reasons, you may apply for an exemption. Exemptions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. To apply, you must provide a medical certificate from a medical professional.

In all cases, you must be fully inoculated. This means you must receive the full dosage of the COVID-19 vaccine and allow enough time for immunity to take effect. Each COVID-19 vaccine has different dosages and timeframes for inoculation, so please check the relevant medical advice associated with your vaccine.

Learn more about Intrepid's COVID-19 proof of vaccination policy

How to get from New York to New Orleans

It's possible to fly from New York to New Orleans in just over 3 hours but with so many great things to see and do along the way, it's much better to travel by road. While you could catch three different buses to travel from New York to New Orleans (and learn more about late-night roadhouse stops than you ever wanted to know) or sit on a train for 32 hours, it's a lot more enjoyable to join a small group tour and let an expert local leader show you all the best spots along the way. Travelling this exciting route with other like-minded travellers is much more fun than hiring a car and going it alone.

What's the weather like on the way from New York to New Orleans?

The weather can vary quite a bit depending on what time of the year you're traveling and where you visit as you drive from New York to New Orleans. As New Orleans and the surrounding area are located quite close to large bodies of water, the weather in New Orleans can get a bit wet, especially in the winter and fall seasons and it can be humid. In fact, the city has one of the highest levels of humidity in the United States. Further north in New York, the weather is pleasantly warm in spring and summer can get quite hot, especially if you're walking around the CBD where buildings block the breeze and amplify the heat. Fall adds a pleasant chill to the air and is ideal for outdoor pursuits. Snow is common in winter in New York when temperatures frequently dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit in New York.

What to pack when you're traveling from New York to New Orleans

When you're traveling from New York to New Orleans, it's important to read up on what kind of weather to expect during the time you'll be there as temperatures can often fluctuate throughout the day in some seasons. Regardless of when you're going, New Orleans is quite a humid place so it's best to pack hot weather clothes so you won't be too uncomfortable. We'd also recommend packing an umbrella if you're traveling during winter or fall as well as some appropriate wet weather shoes. You should always remember to pack sunscreen and apply it every time you go outside, even if the day looks overcast. If you're planning on checking out the blues clubs in Memphis, seeing a show in New York, or partying the night away on Bourbon Street, you'll need a few dressier outfits as well. Comfortable shoes are essential, whether you're walking around town or dancing the night away.

Is the trip from New York to New Orleans accessible for travelers with disabilities?

Intrepid is committed to making travel widely accessible, regardless of ability or disability. That’s why we do our best to help as many people see the world as possible, regardless of any physical or mental limitations they might have. New Orleans is working towards making all services, city programs, and facilities accessible to all persons. New Orleans is also quite a flat city so it's fairly easy to get around. However, we’re always happy to talk to travellers with disabilities and see if we can help guide them towards the most suitable itinerary for their needs and where possible, make reasonable adjustments to our itineraries.

Learn more about Accessible Travel with Intrepid