Preservation Hall Tours and Activities

Overview
One of New Orleans’ favorite live music venues, Preservation Hall sits in the heart of the French Quarter and is known for its Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Dating back to 1961, the hall boasts a festive and intimate atmosphere,and crowds pack in the door every night to hear some of the city’s best music.
The Basics
It’s hard to miss Preservation Hall if you’re in the French Quarter; it has a prime location between Bourbon and Royal streets. The jazz bands that play at the hall are made up of a roster of more than 100 “master traditional New Orleans jazz musicians” who have learned from the hall’s former greats. Many music-themed walking tours pass by or stop at this venue, and shows take place several times a night.
Things to Know Before You Go
Preservation Hall is located on St. Peter Street in the French Quarter and is walking distance from Jackson Square, the waterfront, Louis Armstrong Park, and many other bars and attractions. The hall is about a 5-minute walk from the Toulouse Station tram stop.
When to Get There
The hall hosts up to five shows a night, and the first generally starts at 5pm. Each lasts about 45 minutes.
New Orleans Music Tours
If you want to know about New Orleans’ many musical traditions, you can book one of the city’s many music-themed tours. Learn about how the city became famous for blues, jazz, and gospel; and hear about the histories of venues like Preservation Hall, Place d’Armes, and the Royal Orleans hotel. You can also take a tour that will introduce you to the city’s jazz, food, and drink scenes all in one day.
One of New Orleans’ favorite live music venues, Preservation Hall sits in the heart of the French Quarter and is known for its Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Dating back to 1961, the hall boasts a festive and intimate atmosphere,and crowds pack in the door every night to hear some of the city’s best music.
The Basics
It’s hard to miss Preservation Hall if you’re in the French Quarter; it has a prime location between Bourbon and Royal streets. The jazz bands that play at the hall are made up of a roster of more than 100 “master traditional New Orleans jazz musicians” who have learned from the hall’s former greats. Many music-themed walking tours pass by or stop at this venue, and shows take place several times a night.
Things to Know Before You Go
- All ages are welcome at Preservation Hall.
- There are two types of tickets at Preservation Hall: general admission (which can be purchased with cash after standing in line before a show) and “big shot” tickets, which reserve the best seats in the house. All tickets are only good for one show.
- The hall is very popular, and the line for general admission typically starts about an hour before each show.
- The hall holds roughly 100 people. There is bench and floor seating for 40; the rest of the hall is standing-room only.
- Food and beverages are not sold at the venue, but you may bring your own drinks in plastic containers (food is prohibited).
- Visitors with a disability or a handicap should call the hall to request accommodations.
Preservation Hall is located on St. Peter Street in the French Quarter and is walking distance from Jackson Square, the waterfront, Louis Armstrong Park, and many other bars and attractions. The hall is about a 5-minute walk from the Toulouse Station tram stop.
When to Get There
The hall hosts up to five shows a night, and the first generally starts at 5pm. Each lasts about 45 minutes.
New Orleans Music Tours
If you want to know about New Orleans’ many musical traditions, you can book one of the city’s many music-themed tours. Learn about how the city became famous for blues, jazz, and gospel; and hear about the histories of venues like Preservation Hall, Place d’Armes, and the Royal Orleans hotel. You can also take a tour that will introduce you to the city’s jazz, food, and drink scenes all in one day.
Address: 726 Saint Peter Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116, USA
Admission: US$12
9 Tours and Activities to Experience Preservation Hall
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New Orleans French Quarter Photo Shoot
66
Savor your New Orleans experience with a professional photographer to show you around the French Quarter and capture high-quality photos of the excursion. The local photographer not only knows the top photo spots in the city but can also share other details about the sights throughout the tour. This enables you to maximize your time and take home photos.
…More
From
$53.34
From
$53.34
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff
Learn More

New Orleans Music Heritage Tour
138
Take a walk through 300 years of New Orleans’ musical history on this tour led by a local Louisiana record man. Discover how the city became the heart and soul of the American blues scene, and visit legendary music-making haunts including Preservation Jazz Hall, Place de Armes, the Royal Orleans Hotel and several recording studios. Stroll down iconic Bourbon and Frenchmen streets while hearing tales of local jazz and blues legends like Allen Toussaint, James Booker, Fats Domino, Louis Armstrong and more.
…More
From
$30.00
From
$30.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Learn More

New Orleans VIP Jazz Experience: Social Distancing Series
5
Join us for this small group tour (maximum of 15 guests) led by a world-renowned jazz musician.
This truly is a one of a kind New Orleans experience!
In order to maintain proper social distancing, your guide Kevin will ask that the group stay at least 6 feet from back while you join him on a "tumble" through the French Quarter while he plays the tunes that made New Orleans famous.
Kevin will play New Orleans Jazz as our "tumble" stops in front of several of famous Jazz Clubs such as Preservation Hall, Fritzel's and others while keeping a social distance between you and the guests of the clubs.
You won't want to miss this one! Sign up now in order to secure your space for your next visit to New Orleans.
…More
From
$99.00
From
$99.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Learn More

Scavenger Hunt: Preservation Hall Scavenger Hunt Sessions!
Let’s Roam is the #1 app-led scavenger hunt company. Walk to all the best landmarks and hidden gems, answering trivia questions and solving challenges. Work with your team or compete against them, as you learn new facts and create memorable experiences. Let’s Roam Scavenger Hunts are great as an everyday activity, or for bachelorette parties, birthday parties, corporate team building events and more! Each player chooses an interactive role, with challenges varying by person.
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From
$12.31
From
$12.31

New Orleans Private Photo Shoot with Professional Photographer
2
We offer a beautiful option of a private photoshoot in a Masquerade promt in the heart of New Orleans
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From
$71.80
per group
From
$71.80
per group
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regular temperature checks for staff
Learn More

Small-Group Guided Walking Tour of Bourbon Street
7
Led by local historian, lean about the rich & diverse history of the world's most famous or "infamous" street. Explore Bourbon street during off peak hours to avoid crowds and distractions.You’ll start at the top near Canal st and end at America’s oldest bar, that has been serving drinks since 1732. Halfway through we’ll stop for Louisiana’s official state doughnut and Big Easy style coffee with chicory, a local favorite.
Listen to stories & tales about the city's most recognized cocktails and which libation was even a favorite of founding father, Benjamin Franklin. You'll learn about the origins of Bourbon st starting in the 18th century with the royal family of France. As you make your way down the street you’ll hear how the street modernized during WWII and the population change with the influx of servicemen and how The Big Easy was once home to the most popular burlesque acts in the US as well as one of the hot spots for the mafia in the 1950s and political corruption.
…More
From
$21.60
$2.40 savings
Price varies by group size
From
$21.60
$2.40 savings
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

Private Guided Walking Tour of Bourbon Street
1
Learn about the rich & diverse history of the world's most famous or "infamous" street. Explore Bourbon street in the morning hours to avoid crowds and distractions.You’ll start at the top near Canal st and end at America’s oldest bar, that has been serving drinks since 1732. Halfway through we’ll stop for Louisiana’s official state doughnut and Big Easy style coffee with chicory, a local favorite.
Listen to stories & tales about the city's most famous cocktails and which libation was even a favorite of founding father, Benjamin Franklin. You'll learn about the origins of Bourbon st starting in the 18th century with the royal family of France. As you make your way down the street you’ll hear how the street changed with the influx of sailors in the 40s and the local fame of its burlesque dancers in the 50s and 60s and their involvement with notorious politicians & mobsters of the time.
Your local guide will share personal stories & secrets from growing up in the Big Easy.
…More
From
$49.00
Price varies by group size
From
$49.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

New Orleans Music Walking Tour
3
Explore the world’s richest musical city. Starting with Louis Armstrong Park and Congo Square, historic site of African slave gatherings, it is the only place in North America where pure West African religious ritual and musical traditions were performed. Congo Square is the wellspring of all New Orleans music and so many of world-famous songs.
Visit the building which housed Cosimo Matassa’s groundbreaking J&M Studios - the true birthplace of rock’n'roll. See the New Orleans Musicians Tomb. The first burial to take place was for Lloyd Washington of the Ink Spots on October 23, 2004. The Musicians Tomb was restored and is administered by Robert Florence of NOLA Historic Tours.
Learn about the Second Line & stroll down Basin Street to the remains of Storyville, fabled red light district whose parlors presented Buddy Bolden and Jelly Roll Morton.
Then move through the Tango Belt to May Bailey’s and the French Opera House, ending with the legendary Preservation Hall.
…More
From
$25.00
From
$25.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
Learn More

New Orleans Music Tour
Although New Orleans is heavily associated with Jazz, this tour will show how every form of American popular music is informed by New Orleans. As the outgrageous New Orleans R&B legend Ernie K-Doe said: “I'm not sure, but I'm almost positive, all music came from New Orleans.”
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From
$25.00
From
$25.00
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